Pawn in Frankincense, Dorothy Dunnett

I can't say anything about the plot of this, the fourth book, without giving away both huge plot twists from the third book. Well, I can say three things: First, this is by far the darkest book. Second, the ending made me scream and cry and put the book down repeatedly so I wouldn't hyperventilate. 

Third, the book starts off with our hero punching a nun. I mean, come on. You have to love that.

PS -- Yes, I was totally going to take a few days off before reading this one, but then I went to the store and they didn't have it, which made me mad, so I ended up going to three more stores to find it, and then it was just sitting on my couch, taunting me...

Grade: A

Originally posted 2007