A resident of the Cayman Islands, world famous author Dick Francis has put pen to paper and thrilled his fans with a new novel at 85 years of age.

Having lost his wife six years ago many speculated the author would not publish again as she had been his editor, researcher and collaborator.

"Under Orders," by Mr Francis will be available at the end of September and puts his published book figures at well over forty.

"I am delighted that my family has talked me back into the literary saddle," the author, said in a statement.

A former jockey and author of such popular works as "Come to Grief" and "Wild Horses," he had worked closely with his wife before her death and for decades, he averaged a book a year, but this is his first work since 2000 when she died suddenly.

In this latest novel Mr Fancis resurrects super-sleuth Sid Halley who was last seen in the 1995 novel 'Come to Grief'.

Although Halley knows the perils of racing all too well jockeys don't usually reach the finishing line with three bullets in the chest and this is just how he finds jockey Huw Walker.

According to reviews of the novel, Halley's quest for answers draws him even deeper into the darker side of the race game, in a life-or-death power play that will push him to his very limits-both professionally and personally.

Literary critics say that Mr Francis has lost none of his skills with the writing and action as crisp as ever.

Mr Francis moved to the Cayman Islands after a holiday here and he now visits Britain twice a year, once in August and in April to see the UK's most famous horse race the Grand National.

"I've only missed one since 1937," he told The Guardian, a UK daily recently.

Mr Francis, whose horse Devon Loch memorably collapsed within yards of the Grand National finishing line exactly 50 years ago to deny the Queen Mother a famous victory, is hopeful that his legion of fans will not be disappointed by his latest work.

He recently explained to the international press that his son and business manager persuaded him to write again.

"Felix talked me into it because so many people have been asking for another book. He was a schoolmaster at one time and has become my business manager and now researcher. I couldn't have done it without him," the author said.

And Mr Francis has also said that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of extending his writing career beyond 'Under Orders.'

"You can never say never," said Mr Francis, who added that his latest plot took eight months to complete.

He wrote the book while here in the Cayman Islands, but now in the UK the author is promoting the novel before it hits the bookshelves next month.

Speaking about how he feels with regards to this novel he seems happy enough but as always its his readers' opinions that count.

"I'm pleased, but it will be for others to judge," he told the UK media.