This novel provides a glimpse into how trading, transporting and obtaining commodities in the 1600's in the Dutch countries post-inquisition was conducted.

Miguel Lienzo, a Portuguese Jew, escaped the Inquisition on the Iberian peninsula and moved to the much more tolerant Netherlands. After loosing his wealth when the sugar market took a plunge, he was approached by a widow who wanted him to enter a scheme to trade an unknown commedity: Coffee beans.

At first, the manner in which Liss writes is annoying. However, it soon became evident that he was attempting to create at atmosphere of the actual time. The reader is swept into the trading market, where stories of political power, greed, lies and manupulation, and suspense prevail. It led to a wonderful discussion, and is well worth a bookclub selection.