Bestselling and much acclaimed Penguin author Dick Francis has died at the age of 89 at his home in the Caymen Islands. Francis was a champion steeple chase jockey and is best known for his prolific thrillers set in the racing world. He retired from racing in 1957 to pursue journalism and in 1962 wrote his first novel titled Death Cert which was later made into a movie.

 

During his writing career, Francis wrote 42 thriller novels which have been translated into 20 languages. He won 3 Edgar Allan Poe awards for his books Forfeit, Whip hand and Come to Grief. He also received the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Novel Writers’ Association for his notable contribution to the genre as well as their Lifetime Achievement award in 1996. In 2000 Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him one of the highest honours in the British Empire by making him a Commander of the British Empire.

 

Francis is survived by his two sons, five grandchildren, 1 great grand-son and of course his legendary repertoire of thriller novels.