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Zürich Diogenes-Verl. 2007
Description
On a cold Venetian night shortly before Christmas, a street vendor is killed in a scuffle in Campo San Stefano. The closest witnesses are the tourists who had been browsing the man's wares before his death-fake handbags of every designer label. The dead man had been working as a vu cumpra, one of the many African immigrants purveying goods outside normal shop hours and without work permits. Commissario Brunetti's response is that of everybody involved: Why would anyone kill an illegal immigrant? Once Brunetti begins to investigate this unfamiliar Venetian underworld, he discovers that matters of great value are at stake. Warned by Patta, his supervisor, to resist further involvement in the case, how far will Brunetti be able to penetrate the murky subculture of Venice's illegal community?… (more)
Media reviews
In this stunning novel, the 14th to feature the dogged, intuitive Venetian police detective Guido Brunetti (after 2004's Doctored Evidence ), Leon combines an engrossing, complex plot with an indictment of the corruption endemic to Italian society.
Leon’s most adroit balance of teasing mystery, Brunetti’s droll battles with his co-workers and higher-ups, and intimations of something far deeper and darker behind the curtain.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Joycepa
#14 in the Commissario Brunetti series, set in Venice, Italy.
Illegal street vendors have long been a fixture in Venice’s Campo San Stefano. Over the years, different ethnic groups have sold various wares; in recent years, Africans have made up the ranks of the ambulanti, who usually sell
Brunetti’s investigation runs into one blind alley after another, as the near-impossibility of penetrating a closed community cuts him off from needed information. Then, in a search of the victim’s room, Brunetti finds millions of euros worth of uncut diamonds. His investigation takes an unexpected turn when his superior,Vice-Questore Patta, seriously warns him off the investigation, implying that it represents danger for Brunetti himself.
This is one of Leon’s strongest entries, with fine writing and her superb characterizations, again particularly of Brunetti’s family. She uses Chiara in particular to illuminate the kind of unconscious, thoughtless racism that exists at all levels of society, showing up even in a family as enlightened as Brunetti’s, with a strong mother possessed of a radical social conscience.
This book was written before the movie Blood Diamond, but has the same theme--the sale of illegally obtained diamonds for arms. The denouement is so dark that one is left, along with Brunetti, with feelings of rage and despair at the lengths to which governments--any government--will go to stay in power and to accumulate wealth for its richest citizens. International borders mean nothing, ideals mean nothing--all that matters is money.
Leon tells an absorbing but very grim story, an excellent police procedural that is in addition both an illumination of and a protest against that modern evil. Highly recommended.
Illegal street vendors have long been a fixture in Venice’s Campo San Stefano. Over the years, different ethnic groups have sold various wares; in recent years, Africans have made up the ranks of the ambulanti, who usually sell
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imitation Gucci and other name brand handbags and similar merchandise. So when one is murdered, just before the Christmas holidays, in what is clearly a professional-style killing, Brunetti is surprised. Who would want to murder a vu cumprá, as they are known locally?Brunetti’s investigation runs into one blind alley after another, as the near-impossibility of penetrating a closed community cuts him off from needed information. Then, in a search of the victim’s room, Brunetti finds millions of euros worth of uncut diamonds. His investigation takes an unexpected turn when his superior,Vice-Questore Patta, seriously warns him off the investigation, implying that it represents danger for Brunetti himself.
This is one of Leon’s strongest entries, with fine writing and her superb characterizations, again particularly of Brunetti’s family. She uses Chiara in particular to illuminate the kind of unconscious, thoughtless racism that exists at all levels of society, showing up even in a family as enlightened as Brunetti’s, with a strong mother possessed of a radical social conscience.
This book was written before the movie Blood Diamond, but has the same theme--the sale of illegally obtained diamonds for arms. The denouement is so dark that one is left, along with Brunetti, with feelings of rage and despair at the lengths to which governments--any government--will go to stay in power and to accumulate wealth for its richest citizens. International borders mean nothing, ideals mean nothing--all that matters is money.
Leon tells an absorbing but very grim story, an excellent police procedural that is in addition both an illumination of and a protest against that modern evil. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member quixotic-creator
Donna Leon offers another somewhat more complex novel featuring Comimissario Brunetti as he must unravel the mysterious death of an immigrant street vendor. As the investigation unfolds Brunetti discovers an unfamiliar world where nothing is really as it seems, and where far reaching implications
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affect not only the daily life and politics in Venice, but rather globally as well. Thought provoking, Leon delivers with her usual biting style. Show Less
LibraryThing member ulibooks
Brunetti never seems to solve a case & what really put me off is the fact that he got himself a "telefonino" under the false identification of Signor Rossi this time. So who gets the phone bill? Ridiculous story & shallow characters & Signorina Elletra sort of solves the case. Same old, same old,
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only that Ms Leon(and her editor) gets worse. Show Less
LibraryThing member cameling
Another good Commissario Brunetti murder mystery. This time, the odds seem stacked against him and his team against finding the identity of the murdered victim and his killer. Even more puzzling is the reason why the victim was killed.
Adding to the obstacles in his way is the fact that his boss
Soon, computer files are missing, diamonds are found in a box of salt, both the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs appear to have invisible fingers in the mystery, and his various sources of information such as a gems dealer, his father-in-law, an ex-colleague, a Swiss Professor specializing in African arts and the unflappable Signorina Elettra all seem to be providing pieces of the puzzle that doesn't fit to provide a full picture.
The confusion and frustration that dogs him in his work is balanced by the warmth and solidity of his family life.
In this book, the author brings to our awareness racial prejudices that often befall illegal foreigners and the political bargaining that takes place behind closed doors. This murder mystery doesn't show any cracks at all and the answer at the end is surprising but apt.
Adding to the obstacles in his way is the fact that his boss
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inform him that he is not to follow through with this homicide investigation, but fails to give him any reason why he should stop.Soon, computer files are missing, diamonds are found in a box of salt, both the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs appear to have invisible fingers in the mystery, and his various sources of information such as a gems dealer, his father-in-law, an ex-colleague, a Swiss Professor specializing in African arts and the unflappable Signorina Elettra all seem to be providing pieces of the puzzle that doesn't fit to provide a full picture.
The confusion and frustration that dogs him in his work is balanced by the warmth and solidity of his family life.
In this book, the author brings to our awareness racial prejudices that often befall illegal foreigners and the political bargaining that takes place behind closed doors. This murder mystery doesn't show any cracks at all and the answer at the end is surprising but apt.
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LibraryThing member Smiler69
This time, our simpatico detective is called in when an illegal black street vendor, presumed to be Senegalese, is murdered by professional hit-men while surrounded by his co-workers and a group of tourists vying to buy the counterfeit handbags they have on offer. While searching through the man's
* The peddlers in Venice are nicknamed "Vu' Compra" because as foreigners, they often use what is considered bad Italian to say "Do you want to buy?"
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personal effects, Brunetti discovers a big cache of uncut diamonds hidden in a box of salt. He calls on a old friend of his father's, a local diamond seller, to help him find the provenance of the diamonds which he hopes will lead him to narrow down the most likely suspects. Once again, as seems to always happen, his superior, Vice-Questore Patta, forbids Brunetti to pursue the matter, but the latter's need for answers is only exacerbated when he discovers both the Italian ministries of Interior AND of Exterior Affairs have had a hand in halting the investigation. On the home front, Guido Brunetti and his wife Paola face the possibility that they may have inadvertently influenced their daughter when she makes an offhand comment about the murder victim only being a Vu' Compra*, which may or may not have been meant as a racist comment.* The peddlers in Venice are nicknamed "Vu' Compra" because as foreigners, they often use what is considered bad Italian to say "Do you want to buy?"
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LibraryThing member Condorena
This story turns a magnifying glass on the plight as well as the ethics of illegal immigration. A seemingly innocuous man from Senegal is gunned down while selling his knockoff hand bags in a public square. He is like a ghost because no one knows his name, or where he lives or what lead to his
The story takes place at Christmas time and the background of how this holiday is celebrated is interesting. There is a lot of discussions about the place for and the treatment of people who are strangers from another place. In this particular situation the Senegalese are polite well mannered street vendors for the most part and thus the authorities leave them alone. But there are strong feelings from those whose livelihood is threatened by those who peddle without paying taxes and all the other fees for a business. If it was a Venetian who was selling on the streets they would be arrested in a flash the the conundrum of the double standard is well explored.
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murder. Commissario Guido Brunetti probes into the man and his life but learns little that isn't conjecture or speculation.The story takes place at Christmas time and the background of how this holiday is celebrated is interesting. There is a lot of discussions about the place for and the treatment of people who are strangers from another place. In this particular situation the Senegalese are polite well mannered street vendors for the most part and thus the authorities leave them alone. But there are strong feelings from those whose livelihood is threatened by those who peddle without paying taxes and all the other fees for a business. If it was a Venetian who was selling on the streets they would be arrested in a flash the the conundrum of the double standard is well explored.
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LibraryThing member themulhern
Much like the others, but here the corruption is more international than Italian.
LibraryThing member ecw0647
(Audiobook)
Donna Leon's books are more than just police procedurals books that take place in Venice. They always, in my experience, deal with an issue confronting Italy and there's always a sub-current of corruption. In this book, she tackles the difficult subject of street peddlers,
Two American tourists, both physicians, see an immigrant, ostensibly from Sierra Leone, assassinated in the square. The case, as you might suspect, revolves around the sale of "blood" diamonds. The characters, now familiar after having read at least 10 in the series, are used by Leon as springboards to focus on an issue in addition to the ubiquitous Italian corruption.
The Leon books will not please readers who prefer chases, gun shots, and action. If you like characterization, fine writing, and intriguing stories, I recommend this series highly. Well read by David Colacci although he will never replace Anna Fields, aka Kate Fleming.
Donna Leon's books are more than just police procedurals books that take place in Venice. They always, in my experience, deal with an issue confronting Italy and there's always a sub-current of corruption. In this book, she tackles the difficult subject of street peddlers,
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quasi-immigrants from Africa who buy knock-off bags cheap and then resell them to tourists. Two American tourists, both physicians, see an immigrant, ostensibly from Sierra Leone, assassinated in the square. The case, as you might suspect, revolves around the sale of "blood" diamonds. The characters, now familiar after having read at least 10 in the series, are used by Leon as springboards to focus on an issue in addition to the ubiquitous Italian corruption.
The Leon books will not please readers who prefer chases, gun shots, and action. If you like characterization, fine writing, and intriguing stories, I recommend this series highly. Well read by David Colacci although he will never replace Anna Fields, aka Kate Fleming.
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
I read this book after vacationing and loving Venice. Inspector Brunetti investigates the murder of a Vuo Compra - one of the Africans that illegally sells knock-off purses in the streets. I found the book a fun read because while we were in Italy, a police officer yelled at us for browsing the
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conterfeit sunglasses. Of course since I don't speak Italian, he might have been commenting about something else... I loved the description of Venice - the places, food, people - but I found the plot a bit weak. Perfect book to get you in the mood if you are traveling to Italy. Show Less
LibraryThing member kerns222
A curl-up-and-get-comfortable mystery: one clean murder (5 quick shots), no sadism, nothing much of purient interest (the 7 deadly sins come up but talk is mostly about gluttony), a bit of police procedure, great walks/boat rides thru Venice (probably should go first in my list), lots about rich
Not a page turner where you can't wait for the next twist, but a slowly winding trail you dont mind leaving for a drink or a sandwich or even a good nap.
I will only write about this book but the whole series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti fits this description (OK, some have a bit more blood and messiness but often you have 5 quick wacks to the head or some other lets-get-the-murder-done-so-I-can-write-about-lunch action) .BTW I am loading up my e-reader for the flight home with a couple of Leons tonight.
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food, the running saga of the detective's middle-class, urbane, and likable family, and a lot of discussion about life and work in the corrupt Venitian society (where no one bothers to hide the corruption).Not a page turner where you can't wait for the next twist, but a slowly winding trail you dont mind leaving for a drink or a sandwich or even a good nap.
I will only write about this book but the whole series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti fits this description (OK, some have a bit more blood and messiness but often you have 5 quick wacks to the head or some other lets-get-the-murder-done-so-I-can-write-about-lunch action) .BTW I am loading up my e-reader for the flight home with a couple of Leons tonight.
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LibraryThing member auntieknickers
I learned that I prefer reading Leon's books to listening to them. The pace seemed very slow, and I kept dozing off. I'll go back to reading about Commissario Brunetti, which I've always found quite enjoyable.
LibraryThing member cyderry
Campo San Stefano is the location in Venice where street vendors are trying to sell their wares to the tourists. Suddenly shots ring out and a black African vendor is gunned down. Because of his probable illegal status, no one will identify the victim. Commissario Brunetti has to try to determine
Having little evidence to lead him to the killer, Brunetti attempts identification by contacting other Africans. Trying not to scare them off because he is with the police is a difficult effort, but by finding their living quarters, the Commissario finds a possible motive when he discovers millions in conspiracy diamonds in the salt tin.
This installment in this series has a strong presence - prejudices not only shown in the main storyline but also in the home arena with Chiara's Muslim friend as well as governmental interference in favor of the rich. Again Brunetti has to fight the rich for justice.
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who the man is as well as why he was murdered. Having little evidence to lead him to the killer, Brunetti attempts identification by contacting other Africans. Trying not to scare them off because he is with the police is a difficult effort, but by finding their living quarters, the Commissario finds a possible motive when he discovers millions in conspiracy diamonds in the salt tin.
This installment in this series has a strong presence - prejudices not only shown in the main storyline but also in the home arena with Chiara's Muslim friend as well as governmental interference in favor of the rich. Again Brunetti has to fight the rich for justice.
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LibraryThing member lucybrown
Good mystery.
LibraryThing member quizzylizzy
The story begins with the execution-style murder of an illegal African street vendor in a busy Venetian campo while he was attempting to sell his fake designer handbags to a group of American tourists.This book deals with issues surrounding immigrants, race and immigrant labor. The detective Guido
An engrossing read. The characters are wonderfully depicted, such as Vice Questore Patta, Brunetti’s slow-witted boss, and his (Patta's) secretary, the computer savvy Signorina Elettra, who helps Brunetti without Patta's knowledge. Much of the novel’s appeal lies in the details of Brunetti’s life. He enjoys pastries, his wife Paola cooks exquisite lunches, he dislikes Christmas shopping and he admires the beautiful architecture of his city as he goes about his police business. I also enjoyed the glimpses into another culture.
This was my first Donna Leon novel, but definitely not my last. Highly Recommended.
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Brunetti must fight the racism and corruption in the police and judicial system in Venice as he works towards solving the murder of a vu cumpra (street vendor).An engrossing read. The characters are wonderfully depicted, such as Vice Questore Patta, Brunetti’s slow-witted boss, and his (Patta's) secretary, the computer savvy Signorina Elettra, who helps Brunetti without Patta's knowledge. Much of the novel’s appeal lies in the details of Brunetti’s life. He enjoys pastries, his wife Paola cooks exquisite lunches, he dislikes Christmas shopping and he admires the beautiful architecture of his city as he goes about his police business. I also enjoyed the glimpses into another culture.
This was my first Donna Leon novel, but definitely not my last. Highly Recommended.
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LibraryThing member gilly1944
Better than Through a Glass Darkly but still not strong on plot. The principal characters and the atmosphere are good but this is crime which is not solved by the detective. Not comparable to the scandinavian authors such as Mankell or Marklund.
LibraryThing member seoulful
Donna Leon takes us inside the workings of governmental agencies in Venice and we see how even good men (Commissario Brunetti) are reduced to cynicism by the dishonesty and graft. Also discouraging is the fact that work is accomplished by finding ways around laws which impede his investigations.
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Here we see him and his two stalwart assistants who have no qualms about using devious investigative methods, exploring the world of the illegal African immigrants who sell purses on the streets. One is murdered and the question is why is the Commissario being warned off the case by his superiors. Good writer. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucybrown
Good mystery.
LibraryThing member witchyrichy
The death of an African man on a cold night in Venice brings Brunetti into an almost invisible world of immigrants and diamond smuggling.
LibraryThing member sianpr
An African street seller is assassinated while selling his wares in Venice - Brunetti is warned not to investigate. A brooding novel set in a cold, grey and rainy Venice in which Brunetti is frustrated by the machinations of the powers that be in Italy and is left with a bitter taste in his mouth.
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Not one of my favourites in this series but still worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
In the days leading up to Christmas, an African street vendor is murdered in a crowded street in front of multiple witnesses. It looks like a professional hit job to Commissario Brunetti, but why would a street vendor be a target for this type of murder? Might it have something to do with the
I found this series installment less satisfactory than most of the other books in the series. I’ve come to accept that the murderers will elude justice in this series, and that Brunetti (and the readers) have to be satisfied with the knowledge of the killer’s identity. However, this book ended with more loose ends than usual.Even the victim’s identity is still uncertain at the end of the book. The answer is hinted at, but Brunetti (and the readers) have to accept that the full story will never be known.
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knock-off products they’re selling? Or is the murder connected to the victim’s country of origin? Brunetti is up against a closed world of immigrants who operate under the radar. Establishing the victim’s identity won’t be easy, let alone finding the motive for the murder.I found this series installment less satisfactory than most of the other books in the series. I’ve come to accept that the murderers will elude justice in this series, and that Brunetti (and the readers) have to be satisfied with the knowledge of the killer’s identity. However, this book ended with more loose ends than usual.
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LibraryThing member BrianEWilliams
It's Christmastime in Venice and Commissario Brunetti is investigating the assassination of an African street vendor in a public square. There's no apparent motive for the killing, but Brunetti's investigation is shut down by his superiors without explanation. It's a suspenseful story set against
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the atmospheric background of Venice in winter. As the story progresses Brunetti and those around him face personal jeopardy as he continues his investigation. It's an entertaining and informative story, with a frustrating conclusion, demonstrating that might makes right and that you cannot believe everything the news tells you. This is a solid addition to Donna Leon's Brunetti series of crime novels. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Christmas time, a vu cumpra is found dead on the street. Vu cumpras are illegal immigrants who sell fake fashion items to make money. At first glance it is thought to be due to an argument among the vu cumpra.
When Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates deeper, the murder looks more like a
Brunetti persists and he finds himself trying to navigate the shadowy world of illegal immigrants from Africa and their survival in a foreign country. Brunettis also reconfirms the powers of the government and how they can bury cases they wish left alone, be it for political or personal reasons.
I am still enjoying the books in this series. The plot lines are solid, but it is the characters that keep me reading even more.
When Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates deeper, the murder looks more like a
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professional job. Strange for an illegal from Africa. Determined to learn more to solve the case, he is told to let it be by Vice-questore Patta, his boss. Brunettis is to back off and stop investigating.Brunetti persists and he finds himself trying to navigate the shadowy world of illegal immigrants from Africa and their survival in a foreign country. Brunettis also reconfirms the powers of the government and how they can bury cases they wish left alone, be it for political or personal reasons.
I am still enjoying the books in this series. The plot lines are solid, but it is the characters that keep me reading even more.
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LibraryThing member lucybrown
Good mystery.
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
immigrants, mobsters, class-consciousness, family-dynamics, friendship, friction, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, multicultural, Venice, tourists, due-diligence, street-peddlers, counterfeit-merchandise****
Another morality tale from the pen of Donna Leon. This one highlights the
The audio is performed by David Colacci as were all the others I've read. His rendering is remarkable in that he never overplays the roles.
Another morality tale from the pen of Donna Leon. This one highlights the
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problems of the Africans who come to Venice to make a bit of money on the illegal side and the conundrum this poses to real law enforcement. There is also the family problem of teenagers who view the people who are so different from their own as *disposable or meaningless* while spouting *save the whales* and encouraging veganism. Good story and relatable.The audio is performed by David Colacci as were all the others I've read. His rendering is remarkable in that he never overplays the roles.
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LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Death of a black street vendor followed by political pressure to stop the investigation of the murder. Brunetti stumbles through his investigation hampered by government interference. We are left to believe the interference was a sign of corruption.
Characters cleverly drawn and more insights into
Set at Christmas time, the cold weather plays a role in daily activities.
Another cleverly plotted story with a few political undertones and insights.
Characters cleverly drawn and more insights into
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Brunetti’s family.Set at Christmas time, the cold weather plays a role in daily activities.
Another cleverly plotted story with a few political undertones and insights.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
ISBN
9783257065237