Through a Glass, Darkly Audiobook, by Donna Leon Play Audiobook Sample

Through a Glass, Darkly Audiobook

Through a Glass, Darkly Audiobook, by Donna Leon Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: David Colacci Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries Release Date: April 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781602831926

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

27

Longest Chapter Length:

30:38 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

11:08 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

19:06 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

36

Other Audiobooks Written by Donna Leon: > View All...

Publisher Description

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)

Quotes

  • “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

Through a Glass, Darkly Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.25806451612903 out of 53.25806451612903 out of 53.25806451612903 out of 53.25806451612903 out of 53.25806451612903 out of 5 (3.26)
5 Stars: 3
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 11
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    " "Brunetti stood at his window and flirted with springtime." Lovely. "

    — Ellen, 9/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not one of her best. But I'll keep reading her books! "

    — Sunni, 8/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not one of my favorites in the series but time spent with Guido and Paola is always comforting. "

    — Karen, 8/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite slow-moving, with an inconclusive end. This book is more a series of character studies than an exciting mystery. "

    — Timothy, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Always enjoy a Brunetti mystery! "

    — Bridget, 6/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " i always feel i am in venice when i read these mysteries! "

    — Jeanne, 4/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Environmental pollution at a Murano glassworks in Venice. Engrossing. "

    — Diana, 5/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I had to buy this in Rome at the airport (17E) and read it all the way home. "

    — Jill, 3/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading others from this series. "

    — Bonnie, 1/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Three stars for the police procedural, and a fourth for the evocation of Venice. A good read. "

    — Harry, 1/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Love all of Donna Leon's books. "

    — Laura, 7/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is part of a seris, but you don't need to read them all, I started with this one. It moved pretty slowly, which was the only drawback, not a real 'page turner' but i still enjoyed it. "

    — Abby, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Loved Brunetti, as always. Still chopping my way through Leon's work and just found she's a new release in just 3 days from now. This was an interesting murder, taking place in a Murano glass factory. Still happy with Leon! ;) "

    — Teresa, 3/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my favorite writers in top form. This time Commissatio Brunetti investigates trouble on the island of Murano where the worlds finest decorative glass is made. "

    — Nicole, 3/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Blackmail. Pollution. Glass blowing. Murder.Wonderful! "

    — Jeanne, 3/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " really enjoy all of donna leon's mysteries set in venice. brunetti is a cultured, educated detective. doesn't happen often. "

    — Sam, 3/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Quick and easy read to keep me occupied between other books. Flowery prose for a mystery! "

    — Hannah, 2/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I feel like such a bad girl when I don't finish book club selections. Bad girls, bad girls - whatcha gonna do when they come for you. Shouldn't a mystery be mysterious? This is super slow-paced and flat-out B-O-R-I-N-G. "

    — Susan, 2/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was a perfectly good novel that was well written but it moved way too slow for me. I really wanted more action. I do understand why people love this series. "

    — Vfields, 1/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Thanks to the people from the University of Cambrigde who planned the CAE readings I will stay away from Donna Leon's books and her Commissario Brunetti forever and ever. "

    — papalbina, 11/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A who-done-it set in modern day Venice. Enjoyed the descriptions of the city and the food. And of glass making. I see it is #15 in a series. Don't recall reading any of the others, and although this was a nice fast read, I won't be actively looking for her other books. "

    — Denise, 8/16/2010

About Donna Leon

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 David Colacci

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.