Checkmate Audiobook By Dorothy Dunnett cover art

Checkmate

Book Six in the Legendary Lymond Chronicles

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Checkmate

By: Dorothy Dunnett
Narrated by: David Monteath
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Sixth in the legendary Lymond Chronicles, Checkmate takes place in 1557, where Francis Crawford of Lymond is once again in France, leading an army against England. But even as the Scots adventurer succeeds brilliantly on the battlefield, his haunted past becomes a subject of intense interest to forces on both sides.

©2010 Dorothy Dunnett (P)2019 Random House Audio Genre Fiction Historical Thriller & Suspense War & Military

Critic reviews

“Exciting, dangerous, fascinating.” (The Boston Globe)

“[Dunnett’s] hero...is as polished and perceptive as Lord Peter Wimsey and as resourceful as James Bond.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“A masterpiece of historical fiction.” (The Washington Post)

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The last book in the Lymond series. It was great, as are all the other books in the series.

Checkmate great book!

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The last book of the Lymond Chronicles is so satisfying!! I love this series and this book so much. My only disappointment is how David Monteath manages—or doesn’t— the French and Italian, of which there is lots. Is he using the British approach to French? Is he trying to use 16th century pronunciation as for the Old English quotes and songs? It is extremely distracting. It’s hard yo imagine he or the company recording him did not do a thorough investigation of how to pronounce things.

Glorious end to a saga

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A favorite series both written and now read aloud. Narrator was very pleasant to listen to. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Excellent

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It’s not hyperbole to say Dorothy Dunnett is the master of the genre with her beautiful evocative writing, exceptional research, perfect dialog and intricate story craft, with wonderful characters, real and fictional, led by the most entrancing, compelling character of Lymond. Narration brought it all to life.

Best historical fiction ever written

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Another reviewer called this volume a "rollercoaster," and that seems an accurate description of the emotional and action-packed ride Dunnett takes us through in the final volume of the Lymond Chronicles. Characters are pushed to their physical and emotional limits. Political, family, and personal conflicts, both historical and fictional, drive the various plotlines. Two marriages teeter in the balance here: Lymond's and that of Mary, Queen of Scots.
David Monteath's narration is taxed somewhat by the extreme amount of French (including the archaic French prophecies of Nostradamus) interspersed throughout, but he is so good with everything else that I forgive his French and still give him five stars.

A brilliant conclusion to the legendary series

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Dunnett has written one of the greatest historical novels of all time, spanning 6 books and to boot an unforgettable love story. Monteath is a fabulous narrator.

Great series

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This, the finale of the Lymond series, brings to a satisfying conclusion one of the great works of fiction, written by a master. The narrator is excellent and deals well with the linguistic challenges of a sophisticated work.

Greatest work of historical fiction ever

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Start at the beginning of the series, but read it. Best historical fiction I have ever read.

outstanding

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This series has been such a balm to my spirit. Gallantry, chivalry and decency are revisited and cherished.

Heroic tale

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I have enjoyed all six books. The last one was stunning. Dunnett’s use of language is outstanding. I am very glad I have another series to enjoy.

An unforgettable ending.

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