Someone is murdering the courtesans of Venice, and legendary clairvoyant Nostradamus and his apprentice Alfeo must pursue a labyrinth of clues to find the killer.
The Alchemist's Pursuit
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Duncan's outstanding third Venetian fantasy mystery (after 2008's The Alchemist's Code) sends Alfeo Zeno, loyal apprentice to Nostradamus, in search of a killer who targets Venice's prostitutes. After three women are strangled, Donna Violetta Vitale, a courtesan and fond friend of Alfeo, begs Nostradamus to foresee and stop the next death. When the fourth victim is stabbed, Alfeo narrowly escapes the unseen murderer, thanks to the intervention of a magical cat. The prime suspect is lecherous nobleman Zorzi Honeycat Michiel, exiled years earlier for patricide, so his haughty mother, Donna Alina Orio Michiel, retains Alfeo to prove her son's innocence. Alfeo and Nostradamus must rely on more than clairvoyance to save Violetta and unmask the culprit. Duncan neatly blends a vision of magical Venice with an engrossing whodunit. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
The conclusion of the trilogy begun in The Serpent and the Rose (2007) opens with both protagonists in great danger. Averil is queen of Lys, much of which was destroyed in the battle that brought down her uncle, whose most powerful allies survive, some in Averil’s train. Geraint, a mage of growing powers, is also in her train but doesn’t know what can defeat the growing power of the Serpent. Averil concludes that traditional combat won’t save Lys. Ending with a stirring battle and so many changes that more tales of Queen Averil are likely, the yarn should please romance and fantasy fans. --Frieda Murray
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Dave Duncan is a prolific writer of fantasy and science fiction, best known for his fantasy series, particularly The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word, and The King's Blades. He and his wife Janet, his in-house editor and partner for over fifty years, live in Victoria, British Columbia. They have three children and four grandchildren.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best so far,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Alchemist's Pursuit (Kindle Edition)
This, the third in Duncan's alchemist series, is in my view the best plotted and succeeds best in including the arcane as a key thread as opposed to using it to avoid lengthy detection/interrogation. The author appears to have achieved a level of historical authenticity and acknowledges his sources nicely.
Except for one. Just as Conan Doyle's Holmes inspired a slew of clones, some excellent, some mediocre, and some just plain awful, so Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe has his follow-ons. Of which this is one. And a very, very good one at that. Need a genius-class detective who almost never leaves his digs but has a suave man-about-town to do his footwork? OK, Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Or Nostradamus and Alfeo Zeno. By the way, if you are interested in an excellent compilation of Holmes "parodies, pastiches, and ponderings", look up Marv Kaye's anthology "The Game is Afoot" (Truth in packaging note: Marv is an old friend of mine.)The Game Is Afoot: Parodies, Pastiches and Ponderings of Sherlock Holmes
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good addition to the series,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Alchemist's Pursuit (Mass Market Paperback)
The mystery of who's killing the courtesans keeps you guessing (I was totally wrong!) and the action moves as quickly as in the other two books. These books aren't as layered as some of Duncan's other books but are good enjoyable light reading. Many of the same characters show up for brief scenes and the spotlighted family has a mixed bag of characters that are well drawn. Again a wonderful blend of magic and mystery.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Sequel,
This review is from: The Alchemist's Pursuit (Mass Market Paperback)
This second book in the series stands up well to its' predecessor, which I really enjoyed. I would recommend it to fans of Fantasy/Sci Fi/Alternative Histories.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
This doesn't make any sense," I said. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fake friar, atelier door, khanjar dagger, state inquisitors Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Council of Ten, Missier Grande, Zorzi Michiel, Palazzo Michiel, Gentile Michiel, Sister Lucretzia, Caterina Lotto, Jacopo Fauro, Great Council, Giovanni Gradenigo, Tier Alfeo, Alfeo Zeno, San Marco, Doctor Nostradamus, Golden Book, Alina Orio, San Samuele, Marina Bortholuzzi, Campo San Zanipolo, Friar Fedele, Grand Canal, Tier Domenico, Filiberto Vasco, San Remo, Carlo Celsi Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
This doesn't make any sense," I said. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fake friar, atelier door, khanjar dagger, state inquisitors Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Council of Ten, Missier Grande, Zorzi Michiel, Palazzo Michiel, Gentile Michiel, Sister Lucretzia, Caterina Lotto, Jacopo Fauro, Great Council, Giovanni Gradenigo, Tier Alfeo, Alfeo Zeno, San Marco, Doctor Nostradamus, Golden Book, Alina Orio, San Samuele, Marina Bortholuzzi, Campo San Zanipolo, Friar Fedele, Grand Canal, Tier Domenico, Filiberto Vasco, San Remo, Carlo Celsi Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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