Race of Scorpions by Dorothy Dunnett

Race of Scorpions, the third book in the House of Niccolo series, begins in Northern Italy as Nicholas vander Poele travels aimlessly through Europe, disconsolate after the recent death of his wife. Although the title conjures up a vision of scorpions racing to a finish line, it actually refers to the rivalry between the two royal members of the Lusignan family, rulers/claimants of Cyprus. Read more »