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"If I were to write, I would want to write like David Liss", that was my sentiment after I finished reading the "A Conspiracy of Paper". The simple adoration I felt for the author was probably what prompted someone dear to gift me the "The Coffee trader". And I was exhilarated! Before reading the book, that is.

The Coffee Trader is the story of Michael Lienzo, a Portuguese Jew who has been driven to tolerant Amsterdam by the inquisition in Lisbon in the 17th century. A sugar merchant who lost his fortunes at the uncertainties of trade, he is keen, or desperate rather, to gain back his fortunes and standing in the community. The Coffee Trader is the story of how Lienzo uses the introduction of coffee to the European market, to make his fortune. The story is rife with intrigue and suspense, and at many times through the book the reader is flabbergasted at the complexity and deception of the scheming characters.

The Conspiracy of Paper is also a story of intrigue, deception and mystery, as Benjamin Weaver, the grandson of Michael Lienzo, tries to find his father's murderer. It is set in 18th century London, just as the stock market as we know it today, is getting reading for what might be considered its first bubble burst. Weaver, an ex-boxer and thief-taker is reluctantly pushed into the heart of the financial systems as he seeks to understand the mysteries surrounding the life of his stock-jobber father.

What is great about both the books is that they bring to life interesting periods in history, and shows us how it must have been to be in the midst of significant events in the financial or commercial world. However, the Conspiracy of paper somehow excels a tad better than the other. The London stock market in 1719 and the imminent south sea bubble was a lot more of an informative read. How a commodity was introduced into a society is definitely something that captures the imagination of many, but it paled in comparison to the earlier book in terms of historic detail and the chosen time of importance. Moreover, Liss gets the period tone and archaic dialogues that pervades the Conspiracy of paper, perfectly right, while that bit of detail is sorely missing in the Coffee Trader.

Furthermore, Benjamin Weaver was a man who makes you support him through and through, regardless of his scrupulous actions, while Michael Lienzo doesn't always inspire that kind of support. He is a businessman and uses many means to make his money. So does many out there. While there was something heroic about a son trying to find his father's murderer and risking all, and entering a field that is not his own to get to the villains, the pursuit of money fails to arouse the same kind of inspiration.

All said and done, it is hard to put either of the two books down once you have started reading them and it seems unfair that I have reviewed the Coffee Trader rather badly, after relishing every single page of it. In the interests of complete honesty, I admit that I devoured it with unimaginable appetite and relished each and every single detail of the life and trade, as it was carried out in 17th century Amsterdam. I only regret I hadn't read the book in summer, so I could have walked by Singelgracht while Lienzo found himself at Singelgracht, or taken a seat in front of the Exchange while I read about Lienzo's smart manoeuvres at the erstwhile exchange or strolled by the warehouses while imagining Lienzo standing there waiting for his shipment to arrive. The city I walk in every day, came alive as I read the book and for that, the author definitely deserves credit. The many references to the Dutch way of life and trade are very insightful and I can definitely relate to many of that.

The Coffee Trader pales only because I compare to a far superior version, the Conspiracy of Paper, which I will count amongst my favourites. The author could have perhaps avoided the similarities in the characters of the protagonists, which makes it hard for one to forget his earlier book.

All in all, if you choose to read only one David Liss (which you must, because he is one of the best out there when it comes to historical fiction thrillers), read the Conspiracy of Paper. If you are inclined to read two, the Coffee Trader will be worth your while too.

If you liked either of these books, you may also like The Master of Rain by Tom Bradby, The Dante Club : A Novel by Matthew Pearl, The White Russian : A Novel by Tom Bradby, Murder on the Leviathan : A Novel by Boris Akunin, Dark Fire: A Novel by Christopher Sansom, The Ethical Assassin : A Novel by David Liss.