A review by thelaurasaurus
Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon

mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

2.0

In some ways this book was a welcome change - something a bit different happened at the start and Leon found a new form of corruption to rail against. However, while I wouldn't say Paola's vandalism was out of character exactly, it was illogical, which I do find quite out of character, and I find it hard to believe that she would have done it without considering the consequences in a bit more detail.

Moving onto everything that isn't mentioned on the cover:

I can't decide if Brunetti's own little foray into corruption was believable or not. I think he's actually a more complex character than he's perhaps meant to be, or Leon doesn't quite do his complexities justice. In some ways he's very liberal in his thinking (this is written in the nineties and he's a policeman, but he's shown compassion for trans people, prostitutes and gay people). However, his campanilismo (I've tried to find the right English word, but this Italian word seems best suited) and prejudice against people from other areas of Italy (and sometimes foreigners) is beginning to grate.

I was annoyed that the domestic dispute between Brunetti and Paola was settled in such a lacklustre way (sees flowers, remembers he's angry with Paola, remembers that Paola exists, buys flowers). It also made me laugh that Brunetti has apparently learnt from experience that there's no point reflecting on mistakes to see how things can have been done differently - what a different world the 90s was.

I will continue eventually, if for no other reasons than a) I want to know if Brunetti ever learns to use a computer, and b) I want to know whether the kids age (because I'm sure Chiara has got two years younger since four books ago). Overall, I think this series is much better if you don't read too many in close proximity.