Dorothy Dunnett
(born 1923 - died 2001) - Dunfermline, Fife
Dorothy Dunnett, one of Scotland’s best-known and popular writers, was born Dorothy Halliday in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1923. Educated in Edinburgh (at the same school as Muriel Spark, their times there overlapping slightly) she began her writing career in the 1950s and was a prolific writer until her death in 2001.
Most of Dorothy Dunnett’s output was historical fiction: The Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo, but she also wrote an espionage series under her maiden name, which starred 'Johnson Johnson' and his yacht, 'Dolly'.
She lived most of her life in Edinburgh where she was immersed in the cultural life of the capital and served on various boards and committees. Dunnett was awarded an OBE in 1992 for her services to literature.
- Checkmate
France 1557. Lymond is bound over to serve the King for one year, after which he will be free to return to Russia where he believes his destiny lies. - Gemini
Now in his 30s, Nicholas de Fleury's flair for commerce means he could find a position almost anywhere in 15th century Europe. But first he has to return to Scotland where men wait to try to kill him and his beloved family. - Niccolò Rising
The first book in The House of Niccolò series finds us in Bruges, 1460. Street-smart, brilliant at figures, adept at the subtleties of diplomacy and the well-timed untruth, Niccolò rises from wastrel to prodigy in a breathless adventure. - Race Of Scorpions
The year is 1462. Elusive and resourceful, with his own private army and a magical gift for affairs, Niccolò is in demand. Both contenders for the throne of Cyprus, Queen Carlotta and her brother James, want his support. - Scales Of Gold
It is Venice, 1464, and the House of Niccolò threatens to fall to its enemies, unless a new source of gold can be found. Nicholas sets sail for Africa, amidst savagery, wisdom and grandeur, and finds all that he needs - and much more.
Bibliography
- The Game of Kings - 1961
- Queen’s Play - 1964
- The Disorderly Knights - 1966
- Pawn in Frankincense - 1969
- The Ringed Castle - 1971
- Checkmate - 1975
- King Hereafter - 1982
(House of Niccolo series)
- Niccolo Rising - 1986
- The Spring of the Ram - 1987
- Race of Scorpions - 1989
- Scales of Gold - 1991
- The Unicorn Hunt - 1993
- To Lie with Lions - 1995
- Caprice and Rondo - 1997
- Gemini - 2000
- The Scottish Highlands - 1988
- The Dorothy Dunnett Companion - by Elspeth Morrison -2001
- The Dorothy Dunnett Companion, Vol II - by Elspeth Morrison and Dorothy Dunnett - 2002
- The Lymond Poetry: A collection of European love poetry and ballads - compiled and translated by Dorothy Dunnett, edited by Elspeth Morrison - published 2003
As Dorothy Halliday, a series of detective novels:
- Dolly and the Singing Bird, 1968 (later retitled Rum Affair)
- Dolly and the Cookie Bird, 1970 (later retitled Ibiza Surprise)
- Dolly and the Doctor Bird, 1971 (later retitled Operation Nassau)
- Dorothy and the Starry Bird, 1973 (later retitled Roman Nights)
- Dorothy and the Nanny Bird, 1976 (later retitled Split Code)
- Dolly and the Bird of Paradise, 1980 (later retitled Tropical Issue)
- Moroccan Traffic - 1991