Starts off well but gradually deflates into a contrived and loophole-filled story line, dragging on quite unnecessarily. Also disappointing was that the plot, which involved a scientific discovery of the fountain of youth, offered much promise; I eagerly expected several debates on the implications of such a discovery. However, I recollect only 2 such instances where anything remotely close to a discussion on the topic was held. Granted, the book doesn't deserve *only* brickbats. The first half of the book moves at a nice pace, the descriptions of Venice were excellent (more to people who've actually visited the city) and I daresay the ending was satisfactory. But this was my first Irving Wallace book, and considering even the writing was nothing exceptional, this will probably be my last.
