by Donna Leon
Part of Commissario Brunetti, book 8
First published 2009
Guido Brunetti receives a morning phone call that changes everything. His wife Paola has committed an act of vandalism in the cold Venetian dawn and waits at the crime scene to be arrested. The incident tears through the Brunetti household as Paola's motivations become clear. Meanwhile, Brunetti faces mounting pressure at work. A bold robbery with Mafia ties connects to a questionable death, and his superiors demand swift answers. His personal crisis collides with professional demands, putting his career in jeopardy. The conspiracy that drove Paola to risk her reputation and freedom pulls Brunetti deeper into danger. He must navigate between loyalty to his wife and duty to his position while uncovering the truth behind both cases.
Genres: mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: moral-dilemma, personal-crisis
Setting: Venice
Period: Contemporary
320 pages · Paperback · Arrow Books
Content warnings: violence