Race Of Scorpions (House of Niccolo Dorothy Dunnett)

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher - A Borzoi Book, 1990. First American Edition . Trade Paperback. Fine/Very Good. 6 3/4" x 9 1/2. Craft, Kinuko - Jacket Painting. 534 Pages. An As New book with no defects. Dust jacket price has been clipped. Protected with vinyl. A novel of suspense, business rivalry and political struggles in which Niccolo, recently widowed has to cope with his new status. His involvement in the fierce civil war in Cyprus brings about direct conflict with his former mistress, now married to this deadliest enemy. Set in 1462 Venice Nicholas vander Poele, a merchant/adventurer, is wealthy, widowed, and twenty-one-and looking only for freedom from responsibility. Suddenly he finds himself courted by both factions in a bitter power struggle. On one side, the Cypriot queen, Carlotta; on the other, her bastard brother, James -- they are the Lusignans, known to their people as the race of scorpions. The prize they contend for is Cyprus itself. And what a prize to tempt both the entrepreneur and the daring in Niccolo. Cyprus: an island of incalculable strategic value to all the Mediterranean powers , a land rich beyond dreams. of avarice in a priceless commodity-sugar. It is an arena worthy of Niccolos' brilliance, shrewdness, and courage. This book is Dunnett at her best. Writing with all her customary wit, suspense, and fidelity to history, and with a rich understanding of the complex interplay of power politics, business rivalry, and private emotion, she gives us once again a peerless re-creation of the turbulent world of 15th century Europe. Race of Scorpions both continues this saga and stands on its own, an enthralling historical novel of the first order.