The Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel

Written by Elle Newmark

Narrated by Raul Esparza

In a world of violence and intrigue, who guards the truth?

It is 1498, dawn of the Renaissance, and Venice teems with rumors about an ancient book believed to hold the secrets of power—alchemy, love, and even immortality. Some will stop at nothing to find it; others will die to protect it. As intrigue grips Her Most Serene Republic, Luciano, a light-fingered, streetwise orphan, gets caught up in the madness. The doge’s enigmatic chef takes him into the palace kitchen as an apprentice, where he is initiated into the chef’s deliciously mysterious world—itself alive with dangerous secrets. After Luciano witnesses an inexplicable murder, he embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. What he discovers will test his loyalty, show him the dark side of men’s souls, and threaten his love for an audacious convent girl. But it will also swing open the shutters of his mind, and leave an indelible mark on his soul.

A luminous and seductive novel, The Chef ’s Apprentice is, at its heart, a high-spirited tribute to the fruits of knowledge and the extraordinary power of those who hold its key.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Dec 30, 2008
• ISBN: 9780743578059

Elle Newmark

Elle Newmark is the acclaimed author of The Book of Unholy Mischief.  She lived and worked in the hills north of San Diego.

Reviews for The Book of Unholy Mischief

[lylee-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This took me a little time to get into, but once in, I enjoyed the ride. I particularly liked the connection Elle Newmark makes with writings you will probably recognize, but not in her context.

[texicanwife_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An awakening of the culinary senses, as well as the cerebral awaits the reader with Newmark's novel of 15th Century street urchin Luciano.Literally brought from the gutters of Venice's foulest streets, "Maestro" Chef teaches Luciano more than he ever dared.Luciano learns to live in the moment.Luciano learns that being a chef can mean so much more than ever imagined.In the end, Luciano becomes a "Guardian", a keeper of knowledge. This beautifully written story brings the reader to a new appreciation for the powers of food. And what it means... to grow from unknowing boy, into a man.

[pattylouise_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My ThoughtsThis book is quite a bit different from the books that I usually read but at the same time and in rather odd ways?unusually similar. It is a bit fantastic. It takes place in the year 1498. Lots of people are starving and hungry while living in Venice?one of the wealthiest cities in the world at that time. When I began reading this book?I had doubts about my interest in it and whether or not I could even finish it. Now here comes the but?but I did and it was quite an adventure. You have to understand that I had just finished all of the books in The Hunger Games?I was so involved in those books and so caught up in the mad adventure that I actually did not read anything for an entire day. And then I remembered that I needed to review this book. Once I began reading it?it was impossible to not be caught up in it and the misery and trials of Luciano?a poor impoverished orphan who roams the city of Venice hunting for food. In a very odd way?this book reminded me of Katniss and her trials in The Hunger Games?there were lots of serious similarities and not so serious ones?this book even has a cat?Bernardo?but he is much loved by Luciano. The StoryThis book involves a quest. Everyone at that time is looking for a rather mysterious book that holds the secret to many things but most of all the secret to immortality. Luciano is seen stealing a pomegranate from a fruit vendor by the very important chef of a very important minister?or doge?as he is referred to in the book. The chef takes him to the doge?s villa where he is given orders to take a bath, put on fresh clothes and eat?a meal of cheese and bread. Luciano then begins his role as sort of a helper/servant within the kitchen of the doge?s villa. Luciano is the narrator of this story and it is told from his view. He is happy to be working with the chef who has many mysteries of his own?one which is a locked cabinet full of odd potions and herbs. The chef also has the ability to manage appetites through some of the amazing food that he cooks. Luciano becomes more and more curious about what the chef does with his gardens and recipes and cannot leave the chef alone about any of this and is adamant that the chef tell him about this mysterious book. In addition to all of this Luciano sees many depraved and illegal things happen in the dining room of the villa. This is all because the doge is dying and is desperate to find the book. People are imprisoned and murdered and tortured?all because of this book.This incident occurs at the time of the Renaissance and there are fascinating stories told within the book itself. Tales of sailing to the New World and all of its dangers were exciting and almost unbelievable. The food talk alone was mesmerizing?the descriptions of the vendors and the foods were so interesting?how tomatoes were thought to be poisonous and only certain chefs knew how to use them and people were afraid to eat them. The stories of the street orphans and their hunger?and how they had to fend for themselves and how mean people were to them?sad and distressing?I mean there were orphans everywhere and people thought nothing of just tossing their babies out if they couldn?t care for them?My Thoughts AgainI am not sure if I would have chosen this book on my own but I am very glad to have read it. It made me think about another time, it was a totally fascinating story, and it held my interest until the last page. Elle Newmark amazed me with her knowledge of this time and place. Her research was very thorough. She managed to make these characters very real to me and I was caught up in their story.

[sleahey_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Luciano, a wily street urchin, is taken in by the chef of a doge. His drive to survive and his infatuation of a young nun make him slow to realize the value of the chef's knowledge. The quest for a book that is reorted to contain alchemy and the secret of immortality has venice all abuzz, and it takes Luciano a long time to realize what might be even more important.

[frisbeesage · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Book of Unholy Mischief is a fast-paced romp through the streets of Venice. The story follows Luciano, a penniless orphan, trying to survive on the streets in 1498. When he suddenly lucks into a position as apprentice to the palace's chef he thinks he has it made. But soon strange things begin to happen and rumors of a mysterious book with powerful secrets surface. To protect his job and his life Luciano will have to uncover the truth and decide between wealth or knowledge.I listened to this book on audio and the thrilling story line held my attention. I especially loved the descriptions of food and the exotic dishes with (very!) unusual ingredients created by the chef. Luciano's attempts at perfecting a particular recipe were quite amusing, Parts of the book were reminiscent of Like Water for Chocolate with the implication that food can alter the emotions, giving the chef power over the diner. The Book of Unholy Mischief also includes a lot of political history of Venice that was interesting. There were several groups at that time vying for power and their methods were sometimes extreme!Overall this is a very enjoyable and entertaining audio book. The reader does a good job differentiating between the various characters and with maintaining the excitement inherent in the plot.

[vcfvcs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A simple innocent and fun story filled with food and hope. We need more of these and it is such a shame Elle Newmark is no longer with us.

[dianaleez · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I tried to read and like The Book of Unholy Mischief, but I found it to be bland. I read a lot of historical fiction, I love Venice, I'm far too 'into' food, and I consider myself a humanist, but this book's dull prose style did me in. So for those, like me, who failed to enjoy The DaVinci Code but loved The Book of Air and Shadows, and need more depth to their adventure, look this one over before you buy. I'm giving it three stars because it obviously brings pleasure to some readers, but it just didn't maintain my interest.

[fogcityite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel, set in early Renaissance Venice, is gorgeous. The protagonist, a young street boy, is taken into the kitchen of the Doge's palace as an apprentice to the chef. The treachery and power struggles of Venice are omnipresent including, the reader learns, in the kitchen. The chef has secrets, and many believe his culinary brilliance is tinged with magic. The details of the story unfold slowly, but the delicious writing keeps the book fast-paced; there is always, it seems, a new revelation on the next page. Highly recommended. One of the most fun books I've read in a long time.

[sensitivemuse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wasn?t sure what to expect from this book. It certainly took me a while to get into it. The first few chapters where Luciano?s story was told did certainly help the pace quicken a bit but I noticed while reading this, it?s a very relaxing slow read. It?s not a book where you?re not quite immediately thrown into the whirlwind. What does help is if the reader is interested in cooking, and in history, then this book won?t be a big issue. Those not interested in those two subjects might have trouble getting interested in the plot.The intrigue is fed to you in little morsels (as if it?s food). Food and the underlying intrigue go hand in hand in this novel but you?ll encounter rich descriptions on food and its smells, taste, and texture. I don?t mind these descriptions, in fact not only does it succeed in making me hungry, it?s so well written you can actually taste the food being described. I only wish there were recipes handy to go along with the book! Now, about intrigue. It?s well done, even though you don?t get much of it until near the end of the book. However when it is presented it?s done so it still manages to get your attention and it packs a punch at the end. The last half of the novel really flew by for me as I was really caught up by the action and mystery. I also thought the use of food and having certain political sympathies really did go well hand in hand, and perhaps it?s a very interesting twist on a job as a Chef in a political household. The ending provided a good sense of satisfaction. I would call it bittersweet because some of the outcome of the characters wasn?t what I hoped to be. As for the characters, Luciano was fun to read. He has his dumb moments where you feel like smacking him in the face, but I really like his loyalty. It was an admirable trait and although difficult to maintain, he really stuck by it. As to Marco, I thought his outcome was a little harsh for his actions, and although I thought he was a little weasel, I?m not sure he entirely deserved what he got. I thought Francesca was a greedy ambitious tart, but I liked her ending. It was certainly well deserved and well suited for her. Also, of course, I loved Bernardo and Luciano?s relationship. Who says cats can?t be faithful companions?I wouldn?t recommend this book to those that are not into a slow relaxing pace, it?s certainly a book that?s meant to be slowly savoured and enjoyed a little at a time. However those that want something to do with the art of cooking with a bit of history and intrigue on the side would certainly love this beautifully descriptive novel.

[sushitori · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Venice is always captivating and the story of the homeless boy who overcomes his hard life by becoming a gourmet cook for the wealthy is engaging. Interesting details about the chemical properties of food and plants, and the machinations of the powerful to retain control.

[kasthu_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It?s 1498, and the Renaissance is at its height in the city-states of Italy. Savonarola has just been executed in Florence, and Rodrigo Borgia is Pope Alexander VI in Rome. And half of Europe is in a race for dominance across the Atlantic in the New World. Venice is the home for a convergence of cultures in the Mediterranean, allowing its residents to experience foods never before seen in Europe (including the supposedly poisonous ?love apple,? or tomato).Luciano is a homeless Venetian street urchin, forced to live hand-to-mouth and to steal in order to survive. One stolen pomegranate and Luciano finds himself as the apprentice to the chef of the doge, the secular head of Venice. When the doge (not named here, but probably Agostino Barbarigo) poisons a peasant in the palace?s dining room, Luciano embarks on a search for a highly-prized book that holds secrets that many powerful people will kill for. But what are those secrets?Venice comes to life in this vibrant novel. The author has clearly done her research; you feel as though you?re walking the streets of the old, decaying city; and the reader never quite shakes off the feeling that danger and evil are luring around each corner.Food is also described in deep detail in this novel, though the author may have attached too much significance to its impact on the story. Still, the author has a wonderful way with words and a turn of phrase that?s just as magical as the book described within. This is the kind of book that will make you think about it long after you?ve finished reading the last page. I really hate The Da Vinci Code comparisons, but The Book of Unholy Mischief is a much more sophisticated, layered, and intelligent version of that book.

[globalvagabond · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Odd how I fnd myself reading books on related topics back-to-back totally unintentionally. I'm sure I would give this book a much higher rating if I had not read "Tomato Rhapsody" just before it. While full of historical tidbits, I could not get wrapped up in the story. The characters did not seem fully formed, they were too black or white and the young protaganist especially seemed to do stupid things just to move the plot forward. The history often got in the way of the writing. However, if I had read this book first, I'm sure I would have thought it a decent yarn.

[writestuff_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Luciano, a street urchin and orphan, is rescued from an uncertain future by Chef Ferrero and made a apprentice in the palace kitchen of Venice. Once ensconced there, his life becomes one of intrigue. It is the mid-fifteenth century and all of Venice, is talking of a magical book which holds the key to love, immortality and power.Luciano is witness to murder, kidnapping, and torture as the doge and other powerful Italians seek the book. But it is the parallel story which I enjoyed even more than the mystery of the sorcerers? book ? that of the growing relationship between Luciano and Chef Ferrero.Luciano, parentless and without direction, is the perfect heir for the Chef who has three daughters but no son. The chef is at heart a teacher, and he uses the lessons of food to show Luciano that not only is God in each of us, giving us the potential for greatness, but that there is untested strength inside us as well. He shows Luciano the truths of life, and teaches him integrity and honesty. As Luciano struggles with maintaining his connections with the street urchins he has befriended and swoons with love for a young girl living in a nunnery, Chef Ferrero guides him toward a future filled with hope.Elle Newmark has crafted a story full of the lushness of fifteenth century Venice. Her wonderful descriptions of food give the novel color and texture. She captures the evil of greed and wealth which prowled the halls of the palaces and homes of the powerful during that time.The Book of Unholy Mischief is a whirlwind adventure story with moral underpinnings. The mysterious book, thought to be the key to so much, represents how far astray a person can go when their eyes are clouded by dreams of power ? whether it be power over life and death, power over love, or power over another person. Although set in an historical time frame, the novel is really not an historical novel. Newmark takes some liberties with certain historical facts, but she notes in the afterword: ?My primary objective was to tell a good tale.? And in this, she has succeeded.I thoroughly enjoyed my travels with Luciano through the streets and kitchens of Venice. The Book of Unholy Mischief will appeal to readers who enjoy books about food, but more importantly those who wish to immerse themselves in a story that catapults them to another time and place.Recommended.

[dianej_606674 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was wonderful on audio. The reader, Raul Esparza, brought the various characters alive with his various voices. The plot, the characters, the historical elements, and the descriptions of Venice and food all played their parts in bringing this book together. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will take a look at the other books this author has written.

[bookczuk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A tale of old Venice, alchemy, and intrigue, wrapped up with some of the most sumptuous descriptions of food I've read in a long time. Young Luciano, an orphan living by his wits and cunning, finds his life changed when the Doge's chef rescues him from his life on the streets. At the same time there is a search for a mysterious book of potions -- recipes for gold, immortality, love, and more. What swept me in were the menus that Chef presented to the Doge and guests. The descriptions bordered on magical realism, and made me wish for table scraps. I usually don't like to listen to abridged audio-books, but this was edited in such a way that I didn't really realize it was abridged until the end, when the book title/author/publisher ID was given. Still, there were some phrases that captured me enough to record them when a stoplight came along (I listen to audio books in the car.) Unfortunately, the only slip of paper with a quote scrawled on it says, "He reeked of good health and old money." That could apply to a lot of people I know today.

[lorihedgpeth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are a reader that is looking for a fast-paced, quick to it book, The Book of Unholy Mischief is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a book that simmers slowly, builds with an exotic, leisurely scent of savory spices and peels back, layer after layer, as a succulent orange or oversized onion does, you won't be disappointed by this visual masterpiece. I loved the colorful depictions of Venice in the late fifteenth century. So vivid was author Elle Newmark's writing and characterizations, even after finishing the book, I can still easily visualize Venice in my mind and the wonderfully written Luciano and Chef Ferraro. I can feel the squalor and grime under my feet of the poorer calles that Luciano strolled and can sense the aromatic herbs from Chef Ferraro's private closet. I can feel Bernardo rubbing my leg with his head, feel his purrs and smell his wet fur, as well as hear the various cries coming from the street merchants, the sailors and the prostitutes. That alone would make The Book of Unholy Mischief a worthy and fantastic read. After all, aren't the best writers capable of allowing their readers to not only see in their mind's eye the location and the characters but to hear and even smell the story? Ms. Newmark allows the reader to use all his or her senses and to a fabulous extent. But let's not shortchange the story which, if you allow it time to build, is phenomenal on its own. Historical fiction lovers will delight not only in the day to day accounts of Renaissance Venice but also with the mystery surrounding the infamous book of the title, which not only supposedly holds the key to immortal life, wealth and riches but brings about grief, death, murder and ties to Jesus' crucifixtion and resurrection. Readers who prefer their books with little or no objectionable language and sexual situations will be satisfied with The Book of Unholy Mischief as there are only brief descriptions of slight violence, mostly relative to street living, and one torture scene. The Book of Unholy Mischief was a fascinating read and has stayed with me, even after turning that last page and closing the book. I felt vested in the characters, so much so that I experienced both joy and sadness throughout the book and into its conclusion. The mystery over the book built slowly and paid off greatly in the end. Portions of the book dealing with cooking and succulent descriptions of food will leave your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling. And on a purely shallow note, the cover is subtle, understated and yet still luscious and inviting.I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Book of Unholy Mischief to one and all and I would love to see this flavorful story on a movie or t.v. screen, as I do think the story would certainly be justified on film.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in Venice during the final years of the fifteenth century, The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark paints a very vivid picture of that city at the height of it?s power, full of political intrigue, secrets and gossip. As the book opens the city is aflame with the rumour of a very special book hidden somewhere within the city. This book is said to hold the secrets of the ancient alchemists of Byzantium, including recipes for the making of gold, a powerful love potion and a prescription for immortality.The story is told by Luciano who starts life as a penniless orphan, a street smart boy who has been chosen to be the apprentice of the doge?s head chef. Luciano has learned the art of spying on people and it isn?t too long before he too is caught up in the quest for the mysterious book. The chef tries to instill in Luciano an appreciation for how food can manipulate men?s hearts and minds, but the real message of this book seems to be that ultimate power comes from the magic of knowledge. I was excited about The Book of Unholy Magic but unfortunately the plot was extremely slow moving with many loose ends left dangling. Although I wasn?t totally drawn into the mystery part of the book, the author?s development of the rich atmosphere of this fascinating city and her mouthwateringdescriptions of the food preparation kept me involved in the story.

[bellydancer_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is the dawn of the Renaissance in Venice and young Luciano is rescued from a life of poverty on the streets by the Doge?s chef. This leads Luciano into the palace kitchens and a world of secret recipes, mysterious dinners and rumours rife about ?the book?. ?The book? holds the mysteries of eternal life and alchemy, and those who seek it will stop at nothing to have it as their own. Those who know about it will die, never revealing the secrets of its whereabouts.As Luciano waits to be promoted to vegetable chef he meets a novice nun, who he thinks is the one and only girl for him. But as his maestro shows him through recipes and lessons nothing is ever as it seems.A page-turner novel that is well written, face-paced, intriguing and full if twists and turns. There is a spattering of history, a pinch of romance and a cup full of mystery.

[indygo88 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a mediocre tale of mystery and adventure. I can't put my finger on why it didn't strike a strong chord with me. I did think the author did a good job with characterization, and the use of food & cooking as part of the whole story was interesting, but the plot beyond that just didn't maintain my interest. The premise sounded good, but it just fell flat for me. I'd like to blame it on the abridgement of the audio I listened to, but I'm just not sure.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely my kind of book - historic fiction, set in Renaissance Venice, main character is a chef's apprentice, lots of food discussions, what was there not to like? The book also has an exciting plot, centering around a 'book' that tells the secrets of Christianity and what REALLY happened to Jesus. A bit of a Da Vinci code type story, but a bit lighter and less gory. Good for historic fiction buffs.

[e5j · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Magical. Wonderful. The descriptions of the food were magnificent, and the city. 4.5 stars.

[knittingmomof3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From my book review blog, Rundpine...."15th Century Venice at the height of the Renaissance is brought to life in Elle Newmark?s book The Book of Unholy Mischief. Newmark weaves together murder, intrigue, alchemy, romance, food, and an alleged mysterious book to form a fabulous tale rich in characters as well as description. The book is slow moving, not to be confused with boring, as Newmark carefully sets the stage and, and it is an elaborate one at that. Readers will find themselves pulled into the story by the meticulous details as the sights, sounds, and smells of Venice as well as the vibrant descriptions of the colours bring the essence of the Renaissance to the reader or the reader into the Renaissance. Newmark?s characters receive as much attention to detail as the city, which further enhances the story. I found The Book of Unholy Mischief to be a delightfully slower paced tale of mystery, love, and knowledge, none of which can be expounded on further without giving away the tale. Newmark is a gifted storyteller and she has successfully crafted a beautiful, insightful, and vividly delicious Renaissance mystery. I would recommend The Book of Unholy Mischief to anyone looking for an excellent book and escape to another place and time."

[cacky_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Clever story of the Guardians, who are protecting the world's knowledge, including the Gnostic gospels. The Guardians are chefs and the knowledge is kept in receipes.

[mt256 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book made me hungry. I know that is a weird thing to say about a book but it's true. This book is filled with banquets and dinners that will leave your stomach growling. Elle Newmark did a wonderful job describing the food so that you could almost taste it. It leaves your mouth watering. However, that is not all this book is about. The main character, Luciano, works as an apprentice under the very talented Chef Ferrero. Every dish that Chef Ferrero makes is a masterpiece. Chef Ferrero endeavors to teach Luciano not only the secret in the sauce but also the secrets to life. Meanwhile the city is being turned upside down looking for an ancient book that is said to hold many secrets. Everyone that searches for the book has a different reason why they want it. Some people are looking for love, wealth, immortality and others are trying to silence the book's possibility to destroy everything they know. Elle Newark takes us on perilous journey where friendship, loyalty and love are tested. Elle did a wonderful job developing the story line and the characters while she takes us on a captivating tour through 15th Century Venice.

[bridget3420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Luciano and Marco are both orphans who have been forced to live their life on the streets of Venice. Marco takes Luciano under his wing and shows him what needs to be done in order to survive. Then one day a chef from the palace decides to take Luciano under his wing. He battles feelings of guilt because he now has three meals a day and roof over his head to sleep under and Marco is still on the street. Luciano sneaks food for Marco but he doesn't feel like he's done enough for his friend. Then Luciano witnesses a murder. He takes it upon himself to find answers. Will he like what he finds or would he be better off not knowing?Check out Elle's site here.You can watch the book trailer here.Thank you Tracee from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for including me in this blog tour.

[fyrefly98 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Luciano was a street orphan in 1490s Venice, before he is taken in to work as an apprentice in the palace kitchens by the Doge's personal chef. It's an exciting time in Venice, with people buzzing about the mysteries of the newly-discovered New World, as well as the current hot topic of gossip: a mysterious and ancient book of alchemical secrets, said to be somewhere in Venice, and being hunted by everyone from the Doge to the Pope. As Luciano spends more and more time in the kitchen, learning about cooking and about life, he begins to suspect that there's more to the master chef's recipes than meet the eye... but the more he learns, the more danger he's in from those who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the fabled book.Review: This book is an interesting mix of genres - about 1/3 historical fiction, 1/3 foodie fiction, and 1/3 conspiracy/secret societies mystery. The good side of this is that there's plenty here to interest readers of all stripes; but the bad side is that none of these aspects are entirely fully developed, and it wound up feeling a little jumbled at times.Each individual piece definitely had potential: for historical fiction fans, Newmark presents an vivid picture of Venice at an interesting time - when the tomato was just beginning to be introduced into Italian cooking, and was still widely regarded as poisonous, and when reason and learning were beginning to replace superstition. The "street urchin in 1500s Venice who's interested in mystical secrets" setting reminded me pretty strongly of Traci L. Slatton's Immortal, and while they both painted the historical backdrop well, I thought The Book of Unholy Mischief had a more lively plot.The foodie aspects were equally well done. Apart from the lavish descriptions of equally lavish meals, there was a lot of emphasis on the power of food, and of cooking, and of paying attention to food, and the resulting prose made me hungry - and made me want to go cook something fancy - more than once. In this, it's reminiscent of Erica Bauermeister's The School of Essential Ingredients. (And it probably didn't help that I get the two titles tangled in my brain, constantly wanting to refer to one as "The Book of Unholy Ingredients" or "The School of Essential Mischief" - both of which sound like interesting reads, actually.)However, I think the weakest link was the conspiracy/mystery aspects. The shocking secrets contained in the Book are... not all that secret, and not all that shocking, really. There's mention of the Gnostic Gospels, and various other humanist teachings, and the book flirts with the idea of DaVinci Code-esque heresy... but flirting is all it really does, bringing it up and then quickly moving on. It felt like Newmark wanted a hint of scandal without committing to being whole-heartedly heretical, and the result is that it doesn't entirely feel integrated with the rest of the story. Overall, while this book wasn't quite fully polished or entirely satisfactory, it was entertaining, and interesting enough to make me keep going back for more. 3.5 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: While it's not the best historical fiction or the best foodie writing or the best secret societies book I've ever read, I think The Book of Unholy Mischief would appeal to anyone with an interest in any of those categories, and it certainly makes a good, enjoyable, light summer read.

[reviewsbymolly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was intriguingly different. Definitely a new style of reading for me! But not in a bad way of course. Just the opposite, in fact! It was actually a pretty decent novel by a new-to-me author. Don't get me wrong,though. There were a few parts of the story that could have been just a bit more exciting by over all, the story was a good one.Elle Newmark takes her readers on a journey across the times and oceans to an enchanting city: Venice in the 1400's. When we arrive, she takes us on a whirlwind of emotions and adventures, as we meet Luciano, the focus of the story, and Chef Ferrrero, not to mention many other captivating characters through out the novel. Newmark fills the story, with great descriptive detail, with wonderful, flavorful sounding foods, while she takes her captivated readers on a search through out the city for an ancient book that holds the key to many secrets of the past. Add a little love to the story for some spice and Elle throws us a flavorful novel of right and wrong, friendship and love,and what the TRUE meaning of wealth and loyalty mean.I recommend this novel to Elle Newmark fans, new and old. I give it 4 stars for it's intriguing, tasteful plot line with a pinch of humor to make any hungry book lover satisfied!

[peternz-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Slightly disappointed. This book has no surprises. Victims and villains are clearly defined and you know exactly who will cheat on whom and who will betray who. the story drags on slightly until it rushes through the end.

Entertaining but that's about it.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In late 15th century Venice, Luciano, a street urchin is collared by the doge's chef when he tries to steal a pomegranate. With this lucky instance, he is plucked from his hard existence in the streets and apprenticed to the chef. Using the cunning he used to survive on the streets, he soon discovers that there are more secrets and lies in Venice than he ever imagined and that his Master is so much more than he ever dreamed. Meanwhile, rumors circulate in Venice about a book containing no one knows what. Some people believe that it contains the secrets of alchemy. The doge thinks it has the information to cure his syphilis. Luciano is certain that is has a love potion that will make the little novice to whom he has given his heart love him back. People in power are willing to kill to possess the book, offering staggering awards for it. And so amidst the treachery and political manuvering that is Venice, the race to find and possess the book is on.Caught up in the frenzy surrounding the book, Luciano eavesdrops in the palace, reports to his friends on the street, talks to the novice, and of course, starts to learn to cook. Watching the chef, he learns the importance of food, wondering if the meals that issue from their kitchen are changing the course of history and the fate of Venice. One of Luciano's first private lessons with the chef teaches him about the beauty of an onion, intricate layer upon intricate layer upon intricate layer. This is a beautiful metaphor for both the Venice Newmark has created as well as the story as a whole. As Luciano's apprenticeship continues, he not only learns to cook but to conspire and the grave importance of secrets kept and secrets spilled. Told in relatively short chapters, the reader will want to keep racing to the end of each, eager for the small revelations that will allow another piece of the puzzle about this fabulous, much-coveted book to fall into place.Told from Luciano's point of view, the characters are fully fleshed out and human. And while the reader can see the pitfalls in certain characters long before Luciano recognizes that not everyone is worthy of his good heart's affection, this serves to illustrate Luciano's character better than had we been told of the traits that make him the perfect apprentice of the chef's. Newmark builds the suspense well and the final denouement is balanced and inevitable. In all honesty, before I got the book, I wasn't too certain this was going to be the book for me but as I continued to read the description, I couldn't escape the tug of intrigue and I am so very glad I didn't! I thoroughly enjoyed this lively historical fiction. I studiously ignored some of the factual inconsistencies (and Newmark addresses some of this in the author's afterword) because after all, this is fiction and allowances for the fantastical do not go amiss. I'd have loved for the chef to cook for me after all those mouth-watering food descriptions. Like the movie Seducing Beauty, this was an appealing, satisfying, and vividly tempting glimpse into the mysteries, politics, and depravities of long ago Venice.

[kristina_brooke-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook is so well read that I was immediately sucked in to the story. The story itself is quite interesting especially for anyone who has more than a passing interest to the sorted past of Christianity/Catholicism.