Dick Francis, born Richard Stanley Francis, was a renowned British steeplechase jockey and crime writer. His novels primarily revolve around horse racing in England. After serving in the RAF during the war, Francis became a full-time jump-jockey, winning over 350 races and earning the title of champion jockey of the British National Hunt. He gained further fame in 1956 as the jockey to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, riding her horse, Devon Loch, which famously fell near the finish line of the Grand National.

Following his retirement from racing, Francis transitioned to journalism and then to novel writing. His crime novels, which frequently involve the horse-racing world, became international best-sellers. The stories often feature a main character who, while facing significant challenges such as physical injury, solves crimes in a world where even respectable figures can be criminals. More than forty of his novels became international best-sellers.

Francis worked closely with his wife, Mary, on his books, considering her his co-writer. He is quoted in "The Dick Francis Companion" as saying, "Mary and I worked as a team... I have often said that I would have been happy to have both our names on the cover."