CONSPIRACY OF PAPER.
Language: English
Published by Random House, New York, 2000
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Bookfever, IOBA (Volk & Iiams), Ione, CA, U.S.A.Bookfever, IOBA (Volk & Iiams)
AbeBooks seller since November 6, 1997
Condition: Used - Fine
US$ 35.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
First printing. The author's first book, set in early 18th century England, winner of the Edgar Award for best first novel and of the Barry and Macavity awards. Kirkus Reviews calls it "A well-researched and highly entertaining historical mystery debut. Liss's fiendishly intricate tale of financial skulduggery and multiple murder, set in a solidly realized early-eighteenth-century London, has as its redoubtable protagonist and narrator one Benjamin Weaver. The very model of a modern historical mystery." Also named a New York Times Notable Book for 2000. 442 pp. Map endpapers. Fine in fine dust jacket.
Seller Inventory # 36161
- Title
- CONSPIRACY OF PAPER.
- Author
- Liss,David.
- Publisher
- Random House, New York
- Publication year
- 2000
- Condition
- FINE
- Dust jacket
- Dust Jacket Included
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 078622665X
- ISBN 13
- 9780786226658
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Seller catalogs
- Mysteries: historical
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
I blush to own I rewarded his efforts to seek my opinion with only a formal reply in which I dismissed his ideas as nonsensical. I did so in part because I did not wish to involve myself with my family and in part because I knew that my uncle, for reasons that eluded me, had loved my father and could not accept the senselessness of so random a death.But then Benjamin is hired by two different men to solve two seemingly unrelated cases. One client, Mr. Balfour, claims his own father's unexpected death "was made to look like self-murder so that a villain or villains could take his money with impunity," and even suggests there might be a link between Balfour senior's death and that of Weaver's father. His next customer is Sir Owen Nettleton, an aristocrat who is keen to recover some highly confidential papers that were stolen from him while he cavorted with a prostitute. Weaver takes on the first case with some reluctance, the second with more enthusiasm. In the end, both converge, leading him back to his family even as they take him deep into the underbelly of London's financial markets.
Liss seems right at home in the world he's created, whether describing the company manners of wealthy Jewish merchants at home or the inner workings of Exchange Alley--the 18th-century version of Wall Street. His London is a dank and filthy place, almost lawless but for the scant protection offered by such rogues as Jonathan Wilde, the sinister head of a gang of thieves who profits by selling back to their owners items stolen by his own men. Though better connected socially, the investors involved with the shady South Sea Company have equally larcenous hearts, and Liss does an admirable job of leading the reader through the intricacies of stock trading, bond selling, and insider trading with as little fuss, muss, and confusion as possible. What really makes the book come alive, however, are the details of 18th-century life--from the boxing matches our hero once participated in to the coffee houses, gin joints, and brothels where he trolls for clues. And then there is the matter of Weaver's Jewishness, the prejudices of the society he lives in, and his struggle to come to terms with his own ethnicity. A Conspiracy of Paper weaves all these themes together in a manner reminiscent of the long, gossipy novels of Henry Fielding and Laurence Stern. Indeed, Liss manages to suggest the prose style of those authors while keeping his own, less convoluted style. This is one conspiracy guaranteed to succeed. --Alix Wilber
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Bookfever, IOBA (Volk & Iiams)
Ione, CA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 13 business days | 3 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 4.95 | US$ 13.00 |
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Store description
Bookfever.com - the name used by Volk and Iiams, Booksellers- specializes in first editions of twentieth century literature, with an emphasis on women authors, African American, Native American and Latin American authors - plus mystery & detective fiction, science fiction & fantasy, poetry and children's & illustrated books. We try to offer many uncommon books, and have a large selection of first books, and books by authors who are less frequently collected. Of the approximately 60,000 volumes in stock, the majority are hardcover first editions, although we also stock vintage science fiction paperbacks as well as sf digests and pulps. We also have a large selection of books signed by the author and uncorrected proof copies. Only about 50% of our stock is catalogued, so please inquire if you are searching for specific titles. We have been selling books by mail order and on the internet since 1993. We have a large booth dedicated to books (called Books Upstairs) at the Antiques Upstairs Mall, 5 Main Street, Jackson, CA. (open every day from 10-5) The emphasis there is on Western Americana, children¿s books and inexpensive reading copies. In 1998 we relocated our main business from Sacramento to the Sierra foothills of Amador County, about 35 miles east of downtown Sacramento and between Ione & Sutter Creek. There, on 10 acres of rolling oak-covered hills, we built a "bookhouse" for our books. Call us at 209-274-6960 or contact us by email heyyou@bookfever.com) Our web page is https://bookfever.com/ Traditional bookseller grading used - fine is our highest grade (an "A"), very good is above average (a "B), good is average (a "C"). All significant flaws are described; dust jackets are protected by archival covers, and books are packed carefully for shipping. We welcome questions by email or phone.…
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children's, magazines, pulps, sf digests, poetry, Asian American & Native American literature, Latin American, African American lit & history, horror, fantasy, science fiction, detective fiction, mysteries, women authors, modern firsts, signed booksAssociation member
Seller's business information
Bookfever.com
6638 Tonzi Rd
Ione, CA U.S.A. 95640
Terms of sale
Bookfever.com is a partnership between Christine Volk and Eugene Iiams, Booksellers. Our mailing address is PO Box 696, Ione CA 95640 USA. Our store - Books Upstairs - is located at 5 Main Street, Jackson, CA 95642 USA. Email: chris@bookfever.com. Phone: 209-274-6960. All dustjackets are in archival mylar covers, and books are packed carefully for shipping. We do not use stock photos. All pictures accompanying our listings are of our books. We accept Mastercard, Visa AMEX, Discover, checks or Paypal, whichever is most convenient for customers. Please contact us if you have any questions, or want to confirm availability. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, books in same condition as shipped may be returned for any reason within 10 days (please notify us first for approval.) Member of IOBA, CALIBA. Booksellers since 1993, on ABE since 1997! Libraries and other institutions may be invoiced, upon request. Reciprocal courtesy trade discounts extended and institutional discounts offered. Sales tax is charged on orders shipped to California addresses.
Shipping terms
Low cost media mail shipping in the US with delivery confirmation and insurance when appropriate. ALL dust jackets are covered with archival protectors. All books are PACKED CAREFULLY; we are also happy to gift wrap books (FREE) upon request, and to ship them with just a card. An online bookseller since 1993, on ABE since 1997! While occasionally a book sells out, we only list books which we have in stock, and ready to ship. NOTE our low PRIORITY and INTERNATIONAL RATES - Please do not hesitate to contact us to confirm availability or with any questions - we can be reached at heyyou@bookfever.com or at 209*274*6960. Reciprocal terms offered to the trade on direct orders only. Libraries and other institutions may request to be invoiced.