Acqua Alta [Mass Market Paperback]

When one of Guido Brunetti's oldest friends Brett Lynch a renowned art historian has been savagely beaten at the palazzo, home of one of La Scala's reigning diva Flavia Petrelli. Brunetti must wade through the chaotic city at a time of flooding to uncover the motive behind this. His investigation brings him into a sinister web of art theft, high-class fakery and smuggling spearheaded by the Mafia.

Another sophisticated novel by Ms Leon, the character Brunetti is as compelling and lovable as ever, always trying to stay a step ahead of the business and the political corruption that lurks at every corner. Of course if you are a Leon's fan this book is a must read.

The pace of the story is extremely slow. Nothing much happens other than the main character walking around Venice and chatting with people. There is an entire chapter dedicated to the main character releasing tension from the nail of his daughter's big-toe.

A waste of time.

Among the first four books in the Guido Brunetti series, I was annoyed by the tendency to create mysteries whose solution led to powerful patrons who were able to cover up for themselves so that there was essentially no justice done. I was very pleased to see that Ms. Leon downplayed that theme more in Acqua Alta than in the prior four books. Here, at least, there's some poetic justice.

Venice is always a major character in these novels, but in Acqua Alta it would be fair to say that Venice becomes the main character. If you have only been to Venice during the sunny summer days when the tourists flock there, you'll learn about a Venice you didn't know existed -- one where floods make planning the simplest trip quite a challenge. But flooding isn't merely there for background texture; it's a critical element of the story.

The actual mystery is pretty straightforward: Brett Lynch answers the door to her home in Venice and is beaten by two men who order her not to keep an appointment with the head of Venice's main museum. Since Brett is wealthy, the police assume the motive is robbery . . . even though nothing is taken. Because Brett is a lesbian makes the police less interested. But the all-seeing Signorina Elletra tips off Commissario Guido Brunetti that this "robbery" needs his personal touch.

Brunetti learns that Brett had contacted the museum head about three ceramic fakes that had been sent back to China after an exhibition of ancient Chinese artifacts. He promises to snoop around. Vice-Questore Patta first orders Brunetti off the case . . . until the mayor calls to say that he wants answers for his friend, Brett.

Two of the most interesting aspects of the case involve a background look at the worlds of obsessive collectors and of opera divas.

The investigation proceeds pretty quickly and easily, much facilitated by Signorina Elletra's remarkable ability to gain information that shouldn't be available to her. In this book, we also find out a little more of why she left a great job to work for the police.

You'll also get an inside look at some of the stresses and strains of a lesbian relationship where the two lovers are pulled in different directions by their careers and interests.

The weakest part of the story comes at the end when Brunetti finds himself needing to ride to the rescue. His willingness to cut corners seems a little far fetched.

In addition, this book involves a little more violence against women than is to my taste. If that sort of thing bothers you, you won't like this book as much as I did.

The good news is that the mystery of who beat up Brett and why aren't the main appeals of this story: The lives of those under siege from the winter floods are.

Enjoy!