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kvlreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
amg2012's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
melidanae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
charlysbooks's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
notizhefte's review against another edition
4.0
Reread.
Der Roman ist aus dem Jahre 1995: Das Faxgerät ist Ausweis von Fortschrittlichkeit, ein Mobiltelefon ist noch kein Standard und die Menschen rauchen selbstverständlich überall.
Der frühe Brunetti kommt noch ohne die gesellschaftspolitische Verbissenheit aus, die mich bei den späteren Roman mitunter stört. Zwar geht es auch hier um einen gesellschaftlich relevanten Mißstand, der den Hintergrund für das Verbrechen bildet, doch der Roman fokussiert sich auf den Fall und die Ermittlungen der Polizei. An der Wucht der Kritik ändert das keinen Deut, im Gegenteil!
Der Roman ist aus dem Jahre 1995: Das Faxgerät ist Ausweis von Fortschrittlichkeit, ein Mobiltelefon ist noch kein Standard und die Menschen rauchen selbstverständlich überall.
Der frühe Brunetti kommt noch ohne die gesellschaftspolitische Verbissenheit aus, die mich bei den späteren Roman mitunter stört. Zwar geht es auch hier um einen gesellschaftlich relevanten Mißstand, der den Hintergrund für das Verbrechen bildet, doch der Roman fokussiert sich auf den Fall und die Ermittlungen der Polizei. An der Wucht der Kritik ändert das keinen Deut, im Gegenteil!
annevoi's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy the Commissario Guido Brunetti, whose books I am trying to read in order (only 16 to go!). The mystery in this one gets somewhat sordid and dark, but it feels realistic—as does the conclusion, where justice and corruption collide (that feels realistic, at least, for the Italy that is presented in these books: politics always comes up, and always feels a bit sleazy).
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
Rather than the normal method of being called out, Commisarrio Guido Brunetti learns of the death of prominent international lawyer Carlo Trevisan from the headlines in the newspaper the next day on the way to work.
What starts off as a baffling investigation of a seemingly blameless victim, turns into something altogether different as a suicide and another shooting see the death of a well-known Accountant, and then Trevisan's own brother-in-law. What is not immediately clear is why these three become victims.
Brunetti is desperate to find some clues about the victim's background and after finding his teenage daughter knows Trevisan's daughter, enlists her help in doing some digging into the background of the lawyer, despite his wife's firm objections.
A little flat in the early stages of the book, the plot of this book evolves slowly and can be a little predictable. To compensate there are some wonderful observations of the landscape and the nature of the Venetian people in particular.
This series is as much about Guido Brunetti, his family, his food and his wine as it is about Venetian life, crime and corruption. The only possible ongoing weakness in this series can be the frequent references to the corruption of Italian society, which although valid, can be repetitive. That is, however, a minor quibble.
What starts off as a baffling investigation of a seemingly blameless victim, turns into something altogether different as a suicide and another shooting see the death of a well-known Accountant, and then Trevisan's own brother-in-law. What is not immediately clear is why these three become victims.
Brunetti is desperate to find some clues about the victim's background and after finding his teenage daughter knows Trevisan's daughter, enlists her help in doing some digging into the background of the lawyer, despite his wife's firm objections.
A little flat in the early stages of the book, the plot of this book evolves slowly and can be a little predictable. To compensate there are some wonderful observations of the landscape and the nature of the Venetian people in particular.
This series is as much about Guido Brunetti, his family, his food and his wine as it is about Venetian life, crime and corruption. The only possible ongoing weakness in this series can be the frequent references to the corruption of Italian society, which although valid, can be repetitive. That is, however, a minor quibble.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
I always enjoy Donna Leon’s books set in Venice. Such good memories of traveling there and all the locations. This one was about a detective realizing the depths of political and other corruption in the form of a prostitution ring. His daughter tried to help the investigation and it did not go well.
margaret21's review against another edition
5.0
I've yet to read a Bruntetti book I don't relish reading. Though 23 years old now, this book is extremely topical. It involves ..... no what it really involves isn't revealed until quite well into the book. Let's not spoil it. If you love the central characters as I do, and Venice too, you won't be disappointed.