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amazurik1's review against another edition
4.0
I just love Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti. The books are so well written and through provoking.
poorashleu's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
bgallmeister's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining. Good plot, good atmosphere, nice extracurriculars. Gotta read me some Ovid and Cicero some time...
gabsy's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai beaucoup aimé cette nouvelle enquête du commissaire Brunetti. Contrairement à beaucoup d'autres romans policiers, les romans de Donna Leon sont au rythme de l'Italie: l'auteur prend le temps de nous décrire non seulement l'enquête, mais la vie de ses personnages. Il peut être difficile pour un nouveau lecteur d'apprécier, mais on en vient vite à l'adopter.
clairealex's review against another edition
5.0
An intriguing thing about this one is the Count asking a favor of Brunetti instead of the other way around.
There was more description of Venice than needed. Perhaps it is more annoying to me because I am reading so many so close together.
There were two plots , and they were cleverly related. Social issues were well handled. I would say more, but hiding spoilers isn’t working.
There was more description of Venice than needed. Perhaps it is more annoying to me because I am reading so many so close together.
There were two plots , and they were cleverly related. Social issues were well handled. I would say more, but hiding spoilers isn’t working.
shadedelight's review against another edition
3.0
A very intriguing story line, and true to Leon's character, nothing is resolved. Humans are cruel and the punishment meted out is harsh and not really satisfying for anyone. Well told and well written, Leon is a master.
bookish1ifedeb's review against another edition
5.0
For fans of Guido Brunetti, this book features a fair amount of family drama, beginning with Brunetti being seated at dinner near an old friend of the Contessa's (his mother-in-law). The lady is married to a high-powered merchant acquaintance of the Conte. She is also delightfully well read, and Brunetti enjoys a deep discussion around his favorite topic, books. So much so, His wife, Paola, chastises him for paying her too much attention!
But the policeman soon has other worries. A Carabinieri officer named Guarino comes to Venice seeking assistance on an unsolved murder, but is strangely reluctant to share details that might be helpful. Perhaps understandably; the Comorra, a Mafia family, may be involved. The mafia are hauling Europe's toxic trash, and dumping it in Italy and overseas... Guarino's murder victim was letting the Comorra use his trucks for illegal shipping. And Contessa's friend is married to a man who may also be involved in illegal trucking operations. When another murder occurs, Brunetti quietly looks for answers, pulling cautiously on the threads of clues, dismayed by their drawing closer to the lady.
All of our favorites at the Questura appear- Signorina Elettra, Vianello, eager Pucetti, and others--and we are a deeper look at Brunetti's family life and his wife Paola, a fiery academic who is not averse to giving Guido a piece of her mind if she feels he needs it. I love this series, and look forward to reading many more of these wonderful books.
But the policeman soon has other worries. A Carabinieri officer named Guarino comes to Venice seeking assistance on an unsolved murder, but is strangely reluctant to share details that might be helpful. Perhaps understandably; the Comorra, a Mafia family, may be involved. The mafia are hauling Europe's toxic trash, and dumping it in Italy and overseas... Guarino's murder victim was letting the Comorra use his trucks for illegal shipping. And Contessa's friend is married to a man who may also be involved in illegal trucking operations. When another murder occurs, Brunetti quietly looks for answers, pulling cautiously on the threads of clues, dismayed by their drawing closer to the lady.
All of our favorites at the Questura appear- Signorina Elettra, Vianello, eager Pucetti, and others--and we are a deeper look at Brunetti's family life and his wife Paola, a fiery academic who is not averse to giving Guido a piece of her mind if she feels he needs it. I love this series, and look forward to reading many more of these wonderful books.
juliebean1020's review against another edition
3.0
Call it 3.5 stars. Leon often has two storylines going in her books that either complement each other or eventually cross paths. In this one, however, while there is a bad guy in common, the story I found most interesting involving illegal transportation and disposal of hazardous waste, just falls by the wayside as the focus shifts suddenly to the "femme fatale" of the novel. I still enjoyed the book for the most part but found the ending a bit disappointing.
dennisfischman's review against another edition
3.0
I am a devoted reader of Donna Leon, and I will laugh at the Brunettis' lunch table conversation any time. This book was disturbingly dark, however. Brunetti comes up against a web of corruption he can't do anything to change, and while a murderer is punished, it isn't by the law. It makes me wonder why he persists, except that he cannot see himself going into business with his aristocratic father-in-law, whom he is just getting to love after many years.
There's also a woman who's been abused in multiple ways, and people think she's terribly vain. What a travesty! Even though I didn't really believe in her as a character, I felt sorry for her.
Do not start the series with this book. Go back to [b:Death at La Fenice|68099|Death at La Fenice (Commissario Brunetti, #1)|Donna Leon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441466744l/68099._SY75_.jpg|1245618] and travel forward from there.
There's also a woman who's been abused in multiple ways, and people think she's terribly vain. What a travesty! Even though I didn't really believe in her as a character, I felt sorry for her.
Do not start the series with this book. Go back to [b:Death at La Fenice|68099|Death at La Fenice (Commissario Brunetti, #1)|Donna Leon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441466744l/68099._SY75_.jpg|1245618] and travel forward from there.