It is 1498, and the whole of Venice is abuzz. Hidden somewhere in the labyrinthine city is an ancient book, rumoured to contain thorny heresies and secrets of immeasurable power. Luciano, a penniless orphan, has been plucked from the street and taken on as apprentice to the chef at the doge's palace. While learning the alchemy of cooking, he quickly finds himself entangled in the search for the ancient tome, even suspecting the chef, his maestro, may be concealing information. But lurking in the wings are some of the most powerful, dangerous men in Venice, and Luciano s secret will lead him through a dangerous maze to the centre of an intrigue that will test his deepest desires and loyalties. 'It is a clutching story, with love interests and court shenanigans, odd fellows and weird sisters, lurking in wait for their stage entrance, scenes of comic hilarity around the dinner table, and a high spirited tribute to the fruits of knowledge In her own neat piece of alchemy, Newmark takes the heft of a potato and turns it into an ode for paying attention.' - KIRKUS REVIEWS (US)