A Conspiracy of Paper

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Summary: A conspiracy of sleep.
Review: This book caused a real problem. Read through the night and finish the book, or savor the writing and take longer to read it. In the end, I read until i fell asleep at three in the morning. This is a remarkable book, even more so because it is a first novel. The period is interesting and reflective of our own time, the characters are real for the most part, and the plot moves along on its own and in surprising ways. I look forward to his next work.

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Summary: big disappointment
Review: I have one word for this book - tedious.

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Summary: Historical Fiction at its Best!
Review: It's unbeliveable that this is Liss' first novel! I absolutely couldn't put it down. The history of early 18th century England which he weaves into the story so seamlessly is fascinating. And the story is one that keeps you reading late into the night (or at least it did me)!!

I can't wait for his second book in which, I believe, the main character is to be the grandfather of Benjamin Weaver, the Jewish "thief catcher" who is the main character in "A Conspiracy of Paper."

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Summary: Thank you Mr. Liss
Review: I was so grateful that I started reading "A Conspiracy of Paper" at the beginning of a long weekend of air travel! I was unable to put the book down for long and had I started reading this wonderful, deep and gripping portrayal of life in eighteenth century London during a regular weekend I would have put the next week on hold until I was done.

Thank you David Liss for a great weekend!

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL BOOK!!!
Review: This book won't let you go once you begin to read it. Nominated for the Edgar Award for best first novel by an author. I can't see how it can miss. I stayed riveted to the book until the very end. Can hardly wait for another David Liss book.

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Summary: Historical Fiction at its best...
Review: This is nearly a perfect work of historical fiction!! I loved every page...the plot unfolded masterfully, yet held your suspense until the very end. The amount of historical detail to religious prejudice, the new and emerging financial markets, fashion, classes difference and social mores was vast, yet so beautifully woven into the story line. Plus, you really do love the protagonist!! Do read...you won't be sorry!!

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Summary: Intricate story, real characters........A great read.
Review: Having just read 'An Instance of the Fingerpost', I was somewhat skeptical that I would find another historical mystery with as much depth. As 'Instance' delicately lays down the possible truths to its story, 'A Conspiracy of Paper' hammers you over the head with its plethora of possibilities.

There are so many possible conclusions to hypothesize while reading this book, it might be frustrating to someone who cannot devote a good portion of concentration to this book. However, if you enjoy unraveling complex mysteries, you will love this book.

I am not one to touch on characters or basic plot lines in my reviews, so I will not go there except to say that most characters are multi-layered, and that this layering adds much to the mystery.

The writing style of Liss is not the same circuitous style that Pears uses in 'Instance', but you get used to it after a couple of chapters.

If you have read 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' and liked it, read this book. If you have not, then if you like this book after you are done, you should read it as well.

Rating:
Summary: A complex conspiracy
Review: David Liss has taken the three major elements of any story: money, sex and religion and woven them into a well-told tale. He succeeds brilliantly at bringing early 18th century England to life with its veneer of gentility barely covering a dark underworld where anything can be had for a price. Our hero Benjamin Weaver is the perfect vehicle for helping explain the machinations of 'Change Alley as thousands flock to place their bets on often phony investments. It's impossible not to see a modern corollary in the books repeated theme of paper promises of future riches. If there's any fault to be found in the book it's that while Liss does such a superb job of explaining the financial markets and the life of the London Jews, the main plot becomes a little too involved. It's easy to lose track of who's doing what to whom if you're not careful. But it's still worth sitting up a couple of nights because you can't stop turning the pages.

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Summary: Entertaining but I Expected More
Review: Given the author's background in economic history, I thought this book would be centered around the development of the stock market in 18th century London. While this played a central role in the book, it was never really explained how the stock market developed or how it worked. The central character is the younger son of a Jewish broker, who has made a name as a boxer.... The writing was extremely well done but the plot seemed to meander all over the place. The novel didn't remain focused enough to keep my full attention. I would read another novel by the author since the writing and the research was well done but hope that in the future he uses his background to give the reader some interesting background on the development of the modern economies.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: Conspiracy of Paper is double the length of the usual mystery, and you may find yourself wondering when the protagonist, Benjamin Weaver, is going to get on with it, but keep reading because nothing in the story is trivial. Benjamin is a former Jew, having changed his name and become adept at returning stolen property to its rightful owner.

Benjamin's world is turned upside down when he accepts a request to retrieve a packet of letters from Kate Cole, a prostitute. Everyone Benjamin encounters from this point on is curiously bound to the deaths of his stock-jobber father and a rich associate. The story unfolds slowly, in layers, as Benjamin follows a meager trail of clues through both the Jewish and established-rich communities of 18th century London.

The plot is clever and the pace picks up in the last third of the novel. Just as you think you know what happened, you learn that you know absolutely nothing. This is a gorgeous first book full of excellent, but not overwhelming, detail. The historical perspective of London during the birth of the stock market and national banking intrigues the reader as it winds around religious separatism and corrupt government.