Reviews

Death and Judgment by Donna Leon

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outcolder's review against another edition

3.0

Much darker than the previous 3 in the series, with a gruesome opening followed by a series of murders, it was heading into thriller territory. The middle felt weaker though, Brunetti suddenly has contacts all over the place who offer information dumps. The family drama was interesting but felt out of place... I suppose that’s the point: the utopia of the family versus the dark heart of Italy... but the change in tone threw me off. The end was so disturbing I had trouble sleeping. I think maybe dark, gruesome crime stories are not what I should be reading during the pandemic lockdown.

bookph1le's review against another edition

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4.0

This isn't a light and fun series, imo, but there's a particularly heavy scene in this one that was quite disturbing. It's interesting to see what the author is doing with Brunetti's professional life starting to seep its way into his personal life.

gmamartha's review against another edition

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Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

swashington's review against another edition

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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

markopdx's review against another edition

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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 against another edition

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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.