A review by wmhenrymorris
The Alchemist's Pursuit by Dave Duncan

This is the final volume of the alchemist's trilogy and I like it the best. And mainly because I think the mystery is the most interesting of the three and you get a healthy does of Violetta and Nostradamus (and little less politics and less truck with the supernatural). In addition I found the tarot readings and crystal ball gazing to be more natural and plot-driven (or driving?) this time too. And oddly enough (since usually things get ramped up in the final volume) there are no actual sex scenes in this one. It's kind of a weird third book, in fact. I suggest you skip the other two and just read this one if the premise intrigues you.