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skiznitz's review against another edition
3.0
After this book, I think I'm taking a break from this series. I have two physical copies of the series that I picked up at a thrift store, so I'll read those, too. But otherwise I'm finding it too much to try and keep up with two, large mystery series and I'd rather focus on getting through Agatha Raisin. Unfortunately this series isn't as cozy, but also doesn't have the depth of plot or character that a non-cozy would have. Maybe I'll revisit in the future, but for now expect to see a lot less of this series in my monthly reviews.
rejoycingtoday's review against another edition
I'm listening to this series on Hoopla from the library and enjoying them.
I do wonder how on earth Paula can work part time and cook those amazing meals every day.
I do wonder how on earth Paula can work part time and cook those amazing meals every day.
wigstown's review against another edition
3.0
I love Guido Brunetti, a police inspector who can live in the dirty world and still keep the dirt from his cuffs. This, however, is not my favorite Donna Leon mystery. Using the seven deadly sins seemed to be an afterthought. Sad to say, I'm not sure I ever wanted to know who killed the old woman. But one can't help reading these books to the end.
raely's review against another edition
2.0
I had this book on my shelf for years. I also read it without having any other books in the series— so my opinion should absolutely be taken with a grain of salt. In fact, if I knew how to make reviews private I would, because this is mainly so I remember my feelings around this book.
I wanted something relaxing and I think this pacing (afternoon naps and all) makes this series really conducive to that cozy detective fiction feel.
I know the protagonist is supposed to be old fashioned, observing the changes to Venice with a wary but also somewhat pragmatic eye. Still, there were some moments of racism and homophobia that were just hard to overlook when reading this book almost twenty years after it’s release. I don’t think Leon writes without nuance, but it took me out of the story and I’m not certain it would be worth it for me to revisit any older works. Click through the spoiler tag for an example.
“Dot Indians or Feather Indians?”Raffi asked.
“Feather Indians, of course,” Chiara answered, oblivious to the racist overtones of Raffi’s question.
Guido and Paola seem interested in letting their kids figure things out, and Leon writes with an almost languid tone that is masterful in showing flawed people do what they will do and observing their nature. But this, and a few other instances of the story, didn’t actually have anything to do with the plot and just took me out of the story. She acknowledges the racism, but there’s no further comment from the characters nor is it addressed in any way. Perhaps it is setting it up for Raffi and Chiara’s future reckoning, but as a casual reader it just seemed unnecessary. This happens several times in the book— sometimes acknowledged, sometimes not.
Also, I don’t remember when I started this book because I think it took me over a month to read for some reason. That’s on me.
I wanted something relaxing and I think this pacing (afternoon naps and all) makes this series really conducive to that cozy detective fiction feel.
I know the protagonist is supposed to be old fashioned, observing the changes to Venice with a wary but also somewhat pragmatic eye. Still, there were some moments of racism and homophobia that were just hard to overlook when reading this book almost twenty years after it’s release. I don’t think Leon writes without nuance, but it took me out of the story and I’m not certain it would be worth it for me to revisit any older works. Click through the spoiler tag for an example.
Spoiler
Late in the book there’s this exchange:“Dot Indians or Feather Indians?”Raffi asked.
“Feather Indians, of course,” Chiara answered, oblivious to the racist overtones of Raffi’s question.
Guido and Paola seem interested in letting their kids figure things out, and Leon writes with an almost languid tone that is masterful in showing flawed people do what they will do and observing their nature. But this, and a few other instances of the story, didn’t actually have anything to do with the plot and just took me out of the story. She acknowledges the racism, but there’s no further comment from the characters nor is it addressed in any way. Perhaps it is setting it up for Raffi and Chiara’s future reckoning, but as a casual reader it just seemed unnecessary. This happens several times in the book— sometimes acknowledged, sometimes not.
Also, I don’t remember when I started this book because I think it took me over a month to read for some reason. That’s on me.
poorashleu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
clairealex's review against another edition
4.0
This one adds a new dimension. Lt. Scarpa, who all along has been in the incompetent camp and felt rivalry with Brunetti, is the one who leads the initial investigation. Brunetti doesn’t appear till Chapter 3 or 4.
Although Signorina Elettra is an interesting character, too much crime solving depends on her unorthodox methods. It is too like a deus ex machina. Once the gimmick is accepted, this book entertains. Her mysterious past is often alluded to, and only one of the series has given even partial explanation. Can’t help wondering if we will learn more and if she will last. Is her teaching her skills to Vianello a prelude to a reveal and maybe exit.
Although Signorina Elettra is an interesting character, too much crime solving depends on her unorthodox methods. It is too like a deus ex machina. Once the gimmick is accepted, this book entertains. Her mysterious past is often alluded to, and only one of the series has given even partial explanation. Can’t help wondering if we will learn more and if she will last. Is her teaching her skills to Vianello a prelude to a reveal and maybe exit.
bookish1ifedeb's review against another edition
4.0
In this outing, Guido Brunetti returns from a vacation to find a 3-week-old murder, supposedly solved, has suddenly gained renewed life. The thorn in Brunetti's side is Lieutenant Scarpa, the much-despised non-Venetian inspector who is the pet of Vice-Questore Patta. Scarpa made up his mind that a Romanian caretaker killed an old woman, pursued the Romanian, and declared the case closed when the woman died fleeing the police. Now a new witness has come forward insisting the Romanian woman could not have committed the crime.
Brunetti and his team quietly pursue the real culprit; but the fun for fans of this series is watching Brunetti navigate the politics of a corrupt system, manage a team alarmingly inclined to bypass legalities to find information, and still maintain some semblance of ethics himself. That sounds darker than this book actually is; one of things I enjoy most about these characters is the frequent humor and glimpses of the family lives of the detectives. Try Donna Leon if you want to get invested in a good mystery series with rich characters and a wonderful sense of place. Venice is one of the regular characters.
Brunetti and his team quietly pursue the real culprit; but the fun for fans of this series is watching Brunetti navigate the politics of a corrupt system, manage a team alarmingly inclined to bypass legalities to find information, and still maintain some semblance of ethics himself. That sounds darker than this book actually is; one of things I enjoy most about these characters is the frequent humor and glimpses of the family lives of the detectives. Try Donna Leon if you want to get invested in a good mystery series with rich characters and a wonderful sense of place. Venice is one of the regular characters.
anngdaniels's review against another edition
3.0
I love the Donna Leon books, but there's really no way you could figure out the solution to this mystery. I'm not sure she even explains how certain people came into possession of crucial information, and if I'm right about this it's a pretty gaping hole. So while the descriptions of Venice and its food are as delightful as ever, and while Brunetti and his family are always fun, it's just not the greatest mystery story.
ruthieduthie's review against another edition
4.0
Another atmospheric detective story set in Venice. I love Donna Leon's characters, and her plots while not labyrinthine, are complex and realistic enough to satisfy. Who has not at some time in their life had an unbearably noisy and grumpy neighbour?
northstar's review against another edition
2.0
I love this series and probably would give most of the others a 3 or 4, but this one just didn't connect with me. Leon is fairly cynical and in this case, I felt the cynicism got in the way of the story, and I found the solution pedestrian and sort of random. A fun escape but Leon has lots of better books.