A truck crashes and spills its dangerous cargo on a treacherous road in the Italian Dolomite mountains. Meanwhile, in Santa Lucia, a prominent international lawyer is found dead aboard an intercity train.
Suspecting a connection between the two tragedies, Brunetti digs deep for an answer, stumbling upon a seedy Venetian bar that holds the key to a crime network that reaches far beyond the laguna. But it will take another violent death in Venice before Brunetti and his colleagues begin to understand what is really going on.
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"An attorney is shot to death in a train. But his criminal record is too, too clean. How then to explain the seemingly professional assassination job? As Donna Leon tells it, the back story comes as no surprise. Most of it, anyway. And all of it is horrible. Leon handles it without sensationalism, viewed through the experience of the placid Commissario Guido Brunetti. The effect is stunning. It made me think that maybe Freud was onto something; that all the energy we spend to impose order on our lives -- government, education, religious beliefs and rituals -- is required because we are, essentially, beasts."
— Jocelyn (4 out of 5 stars)
“A superbly gifted writer whose stories are complex and filled with charm, humor, and intelligence.”
— Booklist (starred review)“The heady atmosphere of Venice and a galaxy of fully realized characters enrich this intriguing and finally horrifying tale…With consummate skill, Leon gradually reveals the broad reaches of a corrupt network linking the privileged and powerful.”
— Publishers Weekly“The first of Leon’s books to knit together all her strengths: endearing detective, jaundiced social pathology, and a paranoid eye for plotting on a grand scale.”
— Kirkus Reviews“No one is more graceful and accomplished than Leon.”
— Washington Post, praise for the series" Very good suspense,good ending. "
— Kitty, 2/19/2014" Leon brings out the seamy side of Venice in the fourth Guido Brunetti mystery novel. This book has murders, prostitution and the porn film industry involved. I am enjoying getting to know Guido and his family. Chiara, his 15 year old daughter even gets involved in helping solve this case. Paola, Guido's wife, is a bit on the fiesty side which makes for some interesting exchanges. Nice read which shows a swarmy side of life I hope never to experience. Give Guido and Venice a shot. "
— Brent, 2/10/2014" This one is my favorite so far, perhaps because it is darkly realistic and unsettling! "
— Kathy, 2/2/2014" Like all Brunetti storys it was easy and pleasurable reading. "
— Jojo, 2/1/2014" Can't help liking Brunetti. He has definitley grown beyond absolutes and I like his distinction between what is wrong and what is illegal. Love my imaginary walks through Venice with him. Can't believe the country is as corrupt as written but then I look around here at home and have to concede it could be so. "
— Roberta, 1/26/2014" Another page-turning Guido Brunetti mystery. Well written and intelligent and it doesn't hurt that you get to poke around Venice either...like a small vacation. "
— Elisa, 1/17/2014" I enjoy this series and Leon's ability to transport me to Venice. "
— Erin, 1/14/2014" Each book gets better and better... A great mystery but it's the characters you get attached to... "
— Kathleen, 1/9/2014" One of the darker of the Brunetti mysteries that I've read. "
— Beth, 11/26/2013" Debating whether to give this 4 stars or just 3. I'll go with a strong 3. Enjoyed the pace of this one (as the well as the plot & characters). Horrific subject matter but I'll say no more. A very good read. "
— Innes, 11/25/2013" I generally like Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti, however this one was a little too violent for my taste. "
— Gail, 11/23/2013Donna Leon is the author of the much-loved, New York Times bestselling series of mystery novels set in Italy featuring Commissario Brunetti. She was named one of the London Times' 50 Greatest Crime Writers. The Brunetti Mysteries have won numerous awards around the world, including the CWA Silver Dagger for Fiction, and hsbr been translated into thirty-five languages.
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.