Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.
For full disclosure I received a copy of this novel through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
The ebook version, in epub or mobi (plus others) can be found at smashwords.com
Jacob Silver, son of a Jewish Apothecary and his wife, is a gifted artist and scientist. On trial for the murders of 4 beautiful women, and the grave desecration of a fifth. The story switches between Jacob's trial and the chain of events from his first encounter leading up to his arrest.
After his father dies, just weeks after a trip to see the Mona Lisa while it was in London, and his mother imprisoned, Jacob sets out to discover the secret to immortality, the recipe for which is contained in a tome, Alchemy, a book he received from a mysterious man on his 15th birthday, a man who claimed to be from the Institute.
Given a scholarship to a prestigious college, Jacob soon learns that his genius is detested by those upper class folks who feel their children are being 'shown up'. Jacob is soon taking science lessons in an underground laboratory with the same man who delivered the book to him initially, a man he calls Professor.
Expelled from the school Jacob makes his way as a laborer, with some financial assistance from an Aunt, until he is placed in quarantine, with a child and a prostitute, after being exposed to the black plague. During his time in quarantine, Jacob rekindles his passion for art and paints his beautiful companion Polly, as well as some images of his beloved Emily, a girl he first met during his viewing of the Mona Lisa, who also just happened to be the sister of his best friend at the college.
Once cleared of the disease, Polly and the child, Nell, depart Jacob's company, but not before he gives her one of the paintings for her to sell to have some cash. Jacob takes some more of his paintings to a gallery and makes a quick fortune for his efforts, and the promise of delivering more when he can.
With his new found funds Jacob decides it's time to hire a housekeeper. As if by magic, the Institute sends on that very day. Pretty soon, Jacob's love, Emily comes to live with them, in her consumption addled state, and not long after they are joined by the professor, so he and Jacob could continue their study of the book Alchemy, and more specifically decode the catalyst for the immortality potion which the creator, a Perenelle Flamel, wife of the acclaimed alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
This book is one I just couldn't put down. As an artist, and a self proclaimed nerd, I could relate to Jacob quite well, the desire to create a masterpiece and the thirst for knowledge are part of my everyday life. His naivety is quite endearing, even if it does border on ignorance at times. He obviously had a tonne of charm, women were literally throwing themselves at him. These women must have boosted his ego, never did he believe his potions could be harmful in the correct dosage (we never did find out whether Jacob's potions were the cause of his friend's cancer), nor did he doubt his abilities in art or science.
The professor was quite skilled in alchemy, but also in his manipulation of everyone involved in Jacob's demise. His ability to disappear quickly and quietly when the need arises and the ability to remain hidden, even when in public, is quite a skill that must have taken a long time to refine.
Chris James' writing flows so well, even with the back and forth between the court room and the flashbacks leading up to that point, the story just begged you to keep reading. His years working as a murder squad detective have been a positive influence on his writing, as far as this book goes. James gives us just enough detail of the murders to make us aware of how gruesome they were, without becoming too dark and gory.
I gave this book 5/5
Alchemy: A Story of Perfect Murder can also be purchased in paperback and kindle format from Amazon
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