The Game of Kings cover art

The Game of Kings

The Lymond Chronicles, Book 1

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The Game of Kings

By: Dorothy Dunnett
Narrated by: David Monteath
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett, read by David Monteath.

It is 1547 and, after five years imprisonment and exile far from his homeland, Francis Crawford of Lymond - scholar, soldier, rebel, nobleman, outlaw - has at last come back to Edinburgh.

But for many in an already divided Scotland, where conspiracies swarm around the infant Queen Mary like clouds of midges, he is not welcome.

Lymond is wanted for treason and murder, and he is accompanied by a band of killers and ruffians who will only bring further violence and strife.

Is he back to foment rebellion?

Does he seek revenge on those who banished him?

Or has he returned to clear his name?

No one but the enigmatic Lymond himself knows the truth - and no one will discover it until he is ready....

©1961 Dorothy Dunnett (P)2018 Penguin Audio Action & Adventure Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense World Literature Royalty Scotland Fiction Suspense
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Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond books are superb - she is a master. David Monteath's narrative perfectly evokes the characters and brings them to life.

Truly amazing!

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David Monteith does a wonderful job with this complex story. I was engrossed from beginning to end . Looking forward to the next books!

Historical fiction at its best

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Unbelievably good... by far one of the best novels I've read. The characters were complex and flawed, but never without redeeming qualities - even the most insidious of them. Dunnett did an amazing job at tying the story to real history. The prose was beautiful and the plotting... a marvel to behold.

The narrator suited the story perfectly, and my only minor complaint is that it was sometimes hard to tell when he was narrating, and when characters were meant to be speaking.

Highly recommended!

Complex - Beautiful - Brutal - Heart-wrenching

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This book is one of the most beautifully written novels I have ever read. Wow just wow. Cannot recommend this highly enough. The narrator is just brilliant and have been so excited and thrilled to rediscover this series through audible. Read the series 20 years ago and just loved them

Brilliant Historical writing

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Meet Francis Crawford, gorgeous, clever, witty and wicked. The books are dense, cleverly plotted and filled with wonderful characters.

First in a great series of books!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this twisting and turning story of espionage full of rich and complex characters. Can’t wait to get the next book!

Fantastic intrigue.

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