The Alchemist's Apprentice

By: Dave Duncan

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

For the legendary Nostradamus, the future is a mystical vortex forever in motion. But for his young apprentice and protector, Alfeo Zeno, the present is spent poring over astrology charts, making calculations, learning arcane magic, and transcribing Nostradamus's nebulous prophecies.

Then the Council of 10 arrives to take the seer into custody. A friend of the prince has died after Nostradamus cast him an ominous horoscope. Some say the mystic poisoned the victim to enhance his own reputation.

Now Alfeo must clear his master's name. From the heights of power, passion, and deceit to the very darkest realms of the netherworld, Alfeo must unravel a web of magic and murder if he is to have any future of his own.

Listen to the second book, The Alchemist's Code.©2007 Dave Duncan (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The occult is a grace note in this cynical whodunit, juicy with period detail." (Entertainment Weekly)

Roger Zelazny meets Rex Stout

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Nero Wolfe mysteries as told by Archie Goodwin as well as everything written by Mr Zelazny. This book follows the pattern of the Wolfe mysteries with the added fun of some magic.

The book seemed to start out slowly, but in retrospect I now see how it cleverly immersed me into the story and had me fully hooked before I felt the hook in my mouth. I also enjoyed Victor’s well paced narrative performance.

One negative for me is the that, because I don’t speak Italian nor Latin, those parts of the book were lost on me. I do hope the text at least has footnotes to translate those phrases, sentences, and words.

Pleasantly suprised

I've found this entire series very enjoyable. The narrator does an excellent job and really makes the series come to life.

Great read

I love this series, the look into the past and what it may have been like. Victor Bevine does a great narration.

Way too convoluted

I'm a huge fan of Dave Duncan, but this book is way beyond convoluted. For most of the story the reader is left in the dark and then in the final 1.5 hrs the mystery is solved by a long long long long long lecture given by the Master Nostradamus. After 45 mins I was so lost that I just gave up and listened to the book just to finish it.

I much prefer Dave's fantasy novels to this mystery novel.

Different

Not my usual style of read. I initially struggled with it but am glad I persevered. It was enjoyable and I recommend it.

Nero Wolfe in a previous life

Clever, fun little tale, with parallels to Nero Wolfe (Rex Stout) throughout. If you like Archie and Nero, you'll also very much enjoy this clever mystery in a historical setting. I'm looking forward to the next one, now that I'm more at home in ancient Venice.

Excellent Book.

I have always loved the writings of Dave Duncan. His characters are rich with personality and life, and his stories are always captivating. He has done it again with "The Alchemist's Apprentice." This time he has wove his characters into an engaging mystery rivaled only by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

great fun

highly recommended if you like adventure and excitement. You get an authentic feel for Venice at the time, and if there ever were a Nostradamus then probably he was a lot like this Nostradamus.

Ingibjörg

Vince with a Dash of Magic

I keep finding myself going back to these books when I what cheer story. They are well written with good and likable characters. There is an air of the romance that the 19th century placed on the medieval age. A smoothing of the horrors of the time into dashing and exciting. There is really very little magic - more the style of a murder mystery. If your too broke to visit Italy close your eyes and enjoy Venice without the smell or damp.

Archie Goodwin in Venice

A decent mystery in the style of Nero Wolfe mysteries, set in early modern Venice