Instead of the usual annual novel that Francis's fans have come to expect, his most recent entry is a collection of short stories. Eight of the stories have been around the track before having been previously published in various magazines; five are young colts making their first showing in this anthology. There doesn't seem to be anything about horses and racing that Francis, a former steeplechase jockey, doesn't know. In Field of Thirteen he once again demonstrates there's more to horse racing than riding a horse.

All thirteen stories are written in the third person – a switch from Francis's usual first person point of view. All of the stories, of course, have some connection with horse racing, but that connection can be tenuous at best. Horse racing can be no more than an excuse for characters to meet. One of the stories is about a successful couple who have their revenge on the ungrateful daughter of their groom. Another is about the consequences of a horse doping. Another tracks the ramifications of the murder of a talented jockey. Another is about a crooked lawyer's scheme to defraud various associates of a horse broker.

Francis has a real knack with creating vivid characters, and most of the stories depend on a solid character foundation rather than intricacies of plot. Not all of the main characters are decent, admirable people; some are downright despicable. Several stories feature unexpected endings; in Francis's stories – like real life – the bad guys don't always get what's coming to them.

I'll admit that I'm disappointed in not having a new Francis novel, but I can wait till next year. I'm sure that his many fans will consider this book a winner.

--Lesley Dunlap