Brooding post modern excursion into corruption at almost every level. Illegal disposal of toxic wastes, hospital refuse, and other garbage is big money, with Mafia connections to business leaders, politicos, and labor leaders alike. Garbage from all over Europe is being illegally dumped, sometimes in the streets of Venice, more often overseas. Is justice ever served? At least Commissario Brunetti has his family, friends, and in-laws. I very much approve of Leon's willingness to explore a moral life through current events plaguing Venice, the EU, Somalia . . . the world. I must admit I found it quite a slow story; and failed to grab me from the beginning, hence the long time to read as I put it down for a long period before persevering. I was always expecting it to pick up a pace and for there to be more of a twisted plot.There are also a lot of characters which are difficult to remember who's who especially being Italian names. Though this is probably a weakness on my part as I find lots of English characters also hard to follow.I was rather expecting the sexual tension between Guido and his colleague Guinon to develop, but not necessarily to a full relationship as that would have been too predictable.I think the characters will appeal more to female readers, who probably appreciate Guido's sensitive nature; as opposed to the usual hard-nosed grittier detectives.
What do You think about About Face (2009)?
Couldn"t get through this one. It didn't go anywhere for me
—karen
