Finding a niche.

That’s what mystery writing has always been about, an author struggling to find a niche in which to nurture his or her novels. Why else would there would be so many variations of the classic detective – a cat who solves mysteries, a librarian who solves mysteries, a cookbook author who solves mysteries, a group of book club old ladies who solve mysteries.

And on and on and on.

Dick Francis found his niche way back in 1962 – horses and horse racing – and since then has created some of the most popular mystery novels in the world.

Francis, the son of a jockey, became a celebrity in the world of British National Hunt racing after serving in the Royal Air Force. He won more than 350 races, was a champion jockey in 1953-1954, and was retained as jockey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth through 1957.

Francis rode eight times in the world famous Grand National Steeplechase and nearly won in 1956 when his horse, the Queen Mother’s Devon Loch, a few strides away from victory with a clear field, suddenly collapsed.

This incident, which Francis calls “both the high point and low point of my career as a jockey,” was the impetus for him to begin a second career as a writer. Shortly after the incident, a literary agent approached Francis about writing an autobiography.

While writing for the London Sunday Express, Francis soon turned to fiction writing. His first novel, Dead Cert, was published in 1962.

Francis was awarded the British Crime Writers Association silver dagger in 1965, gold dagger in 1980 and Cartier diamond dagger for his life’s work in 1990. He is the recipient of three Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America, most recently for Come to Grief in 1995. The Mystery Writers of America named Francis Grand Master for his work in 1996 and he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Tufts University in 1991.

Reviewer Emily Melton writes, “After producing 34 popular novels in 32 years, it’s not surprising that Francis has the formula for success down pat. He’s a dependably good writer who can churn out one mystery after another and still keep them interesting. His heroes are decent, likable chaps who generally remain untarnished by the evil around them, and his writing is as unobtrusively smooth and classy as a single-malt scotch.”

Berkley Publishing Group – starting with Dead Cert this month – is re-issuing some of Francis’ best books.

Take a look:

Dead Cert (January 2004, 288 pages, $6.99) – Horse racing can be a dangerous sport, but it becomes a deadly one when a champion is killed.

For Kicks (February 2004, 292 pages, $6.99) – Australian horse breeder Daniel Roke had resisted the exorbitant sum of money offered by a suave Englishman to investigate a scandal involving drugged racehorses. But after another investigator dies mysteriously, Roke agrees to fill his shoes – and learns that men who would give drugs to horses are capable of doing much worse to human beings.

Field Of Thirteen (March 2004, 304 pages, $6.99) – A superbly crafted collection of thirteen tightly plotted tales that treats readers to murder, mystery, and mayhem in the world of horseracing.

Slay Ride (April 2004, 288 pages, $6.99) – When a champion jockey disappears (right before a big race and the birth of his child) Investigator David Cleveland bets on foul play.

Wild Horses (May 2004, 352 pages, $6.99) – When a film director hears a friend’s deathbed confession about an unsolved crime that rocked the racing world nearly 30 years ago, he is compelled to pick up the thread of the unfinished tale, and follow it through to the perilous end (New York Times Notable Book of the Year).

Fiction Bibliography

Dead Cert (1962)

Nerve (1964)

For Kicks (1965)

Odds Against (1965)

Flying Finish (1966)

Blood Sport (1967)

Forfeit (1968)

Enquiry (1969)

Rat Race (1970)

Bonecrack (1971)

Smokescreen (1972)

Slay Ride (1973)

Knock Down (1974)

High Stakes (1975)

In The Frame (1976)

Risk (1977)

Trial Run (1978)

Whip Hand (1979)

Reflex (1981)

Twice Shy (1981)

Banker (1983)

The Danger (1984)

Proof (1985)

Break In (1985)

Lester (1986)

Bolt (1986)

Hot Money (1987)

The Edge (1988)

Straight (1989)

Longshot (1990)

Comeback (1991)

Driving Force (1992)

Decider (1993)

Wild Horses (1994)

Come To Grief (1995)

To The Hilt (1996)

10 LB. Penalty (1997)

Field Of 13 (1998)

Second Wind (1999)

Shattered (2000)