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whatmarloesreads's review against another edition
3.0
(Luisterboek). Weer een vermakelijk verhaal uit de Italiaanse detective reeks. Het begon meteen spannend met een onbekend slachtoffer, waardoor ik meteen wilde weten wat er was gebeurd. Wel vond ik het verhaal iets slomer op gang komen dan het eerste boek. De sfeer van de stad wordt zo mooi omschreven, het is alsof je zelf in Venetië bent. Wat een heerlijke boekenserie is dit toch.
p_t_b's review against another edition
4.0
the "strange country" is both like, a foreign country and a country that is inherently strange, i realized like 20 mins after finishing this
this is a pretty solid little jammer with subtle interplay between environmental destruction and familial love. indulges in some "italy amirite" but out of genuine affection it seems like. the unfolding of the mystery isn't especially subtle or clever, but it's satisfying in blending hardbitten cynicism with a little bit of cosmic justice itch-scratching. i kind of want to just keep reading these all year but i promised i would read some Literature next
PS this book was all boogered up on my e-reader and it was taking forever to turn pages so i had a lot of fun doing instant speculation about what the next line of a given passage might be. delayed gratification can be therapeutic, deny yourself a little and see how you bloom or wilt or both
this is a pretty solid little jammer with subtle interplay between environmental destruction and familial love. indulges in some "italy amirite" but out of genuine affection it seems like. the unfolding of the mystery isn't especially subtle or clever, but it's satisfying in blending hardbitten cynicism with a little bit of cosmic justice itch-scratching. i kind of want to just keep reading these all year but i promised i would read some Literature next
PS this book was all boogered up on my e-reader and it was taking forever to turn pages so i had a lot of fun doing instant speculation about what the next line of a given passage might be. delayed gratification can be therapeutic, deny yourself a little and see how you bloom or wilt or both
krismca's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ottaway's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
diana_skelton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Passages I liked:
"He had often come up against this national sense of moral superiority, this belief so common among Americans that it had somehow been given to them to serve as a glistening moral light in a world dark with error. Perhaps that was not the case here; perhaps he was misinterpreting Duncan's tone, and the captain had meant to do no more than help Brunetti avoid embarrassment. If so, then his reponse had certainly done everything possible to confirm any cliche about hot-blooded, thin-skinned Italians."
"He had often come up against this national sense of moral superiority, this belief so common among Americans that it had somehow been given to them to serve as a glistening moral light in a world dark with error. Perhaps that was not the case here; perhaps he was misinterpreting Duncan's tone, and the captain had meant to do no more than help Brunetti avoid embarrassment. If so, then his reponse had certainly done everything possible to confirm any cliche about hot-blooded, thin-skinned Italians."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma
gabengal's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kimveach's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's hard to believe this book was published in 1993, as one of the issues is toxic waste that Africa won't accept. I love getting to know Commissario Brunetti, his family, co-workers, and even his ridiculous boss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism