The Alchemist's Pursuit

I loved all three of these and I hope there are more. Duncan paints an enchanting and enchanted Venice, with bright details and lively characters that stand out memorably as individuals. Alfeo is once knee-deep in mystery, this time on the behalf of his beloved Violetta. Nostradamus is initially uninterested in the case, but as the pieces come together in a deeper plot and the supernatural elements rise, the old alchemist becomes as swept up in the mystery as his very capable apprentice. The author has a wonderful voice, and the story doesn't dissappoint.

The Alchemist's Pursuit (2009) is the third historical fantasy in the Alchemist series, following The Alchemist's Code. This series is set in late Renaissance Venice, the city of canals and an extremely confusing governmental structure. In this novel, Maestro Filippo Nostradamus -- nephew of the famed Michel Nostradamus -- is an astrologer, clairvoyant and alchemist as well as the best physician in Venice. The Maestro is a long-standing friend of the Doge and is also his personal physician. Alfeo Zeno is a young and impoverished nobleman. He is the apprentice and protector of the Maestro. He is studying medicine, astrology, clairvoyance and alchemy. Giorgio Angeli is the Maestro's gondolier. He is married and Mama Angeli has presented him with many children. The twins Christoforo and Corrado are the eldest still at home and run many errands for the Maestro and Alfeo. Violetta Vitale is the most expensive courtesan in Venice and she lives right next door to Alfeo. Occasionally she likes to invite him over for a visit. She is probably the most intelligent woman that he knows (and maybe even smarter that the Maestro). She also has great sources of information and is a magnificent lover. In this story, the Naestro is grumpy because of his aches and pains. He never complains about his physical ailments, but he is ill-tempered in everything else when he doesn't feel well. Yesterday he lectured Alfeo on sortilege and today he is covering numerology. Alfeo errs in stating that numerology doesn't make sense. The Maestro then asks him how the Doge is elected to office. Alfeo is saved by the bell. Well, actually by the front door knocker. Answering the door, Alfeo receives a written note addressed to the Maestro from a surly gondolier. He takes it upstairs and reads it to the Maestro. The note states that sier Giovanni Gradenigo begs his attendece in haste. The note is signed by Battista, a manservant of the noble. Since the man is neither his patient nor an acquaintance, the Maestro refuses to answer the summons. Besides, he doesn't feel at all well. He has Alfeo write a note suggesting that sier Giovanni call upon Isaia Modestus, the second best doctor in Venice. Alfeo gives the note to the surly gondolier and returns upstairs to continue his recital on the election of the Doge. On his way back, Mama Angeli scolds him about the luncheon going to waste. When Alfeo tries to pass on the message, the Maestro cuts him off before he can finish Mama Angeli's name. Nostradamus doesn't feel very hungry and doesn't care that Alfeo is starving. Then the front door knocker sounds once more. This time the vistor is Violetta. Of course, the Maestro thinks that Alfeo has called upon his lover to distract him. Yet Violetta wants to have the Maestro discover who had killed another courtesan -- Lucia da Bergamo -- who had been her mentor. The Maestro tells Violetta that there is no way to determine who killed her friend. He also declar

Dave Duncan's books are always highly entertaining. This one is no exception. The twists and turns to the story made me want to peek at the last few pages to see how it turned out. It was very tempting, but I didn't peek. The vivid descriptions of this alternate Venice make me feel that I know the city and it's political intrigues well. I sincerely hope this won't be the last book about Alfeo and Nostradamus that Dave Duncan produces.

Things never completely settle down for Alfeo Zeno, apprentice to the famed Nostradamus. When Violetta Vitale's long-term friend and mentor turns up dead, the Maestro reluctantly agrees to investigate the crime. While searching for information, Alfeo learns that someone has been killing courtesans in Venice; three are dead so far, and Nostradamus predicts that a fourth will be soon. These murders also seem to be connected to an eight-year-old, seemingly solved murder case of a well-known politician, whose youngest son disappeared after being blamed for the crime. Now it is up to Alfeo, with the help of friends and foes alike, to discover how these incidents are related and to stop the murders before anyone else dies. The Alchemist's Pursuit is third in a series of history-mystery-fantasy books by Duncan. The first two were immensely enjoyable, and the third is no different. I love Duncan's writing style - the first-person narrative is the best possible way to follow the complex stories he weaves, revealing just enough information to string you along and keep up with the protagonist without giving anything away too early. This story kept me riveted until the end! Reviewed by Holly Scudero

Nostradamus respected throughout Venice and beyond for his clairvoyant skills is a tad grumpy because his rheumatism has nearly crippled him. His apprentice Alfeo, an impoverished noble, goes about his chores ignoring his master's constant complaints when his mistress Violetta asks Nostradamus to find out who killed her friend and mentor courtesan Lucia. At the same time, the dying Giovanni sends someone to the house to tell something to Nostradamus, but he dies before he can reveal his closing remarks. Alfeo learns from a servant that the dead man wanted a killer brought to justice; a person who murdered a courtesan a week ago. When Alfeo learns that another courtesan was killed, he informs Nostradamus who is interested in the serial killings. Their inquiries come to the attention of the Three, the ruling body of Venice who demand they desist in their investigation. Meanwhile Alfeo finds out that the killer was called "Honeycat "by the Courtesans who were killed." This turns out to be the name of Zorzi Michiel. Eight years ago Zorys was accused of killing his father and Lucs though he fled the city to avoid conviction. The Michiel Palazzo is riddled with secrets with seemingly everyone having something to hide. Nostradamus believes if they can unravel each person's secret, they will identify the killer of Zorzis' father as he believes the son did not commit patricide. The latest Alchemist saga (see THE ALCHEMIST'S CODE and THE ALCHEMIST'S APPRENTICE)takes place in an alternate Renaissance Italy where magic exists along side of science (so one might ask if Nostradamus could obtain magic to relive his chronic aches). The hero Alfeo remains obstinately resolute to solve the case before someone carves Honey Cat on his beloved Violetta who is also a courtesan. Inside a fun whodunit, master fantasist Dave Duncan makes his version of the latter half of sixteenth century Venice seem believable as THE ALCHEMIST'S PURSUIT is a terrific historical urban fantasy. Harriet Klausner