A review by siria
The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett

5.0

Any book which begins "On the day that his grannie was killed by the English, Sir William Scott the Younger of Buccleuch was at Melrose Abbey, marrying his aunt" is pretty much guaranteed to be a success, and The Disorderly Knights does not disappoint. The beginning is a little slow, but it soon picks up pace, moving from Malta to north Africa to France to Scotland, all while Dunnett manages to juggle characters and plotlines with a dexterity that astounds. It all should descend to farce and melodrama, especially given some of Lymond's propensities and characteristics, but the astounding thing is that it doesn't.

The twist at the end is telegraphed perhaps a little soon, even if only subtly--Lymond is painted with so black a brush that you know it can't be true. It made for a great showdown, especially if you've been to St Giles and can imagine the environs.

I was sad that I had to say goodbye to some of my favourite characters, though. Oh, Scotts.