telerit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dgignac's review against another edition
1.0
I was given this book by a family member who thought I would enjoy it because of its setting in Venice. While I did enjoy its setting, that was the only thing I did enjoy. The pacing was extremely slow, and perhaps because I have never read any other books in this series, I couldn’t connect to any of the main characters. I was maybe 20 pages from the end of the book and found that I didn’t even care who committed the crime.
nick_jenkins's review against another edition
4.0
The main point of reading a Brunetti mystery is spending time in his company, and in the world of quiet contentment that he has built outside of his work. There is also the slightly mordant pleasure of watching a man well-versed in both bureaucratic maneuvering and the more devious arts of leveraging personal connections to achieve his aims. This provides both in well-measured proportions.
cockyspaniel's review
adventurous
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Commission Brunetti is on the trail of a book thief. What I like about the book is sitting with a translator, and looking up the Italian words to enhance my understanding. I also like the insight into definition culture specifically and Italian culture in general; wine at lunch, a time with family, in the middle of the day, their outlook on life.
lady_elle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
louise_o4's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
richardpierce's review against another edition
5.0
Never make snap judgements. They may be provwn disastrously wrong later. Greed drives this episode in Brunetti's career, and how greed is driven by trying to emulate the rich and lazy. Heartbreaking, in a way. And the question rears its head again - can there be redemption for individuals, or indeed for humanity?
jnieto's review against another edition
5.0
As good as Brunetti goes. This one with the added bonus of old books (Aldus Manutius - festina lente...) and Tertullian quotes.