Death in a Strange Country

Death in a Strange Country (1993) Donna Leon

The second Commisario Brunetti books finds Brunetti investigating the murder of an American stationed in Vicenza, Italy.

In this book, we meet Sargent Vianello, who will help Brunetti throughout the series, and become just as beloved.

When Brunetti turned to leave, Vianello asked, ‘What about the deal I make with him? Will we keep our part of it?’
At this, Brunetti turned back and gave Vianello a long look. ‘Of course. If criminals can’t believe in an illegal deal with the police, what can they believe in?’

And we also see more of the relationship between Brunetti and Paola, such as in this conversation about teenage boys.

(T)hen I discovered girls, and I forgot all about being angry or lost, or whatever I was. I just wanted them to like me. That’s the only thing that was important to me.’
‘Were there a lot of them?’ she asked.
He shrugged.
‘And did they like you?’ He grinned.
‘Oh, go away, Guido, and find yourself something to do. Watch television.’
‘I hate television.’
‘Then help me do the dishes.’
‘I love television.’

It’s just a small exchange, but it tells you much about the two characters and their relationship.

This is (as many of these books can be) quite dark and rather horrifying, but not in a things-that-go-bump-in-the-night way, but in its look at politics and human nature and greed kind of way. And as with many books in this series–don’t expect a happy ending.
Rating: 8/10

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