I’ve taken to listening to audio books while I’m running, so I’m finishing them at a quicker rate than I used to. I’m still a pretty slow runner still, but I’m up to over 3 miles, 3 times a week, and I’m brave enough to run in the neighborhood and on main street, which means some ups and downs, not just the flat, smooth circle at the park.
I’ve listened to several of the Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries, although I’m not really following any order. Each stands on its own pretty well, but of course characters continue from one to the next. I’ve mentioned before that Brunetti’s family is very present in the books, he’s not a detective out there on his own, he has a lovely wife, Paola, and two teenage children, who he talks with, spends time with. They’ll all be home for dinner, and what delicious dinners they have. In Fatal Remedies, Paola is even more of a focus than usual. The story opens with her throwing a rock through a travel agency window, a deliberate act of vandalism demonstrating against sex tours. When she does is a second time, Guido can’t keep it out of the police reports or the papers, but then the travel agency’s owner is murdered and an even more harmful and truly illegal activity is uncovered.
I’ve talked about Guido before. He’s one of my favorite detectives, dedicated but working in a corrupt city. What I liked about this Fatal Remedies in particular is that it looks at how Guido and Paola function as a couple when her morals and her need to act on them interferes with his job as upholder of the law. They argue and forgive and argue again. Guido is real, he has a home life in addition to his job and it can be a tough balance.
The plot was put together well. There are no shocking revelations, really, but the wondering how it will all play out kept me interested.
I’ve been listening to this series out of order, and I feel they work just fine that way. It’s definitely a series I keep going back to. The characters are vibrant, the Venice setting is an integral part of the books, and I would love to eat with the Brunettis one day.
4 out of 5 stars
Category: Mystery & Detective- Police Procedural
Amazon | IndieBound | Website
Commissario Guido Brunetti #8
First published 1999
7 hours 4 minutes
Read by Anna Fields
Book source: Library
Commissariou Guido Brunetti Series
- Death at La Fenice
- Death in a Strange Country
- Dressed for Death (APA: The Anonymous Venetian)
- Death and Judgment (APA: A Venetian Reckoning)
- Acqua Alta (APA: Death in High Water)
- Death of Faith (APA: Quietly in Their Sleep)
- A Noble Radiance
- Fatal Remedies
- Friends in High Places
- A Sea of Troubles
- Wilfull Behavior
- Uniform Justice
- Doctored Evidence
- Blood from a Stone
- Through a Glass Darkly
- Suffer the Little Children
- The Girl of His Dreams
- About Face
- A Question of Belief
- Drawing Conclusions
- Beastly Things
I’ve been wanting to try this series for a long time! Will definitely start with the first one, but it’s good to know the order doesn’t really matter after that. Congratulations on your running… you’re inspiring me.
I’ve read a couple of the books in the series and I do like the setting and the main character. This one also looks verygood.
Awww good old Leon, I really should try to spread my wings a bit
Great to read your review, I’ve just read my first two books (10 and 14) in the series and I really enjoyed them.
I’m glad the series works even out of order. When I get caught up on a few of the series I already read I need to start this one.
Great job on the running ! I’ve just started walking for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week and I feel so much better for it.
Have you thought about attending Bouchercon? http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/bouchercon-2012-cleveland-rocks-wanna-come/
I’m so excited about it!