kate01970's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wanderlustsleeping's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
maelyn's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nuska's review against another edition
3.0
Otra entretenida aventura del comissario Brunetti con el acqua alta como telón de fondo. El agua que invade la ciudad de Venecia, llevándose la suciedad de la ciudad con ella, por respetable que sea su apariencia. Buenas imágenes literarias en una historia llena de acción e intriga que he leído en el transcurso de un viaje, sobre todo en los aeropuertos y que me ha salvado de largas esperas.
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
This is my 2nd book of this series it feels a lot like many of the other police series I've read: the mystery/suspense itself is a bit meh but I like the series because of the characters, the setting and the writing.
Brunetti is a police commissioner(?) in Venice, Italy. His supporting cast are Vianello, a large sized police sergeant who is good for heavy work and always goes along with what Brunetti wants and Elettra, his shared secretary who is amazing and always comes up with whatever information that he wants. With these two by his side, how can he not succeed? Other side characters are his wife and two kids and his boss Patta who is a political animal and only pursues his own interests.
The name of this book Acqua Alta refers to the cyclical weather situation where high tides and rain come together in a perfect storm to flood the lower lying areas of Venice. It serves as a perfect and vivid backdrop to the story.
Spoilers ahead:
An American archeologist (Britt) is badly beaten up. She is linked to the director of a local museum who is subsequently killed. When Britt recovers, Brunetti starts to look into the antiquities trade and suspects that artifacts have been looted or stolen and acquired by rogue collectors who will do anything to acquire them.
The book started off real slow and the story didn't proceed at a fast rate after that either. But I like the characters and the descriptions of Venice and the snide commentaries of Italians. I will continue with this series.
Brunetti is a police commissioner(?) in Venice, Italy. His supporting cast are Vianello, a large sized police sergeant who is good for heavy work and always goes along with what Brunetti wants and Elettra, his shared secretary who is amazing and always comes up with whatever information that he wants. With these two by his side, how can he not succeed? Other side characters are his wife and two kids and his boss Patta who is a political animal and only pursues his own interests.
The name of this book Acqua Alta refers to the cyclical weather situation where high tides and rain come together in a perfect storm to flood the lower lying areas of Venice. It serves as a perfect and vivid backdrop to the story.
Spoilers ahead:
An American archeologist (Britt) is badly beaten up. She is linked to the director of a local museum who is subsequently killed. When Britt recovers, Brunetti starts to look into the antiquities trade and suspects that artifacts have been looted or stolen and acquired by rogue collectors who will do anything to acquire them.
The book started off real slow and the story didn't proceed at a fast rate after that either. But I like the characters and the descriptions of Venice and the snide commentaries of Italians. I will continue with this series.
kathleenitpdx's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
richardpierce's review against another edition
5.0
Another great story. There is so much wamth in these books, not just because they bring back memories of happy times in the backstreets of this wonderful place, but because there are passages in them which would not be out of place in the very best literary fiction.