by C de Burlet

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

It's nearly Christmas in Venice and at the local Christmas market, Italian delicacies are on show at the stalls, while street vendors display fake Gucci and Prada items on cloths on the ground. Venetians and tourists are sauntering through it all, feasting their eyes, tasting products, haggling over prices. This ordinary and peaceful scene is suddenly and violently disrupted by a street vendor being shot dead.

"The police arrived with a speed that astonished the Italian bystanders as much as it scandalized the Americans." Thus starts another one of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti thrillers. When Commissario Brunetti arrives on the scene and searches the body, he reflects on his thoughts regarding illegal immigrants from Africa and their presence in Venice. As everywhere else, as long as they are able to keep out of trouble, they are tolerated and "not noticed", bar the occasional "round-up" and deportations.

They are on the fringe or even outside society. This, together with a lack of witnesses and motive, seem to make it an impossible murder to solve. Yet, "Didn't I receive a heart as well? Aren't I made of flesh and blood?" Doesn't an illegal immigrant have the same rights as another human being? Brunetti and Vianello start an investigation and slowly become acquainted with the world and life of African illegal immigrants in Venice. What does not help their investigation, either, are the partly successful attempts of people from various levels of society to cover up the whole affair. In the end, Brunetti is able to piece together part of the man's history, as well as the reason for the murder, but unable to catch the guilty. As he and Vianello receive help from various characters, among which are a priest, an art-historian, and even Brunetti's father-in-law, Donna Leon confronts the reader with several aspects of present-day society, like attitudes towards illegal immigrants, but also the world of African and Western politics, current affairs, and trade deals. Does this make the novel a difficult or even unwelcome read? Certainly not! Like all Commissario Brunetti novels, this story may at times make readers who recognize own attitudes and thoughts in the various characters slightly uncomfortable. However, as always, the plot is engrossing and developments follow fast upon each other.

The characters are cameos and Donna Leon is able to make them come alive with just a few words. The scenes between Brunetti and Paola offer a contrast between his family life and the investigation, and scenes between Brunetti and Patta not only offer a kind of comic relief. Yet these interludes, which seem to be a break in suspense or speculations, are totally functional and help along the story towards its conclusion. So if you are not yet acquainted with Commissario Brunetti, do read this book. Readers who are already familiar with the series need no recommendation. "Blood from a Stone" by Donna Leon, paperback published by Arrow Books London 2006, pp 353. Also available as audio book, published by Arrow Books, 2005.

Learn more about this author, C de Burlet.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.