I am a huge fan of Donna Leon and feel like Brunetti and his family are personal friends I know them so well! This was definitely up to her usual standard and was a good read. It probably helps that I love Italy as well and like the way Leon uses the Italian when nothing else will do and the lovely insights into Italian life - even given that this is Venice and its people consider themselves almost a race apart. I would definitely recommend this book - it is so much more than the usual detective novel.

I LOVE THE BRUNETTI SERIES AND THIS LATEST IS AS THOUGHTFUL, DISTURBING AND INTRIGUING AN INVESTIGATION AS EVER. A HUGE COMPARISON TO THE BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS OF VENICE.BRUNETTI IS AS HUMOUROUS AS EVER DESPITE OR AS I THINK, BECAUSE OF HIS JOB. I LIKE THE PARTS WHERE HE'S WITH HIS FAMILY , USUALLY OVER A MEAL AND OF COURSE BRUNETTI LOVES HIS FOOD WHICH BRINGS THIS STORY CLOSE TO HOME. IT'S EXCELLENT AND I HOPE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER.