-
The King’s Gambit
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $23.07
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Catiline Conspiracy
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was a summer of glorious triumph for the mighty Roman Republic. Her invincible legions had brought all foreign enemies to their knees. But in Rome there was no peace. The streets were flooded with the blood of murdered citizens, and there were rumors of more atrocities to come. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger was convinced a conspiracy existed to overthrow the government, a sinister cabal that could only be destroyed from within.
-
-
GOOD ROMAN TALE
- By peter on 11-25-20
-
Medicus
- A Novel of the Roman Empire
- By: Ruth Downie
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a divorced and down-on-his-luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. After a 36-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to a moment of weakness and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner. And before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar.
-
-
Great listen
- By Susan on 08-31-07
By: Ruth Downie
-
The Fall of Carthage
- The Punic Wars 265-146BC
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was arguably the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought before the modern era, while the eventual outcome had far-reaching consequences for the history of the Western World, namely the ascendancy of Rome. An epic of war and battle, this is also the story of famous generals and leaders: Hannibal, Fabius Maximus, Scipio Africanus, and his grandson Scipio Aemilianus, who would finally bring down the walls of Carthage.
-
-
Captivating
- By Jean on 03-25-19
-
Pompeii
- A Novel
- By: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried.
-
-
Brought my visit to Pompeii back to life
- By Marty-Seattle on 12-11-03
By: Robert Harris
-
Crécy: The Age of the Archer
- Sir John Hawkwood, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A hero’s journey begins in an exhilarating new series by Griff Hosker. In 1335 the Black Death was just 13 years away from England, but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill: he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind.
-
-
If you like Bernard Cornwell
- By the don on 03-17-21
By: Griff Hosker
-
The Last Kingdom
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story is seen through the eyes of Uhtred, a dispossessed nobleman, who is captured as a child by the Danes and then raised by them so that, by the time the Northmen begin their assault on Wessex, Alfred's kingdom and the last territory in English hands, Uhtred almost thinks of himself as a Dane.
-
-
Great series of books
- By Joshua on 10-02-15
By: Bernard Cornwell
-
The Catiline Conspiracy
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was a summer of glorious triumph for the mighty Roman Republic. Her invincible legions had brought all foreign enemies to their knees. But in Rome there was no peace. The streets were flooded with the blood of murdered citizens, and there were rumors of more atrocities to come. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger was convinced a conspiracy existed to overthrow the government, a sinister cabal that could only be destroyed from within.
-
-
GOOD ROMAN TALE
- By peter on 11-25-20
-
Medicus
- A Novel of the Roman Empire
- By: Ruth Downie
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a divorced and down-on-his-luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. After a 36-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to a moment of weakness and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner. And before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar.
-
-
Great listen
- By Susan on 08-31-07
By: Ruth Downie
-
The Fall of Carthage
- The Punic Wars 265-146BC
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was arguably the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought before the modern era, while the eventual outcome had far-reaching consequences for the history of the Western World, namely the ascendancy of Rome. An epic of war and battle, this is also the story of famous generals and leaders: Hannibal, Fabius Maximus, Scipio Africanus, and his grandson Scipio Aemilianus, who would finally bring down the walls of Carthage.
-
-
Captivating
- By Jean on 03-25-19
-
Pompeii
- A Novel
- By: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried.
-
-
Brought my visit to Pompeii back to life
- By Marty-Seattle on 12-11-03
By: Robert Harris
-
Crécy: The Age of the Archer
- Sir John Hawkwood, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A hero’s journey begins in an exhilarating new series by Griff Hosker. In 1335 the Black Death was just 13 years away from England, but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill: he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind.
-
-
If you like Bernard Cornwell
- By the don on 03-17-21
By: Griff Hosker
-
The Last Kingdom
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story is seen through the eyes of Uhtred, a dispossessed nobleman, who is captured as a child by the Danes and then raised by them so that, by the time the Northmen begin their assault on Wessex, Alfred's kingdom and the last territory in English hands, Uhtred almost thinks of himself as a Dane.
-
-
Great series of books
- By Joshua on 10-02-15
By: Bernard Cornwell
-
Salamis
- By: Christian Cameron
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Arimnestos of Plataea has already lived through several lifetimes' worth of adventure, from being a rich man's slave in Ephesus to winning glory at the battle of Marathon against the might of the Persian Empire. But the gods - and the Persians - aren't finished with him yet. As an experienced sea captain - his enemies might say pirate - he has a part to play in the final epic confrontation of the Long War between the Greeks and Persians, the Battle of Salamis.
-
-
love this author
- By Jessica Perez-Baker on 02-28-20
-
Roma
- The Novel of Ancient Rome
- By: Steven Saylor
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 22 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Weaving history, legend, and new archaeological discoveries into a spellbinding narrative, critically acclaimed novelist Steven Saylor gives new life to the drama of Rome's first 1,000 years - from the founding of the city by the ill-fated twins Romulus and Remus, through Rome's astonishing ascent to become the capital of the most powerful empire in history.
-
-
Excellent Feel for Ancient Rome
- By SCar7 on 10-09-07
By: Steven Saylor
-
Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 62 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since he made his first appearance in A Study In Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes has enthralled and delighted millions of fans throughout the world. Now Audible is proud to present Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, read by Stephen Fry. A lifelong fan of Doyle's detective fiction, Fry has narrated the definitive collection of Sherlock Holmes - four novels and four collections of short stories. And, exclusively for Audible, Stephen has written and narrated eight insightful introductions, one for each title.
-
-
Chapter Guide!
- By Katya Rice on 05-25-18
By: Arthur Conan Doyle, and others
-
The March of the Ten Thousand
- By: Xenophon
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Translated by W. E. D. Rouse, The March of the Ten Thousand is one of the most admired and widely read pieces of ancient literature to come down to us. Xenophon employs a very simple, straightforward style to describe what is probably the most exciting military adventure ever undertaken. It is an epic of courage, faith and democratic principle.
-
-
An intelligent leader
- By Benedict on 04-13-04
By: Xenophon
-
The Honour of Rome
- By: Simon Scarrow
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fifteen years after Rome's invasion of Britannia, centurion Marco is back. The island is settled now, bustling with commerce. Macro's goal is to help run his mother's Londinium Inn and exploit his land grant. He's prepared for the dismal weather and the barbaric ways of the people. But far worse dangers threaten all his plans.
-
-
"Living tools to be used until they are broken."
- By Norma Miles on 11-15-21
By: Simon Scarrow
-
The Wars of the Roses
- The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.
-
-
Fabulous story; but need a scorecard.
- By R. on 06-01-15
By: Dan Jones
-
Priest of Bones
- War for the Rose Throne, Book 1
- By: Peter McLean
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The war is over, and army priest Tomas Piety heads home with Sergeant Bloody Anne at his side. But things have changed while he was away: His crime empire has been stolen, and the people of Ellinburg - his people - have run out of food, hope, and places to hide. Tomas sets out to reclaim what was his with help from Anne, his brother, Jochan, and his new gang: the Pious Men. But when he finds himself dragged into a web of political intrigue once again, everything gets more complicated.
-
-
Amazing
- By MathMan on 10-05-19
By: Peter McLean
-
The Plantagenets
- The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 20 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first Plantagenet king inherited a blood-soaked kingdom from the Normans and transformed it into an empire that stretched at its peak from Scotland to Jerusalem. In this epic history, Dan Jones vividly resurrects this fierce and seductive royal dynasty and its mythic world. We meet the captivating Eleanor of Aquitaine, twice queen and the most famous woman in Christendom; her son, Richard the Lionheart, who fought Saladin in the Third Crusade; and King John, a tyrant who was forced to sign Magna Carta, which formed the basis of our own Bill of Rights.
-
-
Excellent Narrative History
- By Troy on 08-07-13
By: Dan Jones
-
The Second Sleep
- A novel
- By: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1468. A young priest, Christopher Fairfax, arrives in a remote Exmoor village to conduct the funeral of his predecessor. The land around is strewn with ancient artifacts - coins, fragments of glass, human bones - which the old parson used to collect. Did his obsession with the past lead to his death? Fairfax becomes determined to discover the truth. Over the course of the next six days, everything he believes - about himself, his faith, and the history of his world - will be tested to destruction.
-
-
This IS different...
- By Robin on 11-27-19
By: Robert Harris
-
River God
- Ancient Egypt, Book 1
- By: Wilbur Smith
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 28 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taita is a humble slave, an expert in art, poetry, medicine and engineering as well as keeping important secrets. He is the most treasured possession of Lord Intef. Yet when Intef's beautiful daughter, Lostris, is married to the Pharaoh, Taita is commanded to follow her and swiftly finds himself deeper than he ever could have imagined in a world of deception and treachery. But outside the palace, the great kingdom of Egypt is divided and in even greater danger. Enemies threaten on all sides, and only Taita holds the power to save them all....
-
-
Abridged
- By LM on 04-01-19
By: Wilbur Smith
-
V2
- A Novel of World War II
- By: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rudi Graf is an engineer who always dreamed of sending rockets to the moon. But instead, he finds himself working alongside Wernher von Braun, launching V2 rockets at London for the Nazis from a bleak seaside town in occupied Holland. As the SS increases its scrutiny of the project, Graf, an engineer more than a soldier, has to muster all of his willpower to toe the party line. And when rumors of a defector circulate through the German ranks, Graf becomes a prime suspect.
-
-
Ho-Hum
- By Pete Harrell on 11-30-20
By: Robert Harris
-
Marius' Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul
- Marius' Mules, Book 1
- By: S. J. A. Turney
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 58 BC, and the mighty Tenth Legion, camped in Northern Italy, prepare for the arrival of the most notorious general in Roman history: Julius Caesar. Marcus Falerius Fronto, commander of the Tenth, is a career soldier and long-time companion of Caesar's. Despite his desire for the simplicity of the military life, he cannot help but be drawn into intrigue and politics as Caesar engineers a motive to invade the lands of Gaul.
-
-
The best Roman series I’ve listened to!
- By Just_Shoppin on 04-04-20
By: S. J. A. Turney
Publisher's Summary
Blackmail, corruption, treachery, murder - the glory that was Rome.
In this Edgar Award-nominated mystery, John Maddox Roberts takes listeners back to a Rome filled with violence and evil. Vicious gangs ruled the streets of Crassus and Pompey, routinely preying on plebeian and patrician alike. So the garroting of a lowly ex-slave and the disembowelment of a foreign merchant in the dangerous Subura district seemed of little consequence to the Roman hierarchy. But Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, highborn commander of the local vigiles, was determined to investigate. Despite official apathy, brazen bribes, and sinister threats, Decius uncovers a world of corruption at the highest levels of his government that threatens to destroy him and the government he serves.
More from the same
What listeners say about The King’s Gambit
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- P. Johnson
- 09-21-17
Great start to a series
This is the first book I tried in the series and it is a great Sherlock Holmes style detective story - there's a young man from a noble family charged with clearing up crime in a district of ancient Rome, a Greek physician who helps him, dark conspiracy in high places, etc. You get the idea. And you are not sure exactly how it will turn out till the very last page.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John S.
- 04-06-19
Falco comparison inevitable
Here goes...
If you've read those, this one is more hard-boiled, less snarky; although, Decimus isn't bad with apt commentary. Technology hadn't changed that much in the century between the series, so day to day life remained pretty similar.
Pirates feature in this story, which I don't recall much in Falco's travels, with one exception and that I recall more as smuggling. I'm a fan of the sidekick Milo, as well as being drawn by John Lee's narration.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jpop
- 03-21-21
Excellent performance King’s Gambit
Historical fiction and intrigue! John Lee is one of my favorite narrators always makes listening a delight!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John Lavette
- 12-24-20
like a Cadfael story
I enjoyed both the book and the performance very much! John Lee is just tremendous. I recommend his work on the Priest of Bones series. Robert's command of the ancient Roman culture and nomenclature is a real treat!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Karen Marie
- 11-15-20
A confused, pretentious book.
Free wouldn't cut it to get me to read another by this author. I'd have to be paid quite a bit. Too many better choices in the world.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hard Scuffle
- 09-02-20
too wordy
author spend too much time describing rome and not enough developing plot. way too wordy!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 05-27-21
Well done indeed
After a few dozen pages or the readers fine work it occurred to me that I had no knowledge of civilian police work within the Roman Empire. All I knew, and I knew damn little, was of the military cohorts and military/political leadership of Rome. This was a interesting look at the civilian police work done against the backdrop of political rivalry. There were only a handful of Latin words used to deftly to season the story line.
I enjoyed and recommend to any one good story. Good reader and overall good.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KJH
- 05-20-22
Sherlocus Maximus Holmes
I consider myself a semi-intelligent person but this one was pretty hard to follow. Besides the complicated plotline, all of the Roman names and titles drove me nuts. This is definitely not a book to just have on in the background. Basically, it's a Roman Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a series of murders in his jurisdiction. His investigation turns dangerous when it turns out that there are a lot of higher ups involved and willing to kill to keep things silent. The main character is mildly entertaining, the story seemingly well researched, but wow...those names. Once again though, John Lee's narration is amazing as always. Suffice to say that I probably won't continue the series.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robert Tipton
- 03-28-22
A fantastic series!
I stumbled upon this series recently, and have since listened to the first ten books. All have been excellent, both in quality of story and performance. Each offers a more nuanced view of the great historical figures, as well as glimpses of what life was like for more ordinary people of the time.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robert Ragland
- 03-10-22
Great story
I have not enjoyed listening to a book this much in a long time. The intertwining of historical figures, humor, politics and some intrigue really hit the spot for me. Excellent voice work, as well.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- track66
- 10-09-21
No Falco, this.
Dreadful mannered delivery with weird cadence. The story may be good - I will never know, I couldn't bear any more after the first three chapters.
The writing is clunky and self-aware, particularly if you are a fan of Lindsay Davis'work, with plot props thrown in before there is properly a plot.
Free or not I couldn't recommend this.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Louis
- 04-05-22
Could have been good
I found this an interesting and educative story. However, it’s undermining by the Vaudevillian narration.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- fivelampboy
- 03-12-22
couldn't finish
couldn't finish, but then I couldn't hardly say I atarted. very odd tone of narrative that I couldn't endure
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Janine
- 02-27-22
Mispronounced Roman fun!
Very enjoyable! John Lee is, as usual, magnificent.
My sole gripe is that the Latin is mispronounced. It could presumably have been easy to get right. A Decius person is very different to a Dekius person.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 11-07-21
Not good
Ruined by verry odd robotic narration. . Couldn't listen to it. which is a first.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 11-03-21
Underwhelming Roman novel, poor narration & plot
Narration dreadful. Completely wrong for the story.
Plot very pedestrian, with little imagination or flair.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr B G Bowers
- 10-30-21
Brilliant
I have listened to the whole series at least 3 times, I love the stories and the characters portrayed!!!!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 12-31-21
Good fun and lots of great historical detail
I enjoyed this novel - but agree with others who say this is not the best of the series. Some of the attitudes didn't seem consistent with Roman attitudes (e.g. Decius being willing to risk his life to investigate the murder of foreigners). But, that aside, the book was a lot of fun and was full of interesting and accurate information about life in Ancient Rome - and I am keen to read more.
Unfortunately, I was not enamoured of John Lee's narration. It seemed rather stilted and affected.