Blood from a Stone

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

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: 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?

Death in Venice: investigate more of Guido Brunetti's cases.

©2005 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag AG Zurich (P)2005 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Stunning." ( Publishers Weekly)
"[A] wonderful addition to one of the most exquisite and subtle detective series ever." ( The Washington Post)

Another good Inspector Brunetti story

Full of insight, awareness of social and political issues, and excellent writing, this book did not disappoint.

Not that great

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was ok. I had heard great things about Donna Leon's books, and was disappointed.

What about David Colacci’s performance did you like?

He did a great job when he changed character voices.

Do you think Blood from a Stone needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really as the original book wasn't that great.

Excellent story!

Well written and performed to perfection. No cursing or inappropriate morals, so a great read/listen for everyone who enjoys a good mystery!

Slow but entertaining

The narrator does such a good job that it is a pleasure to listen to this book. It's well written and one gets a nice sense of Italy. It is slow, and there isn't much action, but I still liked it.

I’m in love with The commissario!

Another marvelous mystery by Doona Leon read beautifully and full of twists, turns, good food, good characters, especially Paola & Electra!

The Story

Donna Leon is a social activist with each story telling a tale of people who are marginalized in some way. This one was particularly poignant regarding Africa and the misalignment of loyalties by those in a position of power & control. GREAT READER! He gives Brucetti his breadth of character.

Blood from a Stone

A well written murder mystery. The narration was well done. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy mysteries a political topics.

3stars

3 stars and do not like to do reviews. Let’s go back to being able to rate without the prose

genre surprise

At times this was the sterotypical contemporary detective story with corny novel/audiobook devices like Italian accented English (to make us believe we are following "authentic" Venetians in the storyline) and Italian phrases and cuisine thrown in to make us further feel an "exotic" setting -- BUT, overall, it was superior to most in that genre. Superior, that is, if you are looking for a mystery/ detective listen with a reasonable storyline and no graphic sex or violence, as I do. What raises this to a four star listen is 1. the excellent narration and 2. the presentation of a social justice issue (conflict diamonds), well addressed in the guise of fiction without being pedantic.

These are a novel and author I would never have downloaded had it not been for the free first chapter to capture my interest. I will download more of Leon now, especially since a couple of her well-rated listens are so well-priced.

Illegal immigrants in Venice and blood diamonds

Guido Brunetti has to solve a murder involving illegal aliens selling fake designer bags, gun running, blood diamonds, and, alas, the corrupt Italian government. Another evocative sense of place in Venice, this time with non-Venetians at the center of the story.