Dick Francis (1920–2010) was one of the most prestigious English authors writing in the detective genre. In his lifetime he created more than 30 bestsellers that gained international recognition. His novels are devoted mainly to the world of horse racing—after all, Francis knew it firsthand: he was born into a jockey’s family and himself became a famous jockey. This world is full of thrills; here passions run high around magnificent horses and big tote-betting stakes, and there’s plenty to feed scam artists. All of this served as the material for exciting novels that became bestsellers in many countries around the world.