On a spring day in Venice, Commissario Brunetti and his assistant Vianello play hooky to help Vianello's friend Marco Ribetti, arrested during an environmental protest. They secure his release, only to be faced with the fury of the man's father-in-law, Giovanni De Cal, who has made violent threats against Ribetti. Brunetti's curiousity is piqued, and he finds himself drawn to investigate. Is De Cal the type of man to carry out his threats? When the body of De Cal's bookish night watchman is found in front of the blazing furnace, he wonders: Could the old man have killed him?
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"This Brunetti mystery focuses on the Murano glass industry the culture of the workers and artisans involved. There is also a strong environmental subplot and illegal dumping of toxic byproducts into the lagoon is a major factor in the plot. The Brunetti family are at their most human and appealing and the commisario teams with Paola in solving the case and both struggle with raising adolescent children."
— Julie (4 out of 5 stars)
“No one knows the labyrinthine world of Venice or the way favoritism and corruption shape Italian life like Leon’s Brunetti…the thoughtful Venetian cop with a love of food, an outspoken wife, and a computer-hacker secretary who plays man Friday to his detective.”
— Time“One of the best of the international crime writers is Donna Leon, and her Commissario Guido Brunetti tales set in Venice are at the apex of continental thrillers.”
— Rocky Mountain News“Every character, every line of dialogue, every descriptive passage rings true in a whodunit that’s also travel essay, political commentary and existential monologue. And the middle-aged, happily married Brunetti remains unique—an everyman who’s also extraordinary.”
— Publishers Weekly“Satisfying as always”
— Booklist“Leon shows once more why she has no serious rivals in the art of unfolding mysteries in which the killer’s identity is the least interesting detail.”
— Kirkus" I enjoyed this book a lot.The plot moves gently, interwoven with descriptions of blowing glass and traveling around Venice by boat . A lovely series . "
— Helena, 2/19/2014" Commissario Brunetti goes to the glassblowing island of Murano to solve a murder. The plot wasn't as compelling as "Blood from a Stone", although the setting on Murano and storyline about glassblowing was intriguing. Brunetti remains an honest, real guy trying to do his job amidst a culture of corruption. "
— Anne, 2/14/2014" I must say I agree wholeheartedly with the review written by Kristel Autencio. I liked pieces of the book, the involvement of Venice in the story. Loved the descriptions of the city. Liked the foods that were mentioned but the story itself came up short. It was a good read to take along in the car when arriving early someplace but I probably won't read any of her other mysteries. "
— Kathleen, 2/9/2014" OK. The story didn't really grab me. Love her descriptions of Venice and Venitian life though, especially food and drink. Maybe I've just read too many of the Brunetti novels and they all seem to blend a bit too much - not surprising for such a long-running series. "
— Sibylle, 2/5/2014" It's spring in Venice and we get to follow Brunetti to the island of Murano to investigate death threats. Environmental issues, the art of politics and a lead character that is just interesting and wonderful. You follow Brunetti thru Venice, have a late lunch with him at a trattoria, watch him play dumb with his boss, Patta and be a wonderful husband and dad. Leon rarely disappoint and doesn't with this novel. "
— Writerlibrarian, 1/19/2014" Not as good as the Lindsey Davis novels. These novels just don't have the humor (although they have a little). The book gets a little dry in the middle with Brunetti doing things but not getting anywhere. The endings are not as filled with pizzazz (yes, i used pizzazz) as they should be. "
— Roshni, 1/17/2014" Excellent Brunetti mystery again. He is quite a different character than the normal detective. It's nice to see a policeman who has not hardened so much that death means nothing and has no affect. This story relates to environmental issues on Murano. "
— Judy, 1/14/2014" OK, I guess I didn't actually finish. I couldn't. I was 18 pages from the end and I just couldn't do it. I didn't care what happened, and I think the characters agreed with me. "
— Helena, 1/7/2014" I enjoy Donna Leon's books. Sometimes I don't understand all the nuances of Italian, but I like the Commisario a lot. "
— Lynn, 12/18/2013" First time I have read a book in this series. Having it take place in Venice was interesting. Fairly light. I'll probably try another. "
— Sue, 9/28/2013" "Brunetti stood at his window and flirted with springtime." Lovely. "
— Ellen, 9/23/2013Donna 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.