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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Like many of the Brunetti books this is quite subtle; not a lot happens for much of the story, but there is a lot in it! The mystery this time is based on the island of Murano, where all the venetian glassworks are. Family feud and environmental concerns are the basis of the story not to mention Brunetti's ongoing battle of wits with his lazy, glory seeking boss.
A though provoking read, as are most of the Donna Leon books. Interesting and enjoyable.
A though provoking read, as are most of the Donna Leon books. Interesting and enjoyable.
Maybe I shouldn't have started on the 15th book of the series, or maybe it's just a bad book...
It's spring in Venice and we get to follow Brunetti to the island of Murano to investigate death threats. Environmental issues, the art of politics and a lead character that is just interesting and wonderful. You follow Brunetti thru Venice, have a late lunch with him at a trattoria, watch him play dumb with his boss, Patta and be a wonderful husband and dad. Leon rarely disappoint and doesn't with this novel.
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Donna Leon is a marvel. She has created a cast of appealing characters that deliver intelligent solutions to mysteries. You won't get a lot of shoot-em-ups or car chases or flying off cliffs and surviving thousand foot falls. What you will have is well-written, realistic dialogue, and an examination of Italian, or at least Venetian, culture.
The focus in this story begins with Brunetti helping the friend of a colleague who has been arrested at an ecology demonstration protesting workers' exposure at glass factories to harmful chemicals. That morphs into death threats from the owner of a factory and blame one of the workers assigns to those chemicals for the mental disability of his children. We all know a murder is on the horizon and it soon arrives for Brunetti to solve.
All her stories are told through Brunetti's eyes so we get a view of Venetian sprintime, the art of glass-making, as well as his wonderful relationship with Paula and the comic antics of Signorina Elletra as she and Brunetti suffer the foolishness of their superior Vice-Questore Patta, not to mention the food, culture and ambiance of Venice.
Excellent if not the outcome Brunetti would have wished.
The focus in this story begins with Brunetti helping the friend of a colleague who has been arrested at an ecology demonstration protesting workers' exposure at glass factories to harmful chemicals. That morphs into death threats from the owner of a factory and blame one of the workers assigns to those chemicals for the mental disability of his children. We all know a murder is on the horizon and it soon arrives for Brunetti to solve.
All her stories are told through Brunetti's eyes so we get a view of Venetian sprintime, the art of glass-making, as well as his wonderful relationship with Paula and the comic antics of Signorina Elletra as she and Brunetti suffer the foolishness of their superior Vice-Questore Patta, not to mention the food, culture and ambiance of Venice.
Excellent if not the outcome Brunetti would have wished.
Meh. I usually love Leon's books but this one never really shifts out of second gear.
Very possibly the weakest entry in the entire series. Halfway through the book before there is a murder, and even when it finally does happen, it's more of an afterthought. This is a book about glass making and pollution. Actually way more than you could ever possibly want to know about glass making and pollution. As much as I love Guido & Company, I'm going to need a little break befre I had back to Venice.