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Audiobooks > Mystery & Detective >  General Mystery & Detective > Blood from a Stone
Blood from a Stone Audiobook, by Donna Leon Play Audiobook Sample

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3.00120192307692 out of 53.00120192307692 out of 53.00120192307692 out of 53.00120192307692 out of 53.00120192307692 out of 5 (3.00) - 1,664 customer ratings
Blood from a Stone Audiobook, by Donna Leon Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Donna Leon Narrator: David Colacci Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Series:The Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries Release Date: May 2005 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781602831520
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Publisher Description

On a cold Venetian night shortly before Christmas, a street vendor is killed in a scuffle in Campo San Stefano. The closest witnesses are the tourists who had been browsing the man’s wares before his death—fake handbags of every designer label. The dead man had been working as a vu cumpra, one of the many African immigrants purveying goods outside normal shop hours and without work permits. Commissario Brunetti’s response is that of everybody involved: Why would anyone kill an illegal immigrant? Once Brunetti begins to investigate this unfamiliar Venetian underworld, he discovers that matters of great value are at stake. Warned by Patta, his supervisor, to resist further involvement in the case, how far will Brunetti be able to penetrate the murky subculture of Venice’s illegal community?

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Quotes

  • “Stunning novel…Leon combines an engrossing, complex plot with an indictment of the corruption endemic to Italian society.”

    - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “David Colacci’s narration adds nuance to Leon’s subtlest textual hints…Contemporary Italy, holiday time, violence, and crime all blend to make this a sure win for new Brunetti fans and a must for old friends.”

    - AudioFile

  • “Crime fiction for those willing to grapple with, rather than escape, the uncertainties of daily life.”

    - Booklist (starred review)

  • “Leon’s most adroit balance of teasing mystery, Brunetti’s droll battles with his co-workers and higher-ups, and intimations of something far deeper and darker behind the curtain.”

    - Kirkus (starred review)

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " See my other Donna Leon reviews. Love the series. Only problem is wanting to read them in order, but not knowing what that order is. "

    - Jan, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " In the second, the title refers to conflict diamonds but also to people who are living on the margins. Both very good." "

    - Mysteryfan, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Once again, Brunetti is caught up in the globalization of crime and the trauma of developing nations at war with themselves. An illegal Congonese immigrant, hiding among the Senegalisi who sell copycat goods on the streets of Venice, has a deadly secret. Blood diamonds, uncut and raw, surface after his murder. As the mystery unravels, the Italian ministries for foreign affairs and the interior travel to Venice and erase the murder evidence from Brunetti and the Questera. Brunetti doesn't give up and discovers slowly the ties that link illegal immigration, blood diamonds, international arms deals, and the winners and losers in African civil wars. "

    - Deborah, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my favorite mystery series and each book gets better and better. They all take place in Venice with a police officer who has a family and the characters just keep developing book by book. Beautifully written, gentle humor and characters more complex than most mysteries. Great series. "

    - Ann, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " --probably my favorite of those I've read thus far, but just because of byplay between Guido and his wife and other, funny little bits. "

    - Barbara, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyable though a bit lacking in depth. Maybe too many half-explored political issues instead of plot. Fun though. "

    - Sophie, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I think this might have been my favorite so far. Very thoughtful. "

    - Rachel, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I just couldn't finish this book. Every time I thought about reading this I was depressed. Finally, I gave up. I was sad because I loved the first one. Sigh. "

    - Briel, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I just love Commissario Brunetti and his wife, her cooking, Brunetti's walks around Venice . . .and naturally, Signorina Elettra is superb! "

    - Ulla, 10/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not my favorite of the series. A lot of build up but I was disappointed with the resolution. I really enjoy the characters though, especially Guido and his family. "

    - Carol, 10/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " African street vendors, political intrigue, police corruption, and diamonds make a twisted tale, with some views on racial prejudice and "otherness." "

    - Kathy, 10/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Venice, murder and corporate corruption. A police commissioner investigates the death of an African immigrant which is sabotaged by the Italian Ministery of the Interior. The author veered off the path of the storyline with a lot of social commentary. "

    - Patricia, 9/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " As usual, a very good detective story, with sensitive and touching handling of death, scathing analysis of geo-political corruption, brilliant family relationships, and venetian background. "

    - John, 6/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a more comlicated story but felt like something that Leon cared a bit about telling. Ending felt rushed. Still well worth reading for character development. "

    - Jennifer, 3/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Huh. Puply fiction that isn't crap. Who knew? A fun read--so much that I might pick up the other ones in the series for flights and waiting rooms. "

    - Christopher, 3/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think this is one of Donna Leon's best. Our hero, Guido Brunetti, dances around the murder involving conflict diamonds, never really solving the crime, but confronted with the cross currents of power in Italy. "

    - Naomi, 1/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've never read anything by here that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Love all the Italian-named characters. "

    - Elaine, 10/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Fun and fascinating glimpses of la vita Veneziana, as seen through the eyes of a Venice police detective. The story rather lumbers along from the standpoint of pure narrative, but the portrait of life in this unique city holds and retains your interest when the story seems to flag. "

    - Jack, 5/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Brunetti faces forces he cannot subdue, anyway he keeps his moral high. "

    - Rafa, 4/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A great read and another crime illustrating the levels of corruption in government and justice in Venice. A death on the streets of Venice draws Brunetti into the edges of Angolan civil war and international machinations for mineral rights. There are fascinating scenes of his family life too. "

    - Ruth, 1/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " * * * * * I love Donna Leon and will never get enough of the marvelous Commissario Guido Brunetti and his compatriots/family. "

    - Wilma, 12/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good mystery, good police work "

    - Jandblock, 12/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Since we are going to Italy in October, I thought I would start on the Donna Leon series with Commissario Guido Brunetti and compare it with the Scandinavian crime fiction. Also, Italian words are sprinkled throughout. It is a good read. "

    - Mary, 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love the Italian culture that hosts this story. very well written, enjoyed it very much. "

    - Gastoryteller, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I always enjoy Donna Leon. This book went more deeply into the relationship between Brunetti and his wife, Paola, which was nice. "

    - Gstroud, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 3 1/2 stars actually. Interesting and well written, but I sensed how it was going to end at different points throughout the book. "

    - Patti, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A detective who is just as interested in lunch as he is in solving the crime, gotta love those Italians. So things are just the same all over, greed, corruption, bureaucratic ineptitude and a governmental cover up. As long as the stomach is content, life is good. "

    - Lee, 1/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " See my other Donna Leon reviews. Love the series. Only problem is wanting to read them in order, but not knowing what that order is. "

    - Jan, 12/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book: very interesting plot and not far at all from reality, especially if you have been to Italy in the past few years. "

    - Andrula, 6/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I learned that I prefer reading Leon's books to listening to them. The pace seemed very slow, and I kept dozing off. I'll go back to reading about Commissario Brunetti, which I've always found quite enjoyable. "

    - Nikki, 6/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Another good Brunetti in Venice story regarding the murder of a black street vendor. Interesting picture of racism also. My first time with an audio book and don't believe I like it as well as visual; however, for travelling it may be a good option. "

    - Judy, 4/18/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " With Donna Leon, you always know what you get, you walk with Brunetti through one of the most beautiful cities of the world,Venice, smell the fresh coffee in the bars, participate in his family life and oh yes, I almost forgot, there's also some crime mystery in it, lol. Love me some commissario. "

    - bisskiss, 1/29/2010

About the Author

Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over thirty years and previously lived in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China, where she worked as a teacher. Her New York Times bestselling novels featuring Commissario Brunetti have all been highly acclaimed, including Friends in High Places, which won the CWA Silver Dagger for Fiction.

About the Narrator

David Colacci is an actor and director who has directed and performed in prominent theaters nationwide. His credits include roles from Shakespeare to Albee, as well as extensive work on new plays. As a narrator, he has won numerous Earphones Awards, earned Audie Award nominations, and been included in Best Audio of the Year lists by such publications as Publishers Weekly, AudioFile magazine, and Library Journal. He was a resident actor and director with the Cleveland Play House for eight years and has been artistic director of the Hope Summer Rep Theater since 1992.