At times, Donna Leon opens her stories like the TV show, Law & Order; the intro is not the main story. Inspector Vianellos friend, Marco Ribetti is in jail it is related to a peaceful demonstration that got out of hand. As the three men are leaving the jail, Ribettis father-in-law (Giovanni De Cal) starts screaming and cursing Marco. He also has hard words for the Commissario and Vianello.
Such rage catches Brunettis attention and he decides to give things a look. De Cal owns a glass factory in the famous region of Murano. Before long, De Cals night watchman is found dead in front of the ovens (for glass). Because Vice-Questore Patta tells Brunetti to leave the case alone, Guido must search for clues on the sly.
The night watchman had been blaming the disability of his young daughter on the pollutants at the glass factory. Could this be why he was killed? Because the glass factories of Murano are so widely known, this is a perfect place to set a murder. It is nice to see that pollution, graft and corruption are available world-wide; at times, Im afraid the US has the market cornered.
Guido Brunetti Series
1. Death at La Fenice (1992)
2. Death in a Strange Country (1993)
3. The Anonymous Venetian (1994) aka Dressed for Death
4. A Venetian Reckoning (1995) aka Death and Judgment
5. Acqua Alta (1996) aka Death in High Water
6. The Death of Faith (1997) aka Quietly in Their Sleep
7. A Noble Radiance (1997)
8. Fatal Remedies (1999)
9. Friends in High Places (2000)
10. A Sea of Troubles (2001)
11. Willful Behaviour (2002)
12. Uniform Justice (2003)
13. Doctored Evidence (2004)
14. Blood from a Stone (2005)
15. Through a Glass Darkly (2006)
Not my favorite of this series, but still good.
Another excellent story. This one bringing environmental issues to the forefront in a more direct manner than previously hinted at in her other books. A nightshift guard is dead at a glass factory; his obsessions possibly leading to his death -- directly or indirectly.
I enjoy all of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mysteries. This was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reding the next book in the series.
Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti is well written, very interesting and a wonderful resource about Venice. You are captured immediately by the Inspector, his family, his colleagues and the problems he faces. I strongly recommend this series especially to folks who enjoy "cozy mysteries."
One of the worst mysteries I have ever read!! Maybe if you have been to Italy it would help, but it seems that a book should have universal appeal. This was a lousy plot and never had a resolution...
