As happened with the first book, this one was finished quickly and gripped my attention effectively. Other books in the House of Cards series:House of Cards, Book 1 – The dark, twisting schemes of a politician determined to succeed To Play The King, Book 2 – Newly elected Prime Minister plots to take on the Monarchy to grab even more powerThe Final Cut, Book 3 – The perfect finale to this twisted trilogy, Urquhart refuses to close his career quietly, "Engrossing, brilliantly written, fast moving political drama.

But as he plots the drastic measures needed to save his political future he finds one determined man standing in the way - the idealistic new King. A good romp, and gloriously cheeky. The PM faces a fairly new Monarch who has ascended the throne, with little experience dealing with his role as constitutional monarch.

With Francis having pushed the inquisitive journalist Mattie Storin off the Parliament building in the Series, I was expecting a similar outcome at the end of the first book, which was true to the Series.

Somehow it feels like this just hasn’t stood the test of time, and was especially outdone by the American TV series.

After a brief abduction by some homeless thugs, Harding is told to "ask 'im about Mattie Storin". OMG, it seemed like it took FOREVER to finish this book. What is important to know is that the books focus on the politics of the United Kingdom, whereas the famous TV series centers around the politics of the United States, therefore there is a great number of differences between the two. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App.

Better than the BBC series depicting the book, Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2014. “This fellow is wise enough to […] Urquhart announces his intention of having unemployed youth from the estates conscripted into the Armed Forces, re-enacting a form of peacetime national service. Author: Michael Dobbs. -The Independent, "...a political thriller writer with a marvellous inside track knowledge of government." Meanwhile, Corder discovers that Stamper has passed information on Mattie's murder to Harding as insurance.

Where House of Cards felt bold and Shakespearean, To Play the King felt formulaic.

this is second in trilogy by Dobbs with his ruthless character Urquhart.

Where House of Cards felt bold and Shakespearean, To Play the King felt formulaic. House of Cards, Book 1 The dark, twisting schemes of a politician determined to succeed To Play The King, Book 2 Newly elected Prime Minister plots to take on the Monarchy to grab even more power The Final Cut, Book 3 The perfect finale to this twisted trilogy, Urquhart refuses to close his career quietly Unlike the House of Cards novel, the ending of this one has not changed to match the TV version, and while the divergences are not quite as stark as in its predecessor's case, Urquhart is nevertheless significantly damaged here by the end of the story.

Very good political thriller, a continuation of House of Cards....think Kevin Spacey trying to manipulate the election by discrediting the royal family.

Refresh and try again. House of Cards and To Play the King are the first Michael Dobbs books that I have read, but I am sure that I shall try some others once I have completed this trilogy. Not that it was that bad, but it was about the British 'empire' if you will, and it precedes the House of Cards story. After scheming his way to power in 'House of Cards', Francis Urquhart made a triumphant return in 'To Play the King' -- a Sunday Times No 1 bestseller that became a hugely successful BBC TV series, with Ian Richardson resuming his award-winning role as Francis Urquhart. Which, if you haven't seen it, is totally addictive.

Please try again. Not that it's bad for my expectations not to be met, but still want to root for him, a little. Please try again. Learn more about the program. - Mail on Sunday, "This blood and thunder tale, lifelike and thoroughly cynical, certainly carries the ring of authenticity....a great triumph." The #1 International Bestseller from the Executive Producer of the hit Netflix series House of Cards. Buy a cheap copy of To Play the King book by Michael Dobbs. The Lion King (play-track book) The Lion King 1½ (book) Category:The Lion King books;

himself would say...on that, I really couldn't comment.

Urquhart eventually begins an affair with Harding, which puts a strain on her marriage.

Urquhart and his personality really changed in this book and he kind of felt like a new character to me. The PM faces a fairly new Monarch who has ascended the throne, with little experience dealing with his role as constitutional monarch. It wasn't like I hated reading this book, it is written very well to be very suspenseful, but I guess I could just see down the tunnel and I knew what was coming.

I enjoyed this trilogy. Meanwhile, Urquhart threatens the King with Charlotte's memoirs, saying that he will be forced to publish them if the King continues publicly to oppose him. Again covers the dark side of politics but this time brings in the non-political monarchy.

In this second part of the House of Cards trilogy, Francis Urquhart, now Prime Minister, takes on none other than the King, both the man and all he stands to represent. Crucial constitutional and political arguments are thus laid out, and the author as elsewhere lays out the full cynicism of political and media manipulation, albeit that it is painted in colours a little too simplistic, lacking the complexities of the relationships between politics, the media and the public that are always in reality present beneath the surface.

I was pleasantly surprised after having first seen the BBC series and concluding that in that series, "To Play the King" was the weakest of the trilogy. This new book (with its political action) moves the story away from the party leadership and into the aftermass that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, especially for the political nut. As in House of Cards, Urquhart occasionally speaks directly to the audience.

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014.

However, there were a few moments that made me feel a bit discomforted. By that point I had pretty much figured out how it would probably end. Worth reading, but not as good as the Netflix series. English. Much less satisfying than the first. With urging from Elizabeth, Urquhart orders Corder to assassinate them. Read more on his website - www.michaeldobbs.com. The end credits of the final episode roll with images of the crowning of the new teenaged king, showing that Urquhart had succeeded in obtaining the abdication of the previous king. It took a turn. first book amazing, 2nd and 3rd not so much, Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2014.

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Through all this, he continues to be haunted by his murder of Mattie Storin; unbeknownst to him, someone possesses Mattie's tape recording of her own death. Inspired by King’s tumultuous feelings over the slow decline and subsequent death of this mother, Roadwork is a messy, fraught book — but that’s not a bad thing. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2015. Fearing the King will weaken his position, Urquhart obtains "regal insurance" from Princess Charlotte, the former wife of a royal family member. by the superb BBC series "House of Cards" and the current good, occasionally superior ,American remake. This is a listing of all books and printed materials associated with The Lion King. This leads to the final chapter of the revised novel, where Urquhart ponders his legacy and whether or not he would be remembered as a bully who forced the King of England to abdicate. As he prepares to expose the scandalous activities of certain members of the royal household, he threatens to bring down not only his Royal opponent, but also the Monarchy itself. The role of the monarchy in modern Britain comes under scrutiny as Prime Minister Francis Urquhart threatens to expose Royal secrets when his plans are blocked by the idealistic new King.

The rivalry between Prime Minister and King is interesting and Dobbs does a good job at showing that.