Dead Cert (50 Classics of Crime Fiction, 1950-1975, vol 16) (Hardcover)

by Dick Francis (Author) "THE MINGLED SMELLS of hot horse and cold river mist filled my nostrils..." (more)
Key Phrases: weighing room, parade ring, race glasses, Uncle George, Aunt Deb, Major Davidson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'Fresh and exciting... very lively' Sunday Times 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true, nowadays, of his crime writing' Daily Mirror --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
In the world of mystery writing, Dick Francis stands head and shoulders above the rest. (Ottawa Citizen) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Garland Publishing (February 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824049918
• ISBN-13: 978-0824049911
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,525,036 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dick Francis Does It Again, For the First Time, July 19, 2006

By	JOHN VANDENOEVER "www.johnvano.com" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Cert (Paperback)

I was amazed to learn after reading this one that it was Dick Francis' first novel. Francis was a very successful jockey--racing for the Queen Mother in the 1950's--and after a career-ending injury, he penned his memoirs. Following that success, he developed and incredibly successful second act as a novelist.

I discovered Francis' work last summer--and I have plans to read everything he's done. In the 3 books I've read, his heroes are all gentleman sleuths--full of character, empathy, and wits. In Dead Cert, the trend continues with Alan York, a young amateur jockey trying to uncover the mystery of why a copper wire was intentionally hung to trip his fellow jockey. York is on his own resolving this caper, having failed to fully convince the police that this was anything more than an accidental death.

The writing is of a high caliber, the characters are wonderfully drawn, and I always learn a thing or two about horses--and England--when I read Dick Francis. There's also something quaint about reading a book set in an age before computers, cell phones, and DNA evidence. Grade: A-

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dead Certain to please mystery lovers..., February 13, 2002

By	J. Kane "AbleKane" (Balad, Iraq) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Cert (Paperback)

In yet another gripping story of mystery, murder and British steeplechasing, Dick Francis continues his amazing streak of hit novels.

His real appeal is not racing or mystery however, it is his ability to create characters who are admirable, honorable and self-reliant. If you're looking for troubled, self-loathers who "somehow" overcome their weakness and become unwilling and unwitting heroes, don't look here. Francis' heroes revel in their abilities to withstand evil, overcome it, and end up smiling in spite of it all.

Kudos once again for Dick Francis and Dead Cert!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Gate Fast, October 28, 2000

By	Charles R. Slater (Mount Kisco, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Cert (Paperback)

This is the first of Dick Francis' racing novels, although not the first I read. In fact, I was amazed to see it was numero uno. Even Robert Parker, another mystery master, took one novel to get it right. Francis, in racetrack parlance, broke from the gate fast. All the elements are there: A likeable hero who pursues the truth at great personal risk; a sweet but never turn-the-page-torrid romance with a bend in the road; outside knowledge about an interesting field, and an interesting villain one can almost sympathize with on some level. It grabs you right away with the murder of a jockey during a race and never lets go, right to the surprising conclusion -- one, incidentally, which our hero desperately wanted not to be so. Enjoy. It's a great start to a great, long ride. Francis' first and one of his best.