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 ...
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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.
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Add this copy of Beastly Things (Commissario Guido Bruetti Mystery: to cart. $6.72, new condition, Sold by Poquette's Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dewitt, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
Add this copy of Beastly Things to cart. $6.72, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
Add this copy of Beastly Things to cart. $6.72, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
Add this copy of Beastly Things to cart. $6.72, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
Add this copy of Beastly Things (Commissario Guido Bruetti Mystery: to cart. $36.10, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
Add this copy of Beastly Things (Commissario Guido Bruetti Mystery: to cart. $73.50, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Thorndike Press.
If you have wanted to try vegetarianism, reading Chapter 19 of this novel might be just what you need. Otherwise, it is a rather grisly view of an Italian slaughterhouse (I really don't want to know if this happens in US slaughterhouses).
The book starts when a body of a man with Madelung's Disease comes to the morgue (google this under 'Madelung's Disease pictures' to see what a tragic malady this is). Before long, Brunetti finds out that the dead man was a veterinarian.
All the usual secondary characters are there adding to the mix of unique characters that inhabit Donna Leon's books. Vianello, Paola and Guido are the stalwart and normal people in a world that is becoming more confused (and crazy) all the time.
This is a somber novel; Leon stays off her political hobby-horse and concentrates on a single murder. It brings the awfulness and tragedy of this death in sharp focus. Because of Guido's reaction, I could feel the tremendous effort it must take to be a homicide detective -- Guido doesn't bounce back at the end of the day. When Paola wants to talk with Guido about an ethical problem she is facing, Guido tells her he doesn't have the strength to concentrate on her dilemma. This case has really gotten under his skin; I can't recall Guido ever being unwilling to discuss a problem with his wife.
carl2475
Mar 20, 2014
Donna Leon / Guido Brunetti
As usual a wonderful read. The authors words make the story flow, keeping interest and stimulating the mind. The whole series are full of wonderful surprises of words and story which makes the reader hunger for more.
