Dick Francis Reading Order

6 books (1958–1992)

Dick Francis edited six complete anthology collections between 1958 and 1992, featuring mystery and thriller stories from various authors. These volumes should be read in publication order, beginning with Galaxy Science Fiction from September 1958 and continuing through The Amis Story Anthology. The series includes John Creasey's Crime Collection, Verdict of Thirteen, Great Stories of Mystery and Suspense, and 1st Culprit among its entries. Each anthology stands independently while contributing to Francis's editorial work in the mystery and suspense genre.

Start with Galaxy Science Fiction, September 1958, the first of 6 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	Galaxy Science Fiction, September 1958 1958Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	John Creasey's Crime Collection, 1977 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Verdict of Thirteen 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Great Stories of Mystery and Suspense 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	1st Culprit 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Amis Story Anthology 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2014–2016)

The Jefferson Hinkley series comprises three complete mysteries written by Dick Francis in collaboration with Felix Francis between 2014 and 2016. These thrillers should be read in publication order, beginning with Damage, continuing through Front Runner, and concluding with Triple Crown. Each book builds on the previous installment, making sequential reading essential for following the protagonist's story arc.

Start with Damage(With: Felix Francis) and read in order.

#	Title
1	Damage(With: Felix Francis) 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Front Runner(With: Felix Francis) 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Triple Crown(With: Felix Francis) 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1985–1986)

Dick Francis's Kit Fielding series consists of two mystery thrillers published in the mid-1980s. The complete series includes Break In and Bolt, which should be read in publication order. Both novels were released within a single year, with Break In launching the series in 1985 followed by Bolt in 1986.

Start with Break In and read in order.

#	Title
1	Break In 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Bolt 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1957–1986)

Dick Francis's three nonfiction works span from 1957 to 1986 and should be read in publication order. The series opens with his autobiography The Sport of Queens, followed by The Racing Man's Bedside Book and concludes with his biography of legendary jockey Lester Piggott, A Jockey's Life. All three books are now complete and offer insights into the world of horse racing from different perspectives.

Start with The Sport of Queens: The Autobiography of Dick Francis and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Sport of Queens: The Autobiography of Dick Francis 1957Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Racing Man's Bedside Book 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggot / Lester 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1995–1998)

7 books (1965–2025)

The Sid Halley series spans seven mystery and thriller novels following the same protagonist across nearly six decades of publication. Beginning with Odds Against in 1965, the series continued through Come to Grief, Under Orders, Refusal, and other entries, with the most recent installment released in 2025. The first five books were written by Dick Francis before his son Felix Francis took over authorial duties for the final two volumes. These books should be read in publication order to follow the character's development across the chronologically advancing narratives.

Start with Odds Against, the first of 7 books in the Sid Halley series.

#	Title
1	Odds Against 1965Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Whip Hand 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Come to Grief 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Under Orders 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Refusal 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Hands Down(By: Felix Francis) 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Dark Horse(By: Felix Francis) 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

37 books (1962–2010)

Dick Francis wrote 37 standalone mystery and thriller novels between 1962 and 2010, completing the series before his death. Each book features different protagonists and plots, allowing readers to start anywhere, though reading in publication order beginning with Dead Cert provides insight into the author's evolving style and storytelling techniques. The series spans from early works like Nerve and For Kicks through later novels including High Stakes and In the Frame, showcasing Francis's signature blend of suspense and equestrian settings drawn from his background as a jockey.

Start with Dead Cert, the first of 37 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Dead Cert 1962Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Nerve 1964Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	For Kicks 1965Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Flying Finish 1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Blood Sport 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Forfeit 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Enquiry 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Rat Race 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Bonecrack 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Smokescreen 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Slay Ride 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Knockdown 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	High Stakes 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	In the Frame 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Risk 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Trial Run 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Reflex 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Twice Shy 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Banker 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Danger 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Proof 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Hot Money 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	The Edge 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Straight 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Longshot 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Comeback 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Driving Force 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Decider 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Wild Horses 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	To the Hilt 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	10 lb. Penalty 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Second Wind 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	Shattered 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	Dead Heat(With: Felix Francis) 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	Silks(With: Felix Francis) 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36	Even Money(With: Felix Francis) 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37	Crossfire(With: Felix Francis) 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible