Guardian Review

Two clam fisherman are murdered on the Venetian lagoon. Being Italy, the first question is: which police force will pick up the case? Then the hard bit. People don't talk to cops, or not openly. Comissario Brunetti, in his 10th adventure, placidly accepts the futility of seeking witnesses. It's all to be done by family contacts and calling in dodgy favours. Lunch is part of it, too. American fictional cops swill in their cars from polystyrene buckets, Brits save their lunch money for the pub, but your Italian 'tec plans everything around a decent restaurant three-courser with trimmings. Then there is the old-fashioned formality and observance of titles within the Italian force. No American contempt or British bolshiness. Leon conjures a Venetian atmosphere that just about survives abridgement. Andrew Sachs reads with a capuccino mildness that is apt for a light and diverting thriller. Caption: article-Audio.1 Two clam fisherman are murdered on the Venetian lagoon. Being Italy, the first question is: which police force will pick up the case? Then the hard bit. People don't talk to cops, or not openly. Comissario Brunetti, in his 10th adventure, placidly accepts the futility of seeking witnesses. - Peter Kingston.