Hunting Season

Finished March 16

Hunting Season by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli

This novel was one I picked up because I enjoyed the author's Inspector Montalbano mystery series. It is nothing like that series. It is a mystery, but also a farce, with touches of romance, and nods to several of Shakespeare's Italian plays. It also rambles a lot and I found I didn't really care about it enough to try to follow all the plot strings.

There are many interwoven plots for such a short novel, but the central one has a man returning to the town of Vigata under an assumed name after being away for years. He escaped after his father was murdered, and has an agenda that it takes some time to reveal. The local nobility, the marchese, is a womanizer who ignores his daughter while trying to produce an heir, with most of the local inhabitants turning a blind eye. 

Some reviews called this bawdy and humorous, but it felt contrived and hard to follow to me, and I found the female characters to be pawns with no real choices. 

I finished it because I was reading it for one of my reading challenge goals, but wouldn't recommend it. 

A Sea of Troubles

Finished August 4

A Sea of Troubles by Donna Leon

This story takes place mostly in Pellestrina, with a helpful map at the front of the book giving the reader who is less familiar with Venice a sense of where it is in relation to the rest of the city. The community here is a close-knit one of clam fisherman, most of them having lived there for generations and when a boat explodes and two bodies are found on board, the police find it hard to learn anything about the men and the situation, beyond what they can see themselves. Inspector Brunetti is on the case and he, as he often does, asks the department secretary Signorina Elettra, what she can find out. 

She ends up going beyond her usual computer research and calling contacts and goes out to Pellestrina to visit a cousin, something she has done before, but this time putting herself in potential danger should anyone there connect her to the investigation. 

Brunetti finds himself worried about her in a more personal way than he is comfortable with and Paola, his wife, notice that as well. 

The bodies in the boat Squallus are a father and son, Guilio and Marco Bottin, Marco, and while Guilio seems to have an history of violence and disagreements, Marco is well liked. 

Because of the need to travel a distance by boat to the community, we see more of a boat pilot for the police, Montisi, and he plays an important role. Vianello is the detective assisting Brunetti and we also see him more fully in this story. 

This is a case that reaches into the past, but also is about families and small communities. 

Another important aspect of the story is the sea itself and how weather can change how it behaves so quickly and change outcomes. 

And, as always in Leon's books, there is food, both good and no so good. 

A great addition to the series. 

map provided

Death at La Fenice

Finished May 4

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon

This is the first book in the Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries set in Venice. I've read a few of them, but not in the series order and decided to go back and start at the beginning. 

This book opens as the intermission at an opera is ending and the conductor Helmut Wallauer doesn't appear. He is found in his dressing room, apparently dead by poison. 

The police are called and Brunetti ends up on the case, looking for motive and opportunity. Of course, there is a lot of bustle behind the scenes at the theater and lots of opportunities for people to have approached Wellauer. As he talks with a variety of people, he finds that while the man was revered as a great conductor, he wasn't a nice man at all. 

There is some questions about whether he colluded with the Nazis during the war, or just entertained them, and he has had an impact on many careers by putting his influence against someone. 

As with the later novels in the series that I read, Venice is brought to life here as Brunetti walks its streets, travels its canals and ventures beyond the inner city to other neighbourhoods and even beyond in one instance. We also see him as his interacts with his superior and other police officers and we see his home life, not just with his wife Paola and his children, who are teenagers here, but also with his in-laws. 

The plot was interesting and this was definitely one that kept me reading to find out what was behind the crime. 

A Villa in Sicily: Figs and a Cadaver

Finished February 8

A Villa in Sicily: Figs and a Cadaver by Fiona Grace

This is the second book in a mystery series set in Sicily, (A Cats and Dogs Cosy Mystery series). The main character, Audrey Smart, is an American expat, a young woman who is a veterinarian. The village has been losing population and started a program whereby people can buy a house for the ridiculously low amount of €1 if they move there. Audrey has done this, and has now received approval to start a veterinary practice along with becoming a shelter for the strays in town. 

I haven't read any other books in the series, but found this one enjoyable on its own. It's a light mystery, and the food descriptions are an added plus.

Audrey is an intelligent young woman and used the help her dad with home projects, so she has some skills that will help her in bringing her house back to life. These skills also come into play here, as the shopfront the council has found for her to use is pretty basic and she needs to make it both inviting and functional. Audrey has made some friends here, both locals and other expats, and she calls on them to help. Audrey also has only rudimentary Italian and thus language issues are a reality. 

There is no other veterinarian in the town she lives and works in, so that's a plus for her. 

Here, she discovers that not all of council is on board with the shelter plan, and that some don't like the recent influx of foreigners and are definitely working against her. 

When Audrey is called out regarding a loose dog to a lake area nearby, she finds the large dog easily, but also a dead body. Because of the recent activity regarding Audrey's business, she is a suspect as well, as is determined to follow any leads she finds as a way to clear her name and protect her business. 

Audrey has a confidant back home, her older sister who is married with children, and who is both a cheerleader for Audrey and a force encouraging her to restart her love life with one of the attractive men she has met. 

This mystery isn't deep, but it is fun and has some light humour, with possibilities for future romance. A nice escape read.

The Blue Demon

Finished February 3
The Blue Demon by David Hewson

This is the eighth book in the Nic Costa series, and I've enjoyed all the ones I've read. Set in Rome, Nic is called in as part of a team to deal with the a murder and threats related to a G8 meeting held in the heart of the city. The team is called in by the president, exercising a right he has seldom used in defiance of the prime minister, who planned the high level meeting of leaders.
As the book begins, an Italian politician has been kidnapped and his driver murdered. The clues in the case lead back to a dissident terrorist group that was active decades earlier, but could that really be the case. As the intrigue builds, and the various police and security groups push for their own forces to take control, more and more is revealed. There is lots of conspiracy here, and greed, and arrogance. And Nic finds that he learns more about his own father and the role he played in politics when Nic was young.
As usual in Hewson's books, there is a lot going on, in politics, in art and archaeology, and in the struggle for power. The Blue Demon of the title is an ancient being from an earlier time's legends, but one very real to one man who believes he has a mission to fulfill.

The Wings of the Sphinx

Finished January 5
The Wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri

This continues the series featuring Inspector Montalbano in Sicily. In his personal life, Montalbano's relationship with his long-term girlfriend Livia is uncertain. They haven't spoken in a while and she isn't answering her phone when he tries to reach her.
When he is called to a nearby garbage dump where a body is discovered, he finds himself involved in a case of an unidentified young woman with a distinctive tattoo, of a sphinx moth. As he discovers the existence of other girls with the same tattoo, he finds the case may involve human trafficking, and the sex trade.
As usual, there is much good food being eaten, interesting interactions with his coworkers, and the sense of getting older that Montalbano is beginning to feel more and more.

August Heat

Finished July 3
August Heat by Andrea Camilleri

I'm gradually working my way through this series featuring Sicilian policeman Inspector Salvo Montalbano. Here, Montalbano has had to cancel his planned vacation when one of his officers has a family issue that takes him away. Montalbano's girlfriend Livia isn't as upset as he expected her to be, but asks him to find a house near the beach for rent for friends of hers, so she can spend time with them while he is working and comes to stay.
He finds a house in a great location and things are looking well, until a few days in, things start to go wrong at the house. As each thing happens, the friends grow more upset, until the finding of a body is the last straw. Livia is livid as well, and leaves with her friends, and the dynamic between Salvo and Livia isn't good.
With the case going back six years, Montalbano and his officers dig into the past, and find many things less than appealing.
Like the previous books, there is always some lovely descriptions of food that arise, both from Montalbano's housekeeper, and from his favourite restaurant, Enzo's. This book has Montalbano doing a few unsavoury things as his feelings get in the way of his good sense. As always, I enjoy the other police characters as well.

Unto Us a Son Is Given

Finished June 10
Unto Us a Son Is Given by Donna Leon

I always enjoy the books featuring Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti, and this one is more personal than some others. Leon always includes some of Brunetti's personal life in her stories, with his wife Paola and his two children, Chiara and Raffi. In this one, his father-in-law Count Orazio Falier plays a larger role, and the life of Paola's godfather, a Spanish-born artist Gonzalo Rodriquez de Tejada, is at the center of the story. Orazio approaches Brunetti about a concern he has regarding an action of Gonzalo's. Gonzalo is enamoured of a younger man, and wants to adopt him so that he will inherit. Orazio is concerned that Gonzalo is being manipulated, and that, unlike a marriage or other partnership, this action can't be undone, and regrets may follow. He asks the department secretary Elletra Zorzi, a woman of many skills in information gathering to follow a couple of paths for more information on the young man in question, and talks to both his wife and one of his officers Griffoni, who let him see the situation from different vantage points. But when Gonzalo suddenly drops dead, and a close friend comes from England for a memorial service and is killed, he must look at things more closely.
There is also an interesting side story related to the personal life of Brunetti's superior, the Vice-Questore Patta. This story gives an added dimension to that character that we haven't seen before, and is an interesting situation to consider.
As usual, this book gives a sense of the ambience of Venice, and has lots of lovely food and drink to make your mouth water. I enjoyed it.

The Sacred Cut

Finished January 25
The Sacred Cut by David Hewson

This novel is the third book in the series featuring Detective Nic Costa. Set in Rome, just before Christmas, the city is in the middle of a snowstorm, when an alarm in the Pantheon causes police to arrive.
What they discover when they get there is a tableau they don't know how to interpret. A woman is dead, naked, placed in a certain way, and with marks cut into her skin. But who has done it, and why, and what did the person who set off the alarm see before she ran.
Before the Italians can begin the formal investigation, before Teresa Lupo can do an autopsy, the FBI is there, taking over, and the Italian intelligence seems to be wanting that to happen.
With one of their own citizens dead though, Costa and his fellow officers, not to mention Teresa, aren't so quick to let this go. They want to know what is so sensitive they are being frozen out, and why one of the American agents, Emily Deacon, doesn't seem to know either.
As Emily begins to come around to their way of thinking and their grasp of the situation begins to grow, they also begin to wonder just who the real bad guy is in this situation.
I always enjoy the rebelliousness of Nic Costa, the shrewdness of his boss, Falcone, and the other characters that surround them. This case is interesting, with elements of terrorism and conspiracy.

The Paper Moon

Finished September 6
The Paper Moon by Andrea Camilleri

This is another in the series featuring Inspector Salvatore Montalbano. Here Montalbano has a woman worried about her brother come to the office looking for help. He agrees to go to her brother's home to see if her can find anything to indicate what may have happened. When he encounters the body of the brother, Montalbano finds the sister emotional and eager to accuse the brother's lover. Elena, the lover, is a woman sure of herself and quick of intellect and she is always one step ahead of Montalbano as he works through the clues to what has been happening.
Meanwhile the office has been pressured to find the drug dealer responsible for providing some high profile people with poisoned drugs, and Montalbano offers Mimi Augello some thoughtful advice on how to deal with such a sensitive case.
As usual, the personalities of the both the various police and of the characters involved in the situation are interesting and have depth. The two women in the murder case are particularly well drawn.
There is the usual good food mentioned in detail as Montalbano eats at home and at restaurants.
Enjoyable and with a good plot.

The Patience of the Spider

Finished August 17
The Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri

This continues the series featuring Inspector Montalbano in Sicily. Here, Montalbano is still recovering from his gunshot wound when the kidnapping of a young woman has him called back in to assist. He is not in charge of the case, and so can avoid some of the aspects he doesn't enjoy, like press conferences, but he has the run of things and takes a close look at the evidence, both physical and behavioural, that is exhibited here. His girlfriend Livia has taken a leave from her work to stay with him for this early part of his recovery, and their relationship shows the strain of the togetherness they have now that disrupts their comfortable routine. The case is not straightforward, but I found it easier to figure out that his earlier books, maybe I'm just getting used to his style.
We see the usual characters in Montalbano's fellow police, and also a nice sideline in food, another of Montalbano's passions. Montalbano is even more introspective than usual here, perhaps because he isn't totally back to work yet and has more time on his own.

The Golden Egg

Finished June 22
The Golden Egg by Donna Leon

This novel features the wonderful Commissario Guido Brunetti of Venice. Brunetti is asked to look into a minor retail licensing violation, so he begins to wonder the real purpose of his being asked to do this, and discovers ties to the mayor. Brunetti's wife Paola tells him of the death of a developmentally handicapped man who had worked at their local dry cleaner and, though initially reluctant, Brunetti finds the man's death hides more than he imagined. Brunetti's initial inquires make him more and more curious, and though dismayed, he keeps at it until he finds the history that led to this.
This is a story of jealousy, of neglect, of how easy it is to look the other way when we note an injustice. Like many of the novels in this series, the crimes that take place are part of a larger story of social injustice. It is interesting to see Brunetti's personal life as his children grow up, and the emotions that the stories evoke in the detective as well as the reader.

Just One Evil Act

Finished February 21
Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George, read by Davina Porter

This book could have used some editing without losing the story. It came in at 24 CDs (723 pages)
Barbara Havers' neighbour Taymullah Azhar has had his daughter taken by the girl's mother Angelina Upton. Angelina had disappeared herself for several months and then returned, and seemed to be back for good, redecorating the house and such, but it appears that this behaviour was just to lull Azhar into complacency before she took Hadiyyah.
Because the two were not married, and Azhar is not named as the father on the birth certificate, it seems he has little legal standing, and so Barbara helps him in hiring a private detective to find them two. He reports little headway in the search, until suddenly Angelina and her new Italian lover appear accusing Azhar of kidnapping Hadiyyah. It appears that she has disappeared from the Italian town where Angelina know lives.
Lynley is sent to Italy to liase with the Italian police on the investigation, a good choice as he speaks relatively fluent Italian. He develops a good relationship with the detective in charge of the case and there are several lines to follow in both countries.
Barbara lets her personal feelings for Azhar and Hadiyyah influence her to the point where she disregards her professional duties and makes some questionable contacts and judgment calls. These put her in a bad position in terms of work and with a supervisor who doesn't like her to begin with, may affect her future with the police.
We also see some of Lynley's personal life as he begins to move forward and show an interest in a woman again. Lynley wants to protect Barbara due to his knowledge of her good intentions and their history, but he can only do so much in the situation he now finds himself in.
When things in Italy escalate and a death occurs, things get more complex and a charge of murder is a distinct possibility.
An interesting case of parental rights, jealousy, and the difficulties of communicating in a different language and culture.

Drawing Conclusions

Finished January 20
Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon

This novel is a quieter story than many of hers, with less food. (And usually the lovely food is one of the draws for this series.) Here, a young woman, Signora Giusti has returned home early from a trip to meet her fiance's family and certain things don't seem right about her downstairs neighbour, Signora Altavilla, not responding to her calls or knocks. She goes to use her key to see what is wrong and finds the door unlocked and, after going into the living area, finds her neighbour dead on the floor, with blood near her head.
It is the blood that decides her to call the police, and thus Guido Brunetti enters the story.
The autopsy shows that the woman died of a heart attack, and yet Brunetti can't help but feel that isn't the whole story. There are the marks on her neck, and the nails on the wall.
As Brunetti progresses in the case he gets the helpful assistance of Signorina Elettra in gathering information and his search leads to an organization that helps victims of domestic abuse, and a luxury nursing home.
His case makes him miss more than one lunch at home, but he finds the consolation of his loving wife and some champagne before dinner make up for it.

Rounding the Mark

Finished March 17
Rounding the Mark by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli

The seventh book in the series featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano is a definite winner. It had me hooked from the beginning, when Salvo expressed his unhappiness with the state of police ethics over the outcome of the G8 inquiry (about Genoa in 2001) and wanted to resign. With the police activities around the G20 in Toronto more recently, I could definitely relate.
When Salvo goes for his morning swim, he encounters a dead body, one that has been dead for some time, and exerts himself to tow it to shore. Bothered by the official lack of interest, he and his men begin an unofficial investigation into the man's identity and origin. Later, when assisting a local immigration officer on a minor matter, Salvo is present at the landing of a ship of refugees and sees a small boy try to take off. He manages to catch him and return him to the family group he belongs to, but is bothered by the incident. When he has a later encounter involving the boy, he resolves to figure out what is going on, and finds himself in a case involving the trafficking of minors. With alternating despair and humour, this novel shows a caring man, trying to make a difference in whatever way he can. Very satisfying.

The Smell of the Night

Finished March 15
The Smell of the Night by Andrea Camilleri

This is the sixth book in the series featuring Inspector Montalbano. Here, there are a bunch of upset people in town because they invested their money with a man named Gargano who has disappeared along with their money. It came to Montalbano's attention when one upset elderly man took an employee of Gargano's hostage. As usual, there are things that bother him about what people say and do and that leads him to recheck information and find the truth. The title comes from a description of the one witness that everyone else dismissed, as he describes his way of telling time.
On the personal side, he is worried about his relationship with his girlfriend Livia, and has a violent reaction to the loss of one of his two places that he goes to think.

Excursion to Tindari

Finished December 30
Excursion to Tindari by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli

I started reading this series a few years ago and then got away from them, but recently decided to seek them out again, continuing where I left off. This is the fifth book in the series featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano out of Vigàta, Sicily. Montalbano struggles against corruption, government bureaucracy and the mafia. His team provides many interesting characters, as do the non-police members of his circle.
In this mystery, a young man is discovered murdered at his front door. Shortly thereafter another man asks the police for assistance regarding his missing parents, who resided at the same address as the murdered man. The police can`t see any other relation between the two, but can`t help but wonder. As the cases develop, Montalbano finds inspiration in both the sea outside his door, and a particular olive tree, and is led to a very disturbing discovery.
With an odd request from a local mafia lord, strange behaviour on the part of the missing couple, and worry over his team`s future, this novel continues to entertain.
Montalbano`s love of food is present again, with mouthwatering descriptions of local Italian dishes. These books immerse one in Sicily.

Juliet

Finished December 24
Juliet by Anne Fortier

I had a copy of this on my shelf and my niece asked for it for Christmas, so I told everyone to hold off as I'd just pass on my copy (not as part of her present). But I had to read it first, so I squeaked in under the wire.
Julia is a young woman who discovers that her past is different than she's been told. When her Aunt Rose dies, she goes off to Italy to discover what her mother's legacy really was.
She is befriended by a woman she meets on the plane, and helped to find her way around Sienna. When she meets the woman's godson, things don't go as smoothly, and she isn't sure what to think of Alessandro. Danger seems to be stalking her, and she isn't sure who to trust.
What she finds is a link back to the original Romeo and Juliet, a story she's been fascinated with all her life. In the papers she finds, she reads about the original lovers back in 1340, and is intrigued. As she follows the clues, others seem to be following her.
A story with intrigue, danger and mystery, and romance. Will Romeo and Juliet's story end better this time round, or will the curse continue.

The Jewels of Paradise

Finished December 21
The Jewels of Paradise by Donna Leon, read by Cassandra Campbell

This is the first of her books I've read that isn't part of the Commissario Brunetti series, and I enjoyed it. Food wasn't as prevalent here as in the Brunetti books, but it still gets a mention every now and then.
Here we have musicologist Caterina Pellegrini, as the main character. Caterina has a love for song, but knew she wasn't of the caliber to go far in a singing career. She tried law, and was unsatisfied so decided to go into the study of music, specializing in baroque opera. Unfortunately for her, jobs were not in abundance and she ended up in a university in England. Thanks to a contact there, she has found a short-term contract position back in her home town of Venice, going through the papers in two trunks belonging to a 17th century composer, right in her time period.
The men that hired her are after a treasure they believe was hidden by the composer, and the lawyer serving as intermediary may have his own agenda. Caterina is an interesting woman, passionate about her chosen field, and a good researcher, fluent in many languages. She has a good relationship with her family and maintains contact with them despite the distance sometimes between them. The composer was also a bishop and Caterina finds herself thinking about religion a bit more than usual.
This book has intrique, humour, and a good story. I'd sure love to see Caterina again. The reader for the audiobook did an amazing job, using a lovely Italian accent throughout, making me feel like I was there in Venice. Like all her books, this one really brings Venice to life. Really loved the ending.

Italian Mystery

Finished January 24
About Face by Donna Leon
This is always one of my favourite series and I enjoy the complexities of the plot and Brunetti's questions around morals and ethics. I also enjoy his family and the interaction between them. The other wonderful things about this series are Venice and the food. I'm always dying to eat Italian after reading one of these books.
This mystery has Brunetti drawn into two investigations that aren't really his. One is a very non-official one where his father-in-law has asked for information on a potential business partner. The other is where a Carabinieri officer has asked for assistance in locating a suspect in a murder. As Brunetti looks into these two, he also looks at who he can trust. We see more of some of the other officers he works with as well as more of his wife's parents.
A joy to read, as usual.