A Sea of Troubles

A Sea of Troubles (2001) Donna Leon

I am failing to understand the hows and whys of Penguin’s publishing schedule for Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series. A Sea of Troubles was first published in 2001, but was published by Penguin and released in the US only this year (2009). Additionally, there was not notice this was an older book, which meant I was very confused as to Vianello was back in uniform until I checked the copyright date.

Now if this had been a so-so book, I could have seen them putting off republication, however, this was not a so-so book; it was excellent.

A fishing boat is found burned and the bodies of the fishermen are found inside. Brunetti goes to the scene to investigate, however, the small fishing community refuses to share anything with him.

One of the reasons I am particularly annoyed by the publication order of the books is that we learn a lot about Signora Elettra and this book is really a turning point in her relationship with Burnetti and Vianello. And of course the mystery is very good.

SPOILER (rot 13)
Qba’g trg zr jebat–V ernyyl yvxr Fvtaben Ryrggen. Ubjrire, V ernyyl rawblrq ure cneg va guvf fgbel, naq V yvxrq ubj fur jnfa’g noyr gb rirelguvat fur gubhtug fur pbhyq.

Ohg V guvax zhpu bs gur qenzn bs ure fnsrgl jnf ehvarq ol gur snpg gung V xarj abguvat gbb frevbhf unccrarq gb ure, fvapr fur’f eryngviryl hafpngurq va yngre obbxf. Naq V jnf cerggl fher gung Zbagvfv jnf tbvat gb trg xvyyrq, pbafvqrevat yngre obbxf gnyx nobhg gur lbhat arj cvybg. Fb gur fhfcrafr gurer jnf nyfb ehvarq.
END SPOILER

If you like Donna Leon, you’ll want to make sure to read A Sea of Troubles. If you haven’t read any books in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series, I highly recommend them, and although you could start here without difficultly, you’ll probably enjoy it more if you start at the beginning of the series.
Rating: 8/10

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