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swashington's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This was darker than Leon's previous Brunetti mysteries and there was a decidedly different ending. I can't wait to read the next title in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Murder, and Slavery
markopdx's review
mysterious
medium-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
book_concierge's review
3.0
Digital audiobook narrated by David Colacci
3.5***
Book # 4 in the Commissario Brunetti mystery series, set in Venice, Italy. This case starts with a tractor trailer catching fire, destroying the cargo, which includes foreign women. Then three prominent businessmen are murdered. And Brunetti’s investigation leads him to an organized group of sexual traffickers.
This was definitely one of the darker works in this series. As usual, the Commissario relies on his wife for advice and comfort, but his daughter insists on helping and that gets uncomfortable very quickly. I love the atmosphere of these novels, but the seedy underbelly of Venice depicted here made me disinclined to ever want to visit.
Leon crafts a good mystery, with enough clues keep the action moving forward and a logical solution. She also does a great job of putting the reader right into the setting. And I love the scenes of Brunetti at home, which make him so much more human and fallible and approachable. It’s a series I’ll continue reading.
David Colacci does a great job of performing the audiobook. He sets a good pace and I love the voice he gives these characters.
3.5***
Book # 4 in the Commissario Brunetti mystery series, set in Venice, Italy. This case starts with a tractor trailer catching fire, destroying the cargo, which includes foreign women. Then three prominent businessmen are murdered. And Brunetti’s investigation leads him to an organized group of sexual traffickers.
This was definitely one of the darker works in this series. As usual, the Commissario relies on his wife for advice and comfort, but his daughter insists on helping and that gets uncomfortable very quickly. I love the atmosphere of these novels, but the seedy underbelly of Venice depicted here made me disinclined to ever want to visit.
Leon crafts a good mystery, with enough clues keep the action moving forward and a logical solution. She also does a great job of putting the reader right into the setting. And I love the scenes of Brunetti at home, which make him so much more human and fallible and approachable. It’s a series I’ll continue reading.
David Colacci does a great job of performing the audiobook. He sets a good pace and I love the voice he gives these characters.
bex1964's review against another edition
5.0
I really like her books. The only thing is no one seems to be prosecuted
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!