Dorothy Dunnett’s THE DISORDERLY KNIGHTS – Francis Lymond goes to Malta for a Worthy Adventure!

This is the third in Dunnett’s The Lymond Chronicles, the wonderful adventure series of historical novels featuring the wonderful Scottish hero Francis Crawford of Lymond.

 

Disorderly Knights is set in 1551 in the Middle East and North Africa where Francis is dispatched to embattled Malta to assist the Knights of Hospitallers in defending the island against the Turks. Factions within the Order work to defeat their cause; Francis will try to rescue the beautiful Irish lass he made love to in book 2; and, notwithstanding Francis’ efforts, Tripoli falls to Islam.

 

This is adventure of the best kind set in an exotic locale with some intriguing romance sprinkled in. The characters, particularly Gabriel, are well drawn and compelling even if he turns out to have a secret agenda. We are never in the head of Francis but we know him by his words and deeds. And our hero triumphs, as always.

 

A well-written series with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your sear. I am devouring the books like chocolate truffles. Highly recommended.