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the_bee_writes's review against another edition
4.0
This was one Donna Leon's Brunetti stories with the most suspense. I nearly bit my nails of and I think I read in about two days or so. I am not usually a fast reader but that one took me in.
Even though the topic, especially the description of the video with the rape and the killing of a woman, really disturbed me.
If you like Brunetti you love this one!
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Dies war eines, der spannendsten Brunetti Buecher, die ich je gelesen habe. Ich habe mir fast die Naegel abgebissen und las das Buch in ungefaehr zwei Tagen. Normalerweise lese ich nicht so schnell aber dieses hatte es mir einfach angetan.
Obwohl das Thema und speziell die Beschreibung des Videos einer Vergewaltigung und Toetung einer Frau mich wirklich verstoert hat.
Wenn Du Brunetti magst, dann magst Du auch dieses Buch
Even though the topic, especially the description of the video with the rape and the killing of a woman, really disturbed me.
If you like Brunetti you love this one!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dies war eines, der spannendsten Brunetti Buecher, die ich je gelesen habe. Ich habe mir fast die Naegel abgebissen und las das Buch in ungefaehr zwei Tagen. Normalerweise lese ich nicht so schnell aber dieses hatte es mir einfach angetan.
Obwohl das Thema und speziell die Beschreibung des Videos einer Vergewaltigung und Toetung einer Frau mich wirklich verstoert hat.
Wenn Du Brunetti magst, dann magst Du auch dieses Buch
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
I love spending time with Guido Brunetti and crew, but it is often not a positive ride. I am beginning to worry that the corruption rampant in Venice and Italian government is actually becoming more and more evident here in the US. As a government bureaucrat, I find that discouraging. Hopefully, like Brunetti, I will be able to continue to fight the good fight. In this book, the fight is particularly good given the crimes that are rampant in it, including sex trafficking and murder among the high and mighty. Signorina Elettra, as always, is a gem, and the discussion of food made me hungry. I will definitely have to visit Venice for more than just a tourist day trip -- I hear that there are walking tours based on this series, which would be good, because Venice is a character all its own in these books and I want to know her better.
kathleenitpdx's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
srlemons42's review against another edition
4.0
This was another great entry into this book series! I'm having a great time working my way through this series. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
diannel_04's review against another edition
5.0
Commissario Brunetti continues to keep me reading. This time a lawyer is murdered on the train between Padua and Venice and, naturally, nobody saw anything. A few days later an accountant is murdered and he has to figure out the connections.
Eventually he connects them to prostitution and snuff films and it all works out in the end.
Time to put book five on hold at the library.
Eventually he connects them to prostitution and snuff films and it all works out in the end.
Time to put book five on hold at the library.
ninscha's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
3.5
baklavopita's review against another edition
4.0
I've read this. I recall it. I didn't write it up. Sometime between 2013-2014
narflet's review against another edition
3.0
Massive step up from previous books. Not quite enough for me to say I really liked it and bump it to four stars, but I solidly enjoyed it and that's largely because it's a step up in the writing. I find this often happens when you read an author's works in order, you can watch the writing grow and improve as the author continues to learn and hone the craft. It's a really enjoyable thing to experience.
There are some brilliant, thoughtful sections in this book and I think that's what makes it interesting. I'm not really so interested in the whodunit, or working out the puzzle, but sections like the reflection on morality in chapter 13 are great. The themes of slavery and forced prostitution are done well in this book, they never felt to me like 'Now I'm exploring this hot topic in this book, having previously covered...', and they never felt crass or judgemental. Well handled. Plus,total sympathy with the murderer at the end, which is an interesting and different finish .
Another reason that the books gradually get more interesting is the gradual development of all the central characters. The progression of Elettra was particularly good. I liked her when she was introduced in the previous book, she's an interesting character, and the introduction of early internet and her use of it in this book was great. A real point in history, almost casually captured, and rather entertaining now (though I'm sure it wasn't meant to be in '95, in fact it probably was a bit 'hot topic' then!). Chiara is another great character (and Paola is getting better written too); it'll be interesting to see if there's any lasting effects for her after events in this book.
I've got the next two books from the library to read too (you reserve a book through the library system and there's no telling how long it'll take to turn up - this one took ages, then the other two followed very quickly behind it!), and I'm actually looking forward to them now.
There are some brilliant, thoughtful sections in this book and I think that's what makes it interesting. I'm not really so interested in the whodunit, or working out the puzzle, but sections like the reflection on morality in chapter 13 are great. The themes of slavery and forced prostitution are done well in this book, they never felt to me like 'Now I'm exploring this hot topic in this book, having previously covered...', and they never felt crass or judgemental. Well handled. Plus,
Another reason that the books gradually get more interesting is the gradual development of all the central characters. The progression of Elettra was particularly good. I liked her when she was introduced in the previous book, she's an interesting character, and the introduction of early internet and her use of it in this book was great. A real point in history, almost casually captured, and rather entertaining now (though I'm sure it wasn't meant to be in '95, in fact it probably was a bit 'hot topic' then!). Chiara is another great character (and Paola is getting better written too); it'll be interesting to see if there's any lasting effects for her after events in this book.
I've got the next two books from the library to read too (you reserve a book through the library system and there's no telling how long it'll take to turn up - this one took ages, then the other two followed very quickly behind it!), and I'm actually looking forward to them now.
lilias's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read most of Donna Leon’s books, so it was interesting to go all the way back to the early years with this one. That Brunetti’s least liked colleagues and least likable colleagues are Sicilian have always given me pause. But in this book, we find out that Vianello, Brunetti’s friend, ally, and confidant at the Questura, is a supporter of Lega pushes that pause into full blown ick that contaminates the rest of the book. I’ve never read anything addressing this theme in Leon’s books, so maybe it’s just a feeling I have.
Otherwise, this is a sad and dark mystery, the kind I really like.
Otherwise, this is a sad and dark mystery, the kind I really like.