A Conspiracy of Paper

13 hrs. 37 min.

Language Russian

Author David Liss

Narrator Vyacheslav Gerasimov

An intellectual detective story about the first steps of coffee onto the European continent. For the first time in Russian—a new novel by an author already beloved by Russian readers for intellectual bestsellers “Paper Conspiracy” and “Riot of Corruption”.

But “The Coffee Merchant” tells not of Benjamin Weaver’s London adventures, but of Amsterdam ones—his grandfather’s.

Miguel Lienzo, who in the past was a successful merchant and stock-market man, after several major unsuccessful deals went bankrupt. The author introduces us to his hero at the worst time of his life: buried in debts, pursued by creditors who threaten him with court—and even with physical harm, he frantically tries to find a way out. A chance to fix his finances appears after meeting an old acquaintance, Gertruda Damheys, an independent beauty and widow, who treats Miguel to an exotic drink—coffee—and suggests he begin trading in coffee beans.

In the first half of the 17th century, coffee—having already conquered the East—was considered a medicine in Europe and was sold in apothecaries. Having experienced the astonishing effect of this unusual drink for himself, Miguel quickly valued the new, grand prospects that coffee trading opened up for him. At the time, the monopoly on this rare commodity was held by the all-powerful East India Company. Miguel’s commercial talent and business acumen suggest a plan that would allow him to control the goods that had recently appeared on the market. If the plan works, Miguel will become rich—very rich! And he will reveal to Europe the magical power of coffee.

1. A Conspiracy of Paper (narrated by Sergey Kirsanov) 2. A Conspiracy of Paper (narrated by Sergey Kirsanov) 3. A Conspiracy of Paper