'In the Frame' and 'Dead Cert' (Omnibus Edition) (edition 2005)

More DIck Francis at his old school best.

In the Frame:

One of Francis' earlier branchings out into non-jockey but still horse related books. He actually did quite a bit of research into how painters work and the details for the fine art trade according to the forward and it shows in the writing. Mostly in the dumps of unnecessary information regarding paint types, but also in some more key plot areas which is good.

Charles Todd is a painter, particularly of horses. He arranges a rare meeting with his cousin only to fidn the cousin distraught and the wife dead - by the look of the scene an interrupted burglary. Co-incidece shortly leads him to a very similar burglry, the common feature being an Australian art gallery. Chalres happens to know a recently married good friend in Australia and flies out to investigate. The usual Franics adventures follow, although the wife isn't that keen she too helps out.

It's all good fun, wouldn't work now-a-days what with modern communications and all (how much harder authors have to work when the boss can't just phone his friends wherever they are) and has only one minor plot hole - Salt water really really stings in scratches.

Dead Cert
Quite early in Francis's carrer being written in '62.

Alan York is an amateur jockey with a rich dad, riding his own horses. When his best friend falls and unluckily dies in front of him he decides to investigate. Fortunetly he comes across a wealthy and rich girl as well. Together they explore the murky underside of Brighton's cabbie drivers - as unlikely a scenario as you'll ever come across. This is followed by an even more unlikely horse and car chase through the woods. Something that today's technology would immediately rule out, but which is about appropriate to the setting.

Overall they are both fast and furious light fun. Easy reading, likeable heros and you can guess the ending way in advance. Francis is a master at these sort of adenture capers though, the action is detailed, the plot twisty and although none of the characters are that detailed they all have enough charm to keep everything flowing, particularly if you like horses. ( )