jjares reviewed on 5/16/2014 + 3413 more book reviews

Although I love Donna Leons Brunetti stories, this one took considerable time to unwind. The problem seems clear enough a young, illegal Senegalese street peddler is professionally murdered in the streets of Venice, in front of dozens of tourists.

Commissario Brunetti starts to investigate the murder when he gets opposition from his superior Vice-Questore Patta seriously opposes this investigation. As he continues to investigate, he realizes this isnt just about the death of a single street peddler.

One of the most interesting parts of this particular story was Brunettis coming to realize that he could personally be in danger by investigating this murder. When an old friend of his fathers (a noted jewel merchant), tries to help Guido get info and is followed, Brunetti realizes he is putting people he cares about in jeopardy.

Guidos family is here and they often add a bit of humor to a deadly serious story. They also show Guido to be a caring, compassionate human not just a bloodhound on the trail of murder. Once the reader sees that serious danger is involved, it raises the ante on Guidos need to find the truth.

Guido Brunetti Series

1. Death at La Fenice (1992)
2. Death in a Strange Country (1993)
3. The Anonymous Venetian (1994) aka Dressed for Death
4. A Venetian Reckoning (1995) aka Death and Judgment
5. Acqua Alta (1996) aka Death in High Water

6. The Death of Faith (1997) aka Quietly in Their Sleep
7. A Noble Radiance (1997)
8. Fatal Remedies (1999)
9. Friends in High Places (2000)
10. A Sea of Troubles (2001)

11. Willful Behaviour (2002)
12. Uniform Justice (2003)
13. Doctored Evidence (2004)
14. Blood from a Stone (2005)
15. Through a Glass Darkly (2006)

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