Wednesday, October 7, 2009

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" M.Corleone

Fiction: Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon.

Every once in a while, I stumble on a mystery writer I haven't read before. Leon has been writing mysteries for twenty years. I found her just last week after a recommendation in bookmarks magazine. Death in a Strange Country is the second book in her series.

I usually like to start at the beginning of a series and watch the characters develop. Unfortunately, I couldn't find her first book. My library ladies don't like to file books on bottom shelves. The library claims to have a copy, but since Leon ended up on a bottom shelf, it could be anywhere.

Police detective Guido Brunetti solves crimes in Venice, Italy. He's an honorable man trying to mete out justice and not rock the gondola. The Italian government is corrupt. His Chief wants crimes that might scare tourists hushed up. And then there are those guys down South.

Guido can't trust anyone around him, since most have family ties to the government or the southerners. Even his own father-in-law, Count Orazio, has shadowy allegiances Guido doesn't fully understand.

Along the way we learn about the city of Venice, and the threats to her survival, both political and natural. We also pick up a smattering of Italian. A lovely language.

If I can find it, I plan to read the next book in the series. The library says they have a copy. Maybe I can get a library lady to help me look. I'll just have to make her an offer she can't refuse.

Status: 16,600 words, 63,400 to go.

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