Felix is Dick’s younger of his two sons and he increasingly over the last 10 or so years helped his father in the writing of his thrilling racing novels and for the last forty years worked with him on the research for each one. The last four thrillers of which this is the fourth credit both Dick and Felix for the writing and clearly much of Dick’s talent has rubbed off very successfully to his younger son for Crossfire is Francis at his sublime best, mixing the murky world of racing with murder and intrigue. Dick’s sad death at the start of 2010 will no doubt put the pressure on Felix to take on his father’s mantle – we certainly hope so.
