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, 9/23/2013" Not one of her best. But I'll keep reading her books! "
— Sunni, 8/26/2013" Not one of my favorites in the series but time spent with Guido and Paola is always comforting. "
— Karen, 8/15/2013" Quite slow-moving, with an inconclusive end. This book is more a series of character studies than an exciting mystery. "
— Timothy, 7/31/2013" Always enjoy a Brunetti mystery! "
— Bridget, 6/12/2013" i always feel i am in venice when i read these mysteries! "
— Jeanne, 4/14/2013" Environmental pollution at a Murano glassworks in Venice. Engrossing. "
— Diana, 5/25/2012" I had to buy this in Rome at the airport (17E) and read it all the way home. "
— Jill, 3/15/2012" 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" Three stars for the police procedural, and a fourth for the evocation of Venice. A good read. "
— Harry, 1/18/2012" Love all of Donna Leon's books. "
— Laura, 7/27/2011" 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" 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" 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" Blackmail. Pollution. Glass blowing. Murder.<br/>Wonderful! "
— Jeanne, 3/7/2011" 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" Quick and easy read to keep me occupied between other books. Flowery prose for a mystery! "
— Hannah, 2/22/2011" 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 <br/>B-O-R-I-N-G. "
— Susan, 2/20/2011" 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" 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" 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, 8/16/2010Donna 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.