Mystery novelist and former jockey Dick Francis has died, leaving behind forty-one bestselling novels.
During his career as a jockey, Francis (pictured, via) won 350 races. He began writing suspenseful crime novels set in the world of horse racing. The novelist won the Mystery Writer of America’s prestigious Edgar Award for Best Novel three times: for Forfeit in 1970, Whip Hand in 1981, and Come to Grief in 1996 His two son helped write his last four novels.
Here is a statement from Felix Francis, the novelist’s co-writer and son: “My brother, Merrick, and I are, of course devastated by the loss of our father, but we rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man. We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honour for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels.”