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Father, Son Team Up To Write Promising Mystery

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By AMY SMITH LINTON

Published: September 9, 2007

'Dead Heat,' by Dick and Felix Francis (Putnam, $26)

Over the course of about 40 years, Dick Francis produced about 40 best-selling mysteries set on and around horse racing. The hugely entertaining novels have brief names ('Longshot,' 'Comeback,' 'Bolt,' 'Shattered') that reflect their fast pace and feature decent men - often with special knowledge of exotic topics such as gem importing, survival tactics, building design, kidnap recovery, meteorology - caught up in dangerous and unexpected situations.

Fans were saddened when Francis reported that at 80-some years of age, he was preparing to retire. But now a breath of selfish hope: Francis' son Felix, who has been doing legwork for his father for years, appears to be taking the reins.

In 'Dead Heat,' the protagonist is talented young chef Max Moreton, who runs a popular restaurant in Newmarket and caters events at the nearby track. As the story begins, Moreton learns he and many of his customers from the night before are apparently suffering from food poisoning. Moreton drags himself to his next catering gig at the track, where a bomb detonates, leaving more than a dozen people dead. Tossed headlong into an international conspiracy involving Argentine polo ponies, a floundering American manufacturing corporation and an attractive violist, the British chef pits his wit and nerve against his unknown enemies in a classic adventure Francis fans love.

While the narrative shows an occasional check in stride, the collaboration of father and son shows great promise.

Amy Smith Linton of Tampa is a freelance writer.

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