Francis never made it easy for his heroes (though sometimes he let them meet someone romantically suitable by the end of the book). They’re often a bit damaged-physically, mentally, or both-stalwart yet sensitive men in the 30s, who come from dysfunctional families and are often single-divorced, widowed, in love with someone inappropriate (a relative, a friend’s wife) and thus unable to act on it-and if he’s married, it might be to someone with a debilitating condition that makes physical intimacy impossible. Most of them are ordinary blokes with a keen morality and, once spurred, they prove to be more courageous and resourceful than they-or their enemies-had thought themselves to be. “Fire in the belly” is an apt term for all of Francis’s heroes-maybe not at first, but once their sense of injustice is aroused, they are driven. 38 slug of lead that made a pepper shaker out of my intestines left me with fire in my belly in more ways than one.” ( Odds Against, 1995) “I was never particularly keen on my job before the day I got shot and nearly lost it, along with my life. “I intensely disliked my father’s fifth wife, but not to the point of murder.” ( Hot Money, 1987) However, three in a single afternoon was sufficiently unusual to raise more than an eyebrow.” ( Under Orders, 2006) “Sadly, death at the races is not uncommon. “I had told my drivers never on any account to pick up a hitchhiker, but of course one day they did, and by the time they reached my house, he was dead.” ( Driving Force, 1992) How did his brother die? Were his enemies responsible? What was his business? His “gadgets”? Wait, inherited his mistress? Nearly killed him? You’ve got to find out, don’t you? First, note the rule of three: inherited…inherited…inherited. I inherited my brother’s life, and it nearly killed me.”

Inherited his desk, his business, his gadgets, his enemies, his horses and his mistress.

Nerve by Dick Francis