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alihewitt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.0
mlynes's review against another edition
4.0
A slippery, elusive examination of morality. I think Donna Leon takes increasing pleasure in both how obliquely and slowly she can tell a tale. She pulls it off wonderfully well. The opening and the ending are clever tour de forces and the journey between treads familiarly enjoyable ground. Not a good place to start if you haven’t read Brunetti before but a high class addition to the series.
plax1612's review against another edition
5.0
As happens often with Leon's later books, the mystery is slow to kick in. But it is such a joy to spend time with Guido Brunetti that it doesn't matter.
It's summer in Venice, hot and sweaty, and Guido and his Neapolitan counterpart Claudia Griffoni are summoned to the bedside of a dying woman, whose few incoherent comments send them on a quest that eventually involves pollution-- a repeating theme in Leon's books.
Signorina Elletra Zorzi plays a big role here, and it's always wonderful to see her in action. The other main characters play very supporting roles, with little from Paola or Vitello, but it doesn't matter. Guido is the guy we read for.
It's summer in Venice, hot and sweaty, and Guido and his Neapolitan counterpart Claudia Griffoni are summoned to the bedside of a dying woman, whose few incoherent comments send them on a quest that eventually involves pollution-- a repeating theme in Leon's books.
Signorina Elletra Zorzi plays a big role here, and it's always wonderful to see her in action. The other main characters play very supporting roles, with little from Paola or Vitello, but it doesn't matter. Guido is the guy we read for.
booksuzi54's review against another edition
4.0
I love Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series set in Venice, Italy. The characters drive my interest and the mystery portion is always intriguing. Hugely enjoyable reads.
sci_cloudy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
triolojm's review against another edition
3.0
Good but rather depressing. Probably not the timr to read about health and corruption....
skiznitz's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
syho's review against another edition
3.0
Another novel about Commissario Brunetti. It's really about following a standard set of characters and reflections about human behavior and motivations. And interesting insights about the failures of corporate Italy.