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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
A good sequel and a good read. This one continues the story but brings different aspects into play so it isn't just another go-round on the same wheel.
For one thing, Alfeo actually uses some magic, which of course gets him in trouble; but then, everything he does gets him in trouble.
It's becoming clearer after two books that this book is as much about political manouevring as it is about magic or sleuthing.
In my review of #1, I mentioned the parallels with Nero Wolfe. This time, there's even more of the Establishment jawing about arresting our heroes while we know that (a) they really don't want to, because they know they need our heroes to solve cases, and (b) Nostradamus isn't going to be catchable anyway, no matter how close the trap seems to be to springing on him.
Complex plot, rolled out carefully. The same amusing banter. An almost-too-long part about cryptography - I liked it but then I have a maths degree.
On to #3 ... and what a surprise at the end of this book to discover that Duncan lives in Victoria, BC, where I lived for 30 years. Probably passed him in the street a few times. Odd that he didn't choose to live 30 miles away in Duncan, BC.
For one thing, Alfeo actually uses some magic, which of course gets him in trouble; but then, everything he does gets him in trouble.
It's becoming clearer after two books that this book is as much about political manouevring as it is about magic or sleuthing.
In my review of #1, I mentioned the parallels with Nero Wolfe. This time, there's even more of the Establishment jawing about arresting our heroes while we know that (a) they really don't want to, because they know they need our heroes to solve cases, and (b) Nostradamus isn't going to be catchable anyway, no matter how close the trap seems to be to springing on him.
Complex plot, rolled out carefully. The same amusing banter. An almost-too-long part about cryptography - I liked it but then I have a maths degree.
On to #3 ... and what a surprise at the end of this book to discover that Duncan lives in Victoria, BC, where I lived for 30 years. Probably passed him in the street a few times. Odd that he didn't choose to live 30 miles away in Duncan, BC.
wwfeldman's review against another edition
3.0
I had not read any of Dave Duncan's work before, but I thoroughly enjoyed these three books. It's obvious he has spent a large amount of time familiarizing himself with the time period these books are set in and I really like his style of writing.
I enjoyed that these weren't the standard fantasy tropes, this was more Sherlock Holmes than Lord of the Rings. It all meshed very well together I thought and I look forward to reading more of Duncan's work.
I enjoyed that these weren't the standard fantasy tropes, this was more Sherlock Holmes than Lord of the Rings. It all meshed very well together I thought and I look forward to reading more of Duncan's work.
rouver's review against another edition
4.0
I'm definitely enjoying this series. Thankfully, I see there's a third.
Once again Nostradamus & his apprentice, Alfeo, must solve a murder. This time, it's intertwined with treason, and their progress is hampered by demonic forces. Will they be forced to use some black magic of their own & put themselves at risk of being burned for witchcraft? Ohhhh...wouldn't you just love to know.
I'm going to be looking into Duncan's other works.
Once again Nostradamus & his apprentice, Alfeo, must solve a murder. This time, it's intertwined with treason, and their progress is hampered by demonic forces. Will they be forced to use some black magic of their own & put themselves at risk of being burned for witchcraft? Ohhhh...wouldn't you just love to know.
I'm going to be looking into Duncan's other works.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
sammystarbuck's review against another edition
4.0
I think I may have enjoyed this one even more than the first installment...
Looking forward to finally reading book 3.
Looking forward to finally reading book 3.
krisrid's review against another edition
3.0
This was an entertaining look at Venice and it's intricate and dangerous political wrangling during the time of the doges.
Alfeo Zeno is apprentice to Nostradamus, now a crotchety octegenarian who does what he likes and damn the consequences. Unfortunately, when a murder takes place with the corpse being left in the doorway of the home where Nostradamus and Alfeo live, questions are asked, and many powerful people - including the leader of the Inquisition, who already suspects Nostradamus of dark magical practices - demand that the Maestro provide a solution.
Nostradamus charges poor Alfeo with the legwork of investigating, and while the instructions he gets are vague at best, he must persevere.
The best part of this book is the hilarious relationship between Nostradamus and young Alfeo. The old man behaves atrociously, and appears to disdain and take advantage of his young apprentice. But Alfeo manages to get back his own quite cleverly, and if you read between the lines, you clearly see the respect and affection between the two.
Their combined efforts unearth some very exciting things involved in and leading to the murder, and why it took place.
If you like historical murder mysteries, Venice as a setting, and/or the era and politics of the doges, this book may be a good read for you. I really enjoyed it.
Alfeo Zeno is apprentice to Nostradamus, now a crotchety octegenarian who does what he likes and damn the consequences. Unfortunately, when a murder takes place with the corpse being left in the doorway of the home where Nostradamus and Alfeo live, questions are asked, and many powerful people - including the leader of the Inquisition, who already suspects Nostradamus of dark magical practices - demand that the Maestro provide a solution.
Nostradamus charges poor Alfeo with the legwork of investigating, and while the instructions he gets are vague at best, he must persevere.
The best part of this book is the hilarious relationship between Nostradamus and young Alfeo. The old man behaves atrociously, and appears to disdain and take advantage of his young apprentice. But Alfeo manages to get back his own quite cleverly, and if you read between the lines, you clearly see the respect and affection between the two.
Their combined efforts unearth some very exciting things involved in and leading to the murder, and why it took place.
If you like historical murder mysteries, Venice as a setting, and/or the era and politics of the doges, this book may be a good read for you. I really enjoyed it.
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