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Francis Dick Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Francis Dick Quizzes, Trivia

Dick Francis Trivia

Dick Francis Trivia Quizzes

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Not everyone can turn their first career into a profitable second career, but that is just what retired jockey Dick Francis did, with his mysteries set in the world of horse racing.
4 Dick Francis quizzes and 45 Dick Francis trivia questions.
1.
  Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Dick Francis has written 40 thrillers, all of them with a racing background. I have learnt much from his books as many of them have been set around other industries or occupations. How many of the following character's occupations do you know?
Average, 10 Qns, essjaynz, Aug 01 04
Average
essjaynz
973 plays
2.
  Rat Race    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Racing fiddles, air rescues, attempted fraud, murder! "Rat Race" by the incomparable Dick Francis has all of these and more...even romance. Come with me on an overview of one of my favorite books.
Average, 15 Qns, Catreona, Mar 28 21
Average
Catreona gold member
Mar 28 21
443 plays
3.
  Books by Dick Francis - Mixture    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Dick Francis is one of my favourite authors. I can only find 1 quiz on his books, so decided to create my own!
Average, 10 Qns, preshy46, Jan 21 17
Average
preshy46
899 plays
4.
  Dick Francis Heroes    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you the name of a main character, and you name the book in which he lives. Have fun, Dick fans!
Tough, 10 Qns, lisamos, Aug 01 04
Tough
lisamos
840 plays
Related Topics
  British Literature [Literature] (49 quizzes)

  Mystery & Detective Fiction [Literature] (105 quizzes)


Dick Francis Trivia Questions
1. As the novel opens, taxi pilot Matt Shore neither knows nor cares anything about horse racing. What happens during his run to Haydock race course that plants the first seeds of his interest?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: His passengers squabble about what he comes to realize is race fixing.

After all the arguing and ill feeling he has had to listen to throughout the flight, Matt becomes "mildly curious to see what would happen in the 3:30." So, when invited later, he goes in to the races, leaving the Cherokee locked but unattended.

2. "To the Hilt" starts in the Scottish Highlands with the main character Alexander Kinloch. What was his occupation?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Painter

"To the Hilt" is Dick Francis' 35th novel written in 1996. Alexander Kinloch is a bagpipe playing painter who lives in Scotland. "The Hilt" is the solid gold-handled ceremonial sword of Bonnie Prince Charlie. The baddies believe Alexander knows where it is.

3. In the novel entitled "The Edge", what is the name of the special train laid on for Canadian racegoers?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: The Great Transcontinental Mystery Race Train

Dick Francis published his first novel in 1962, called "Dead Cert". "The Edge" is his 27th best selling thriller.

4. When a pretty girl comes to the plane to talk to him, Mat's flagging spirits rise. What are her first words?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: "You lousy bloody skunk!"

Matt's resigned comment, "It really was one of those days", ends the chapter. The next chapter begins with the girl's embarrassed realization that she had the wrong man. She apologizes and, after this inauspicious beginning, the relationship proceeds quite satisfactorily. It turns out that she thought Matt was Derrydown Sky Taxis' previous full time pilot,Larry Gedge, who stole a hundred pounds from her and then absconded to Turkey - richly deserving to be called a lousy skunk in your humble quiz maker's opinion.

5. "Smokescreen" has the main character Edward Lincoln spending much of his time in South Africa and Spain. What was his occupation?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Actor

When Edward Lincoln was a lad, he worked in a stable where he learnt to ride, this leads to him becoming a stuntman and finally an international movie star. In this riveting tale we get to visit Kruger Park and a gold mine. "Smokescreen" is Dick Francis's 11th book and was written in 1972.

6. In the novel entitled "Comeback", the main character's name is Peter Darwin. What is his job?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Private Secretary

Born on October 31st 1920, Dick Francis dropped out of school at 15, won a Hunter show, and started his career as a steeplechase jockey.

7. Who does the pretty girl who comes to talk to Matt at Haydock race course turn out to be?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: Colin Ross's sister Nancy

Midge is Nancy's twin sister. Fennella, aka Fenella Pain-in-the-neck, is Colin's would-be girlfriend, whom we meet later in the book. Annie Villars is a trainer and one of Matt's passengers. She becomes a regular along with jockeys Collin Ross and Kenny Bayst. At one point she gives Matt information that helps him solve a minor puzzle and, eventually, gives him insight into the main mystery.

8. "Shattered" has the usual assortment of villains and thugs in it to cause trouble for the main character Gerard Logan. How does he earn a living?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Glassblower

Gerald Logan owns and operates his own glassblowing shop in the Cotswolds. "Shattered", written in 2000, is Dick Francis's last thriller - so far. It is dedicated to the Queen Mother, who owned the horse that Dick Francis so nearly won the Grand National on. She turned 100 in 2000.

9. What horse is Australian jockey Kenny Bayst riding in the 3:30 at Haydock, and why is this important for the story as a whole?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: Rudaments/Unraveling the race fixing scheme involving him helps solve the larger mystery.

Candlestick is mentioned in passing later on. Curiously, a horse named Candlestick is also mentioned in Francis' 2007 thriller "Under Orders". Clipclop appears in 2006's "Bonecrack". Red Rum is a real life horse, albeit of legendary status, whose achievement of winning the Grand National three times, in 1973, 1974 and 1977, has never been equaled. He came in second in 1975 and 1976.

10. In the novel "Second Wind", meteorologist Perry Stuart is a passenger in a plane that crashes into the Caribbean Sea. What weather phenomonon were they chasing when it happened?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Hurricane Odin

In 1991, Dick Francis was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Tufts University, Massachusetts. In 1996, he was created Grand Master by The Mystery Writers of America.

11. Nancy's hippy wannabe-boyfriend Chanter talks a good, anti-establishment story, though he is in fact employed. What does he do for a living?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: He teaches at an art school.

Though Chanter describes himself as the fuzz (a term which to this American translates as police), Matt understands that he is a teacher. When Matt asks if he ever sells his work, Chanter just gives him a baleful stare. At one point, when the subject of insurance comes up in conversation, Chanter declares it to be immoral.

12. The hero of "Longshot" is John Kendall who has used his survival skills in many inhospitable places around the world. How does he earn a living?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Writer

"Longshot", written in 1992, features John Kendall, a travel writer who to earn some extra money agrees to write a biography of a leading race horse trainer. He is surprised when he finds himself having to use his skills in the English countryside to survive.

13. At Redcar races, Matt intervenes to keep Kenny Bayst from being crippled by a couple of thugs with big fists and heavy boots. Who are the thugs working for?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: Eric Goldenberg

Carthy-Todd has nothing to do with the attack, since it springs from the race fixing scheme with which he is not connected. It is unclear whether Maj. Tyderman knows in advance about the attack, though he seems just as angry with Kenny as Goldenberg. Though Annie claims Kenny must have deserved the beating, Matt can see she doesn't like the idea at all. Colin is concerned about Kenny and even more about Matt who, after all, still has to fly them all home.

14. In "Risk", the main character Roland Britten, wakes up one morning to discover that he is tied up, blindfolded, and being transported in some kind of vehicle. What is his occupation?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Auditor

"Risk", written in 1977, is about Roland Britten who is a very successful amateur steeplechase jockey. He wins the "Cheltenham Gold Cup" then later that day is abducted and ends up on a sailing boat. After escaping he then needs to find out why.

15. Why does Colin invite Matt to come home with him when Matt delivers his passengers at Cambridge after Redcar races?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: Matt is feeling awful two hours on from the beating he took from Kenny's attackers.

In fact, Colin's sisters Midge and Nancy are there, and Matt feels at home at once.

16. "In the Frame" travels to Australia and focuses on the Melbourne Cup. The main character Charles Todd gets involved after the death of his cousin's wife during a burglary. What is Charles's occupation?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Artist

Charles Todd, is an oil painter who specialises in painting horses. There are many interesting facts and snippets about oil painting, forgeries and the beautiful scenery of Australia. "In the Frame" is Dick Francis's 15th book and was written in 1976.

17. In the novel "Second Wind", Perry and Kris are asked to land their plane on an island in the Caribbean Sea. What is the name of the island?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Trox Island

In 1990, Dick Francis was awarded the Crime Writers Association Award sponsored by Cartier. Known as the "Cartier Diamond Dagger". This award is very prestigious and only awarded to writers in recognition for a lifetime achievement in the crime writing genre.

18. "High Stakes" main character is Steven Scott. The story begins with Steven firing his horse trainer, who has been cheating him. What does Steven Scott do for a living?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Toy Inventor

Steven's trainer refuses to relinquish one of his horses and all the racing fraternity think Steven is the bad guy for taking his horses away from the trainer who was winning so many races for him. He then has to use his creative and inventive skills to get his horse back. "High Stakes", written in 1975, was the first book that Dick Francis wrote for the American market.

19. In Dick Francis' last novel, "Shattered", what is the occupation of the character Gerard Logan?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Glass Blower

Dick Francis learned to ride at the age of 5. His older brother bet him sixpence that he could not jump a fence backwards on a donkey. It took 5 tries but Dick did it and won his first ever riding fee. He says, "From that moment I became a professional horseman".

20. What is the reason for blowing up the original Derrydown Cherokee Six and for sabotaging Nancy and Collin's Cherokee Four?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: For publicity to increase subscriptions to the Racegoers Accident Fund.

Only nonclaiming incidents like the blowing up of the unoccupied Derrydown Cherokee are useful to the planner of the fraud with the fund. In the event, the sabotage of Nancy and Colin's plane works out better from his point of view than he could have dared hope for.

21. In "Knockdown", Jonah Dereham an ex-jockey, finds his new career to be causing him some major problems. What is his new occupation?

From Quiz Dick Francis Racing Thrillers - Characters

Answer: Bloodstock Agent

Jonah's horse sense earns him a commission to buy a horse for a rich American lady. Unfortunately some baddies decide they want the horse and resort to violence to get it. "Knockdown" was written in 1974. Dick Francis has won three Edgar Awards for the Best Mystery of the Year!

22. In the novel "Break In", Kit Fielding has a twin sister. What is her name?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Holly

Dick Francis' wife Mary had two degrees, one in English and one in French. She also worked for a publisher. This gave rise to rumours after her death in 2000, that she actually wrote the novels and Dick Francis put his name to them to help them sell. This rumour was further fuelled by his decision to stop writing after Mary's death. I like to think it was a joint effort.

23. Why is Maj. Tiderman murdered?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: To prevent him revealing the attempted fraud with the Racegoers Accident Fund.

We don't see the Major again after the Cherokee Four is sabotaged, but we know the danger to Nancy and Colin distresses him. We can only speculate that he told the con artist cum murderer that he wanted out of the whole mess. In any case, it's pretty certain he was killed to silence him.

24. In the novel "Hot Money", how is Malcolm's fifth wife, Moira, killed?

From Quiz Books by Dick Francis - Mixture

Answer: Suffocated

Moira's face was pushed into a bag of compost and held there until she suffocated. Dick Francis was awarded the CBE in 2000. He is the only novelist to have been awarded, more than once, the coveted Edgar Allen Poe award by the Mystery Writers of America. He has received the award 3 times.

25. When Matt solves the mystery of the attempted fraud with the Accident Fund as well as Maj. Tyderman's murder, what does the con artist cum murderer do?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: Tries to kill the duke so as to collect £200,000 as per the covenants included in the fund's setup.

Though he is the brains of the operation, the con artist cum murderer is less dexterous than the saboteur. Also, he suffers from overconfidence. He didn't wait to make sure Matt was dead before charging off to kill his next victim. The combination proves his undoing.

26. What happens to the con artist cum murderer?

From Quiz Rat Race

Answer: He meets a terrible end when he runs onto the racetrack at Warwick.

Dick Francis is old fashioned, and quite right in this quiz maker's opinion. Like Hercule Poirot, Mr. Francis does not approve of murder. Though his heroes may not always get an unambiguously happy ending, his villains always get their comeuppance in the end. In this case, it is rather a dreadful one, but no less deserved for that.

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