Dick Francis passes away

[Unstable]

Just finished his last book (written with his son) yesterday. I've read them all, and enjoyed them all.

While sometimes the plots got a little hokey, I've always admired the way he wrote about the racing. I gained a whole new perspective for steeplechase racing. I agree with Dr. Beth, the books are like candy. When a new one would come out, I would try to make it last (because I knew I would have to wait for the next one). But I always ended up having to finishing it off.

Thinking he had already passed on was understandable. He was in his eighties and there was a gap of six years in the publishing of his books after his wife died. There were rumors that she had been the driving force behind the writing of the books. However, I never read the books for the plotting... it was the accurate, visceral descriptions of the riding and the racing that "hooked" me.

R.I.P. Mr. Francis.