Hampered by arthritis, Nostradamus is in no mood for granting favors or running about looking for trouble. But when his apprentice Alfeo's mistress asks him to investigate the murder of her beloved courtesan mentor-and promises a fortune in payment-he comes around. It appears that someone is murdering the courtesans of Venice. All were well-known, admired for their skills-and somehow connected by a sinister event involving one of the great families...
Related Subjects
PsychologyI 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...
0Report
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...
0Report
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...
0Report
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...
0Report
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...
0Report