I find I have a great many books in my library by Dave Duncan. The title was the first thing that caught my eye, and the cover followed. Finally I saw that it was by Duncan. I must have just glanced at the marketing blurb for it was only after I started reading did I realize that we had a Renaissance who-dun-it.

Our hero is the apprentice of Nostradamus who is not nearly as fascinating as the Serene Republic where our story takes place. My library has only a small handful of books with Venice as a background, but all are charming in their way for the city is rich in cultural material seemingly at all periods of its existence.

The mystery is solid and has its share of red-herrings and coincidence. But as I mentioned it is far more interesting to follow all the layers that is Venice and this is just but the beginning to that.

This may be a story that gets read only once, for it is not full of depth for a series, though more books are being released. Where Duncan takes us with the likable hero will be important. It is definitely work reading if you like the Renaissance and should like to know more about Venice. ( )

The Case of the Poisoned Cup: The Alchemist's Apprentice (2007) is a historical fantasy. Maestro Filippo Nostradamus, nephew of Michel Nostradamus, is an astrologer, clairvoyant and alchemist as well as the best physician in Venice. His apprentice and protector is Alfeo Zeno, a young and impoverished nobleman. The Maestro is a long-standing friend of the Doge and is also his personal physician.

In this novel, a tarot reading suggests unexpected visitors that night, so Alfeo he arms himself just in case. He sends Luigi -- the night watchman -- to guard the back door and takes the watergate for himself. Then Raffaino Sciara appears with four fanti requesting entrance.

Although Alfeo states that the Maestro is not at home, the Circospetto -- chief secretary of the Council of Ten -- demands entrance in the name of the Republic. Alfeo reluctantly lets them inside, but still avers that his master is not home. Sciara offers Alfeo the choice of taking him to the Maestro or being taken into custody.

After spending the rest of the night in a cell, Alfeo is awakened and taken to see the Doge. There he is informed of the death of Bertucci Orseolo and the circumstances leading to the death. He is startled to learn that his master had been present at the affair and had attended the procurator after his collapse.

Alfeo immediately realizes that his master could be charged with causing the death of the procurator. After returning home, he advises his master to flee Venice, but Nostradamus refuses. Instead, the Maestro sends Alfeo on a series of errands, including interviews with the witnesses to Orseolo's collapse.

In this story, Alfeo is attacked by six bravos, but survives due to Bruno's iron skillet and help from the neighbors. He has prophetic dreams about a demon. He avoids a seduction attempt by an English woman. Indeed, he has an exciting time during Carnival.

Alfeo has the help of a few friends during this time. Bruno is a giant of a man who is a deaf-mute. Bruno carries the Maestro on his shoulders whenever his master leaves the Casa. Although very sweet tempered, Bruno can get quite excited whenever someone attacks his friends.

Giorgio is the Maestro's gondolier. He also is the father of many children. The twins Christoforo and Corrado are the eldest still at home and run many errands for the Maestro and Alfeo. They are old enough to start planning a sexual revel.

Violetta 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. Since she is probably the most intelligent person that he knows (maybe even smarter that the Maestro), Alfeo welcomes the opportunity to talk over his problems with Violetta. She also has great sources of information.

This story is a murder mystery in the style of Nero Wolfe, with the Maestro as the brain and Alfeo as the brawn. Yet this story does not slavishly follow the Rex Stout formula, for Nostradamus does sometimes leave the Casa. Moreover, he doesn't even own the palace, but only has the use of his apartments. And the penultimate denouement takes place at the scene of the crime.

This work is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but the characters are so interesting that one really wants a sequel. Let us hope that the author has more to write in this mileau!

Highly recommended for Duncan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of late Renaissance Venice, murder mysteries, and convoluted plots.

-Arthur W. Jordin

(Amy) I am a tremendous Dave Duncan fangirl, and like (almost) all of his books to a really rather embarrassing degree, so it is in no way surprising that I loved this one. Of course, it didn't hurt that it's set in a slightly magical version of Renaissance Venice (which I love), with Nostradamus (no, not that one - his nephew, though, and the prophecies are no less obscure) as a supporting character. I'm not a particular fan of mysteries, so the whodunit nature of the plot is not an additional draw, but it's certainly not a detraction, either. (As an aside, however, this is an supporting data point for the thesis which states that speculative fiction is a supergenre rather than a genre proper, and can in fact be a perfect example of any genre it so chooses.)

In short, it's good, it's fun, it's (fairly) short. Also, the entire trilogy is out, so you needn't worry about Waiting For The Next Book Syndrome. (I know everyone calls that George R. R. Martin syndrome these days, and with fairly obvious reason. But I tend to feel like the poor guy has enough people ragging on him without becoming a household word for overdue series installments, and so while I may well adopt the term after his next book comes out, as a matter of principle I refrain for now.)
( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/ze... ) ( )

A great lot of fun, good page-turner and very personable work. ( )

The always-reliable Dave Duncan has produced an enjoyable historical mystery with fantasy elements and a richly realized setting.

In Renaissance Venice a rich man dies after drinking poisoned wine. Maestro Filippo Nostradamus (astrologer, alchemist and nephew of THE Nostradamus) had cast a horoscope portending disaster for the dead man and wishes the murder solved before he is accused of arranging to fulfill his own prophecy and enhance his reputation. Being elderly and of limited mobility, he sends his dashing apprentice, Alfeo Zeno, out to do the leg work, which includes having to call up and question a demon.

Nostradamus and Zeno also have a distinct Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin vibe - Nostradamus being the cranky genius and Zeno his handsome, wise-cracking investigator and assistant. Duncan has not pushed the similarity too far, though - the supporting cast produces no orchids, no Fritz. There is a red chair (velvet, not leather) and Nostradamus once pronounces something "satisfactory." I don't know if the homage is accidental or deliberate, but as a fan of Wolfe and Goodwin, I enjoyed it.

The resolution was logical without being obvious, and there's enough action and suspense to keep the reader's attention. Highly recommended. ( )