About Face

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The polluted waters of the canals in Venice are an ever-present issue; but environmental concerns become significant in Commissario Guido Brunetti's work when an investigator from the Carabiniere—looking into the illegal hauling of garbage—asks for a favor. But the investigator is not the only one with a special request. Brunetti's father-in-law needs help and a mysterious woman comes into the picture. And the Commissario soon finds himself in the middle of an investigation into murder and corruption more dangerous than anything he's seen before.

©2009 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag AG Zurich (P)2009 BBC Audio

No one ever goes to trial in Leon's books.

Very good book. The characters are marvelous. Especially Bruneti and his family. The narration by Colacci is always excellent.

About Face

I like the characters and their development! Like how its a feel good! The good guys win. And i like how modern the ideas are, in such an old world setting

I so enjoyed this book...

Guido Brunetti was a delight...some nice twists and turns...sympathetic (yet ironic) characters...And Collaci is wonderful.

Another great plot

The creativity of the stories never disappoints. It would be nice if for once the bad guys actually went to prison.

Leon Deserves Better

This is one of very few instances where I still prefer the book-reading to the book-listening experience. Donna Leon's series is wonderful, and "About Face" is a good example of it. But the narrator fails to convey the warmth of the characters and the constant essence of Venice that add so much to the mysteries.

One of her better efforts

I liked this almost as much as Death at La Fenice, which has been my favorite so far.

good but take note

I liked this book, but take note that it doesn't move quickly and it's not just a detective mystery. Leon's detective Guido __ solves the case but along the way one is treated to a view of Italian life, specifically Venice. A good deal of time is spent on Guido's family with sharp dialogue with his wife, who is a gem, kids and in-laws. The narrator is top notch and his performance makes it a delight to listen to.

A cultural experience

What made the experience of listening to About Face the most enjoyable?

Listening to Donna Leon's books transports me from midwest Kansas to the Italy I have visited and vacationed in. The narration and narrative are both excellent. This is the fifth book I have listened to that David Colacci has read. I think he is a perfect match for the text.

One of the best in the series

A other reviewers have noted, this is not a fast-paced action/mystery. Venice has been around for centuries and things do not move quickly here. If immersion in the life of a moral police commissioner faced with corruption and pettiness in the city he loves does not appeal to you, this may not be the best series for your library.

But if, like me, you are satisfied with a messy story where one can only hope the balance tips towards justice, you may enjoy a few hours with the literate, thoughtful Guido Brunetti. We see more about his in-laws and less about his offspring in this edition than others. Brunetti struggles with accepting that his father-in-law may skirt the edges of the law and ethics to amass the fortune that helps support the Brunetti family's comfortable way of life.

The story threads don't tie together neatly in a bow and we leave not sure that just desserts are served, but that is part of the appeal. Brunetti continues in his role as commissario knowing there is only so much he can do, but understanding that Venice is a better place because he, and others like him, continue to work in the police force despite the corruption and inaction they face every day.

I am on my second trip through the series and I continue to enjoy both the stories and the narration by David Colacci

About Face

This book is / was an interesting listen. I enjoyed it. I love BBC and usually anything they make so I was super excited that this was a BBC audio. The story line was interesting and I wasn't bored listening to it. I enjoyed listening to this book while I was traveling to / from work.