Catherine Ferguson
A testament to the intensity of life lived with full commitment. She takes the ancient Greek themes of war, power and incest and reworks them with hypnotic power. The challenge to the reader is; why live a lesser life?

Gill Bower
I read Ringed Castle first- the fifth book ,attracted in the library by dust cover. I was lost, mystified but entranced by the prose, and fascinated by the characters .I bought the whole set and started at the beginning and didn't stop until I'd reached the end. I've read the all many times now along with all her other books and find something new and enchanting every time.

Janet Angelini
When I started reading Dunnett in the 1960s, I discovered a has writer who has affected my expectations and set a standard no other contemporary writer has reached. Through the vehicle of her exquisite prose and intricate weaving of history and fiction, I feel that what must have been Dunnett's own views on life, society and personal interaction are important and illuminating. Her use of words bites to the marrow of your bones: a uniquely talented woman and writer.

Sandra Grant (Sam)
A friend, that I met on-line, from New Zealand gave me Game of Kings 5 years ago. It was a hard journey the first time. I'm sad to say I almost didn't finish the book, to my shame. But when the pieces started to fall into place I realized what a brilliant mind had conceived the elaborate tapestry. That was just the beginning, the series in a whole is the best I've ever read. There are many others that will say the same. We spend countless hours trying the unravel all the twists and turns that Dorothy left for us. She presented male/female, races of people, religions and politics all on an equal level not choosing one over the other but showing the good and the bad of each. You were allowed to coose for yourself. Which is a fantastic legacy to leave.

Anne Lister
I had these books recommended to me some years before I eventually managed to find them in my local library - and despite reading them out of sequence I, too, was hooked. I'm a medievalist by training and was delighted to discover my loves of literature and music reflected in the books - and then to become embroiled in the politics and strategies! The books are a never-ending source of fascination for me, and I have re-read them many times. They have taken me to Orkney and Moscow and enabled me to re-visit my one-time home of Lyon with fresh eyes. The books made me realise how much there can be within historical fiction, and how much knowledge can be passed on in the guise of entertainment. I'm now married to a historic actor/interpreter ...I wonder if Dunnett had anything to do with that!

MiKaT
I read the books only last year, and it was hard, because I'm no native speaker. The thing that amazes me most is that Dunnett was the first author to show me that people will always be people. No matter of technological advance, the main issues in life, the important questions, and most of all, the behaviour and tactics are the same. This book made me realize that humanity does not depend on electricity.

Jo Lux
I can read a page of Dorothy Dunnett's writing, then immediately go back and read it again, for the pure joy of the beauty of her words. In desperation to share that experience with others, I searched on-line and discovered Thin's bookstore in Scotland. My excitement at receiving a package mailed from Edinburgh to Madison, Nebraska, USA led to an invitaion to travel to Europe. Because of Dorothy Dunnett, I have discovered that the world is a small place full of great beauty and wonderful people. My life is richer because of the world began in "Game of Kings."

Roberta Bucher
I have never found another series of books that I could read over and over and over. The prose is absolutely wonderful, the characters so very convincing, the history, literary references, poetry, and the depth of Dunnett's research all awe inspiring. And the hero - handsome, witty, intelligent, and oh so full of angst!! Not to mention the online Dunnett discussion groups that have given me so much more understanding of so many related topics and have given me friends from all over the world!

Sue Davis
Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles (of which this is the first) and House of Nicholas series brought 15th and 16th century history and culture to life for me. They kept me diverted and sane through those lonely late nights feeding my demanding youngest son. But I owe them more than this....I had suspended my OU studies (run out of steam for a while, working full time and having kids) but, reinspired by DD, I returned to study a course on Renaissance Europe, completing a First Class degree. I'm now a teacher.

jackie werfel
I have read everything that Lady Dunnett has written. All her book need to be read over & over as then all the hidden little plots are revealed, and even after returning to these after 5 or so years I still find them compelling. They brought a new dimention to my views of history. They make long hospital stays a wonderland and move you to far places from your bed.

jane wills
This book and the others in the series awakened in my a sense of wonder at politics and the intracacies of the human nature. I have been an avid watcher of both ever since. People fundamentally do not change and characters are simply re-born with different faces through the generations, something that I was unaware of before reading this book.

Carolyn Saunders
What can I add? Wonderfully detailed and a grand adventure. I felt an affinity with Phillipa in that she was what I would have wanted to be: clever, educated in so many different spheres, brave and yet at the same time totally unaware of her beauty and attraction. Lymond one would die for. And, of course, a spendid arch-villain to boot. A book series to take to that desert island

Deborah Conway-Read
Others have already been eloquent on the life-changing effects of meeting Francis Crawford, which I endorse. I would just like to add that my daughter has the second name Christian (not Christina) after Lady Christian Stewart who is a wonderful example of a strong, intelligent, courageous woman who just happens to have a disability.

Ann McMillan
I enjoy reading history but had become somewhat jaded regarding most historical fiction. Then I discovered the Game of Kings, and found immediately that this was no ordinary book and I had stumbled on something exceptional. The hero! Oh the hero! The wit of Scaramouch; the dedication of Percy Blakely; the Homeric qualities of Alan Breck; the poetic qualities of Peter Wimsey and so much more besides. However there was something unique about this hero, as well as being handsome and clever, and replete with panache, he is sensitive and highly strung. And he suffers! Oh how he suffers! And Dorothy Dunnett provides the exceptional setting that a hero like that deserves. Her research was painstaking and accurate, and I grew up near some of the settings. The set pieces are vast and sensational; the scenes are well crafted and described in a glorious painterly manner. Her supporting characters are individual and believable. I felt that I wanted to discuss this, and the following books, with others, so I joined the Dorothy Dunnett Readers' Association. And my life changed! I met wonderful people from all over the world, who shard my interests. In middle age thise douce granny found herself going to gatherings all over the country, and this hitherto feartie was flying to a Dublin gathering on my own. At the Dorothy Dunnett gatherings we discuss her books, art, history and any related subject and have enormous fun. So although I am past retiring age, I am now Chairman of the DDRA, and with other committee members, endeavor to further the aims of the Dorothy Dunnett Readers' Association by promoting the works of Dorothy Dunnett, and advancing the study of the history, politics, culture and religion of the 15th and 16th century and reearch as it relates to the works of Dorothy Dunnett'

Karen Trimmer
I read this book in 1966, during the summer after I graduated from University and no book I had read before, nor have read since, has affected me so deeply. I was captivated from Page 1 and nearly 40 years later I still read the Lymond Chronicles periodically - and still get the same buzz.

Susan MacInnes
I am so delighted that this has made the shortlist - although the whole series of books should really be there as they form a wonderful long narrative, full of unforgettable characters, intelligent plots and evocative description. Other fans will know why I stayed up until 3 am to finish "Checkmate" (the 6th and last book of the Lymond Chronicles) even though I was desperately short of sleep as I had a month-old baby at the time! This is writing that brings you into another age but with universal themes. Those of us who have been captivated by these books have the joy of re-reading them many times finding new pleasures on each reading. Historical fiction at its absolute finest, but with such a depth of understanding of human nature that it appeals beyond an interest in past eras. And Lymond is surely beats all the competition in the hero stakes (Dorothy Dunnett saw him as a 16th century James Bond!)

stephanie clark
Writing sometimes baroque and emotionally overwrought, but deliciously so. Witty, Intelligent Dorothy Dunnett was clearly spliced from the Brontes, Austen, and Ian Fleming. Perversely builds her hero Lymond from pulp villain stock, pretty, sexually ambiguous, brilliant, neurotic and mother obsessed. She seduced me into page turning neglect of my first baby and broke my addiction to the the genre- all historical romance bland after Dunnett

Lynne Connolly
I advocated this book on the programme, and despite the other wonderful books on the list, I haven't changed my mind. I read this book when I was at a low point in my life - sure the career I'd chosen wasn't for me, that I was disappointed and dispirited. Then I read the book, and was totally taken out of myself. Drawn to Lymond's struggle, and his fight with his concepts of loyalty and what really matters to him, I found a soulmate. Then I read how difficult Dunnett found it to publish this book, and it encouraged me to revive my writing aspirations. If she had problems, perhaps my own efforts weren't that bad, after all. Now I have five books out, one scheduled for early next year, and I'm finally doing what I was born for - and what I put off for so long.

Pam Thomas
I read this at 13 and it made me realise how wonderful, colourful and absorbing a historical novel could be. It inspired me to write my own.

Marilyn Barry
Locations where the story took place become so important to be able to visualize, that I have felt compelled to travel far in order to walk in the footsteps of the characters.This book has been a solace in difficult times in life.

Jo Kirkham
I read this in the 1960s - and it changed my life - expanded my interests to all things medieval - a life time passion - and given me many many new friends into the bargain.