The Dick Francis Companion

by Jean Swanson, Dean James

An alphabetically arranged reference on the works of the popular mystery writer provides quotations, little-known facts, plot summaries, and character profiles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Mystery

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2003

Reviews

[Jane Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Francis was the first mystery writer I read. A neighbor left a paper sack full of his novels by the dumpster and who can pass up books? I read them all and nearly every novel he has written. If you do not remember which plot was which and what character or site was in which book, this is for you. Your local library may have one and my softback was cheap, only 14.00 in '03.

Jean Swanson & Dean James have another good reference book, Killer Books, A Reader's Guide to Exploring the Popular World of Mystery and Suspense. How's that for a sub-title?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very handy tool to have, for a fellow Dick Francis fan!! I love that these people went to this much trouble to compile it, it's the kind of thing I'd have done myself if I had thought of it! Nice interview with Dick Francis, and despite having read quite a lot about him over the years, I still learned new things in this book. I like having the synopsis, because despite having read all of them at least twice, many I have read 5 and 6 and 7 times, I STILL can't remember the main character's name, or what it was about sometimes. They are perfect rereads. In fact, at this very moment, I am listening to "In the Frame" again on audio. I also liked the notable first lines, I have admired them, but didn't realize that he had quite to many first lines with a PUNCH!
I know Dick Francis is dead now, but my family (every one of the 7 of us!) has been enamoured of Dick Francis and his books since the 70s. I know horses and racing, but that wasn't the primary draw, it's his writing and his wonderful main character. Dick thought the actor Mike Gwilym did a good job portraying Sid Halley, but none of us did. His warmth and kindness and competence didn't come thru, he seemed very cold. I don't know who would be the perfect actor to play a "main character", them all having similar characteristics. A Bill Bixby type, perhaps. Warm and gentle, but powerful and determined underneath. Intelligent. Thank you, authors, for this companion!