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Sir Robert Carey took up his northern post as Warden of the West March in order to escape the complications of creditors and court life. However the dashing Carey, possibly a cousin of the Queen, merely trades one set of troubles for another.One black night in 1592, Carey is on night patrol along the unsettled border anchored by the garrison in Carlisle. It's a disaster. First, there's the fugitive he has to hand over to the warring Scots. Next come Wee Colin Elliot's sheep stealers. And show more then a gun explodes and takes off the hand of one of Carey's men. Back in Carlisle, Carey soon learns more faulty guns lie in the armoury in place of the sound weapons shipped in from Newcastle only last week. When these explosive deathtraps are stolen, he sets off in pursuit of both batches of guns--and the thieves.The search ends in Dumfries where King James VI of Scotland--potentially King James I of England when his cousin Elizabeth dies--and his raucous court have assembled. James is as dissolute as ever, lovely Lady Elizabeth Widdrington, Carey's true love, is still shackled to her husband, and seductive Signora Bonnetti takes a serious interest in Carey and in the missing guns. Will the frustrated courtier be gallant enough to flirt with the Signora--and with treason'... show lessTags
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The quality of this series remains consistently high. Historically interesting and accurate, and also just plain fun. The other thing I appreciate enormously about this series is the wonderful women. Its a challenge to write well about women in the past. Some writers make them anachronistically feminist, others make them uninterestingly spineless. PF Chisholm instead gives me strong women who are still very much of their time.
This third installment adds a layer of emotional depth as Carey comes to understand that being openly attentive to the (married)woman he's in love with is putting her at physical risk from her jealous husband. There's not much of anything he can do about it. Under the laws of the time her husband has every right to show more beat her, so now he has to decide - does he continue to pursue her and put her in danger? Carey has always been a flirt and a gallant, and isn't accustomed to concern himself much with the fallout from his attentions. But he loves and admires this woman. show less
This third installment adds a layer of emotional depth as Carey comes to understand that being openly attentive to the (married)woman he's in love with is putting her at physical risk from her jealous husband. There's not much of anything he can do about it. Under the laws of the time her husband has every right to show more beat her, so now he has to decide - does he continue to pursue her and put her in danger? Carey has always been a flirt and a gallant, and isn't accustomed to concern himself much with the fallout from his attentions. But he loves and admires this woman. show less
Sir Robert Carey, book 3 -- These books just get better and better. Mostly this story takes place in Scotland, with King James holding court in Dumfries. A large shipment of guns is in demand by several groups and factions, and our hero knows that there are two different caches of guns, and one of them containes dangerously faulty weapons. Great fun, as always.
Another good book in an excellent series. Interesting characters, intricate but coherent plot and the story well told
Guns guns guns, some of which explode some of which don't, a trip to the court of the king of Scotland and a number of plots and assorted feuds and venomous enemies for Robert Carey to tangle with, with the help of Sergeant Dodd and Young Hutchins.
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37+ Works 3,001 Members
Jack was born near Plymouth, England, the only puppy in his litter. He was adopted (at great expense) by his Pack. Jack went to obedience school, but he was not at all obedient, and far too friendly. His interests include eating, walking, food, swimming, breakfast, playing NotFetch, dinner, and, of course, food theft Patricia Finney is Jack's real show more Pack Lady and his interpreter. She spends a lot of time running around after Jack, The Cats, and her three children. When she can, she writes all kinds of things, including historical novels, scripts, and articles for newspapers. She won the David Higham Award for her first novel, A Shadow of Gulls. Ms. Finney lives in Cornwall, England show less
Series
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Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Surfeit of Guns
- Original publication date
- 1997
- People/Characters
- Sir Robert Carey
- Important places
- Carlisle, Cumbria, England, UK; Cumbria, England, UK; Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK
- Dedication
- To Rosie, with thanks
- First words
- Sir Robert Carey woke up to a knock on the door, feeling sticky-mouthed and bad-tempered and uncertain what time of day it was.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)By the time Barnabas went in to help him undress, he was snoring.
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- Members
- 110
- Popularity
- 294,291
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (4.16)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 4




























































