A Question of Belief

A Question of Belief (2010) Donna Leon

The 19th Commisarrio Brunetti book finds Guido and his family ready for their vacation in the mountains–and an escape to the oppressive heat and humidity of Venice.

Though the heat often drove people to violence, that was not the case this year. Perhaps there was some point where heat and humidity made the effort to throttle or maim too exhausting to be considered.

While he can think of only escape to the mountains, a friend shows him papers possibly linking a judge to delays in the court cases of the wealthy–delays that work in the favor of the judge.

Meanwhile, Vianello is worried about his aunt’s expensive interest in astrology, and asks Brunetti to help him look into the issues.

As always, the dialog between the characters is a delight.

‘You sure the heat hasn’t got to you and you’re maybe mixing it up with something you might have read in – oh, I don’t know – Chi?’
‘I don’t read Chi, either,’ Vianello said primly.
‘Nobody reads Chi,’ Brunetti agreed, for he had never met a person who would confess to doing so. ‘The information in the stories is carried by mosquitoes and seeps into your brain if you’re bitten.’
‘And I’m the one affected by the heat,’ Vianello said.

‘My daughter has an Iranian classmate: sweet young girl,’ he said, confusing Riverre, who had perhaps expected a response to his question. ‘Whenever she wants to express happiness, the expression she uses is, “Much, much, too, very.”’ He took another drink of water.
‘I’m not sure I follow you, sir,’ Riverre said, his words mirrored in his face.
‘It’s the only thing I can think of to say in response to the idea of Signorina Elettra taking over here: “Much, much, too, very.”’

And Brunetti remains unable to work computers.

(E)ven with the full name, all Google provided was a wide variety of products and offers to introduce him to young girls. Because he had one of his own at home, Brunetti did not feel in need of another, and so he spurned the cyber-proposals, tempting as others might have found them.

There are some terrible scenes, but within them are bit of humanity and love that show glimpses of beauty amidst the ugly and the horrible. (I’m thinking specifically of a bit with Rizzardi, who I have always liked, but this makes me like him even more.

The mysteries (I especially like it when there are multiple cases / investigations going on at the same time) were good, and I enjoyed the story.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Atlantic Monthly Press

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