Altai, Ming - C +

                                          This book is presented as the sequel to 'Q', although there is but one very tenuous connection.  The authors have even changed their pseudonym.  The story opens with an explosion at the Arsenal in Venice.  One of the Doge's spies, a Catholic hiding his Jewish heritage, is falsely accused and escapes to Constantinople.  We are treated to some fine background information about the Fourth Venetian-Ottoman war, the siege and occupation of Cyprus by the Turks, and the Battle of Lepanto. Sadly for our main character, he is captured and returned to his beloved St. Mark's Square, where the axe awaits all heretics and traitors. Like its predecessor, this book provides insight to a very different and far away time - but, does so with too many twists and turns for me.