“A dramatic and deeply satisfying climax . . . a high-stakes mystery in which the setting vibrates with as much life as the story itself.” —Publishers Weekly As Venice braces for a winter tempest, intrepid Italian sleuth Commissario Guido Brunetti finds out that an archaeologist and old friend has been savagely beaten at the palazzo home of opera singer Flavia Petrelli. Then, as the floodwaters … Petrelli.
Then, as the floodwaters rise, the corpse of a museum director is discovered—and Brunetti must wade through the chaotic city to solve his deadliest case yet.
“An evocative peep into the dark underworld of the beauteous city.” —Time Out London
“A superb police detective.” —Library Journal
Also published under the title Death in High Water
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This was the first of the Brunetti mysteries I read, though it is book 5 of the series (Death at La Fenice is book 1). It hooked me thoroughly and I went back and started the series from the beginning. The setting, Venice, is vivid–you walk the streets with Brunetti, and go home with him to his wonderful wife Paola. The mysteries are intriguing, …
I love all of the books in the Brunetti series!
The darkest yet, but the mystery stands up.
law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, museum, art-fraud, art-theft, artifact, Venice, family-dynamics, friendship
Acqua alta is the term used in Veneto for the exceptional tide peaks that occur periodically in the northern Adriatic Sea. Exceptional is right! Add relentless rain to the phenomenon in Venice and you have a situation where …
This just may be Donna Leon’s best of all her Brunetti mysteries.
Typically Italian. If you know Italians and have spent any time in Italy, you’ll sense that the author knows about which she speaks
An excellent read. ( I always learn something new and interesting about Venice while enjoying one of Donna Leon’s mysteries.)
Every Donna Leon book transports you to Venice, to the way Venetians live their everyday lives. She puts you there and lets you see the good, the wondrous and lovely streets and buildings of this magical place and then lets you see beneath the surface. To read all of her books is to feel that you are exactly where you want to be – in Venice.
I enjoy all of the Donna Leon books. I can relate to the food and attractions in Venice and always learn something new about the city.
Long time fan of this Venetian Mystery series. Atmospheric and engrossing. Always a new twist on unusual crimes. Humor and family interaction balance the serious side
Donna Leon’s mysteries are always a pleasure, both for their setting in Venice and realistic perception that political realities sometimes subvert justice.
Donna Leon creates a story that is believable. Things don’t blow up, there’s no gunfire and there are no police chases. Inspector Brunetti just plods along, asking questions, gaining insight into the situation and gleaning further information and clues pertinent to the suspects, motives and facts concerning the case. He comes into the case only …
Donna Leon’s writing style has you identifying with the main characters by the end of the first chapter.
Love the Italian setting!