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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.
seahorsesister's review
2.0
Murder mysteries are not my genre of choice, however, I was pleased to read this one on the heels of traveling to Venice, the setting of this first in a series, super popular books.
rainynook's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was recommended to me by a physician friend who's read the whole series. I wanted a book that included Venice, which this does, and having just recently visited the stunning & opulent La Fenice Opera House, & marveled at its beauty, of course I could not resist this mystery. I listened to the audiobook version, expertly read by David Colacci. His Italian accented characters were really good, and the others were well done. I liked it, but it went on a bit too long. I guessed correctly about the murderer, but did not see the ending coming. A bit too slow-paced for me, but enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, Infertility, Lesbophobia, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Physical abuse and Suicide
caralee22's review
3.0
Really enjoyable. Only complaints are that sometimes it read as a travelogue and I guessed the ending early. Not the details. Recommend.
sjyudelson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mrz_owenz's review
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I found this book a bit slow (a lot of descriptions that weren't quite interesting or well written enough to take up that much space) but the reveal of the mystery was enough of a twist to make it overall enjoyable.
katel1970's review
4.0
I've heard about this series for years, and perhaps I even read one I picked up while traveling because the main character seemed familiar to me. But I'm glad I have now begun at the beginning. I look forward to reading the next one soon.
nicovreeland's review
3.0
This is a classic-style detective novel, meaning a lot of it is following the investigating detective around as he exhaustively interviews person after person, and wades through their mostly irrelevant answers to arrive at the nuggets of pertinent information.
The first half especially is an ocean of dry details with very little in the way of compelling tidbits. Once we get into the meat of the case, at nearly 2/3 of the way through, it gets much more compelling, but there’s not much of that good stuff before the novel’s over.
I also think this book feels outdated (it was first published 30 years ago) because it gives a lot of weight to things that were obviously considered controversial at the time (like the existence of gay people) that today don't really hit the same today, controversy-wise
The first half especially is an ocean of dry details with very little in the way of compelling tidbits. Once we get into the meat of the case, at nearly 2/3 of the way through, it gets much more compelling, but there’s not much of that good stuff before the novel’s over.
I also think this book feels outdated (it was first published 30 years ago) because it gives a lot of weight to things that were obviously considered controversial at the time (like the existence of gay people) that today don't really hit the same today, controversy-wise