Through a Glass, Darkly

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

On a spring day in Venice, Commissario Brunetti and his assistant, Vianello, play hooky to help Vianello's friend Marco Ripetti, arrested during an environmental protest. They secure his release, only to be faced with the fury of the man's father-in-law, Giovanni De Cal, who has made violent threats against Ripetti. Brunetti's curiousity is peaked, and he finds himself drawn to investigate. Is De Cal the type of man to carry out his threats? When the body of De Cal's bookish night watchman is found in front of a blazing furnace, he wonders: Could the old man have killed him?

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

©2006 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag AG Zurich (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"It is so enjoyable roaming Venice with [Brunetti] - mulling things over, coming up against dead ends - that the outcome is a genuine surprise. Further, you'll want to catch the first plane over there." ( The Washington Post)

Not Your Typical Guido Mystery

Has Through a Glass, Darkly turned you off from other books in this genre?

Having ready all other Brunelli books up to this one I found Through a Glass, Darkly less appealing. It was not your typical who done it. The story took too long to develop IMO.

Could you see Through a Glass, Darkly being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not really

Any additional comments?

Not every story can hit the bull's eye. It was satisfying in the end. I look forward to hearing the next in the Brunelli series.

Not as good

I've enjoyed the previous books in this series. This one, not so much. I hope the next book in the series is an actual mystery.

Too wordy?

Responding to the too wordy review. Yes, can be wordy. I just skip to the meat. I wish the accent included the narrator as with other books such as Jo Nesbo, Anne Cleeves. I was almost put off because of narrator not speaking with an accent. I also love the food descriptions, reminds me of Three Pines. I may not listen to any more because of the real life sentiment that criminals get away or not the sentence they deserve. What a reality downer.

Overall OK

It's not my favorite, but it's still entertaining. I personally like the personal aspects of the characters.

Another terrific book by Donna Leon.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to every book Donna Leon has written with David Colacci as the narrator. Ms. Leon is a wonderful writer, and she keeps the stories interesting throughout the series. The characters have depth and breadth, and Venice itself seems like a character in the story. I've tried listening to some of the books in this series read by narrators other than David Colacci, but none of them measure up to his skill. I haven't made it more that about 10 minutes with any of them. My only complaint about any of the books in this series is that I wish they were all read by Mr. Colacci.

Love Donna Leon, did not like the way it was read

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

yes. The book is great

How could the performance have been better?

I did not like the Italian accent in English as the original is in Italian. However, Italian words and titles should have been pronounced properly, i.e. ispectore and vice questore

Was Through a Glass, Darkly worth the listening time?

yes

and then?

loved the characters, the setting, the writing. maybe i've read too many of the longer crime novels... we follow the story as the perpetrator is discovered/revealed... and that's the end! i always enjoy the "thrill of the chase"... this book ends with no chase, just the knowledge of who did it.
Guess that means i didn't want it to end? :D

Amazing

Best mystery written. Murano island beautifully described. A must read for all Venice and mystery lovers.

Through a Glass, Darkly

These books keep getting better and better! I could not stop listening to this. I throughly enjoyed the mystery and storyline of this book. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series.

So boring I just couldn’t finish it

This is one of those problem books that you can’t listen to before bed, because you can never get through the eight minute timer. You’re fast asleep long before the segment finishes. I thought this was supposed to be a murder mystery? How do I get this far into a book and absolutely nothing happened?