First book in a series of murder mysteries set around a theme of steeplechase racing. Not a hobby I know much about, so this was a fun book. ( )

An older mystery by DF. This one, like most of the early ones, has more actual horses/horse racing in it. I liked it fairly well. Wasn't real fond of the girl the hero fell in love with but what are you going to do? Still a fast fun ride. ( )

V prvním detektivním příběhu Dicka Francise z roku 1962 pátrá amatérský jezdec Alan York po vrazích svého blízkého přítele, nejlepšího dostihového jezdce sezony. Policie tragický pád favorita dostihu uzavřela jako nešťastnou náhodu, Alan je však přesvědčen, že to byla vražda, třebaže jemná síť vztahů v prostředí vztahů v prostředí jezdců, trenérů a majitelů dostihových koní pachatele zatím skrývá. Hlavní podezřelou se brzy stává půvabná Kate, nová majitelka koně, kterého Alan jezdí... ( )

I only discovered Dick Francis a very few years ago. I'd heard of him, of course, but I didn't think that he would appeal to me. Upon reading a collection of his that was among my late mother's books, I realized what I had been missing. I have since read several of his works, all of which were very enjoyable and engaging, and decided to go back to the start. I believe that Dead Cert was his first mystery. He came out with a bang. Francis had the same skills at developing a tightly knit plot with good characters in 1962 as he did in his later works. Much like the steeplechase, the reader is taken over obstacles and around bends slowly at first, but finds him/herself rushing headlong to cross the finish line. Very satisfying read. ( )

After some Jane Smiley, I wanted more horses. It's been decades since I've read Dick Francis. I truly have no idea whether I've read this one before, but it scratched that itch. ( )