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book_concierge's review
4.0
Commissario Guido Brunetti makes his debut in this wonderful mystery set in Venice. World-renowned Maestro Helmut Wellauer is taken suddenly ill after the second act of La Traviata – or so management would have the audience believe. But it’s clear to the doctor who volunteers her assistance that the Maestro is beyond help. In fact, he’s quite dead when she arrives at his dressing room. It quickly becomes clear to Brunetti that there are several possible suspects, and that the victim, while a musical genius, had a very dark history.
I was quickly caught up in the plot, and was kept guessing to the end. I also enjoyed the depth of character, and especially the relationship between Brunetti and his lovely wife Paola. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I don’t know what I was waiting for. So glad I finally got to it; I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
I was quickly caught up in the plot, and was kept guessing to the end. I also enjoyed the depth of character, and especially the relationship between Brunetti and his lovely wife Paola. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I don’t know what I was waiting for. So glad I finally got to it; I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
juliash's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kathleenguthriewoods's review
5.0
This series was recommended to me as a way to prepare for a trip to Venice, my first visit—and it did not disappoint. I felt like I was walking through the city and floating through its canals with the narrator. I made notes of a couple of places I want to see. Additionally, it’s a cleverly crafted mystery, with complex and intriguing characters. Leon has a gift for dialogue. As it’s #1 in a series, I’m eager to read the rest—though I just looked it up and there are 28 (gulp)!
annanrgy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
philippaoderso's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Rape
climbon321's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ladymblack's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
the_libeary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
bookhound's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Really enjoyed the setting of this book especially! I'm planning a trip that includes Venice and this was a fun one to read in anticipation of visiting. I liked the Commissario, but the rest of the cast of characters was harder to get to know given how many people there were. It was definitely dated (written in the early 90s) - the references to homosexuality as something one could be blackmailed over are thankfully antiquated.