Finished audio 1-12-10, rating 3.5/5, fiction. pub. 2008
Luciano is a penniless orphan living on the streets of 1498 Venice, Italy. He has a pet cat, a friend Marco, and an unrequited love named Francesca. One day he is plucked off the street by the head chef at Doges Palace and given a place to sleep, food to eat and a job in the kitchen. He is grateful to the chef, Maestro Ferrero, and resists pleas from Marco to steal and search for clues to a sought after book of alchemy. Everyone n Venice is looking for this book that contains the secrets of wealth, health and long life and there are some who think maestro might know about it.
Maestro Ferrero can alter the emotions and moods of the people who eat his beautiful and exotic dishes. By watching the head chef, Luciano yearns to become a master chef and learn to use food as his maestro does. Maestro takes Luciano under his wing and trust is built, only Marco wants to destroy that loyalty to find the book and tempts Luciano at every turn.
I love Venice and this book took me back to the palace, canals, gondolas, and food. I really felt transported, even if this takes place in 1498 and we were there in 2008 (a few photos here). I think Newmark captures the atmosphere perfectly and her descriptions of the fine food made me want to study cooking myself. The story itself was good. There were many twists and turns and I never knew what was going to happen next, so it was a success. I thought the ending was okay, but not great. I will read anything that takes me back to Venice and this didn’t disappoint. A very fine debut novel.
I borrowed this audio book from the library.
Stacy's Books 
The premise sounds good to me! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Stacy! Will have to check it out.
The setting would be the big attraction for me! I read A Thousand Days in Venice last summer and have been intrigued with the city ever since. Would LOVE to visit one day…
If I find out a book takes place in Venice it automatically goes on my wish list 🙂
I thought this book was really good and can imagine it would translate well to audio. Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh, I remember seeing this food and thinking food, Venice — a recipe for a good read!
What beautiful pictures!
Absolutely!
I meant book, not food! Hungry much?
Forgotten I bought this last year, looking forward to reading it, thanks for review.
Sounds like a really interesting book. Reading about it is probably the only way I’ll ever get to Venice.
You never know…
Great review Stacy!!
Now that sounds great. I love the period – sold!
Hope you like it!
I enjoyed this book as well. I would love to go to Venice!
I checked out your Venice photos and they are so beautiful. I like the one of the building around the canal plus the one of you and Jason. Food in 1498 is what interests me in this book. I want to know what the maestro cooked. Good review Stacy.
Venice was so beautiful I loved that there we no cars. Well, and the great food of course 🙂
This book has been on my wishlist for awhile and after reading your review AND seeing your GORGEOUS Venic pics…I have to read this one sooner! I love reading about Italy and food so it’s a perfect choice for me. Your pictures of Venice were so beautiful…I’m gushing, it looks like a trip of a lifetime and you both look so happy!
I like the sound of Venice!