Caprice and Rondo

House of Niccolò Series, Book 7

By: Dorothy Dunnett

Narrated by: John Banks

With the bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail she brought to her acclaimed Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett, grande dame of the historical novel, presents the House of Niccolò series. The time is the fifteenth century, when intrepid merchants became the new knighthood of Europe. Among them, none is bolder or more cunning than Nicholas vander Poele of Bruges, the good-natured dyer's apprentice who schemes and swashbuckles his way to the helm of a mercantile empire.

Winter 1474 finds Nicholas exiled in the frozen port of Danzig, Poland. His Machiavellian exploits in Scotland have cost him friends and family—not to mention countless riches. As the ice melts, temptations arise. Will he assist the Muslim Prince Uzum Hasan against the Turks? Will he lose himself among the secret, scented gardens of the Crimea in the arms of a close friend's bride? As Nicholas pursues his future, his estranged wife, Gelis, seeks the truth about his past, only to discover the secret identity of his latest comrade in arms—a tantalizing ghost from the past poised to deal him the crowning death blow.

Shimmering with detail, alive with intrigue, Caprice and Rondo is Dorothy Dunnett's quicksilver evocation of a world where joy is fleeting, love is unexpected, and truth the rarest commodity of all.

©1997 Dorothy Dunnett (P)2023 Tantor

Wow!

This series continues to delight. It can't be put down, spinning from one great scene to the next. The development of the overall story line and it's main character continues to surprise you and I can't wait to dive into the next book.

Intricate story beautifully told

This is book 7 so it has been a journey with a great hero. The story is so beautifully told and read. I love the historical context and complex descriptions amidst an exciting adventure and love story. I can’t wait to get to book 8.

the scope of the story

The character development of all the players, but in particular Gellis and Nicholas's growth and maturity.

Beyond compare

John Banks is incredible. He brings Dunnett alive in incomparable ways. I am only sad I can’t listen for the first time again!