Dorothy Dunnett war eine schottische historische Romanautorin, die für ihre komplexen und sorgfältig recherchierten Erzählungen bekannt ist. Ihre Werke tauchen tief in die menschliche Psychologie und die Komplexität historischer Ereignisse ein und verweben politische Intrigen mit persönlichen Dramen. Dunnetts Erzählstil zeichnet sich durch eine reiche, eindringliche Sprache aus, die den Leser in die Vergangenheit eintauchen lässt. Sie versteht es meisterhaft, die Nuancen ihrer Charaktere und ihrer turbulenten Welten einzufangen.
Joanna Emerson is engaged as a nanny to Benedict, newly born heir to a vast cosmetic fortune, when she becomes caught up in a complex kidnap plot. But the enigmatic portrait painter, yachtsman and former spy, Johnson Johnson is never far away - and he knows the dangerous game she's playing.
When Sir Bart Edgecome, a British agent who has been poisoned with arsenic falls ill, Dr. B McRannoch becomes involved in a series of events beyond her wildest imagination. It is only the presence of enigmatic portrait painter Johnson Johnson on his yacht, Dolly, that saves the day.
Morocco is a romantic place, but Wendy finds herself side-tracked by the antics of Rita Geddes and a few nuisances such as kidnapping, explosions, industrial espionage, murder and car chases across the High Atlas mountains.
Ruth Russell is enjoying her time in Rom, that is until Charles Digham, top fashion photographer and Ruth's lover, has his camera stolen and the thief ends up a headless corpse in the zoo park toletta. The enigmatic Johnson Johnson, in Rome to paint a portrait of the Pope, is on hand to unravel the mystery.
Tina Rossi, the world's leading coloratura soprano has travelled to Edinburgh, ostensibly to sing in the Festival, but in reality to meet her lover, top scientist Kenneth Holmes. Instead of finding Kenneth at their rendezvous, she discovers an unknown corpse. It's up to Dolly and Johnson and Johnson to solve this mystery.
Rita, a small, tough Scottish make-up artist is on Madeira trying to find out who killed Kim-Jim. She isn't one for quitting, even when she learns she's caught up in an international drug-smuggling ring. Fortunately, Johnson Johnson and his trusty yacht, Dolly, are there to help solve the case.
Francis Crawford von Lymond, ein schottischer Adliger und Meister der Intrige, kehrt 1547 heimlich nach Schottland zurück. Verfemt und mit einem Preis auf seinem Kopf, muss er sich gegen die Bedrohung durch die Engländer behaupten, die die Königin Maria entführen und die Königreiche vereinen wollen.
