The Book of Unholy Mischief

Raœl Esparza gives a thoroughly engrossing performance, understated and subtle, with nuance to spare, in Elle Newmark's fantastical exploration of life in Venice at the end of the fifteenth century. Luciano, a cunning street urchin, finds his luck changed when he becomes an apprentice chef in the doge's palace. An accomplished eavesdropper, Luciano learns that prominent men are searching for a secret book that is alleged to contain alchemical formulas, love potions, and the secret to immortality. Esparza's narration enhances Newmark's lavish, mouth-watering descriptions of food, and with slight vocal shifts and just the suggestion of Italian accents, he adds mystery and romance, highlighting court intrigues, the odors and aromas of Venice, and Newmark's many quirky characters. Especially recommended for listeners who aren't dieting. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

September 22, 2008
Luciano, the wily hero of Newmark's entertaining first novel, is only a street urchin when the doge of Venice's chef finds him, but once dragged into the kitchen as an apprentice, he discovers more bubbling than boiling water. While the town is in an uproar over the rumor of an ancient book containing magical potions and lessons on alchemy, Luciano pines away for a girl and learns the basics of chopping, sweeping and eavesdropping. As he and his maestro become friendlier, Luciano begins to learn that there's more to his teacher than a garden of strange plants and a box of spices. Newmark does a fine job of building suspense and keeping the novel barreling along, and her knowledge of and affection for 15th-century Venice adds charm to this nicely told adventure yarn.