Helpful Score: 2
This is the last in the Marshal Guarnaccia Investigastion series due to the death of the author, Magdalen Nabb, in 2007. It is an excellent story with interesting characters and plot. The main character has grown and evolved over the series and it is rewarding to see him overcome some of his fear of inadequacy. He is a quiet, thoughtful person and sometimes seems surprised to find himself in a position of authority. There are no big car chases, but a view of Florence and its people, much like in Donna Leon's fine series set in Venice. Guarnaccia doesn't exude the confidence of Leon's Commissario, but you are happy to see him succed in his way in the end.
Fairly standard complexity as far as who-dunnits are concerned, but the characters are rich and dark. There is plenty of corruption and conspiracy thrown in for those who like it, and the setting takes you away to the small Italian town easily. Overall a good, quick read for anyone who likes their mysteries a little less "cozy."
