• Beastly Things

  • A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, Book 21
  • By: Donna Leon
  • Narrated by: David Colacci
  • Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (568 ratings)

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Beastly Things

By: Donna Leon
Narrated by: David Colacci
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Publisher's summary

When the body of man is found in a canal, damaged by the tides, carrying no wallet, and wearing only one shoe, Brunetti has little to work with. No local has filed a missing-person report, and no hotel guests have disappeared. Where was the crime scene? And how can Brunetti identify the man when he can’t show pictures of his face?

The autopsy shows a way forward: It turns out the man was suffering from a rare, disfiguring disease. With Inspector Vianello, Brunetti canvasses shoe stores, and winds up on the mainland in Mestre, outside of his usual sphere. From a shopkeeper, they learn that the man had a kindly way with animals. At the same time, animal rights and meat consumption are quickly becoming preoccupying issues at the Venice Questura, and in Brunetti’s home, where conversation at family meals offer a window into the joys and conflicts of Italian life. Perhaps with the help of Signorina Elettra, Brunetti and Vianello can identify the man and understand why someone wanted him dead.

As subtle and engrossing as ever, Leon’s Beastly Things is immensely enjoyable, intriguing, and ultimately moving.

©2012 Donna Leon (P)2012 AudioGO Ltd.

What listeners say about Beastly Things

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I love Donna Leon

Where does Beastly Things rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of Leon's better titles and they are all superb. Her nuanced plot lines and well researched understanding of current social problems all woven into an interest holding mystery make for wonderful reading. The stars of the show are always Commissario Brunnetti, and Venice itself. A wonderful pair which keep readers coming back.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Worth the credit

I have been fan of Leon for years and this book didn't disappoint! It is a solid Brunetti book. If you haven't read any of Leon's books I suggest you start with book one since it is a series where the characters (especially Signorina Elettra and Vianello) developing over time. If you have read Brunetti before and disliked his ending I will tell you that this one is more satisfying than usual.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Not her best...

...but still an enjoyable read/listen.
The story seemed a little thin to me, but I'd still recommend it to a friend.
The regular characters are great as usual, but my admiration of Brunetti was knocked down just a notch when he admired a pair of Tasseled Loafers in a shop window. Tasseled Loafers! Come on Guido, loafers are bad enough, but Tasseled Loafers - yuck!

The narration by David Colacci was stellar, as usual. He's one of the best narrators in the business.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

You'll never eat meat again

This was my first listen to a Guido Brunetti mystery, and for the most part, I liked it. It had just enough humor and diversity of characters, although they weren't very deeply developed..

The story was so-so, and would have been rather dull, were it not a potentially very real insight into our food chain. Everything is a business, so that's how sick and unfit animals get into the slaughterhouses and eventually onto our tables. Brunetti's laid-back approach and search for the truth seems to be a personal, not departmental, procedure. With all the bad press of Italian courts lately, This provides an interesting perspective.

The book wasn't "pithy", and a bit of a disappointment, in hindsight. It was relatively short, and had relatively little action. The main character is entertaining, but I think I'll wait awhile before I spend a credit on trying another of these books.

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2 people found this helpful

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A poignant detective story

I love Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti series. They all express deep thoughts and observations but in many of them, justice is not served or falls short. This book does not disappoint. It is one of those rare instances where there is justice, at least, for the murdered man. Highly visual and descriptive, it ends beautifully evoking strong emotions. David Colacci narrates very well.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Deeply sad

The agony and sadness of the murder of a good caring man because of greed. So slowly and humanly expressed

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Deeply moving

Not often am I moved to tears, but this theme after horrifying info concluded with the most poignant scene I have ever read. Encore


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Great story

My favorite of the Guido Bernetti stories! Very touching with a better than usual ending for a Donna Leon novel.

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Beastly Things

I love David Colacci as the narrator for this series! He does a great job. I like the plot of this book, I feel like it's somewhat different than most mystery topics which is nice to have something new! Sometimes I get bored with the same story line in different mystery novels.

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Maybe my favorite so far

I just want to live in these books -- in this place, among these people. I feel like Brunetti, Paola, the Brunetti kids, Signorina Elettra, Vianello, even, heaven help me, the vain and shallow Patta, are all my friends. I love the beautiful world of Venice -- to tourists an exotic destination, to those who live there, a beloved and maddening small town sinking under the weight of its global fame. Donna Leon evokes all the charm and bella vita of daily Italian life while unsparingly portraying the modern-day troubles and corruption that afflict the city, the country, and, in many cases, the world.

Beastly Things takes its place among my favorite Leon/Brunetti novels. The last scene of the funeral attended by the veterinarian's devoted clients and their pets, and presided over by the priest who eulogizes the sanctity of the human-animal bond, just slayed me (to use a term appropriate to the slaughterhouse setting of the novel).

I simply refuse to listen to any Brunetti book not narrated by David Colacci. Period, the end.

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