Feeley (The Oxygen Barons
; Spirit of the Place
) delivers an elegant, low-key historical fantasy about a young Venetian merchant's efforts to create a market for coffee in the early 17th century. Venice's fortunes, and those of its once powerful merchant families, have suffered as Dutch and Spanish traders gain control of markets and trade routes, bringing spices, silks and other exotic goods to Europeans hungry for new luxuries. But merchant Matteo Benveneto is determined to reinvigorate Venetian business by introducing Europe to fresh brewed "arabian wine," or caofa, as the Turks call it, "the elixir that brought fixity of purpose and clarity of mind." Eventually, Matteo's efforts draw the attention of Venice's Inquisition and the Council of Ten, providing some dramatic tension. Aficionados of quirky, understated speculative fiction will be rewarded. (Mar. 31)
