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Commissario Brunetti #9
Friends in High Places
Donna Leon's sweetly cynical Venetian cop Brunetti has his principles, but is always prepared to bend them a little, to appeal to his own Friends in High Places. When bureaucrat Rossi starts to investigate whether his apartment in a historic building has any right to exist, he and his wife start to look for leverage;
At no time did it occur to him, as it did not occur to Paola, to approach the matter legally, to find out the names of the proper offices and officials and the proper steps to follow ... Venetians ignored them, knowing that the only way to deal with problems like this was by means of acquaintances, friendships, contacts and debts built up over a lifetime.
When Rossi rings him at his office, seeking help, and is found dead under some scaffolding, Brunetti feels a particular obligation to find out whether he fell, or was thrown. His investigations take him to the heart of corruption, to money lenders and officials and drug dealers and petty thugs, and to solutions and resolutions that are only ever going to be partial. Brunetti is an attractive detective because he has a human preparedness to make compromises and a judicious sense of when it is morally appropriate, and when it is not. And as always in this excellent and popular series, the true protagonist is the city of Venice, its buildings and its weather and its smells. --Roz Kaveney
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First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Donna Leon
107 books2,921 followersDonna Leon (born September 29, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.
Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over twenty-five years. She has worked as a lecturer in English Literature for the University of Maryland University College - Europe (UMUC-Europe) in Italy, then as a Professor from 1981 to 1999 at the american military base of Vicenza (Italy) and a writer.
Her crime novels are all situated in or near Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, although not, by her request, into Italian. Her ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.
Series:
* Commissario Brunetti
Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over twenty-five years. She has worked as a lecturer in English Literature for the University of Maryland University College - Europe (UMUC-Europe) in Italy, then as a Professor from 1981 to 1999 at the american military base of Vicenza (Italy) and a writer.
Her crime novels are all situated in or near Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, although not, by her request, into Italian. Her ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.
Series:
* Commissario Brunetti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
September 18, 2023
The Romans!
For those of you who have wondered whatever happened to the Romans? They’re still here. Ask Commissario Brunetti...he’ll tell you!
In a country where the mafioso is the standard authority, bribery and extortion is essential and cheating on your taxes is routine, conventional, run-of-the-mill. What’s a few murders?
Regrettably, for Brunetti, his job is an impediment to business-as-usual. His fervent moral peculiarities makes him unable to go-against-the-grain.
So investigate, he must. And once again, he discloses that greed and graft is unbounded. And the powerful are the ones who matter.
Humanity hasn’t changed...it never will.
Five well deserved stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
For those of you who have wondered whatever happened to the Romans? They’re still here. Ask Commissario Brunetti...he’ll tell you!
In a country where the mafioso is the standard authority, bribery and extortion is essential and cheating on your taxes is routine, conventional, run-of-the-mill. What’s a few murders?
Regrettably, for Brunetti, his job is an impediment to business-as-usual. His fervent moral peculiarities makes him unable to go-against-the-grain.
So investigate, he must. And once again, he discloses that greed and graft is unbounded. And the powerful are the ones who matter.
Humanity hasn’t changed...it never will.
Five well deserved stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
August 6, 2021
One of the beauties of the Brunetti mysteries is the contrast of the everyday pleasures - the food, the flowers and the wine against the bureaucracy, corruption and incompetence of Venetian life. The way all Venetians assume that work arounds are required to get through life is sad and humorous at the same time. In fact, Leon’s sardonic humor is on full display here.
The story starts with a fabulous glimpse into Italian bureaucratic confusion when a young government official shows up at the Brunetti apartment claiming it doesn’t exist in official records. But it’s not long before the same young man calls Brunetti insisting they talk about a different matter, only to die before they connect.
As always, various crimes that would appear to be unconnected start showing related issues. It comes together in a satisfying way.
This is a perfect series to listen to. Bravo to David Colucci as the narrator.
The story starts with a fabulous glimpse into Italian bureaucratic confusion when a young government official shows up at the Brunetti apartment claiming it doesn’t exist in official records. But it’s not long before the same young man calls Brunetti insisting they talk about a different matter, only to die before they connect.
As always, various crimes that would appear to be unconnected start showing related issues. It comes together in a satisfying way.
This is a perfect series to listen to. Bravo to David Colucci as the narrator.
January 25, 2016
Friends in High Places, the 9th novel in the Commissario Brunetti Series starts with Brunetti enjoying a relaxing day at his home, which is interrupted by the news of an official from Officio Castato, the registrar of buildings in Venice, that his apartment on the top floor of one of the oldest buildings in San Polo, Venice may have not received planning permission and it may result in it having to be pulled down if the papers are not found.
Before Brunetti can solve this problem, the person who had given him the information about his home is found dead. As he investigates a case relating to drug dealing and money laundering, a chain of events occur that seem connected to the official’s death.
One of the things I most admire about Brunetti is that he’s a moral man but also human….
At no time did it occur to him, as it did not occur to Paola, to approach the matter legally, to find out the names of the proper offices and officials and the proper steps to follow. Nor did it occur to either one of them that there might be a clearly defined bureaucratic procedure by which they could resolve the problem.I love the leisure pacing of these books, and enjoy watching Brunetti go through the clues and steps in the investigation.
Brunetti’s love for his city is evident despite its flaws.
The beautiful and sinister parts of what make Venice such an interesting setting.
A great series.
December 26, 2021
Book 9 in the Commissario Brunetti series is not quite up to the others by this wonderful author. A lot goes and and Brunetti is forced to face a few deaths which turn out to be murders, as will as Vice Questore Patta's sons drug possession arrest. To top that off we have a scandal in the city planners office, an inefficient Fraud Department and a pair of unscrupulous money lenders. And let's not forget heirs of an ancient Doge who had ruled Venice in the 1300's. Sound like a lot? It is and while many things are interrelated, not all happens to happily fit into overall plot of the book. This could easily have been two separate books with all the issues that are on display here, and as is the norm for Venice "justice" is not always part of the solution, but there are moral and societal penalties that result. My problem with this book is that there are many matters that have no resolution and some are so open-ended that come nowhere near telling a full story of the issues presented. It is well written and a fast read, with lots of Venetian atmosphere but it just does not come up to the high standards of most of Leon's books.
August 7, 2021
One of the beauties of the Brunetti mysteries is the contrast of the everyday pleasures - the food, the flowers and the wine against the bureaucracy, corruption and incompetence of Venetian life. The way all Venetians assume that work arounds are required to get through life is sad and humorous at the same time. In fact, Leon’s sardonic humor is on full display here.
The story starts with a fabulous glimpse into Italian bureaucratic confusion when a young government official shows up at the Brunetti apartment claiming it doesn’t exist in official records. But it’s not long before the same young man calls Brunetti insisting they talk about a different matter, only to die before they connect.
As always, various crimes that would appear to be unconnected start showing related issues. It comes together in a satisfying way.
This is a perfect series to listen to. Bravo to David Colucci as the narrator.
The story starts with a fabulous glimpse into Italian bureaucratic confusion when a young government official shows up at the Brunetti apartment claiming it doesn’t exist in official records. But it’s not long before the same young man calls Brunetti insisting they talk about a different matter, only to die before they connect.
As always, various crimes that would appear to be unconnected start showing related issues. It comes together in a satisfying way.
This is a perfect series to listen to. Bravo to David Colucci as the narrator.
February 1, 2015
I'm surprised to see some of the negative ratings here. Perhaps it's because you need to get to know the characters and appreciate the interplay between Guido, his wife, Paula, and his children. Or, it could be that some folks just prefer action-packed shoot-em-ups rather (I can appreciate those too) than character and place studies. I suspect if you like DeKok and Maigret these will really appeal to you.
That being said, I really enjoyed Anna Fields reading this 9th in the series. Again, Italian corruption is prominent. The society seems riddled with bribery and everyone turns a blind eye. One character even says, "This European stuff will be the death of us. Soon no one will even take bribes anymore." [paraphrase]
Guido himself is caught up in the corruption as he is told by an inspector that the plans and permissions for the addition to the building where his apartment is located cannot be found, and if the appropriate documents cannot be located then it will be impossible to verify that the construction (over 20 years old) met the historical guidelines and may have to be torn down.
I have really enjoyed every one of Leon's books. I recommend them highly.
That being said, I really enjoyed Anna Fields reading this 9th in the series. Again, Italian corruption is prominent. The society seems riddled with bribery and everyone turns a blind eye. One character even says, "This European stuff will be the death of us. Soon no one will even take bribes anymore." [paraphrase]
Guido himself is caught up in the corruption as he is told by an inspector that the plans and permissions for the addition to the building where his apartment is located cannot be found, and if the appropriate documents cannot be located then it will be impossible to verify that the construction (over 20 years old) met the historical guidelines and may have to be torn down.
I have really enjoyed every one of Leon's books. I recommend them highly.
June 2, 2021
I found a tattered copy of this book in my local street library, and started that day without great expectations - I wasn't a big fan of the long-running Italian series when it played on SBS - how wrong I was. It proved to be a gripping and fast read full of well-drawn characters good and bad, and an atmospheric use of Venice as the backdrop to all the crimes, of which there were several in this 9th book in the series. Commissario Brunetti and his wife are a well-matched feisty couple, and none of the cops in his department including his corrupt and manipulative boss Patta, are as smart or honest as his boss's secretary, Signorina Ellettra. The city as depicted here, seem a quagmire of corruption and greed, none less than the various corrupt bureaucrats in the Ufficio Catasto, an official of which has been murdered, a few days after presenting Brunetti with charges of illegal building, which may result in the tearing down of the family's beloved home. This is the start of a long trail of deceit and coverups at the highest levels that leads Brunetti on a journey through white-collar fraud, corrupt and incompetent, drug dealers, junkies, money-lenders and various other Venetian scumbags, including members of one of Venice's noblest families involving coverups at every level. All in all a wonderful discovery in a detective series I've neglected, and the great news is there are about another 25 books to choose from. 4* from me.
September 19, 2020
This is the ninth adventure of Venice Police Commissioner Guido Brunetti. Guido is one small man with a badge who is continually pitted against the big wheel of Italian corruption - which he inadvertently stumbles into book after book while doing his job - which is usually solving murder cases. These books are pseudo-police procedurals/mysteries. I use the term “pseudo” because the culprits are either known from the very beginning of the story or tossed in at the very end. The series is also very formulaic – including Brunetti’s supporting cast.
For instance Guido has a very politically conscious boss who’s more concerned with not ruffling feathers as opposed to solving crimes - so our hero is usually involved in some type of tap-dance trying to get around him. Said boss has a beautiful, yet very competent secretary, whom Brunetti uses when he needs information – any information. She, with her computer skills and connections, can find any elusive fact Brunetti needs.
On the home front Brunetti has two fairly stereotypical adolescent children – a boy and a girl of course. And Mrs. Brunetti is a professional in her own right, although we usually meet her while she’s in the midst of house-wife chores, (cooking, shopping, etc). She is the member of one of Venice’s oldest families which causes some friction – she married a cop after all - except when Guido needs to pump his father-in law for insider information – which happens in every book.
The series’ setting is Venice and its environs - so toss in some local color - coffee bars, markets, restaurants and Italian words for food and drink - and of course a condescending attitude towards tourists – usually Americans. The books also contain a little morality lesson, i.e. not all men and women of the cloth are good, don’t judge a book by its cover – specifically people of “alternative” life-styles. Conveniently and usually in Brunetti’s world, justice does prevail in the end, although not always as the law proscribes – but it’s the best our Guido can do.
Friends in High Places follows this format when Guido is tasked to solve the murder of a building inspector; the investigation quickly taking him into the environs of Venice’s illegal “money-lending” and drug trade. His suspects have “Friends in High Places” making Brunetti’s investigation more difficult – and predictable. In this book we learn that people of means and who are connected aren’t treated the same way as commoners are in Venice’s justice system, i.e. money does talk and whom you know does matter.
To the author’s credit this series has an extraordinarily loyal international following, although ironically, I read recently that, at the author’s request, her books are not translated into Italian, (I believe Leon is an American living in Italy). This series was repeatedly recommended to me – by several of those very loyal Guido Brunetti fans - because I enjoy Michael Dibdin’s Aurelio Zen series. Besides the obvious fact that both of the authors’ books are set in Italy, I don’t see much else that is similar. Dibdin’s books are much more subtle, nuanced and complex – and at times, humorous. Besides very rarely tickling my funny-bone, I find the Guido Brunetti books light and quick reads – enjoyable but nothing extraordinary - or even very original.
Personal preference I know, which puts me in the vast minority. I don’t dislike the Brunetti series, I just don’t find it a particularly memorable one.
For instance Guido has a very politically conscious boss who’s more concerned with not ruffling feathers as opposed to solving crimes - so our hero is usually involved in some type of tap-dance trying to get around him. Said boss has a beautiful, yet very competent secretary, whom Brunetti uses when he needs information – any information. She, with her computer skills and connections, can find any elusive fact Brunetti needs.
On the home front Brunetti has two fairly stereotypical adolescent children – a boy and a girl of course. And Mrs. Brunetti is a professional in her own right, although we usually meet her while she’s in the midst of house-wife chores, (cooking, shopping, etc). She is the member of one of Venice’s oldest families which causes some friction – she married a cop after all - except when Guido needs to pump his father-in law for insider information – which happens in every book.
The series’ setting is Venice and its environs - so toss in some local color - coffee bars, markets, restaurants and Italian words for food and drink - and of course a condescending attitude towards tourists – usually Americans. The books also contain a little morality lesson, i.e. not all men and women of the cloth are good, don’t judge a book by its cover – specifically people of “alternative” life-styles. Conveniently and usually in Brunetti’s world, justice does prevail in the end, although not always as the law proscribes – but it’s the best our Guido can do.
Friends in High Places follows this format when Guido is tasked to solve the murder of a building inspector; the investigation quickly taking him into the environs of Venice’s illegal “money-lending” and drug trade. His suspects have “Friends in High Places” making Brunetti’s investigation more difficult – and predictable. In this book we learn that people of means and who are connected aren’t treated the same way as commoners are in Venice’s justice system, i.e. money does talk and whom you know does matter.
To the author’s credit this series has an extraordinarily loyal international following, although ironically, I read recently that, at the author’s request, her books are not translated into Italian, (I believe Leon is an American living in Italy). This series was repeatedly recommended to me – by several of those very loyal Guido Brunetti fans - because I enjoy Michael Dibdin’s Aurelio Zen series. Besides the obvious fact that both of the authors’ books are set in Italy, I don’t see much else that is similar. Dibdin’s books are much more subtle, nuanced and complex – and at times, humorous. Besides very rarely tickling my funny-bone, I find the Guido Brunetti books light and quick reads – enjoyable but nothing extraordinary - or even very original.
Personal preference I know, which puts me in the vast minority. I don’t dislike the Brunetti series, I just don’t find it a particularly memorable one.
October 6, 2015
I love Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti series! All the things that contribute to a good mystery - a rich recurring cast of characters with lots of ongoing dynamics, murders where the whodunit isn't easily guessable and plot twists and turns to keep things moving along. The bonus in these stories is Venice, as much of a character as the humans who populate Leon's novels. I love the leisurely pace of these stories, reflecting the relaxed culture of Venice.
I enjoyed this story of corruption in the Officio Castato, the registrar of buildings in Venice, of money-laundering and of murder (of course!). This may not be my favorite in the series but it kept my interest till the end, which was somewhat of a ho-hum, hence the 3-star rating.
As with some of my other favorite series, I'm predisposed to like each installment, some more some less, but all enjoyable. Each book transports me to Venice, seeing, feeling and tasting that magical city.
I enjoyed this story of corruption in the Officio Castato, the registrar of buildings in Venice, of money-laundering and of murder (of course!). This may not be my favorite in the series but it kept my interest till the end, which was somewhat of a ho-hum, hence the 3-star rating.
As with some of my other favorite series, I'm predisposed to like each installment, some more some less, but all enjoyable. Each book transports me to Venice, seeing, feeling and tasting that magical city.
September 13, 2018
Another wonderful trip to Venice to visit Commissario Brunetti. Always a good time. Though, I have to say that I did not enjoy the mystery as much this time. But I always enjoy my time with Guido and Paolo, Chiara and Raffi, and - of course - Signorina Elletra!!
Ciao!
Ciao!
December 3, 2024
Labai elegantiškas, sklandžiai susiskaitęs detektyvas. Kiek lėtesnis, bet pakankamai vaizdingas ir įdomus, kad išlaikytų dėmesį – tiesą sakant, buvo netgi maloniai gaivus lentynas užkariavusių dirginančių trilerių kontekste. Žavūs Venecijos peizažai, nusivylimas, susidūrus su visur persismelkiančia korupcija, gėrio trupinėliai. Labai patiko, pasaugosiu mamai:)
August 22, 2016
In this one Guido is up against a situation involving the Office Castato, which is the registrar for Venice property. Of course his own apartment is involved and might have to be "pulled down".
As formulaic as all these Brunetti are, I so enjoy the conversations and the minutia of his life, family, and work in Venice. His daughter is 15 in this one and Paola is not on a reading binge and so is preparing some excellent meals. Sausage and peppers, Spring peas with risotto just a few in this one. And at one point she is even washing windows. In a break from marking some papers from her class. And he is disappointed, somewhat, that she hasn't made the home-made pasta for "under" the peppers and sausage that day. But all four are home for lunch, and have seconds too, of course.
So this complicated case with various bureaucracies involvements, and some possible Mafia connected loan sharks- is less action prone (if possible) than the "usual" Brunetti. Although he does involve a meal with an old girlfriend from his 17th year to ask her some "banking" questions. But he ends up bringing Paola a dozen iris, appreciating what he has.
Not my favorite but it was a delectable audible. Signorina Electra does her banking undercover computer hack exceedingly well too. As usual. Drug addicts' horror and their eventual business problems and exact finality answers most of the questions about the earliest crime- in its own time. Poor Rossi- so fallen.
This one didn't follow real life Italia very well, IMHO. Rossi wouldn't have been murdered. He would have hinted at the bribe. And the missing Brunetti building papers from decades ago with proper style and code permissions would have been instantly "found".
This one is even slower than the normal slow Brunetti. But I did not mind, it could be enjoyed in piecemeal fashion too. Like an all day sucker.
As formulaic as all these Brunetti are, I so enjoy the conversations and the minutia of his life, family, and work in Venice. His daughter is 15 in this one and Paola is not on a reading binge and so is preparing some excellent meals. Sausage and peppers, Spring peas with risotto just a few in this one. And at one point she is even washing windows. In a break from marking some papers from her class. And he is disappointed, somewhat, that she hasn't made the home-made pasta for "under" the peppers and sausage that day. But all four are home for lunch, and have seconds too, of course.
So this complicated case with various bureaucracies involvements, and some possible Mafia connected loan sharks- is less action prone (if possible) than the "usual" Brunetti. Although he does involve a meal with an old girlfriend from his 17th year to ask her some "banking" questions. But he ends up bringing Paola a dozen iris, appreciating what he has.
Not my favorite but it was a delectable audible. Signorina Electra does her banking undercover computer hack exceedingly well too. As usual. Drug addicts' horror and their eventual business problems and exact finality answers most of the questions about the earliest crime- in its own time. Poor Rossi- so fallen.
This one didn't follow real life Italia very well, IMHO. Rossi wouldn't have been murdered. He would have hinted at the bribe. And the missing Brunetti building papers from decades ago with proper style and code permissions would have been instantly "found".
This one is even slower than the normal slow Brunetti. But I did not mind, it could be enjoyed in piecemeal fashion too. Like an all day sucker.
December 16, 2020
Brunetti spent the next hour contemplating greed, a vice for which Venetians had always had a natural propensity.Somewhere I read that Leon's publishers have permission to have her works translated into any language except Italian. I think this quote helps explain why she withholds those rights. She has lived in Venice for many many years and I think she enjoys living in her adopted country. She also chooses to show it in less than flattering ways.
The quote doesn't go as far as does the novel. It tells not only of greed, but of corruption pretty much throughout government and society. This is Venice, not Sicily. Sicily is where we think is the home of the Mafia. Even the Mafia is spoken of here.
There is a murder, of course. Was I going to believe it was connected with all this corruption being spoken of? Sometimes I try to think along with the detective, at least, even when I come to the same wrong conclusions as the detective's sidekick. And other times, like this one, I don't try to solve it at all, but just read the story.
I like Brunetti. I've likely said that before and I'm likely to say it again. I'm getting older, and so, with your permission, I'll likely repeat myself without being reminded I'm repeating myself. Is this 4-stars good? Probably not, as much as I devoured it. Very good 3-stars. Very good.
April 5, 2021
I love the Venetian setting of this series, and the detective is growing on me. The plot here is all over and the place, holding up just enough to see me through it. This isn’t a series I read compulsively or in order, but sometimes it appeals to me for a fairly light read.
April 13, 2019
wow! Italy and my country! they are the same!!!!!
September 8, 2019
I always enjoy reading an Inspector Brunetti mystery. Friends in High Places is the 9th book in the series created by Donna Leon and it contains the regular cast of excellent characters.
Brunetti is relaxing alone at home one Saturday; his wife Paola and two children are all out. Brunetti is reading the Anabasis, a story written by Greek philosopher and warrior, Xenophon, when he is interrupted by one Franco Rossi who works for the Ufficio Catasto. (I understood it to be the Venician government department dealing with housing licences, etc.) Signore Rossi wants to ensure that Brunetti's top floor apartment is official. Due to a reorganization within the various organizations, it appears that no official paperwork has ever been filed authorizing this apartment. Brunetti risks both fines and possibly having the apartment dismantled.
Thrown into this mix are the crimes; one being Rossi's eventual death (murder?) at the site of another apartment. His body is discovered after Rossi tries to make an appointment with Brunetti for some secretive meeting. As well, Vice Questore Patta (Brunetti's boss and pain in the ass) needs Brunetti's help because his son was arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs. Finally, a young man is found dead in another building of an apparent overdose.
So these are the cases that will occupy Brunetti's time in this entertaining mystery set in Venice. As always we get to meet the wonderful, capable, intelligent, beautiful Signora Ellettra (Patto's secretary and Brunetti's source of information), his Sergeant Vianello, straight forward and competent, and Brunetti's family, his wonderful wife Paola, his son Raffi and daughter Chiara. Such a wonderful cast of regular characters, who all play important roles in assisting Brunetti or living with him.
The cases are all very intriguing and possibly intertwined. Other bodies crop up and besides the drug trade we discover the evil world of loan-sharking which may play an even more important role in Brunetti's case. I do enjoy how Brunetti gathers information; using the skills of Signora Elletra, and also of Brunetti's friends who he meets throughout the city.
I enjoyed this story. The ending wasn't necessarily a pat one but it was also a satisfying one. I loved the atmosphere that Donna Leon creates and the characters and dialogue and the food and the city. There isn't much not to enjoy in her Brunetti series and this story did not let me down. I look forward to visiting with this wonderful cast of characters again in the near future. (4 stars)
Brunetti is relaxing alone at home one Saturday; his wife Paola and two children are all out. Brunetti is reading the Anabasis, a story written by Greek philosopher and warrior, Xenophon, when he is interrupted by one Franco Rossi who works for the Ufficio Catasto. (I understood it to be the Venician government department dealing with housing licences, etc.) Signore Rossi wants to ensure that Brunetti's top floor apartment is official. Due to a reorganization within the various organizations, it appears that no official paperwork has ever been filed authorizing this apartment. Brunetti risks both fines and possibly having the apartment dismantled.
Thrown into this mix are the crimes; one being Rossi's eventual death (murder?) at the site of another apartment. His body is discovered after Rossi tries to make an appointment with Brunetti for some secretive meeting. As well, Vice Questore Patta (Brunetti's boss and pain in the ass) needs Brunetti's help because his son was arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs. Finally, a young man is found dead in another building of an apparent overdose.
So these are the cases that will occupy Brunetti's time in this entertaining mystery set in Venice. As always we get to meet the wonderful, capable, intelligent, beautiful Signora Ellettra (Patto's secretary and Brunetti's source of information), his Sergeant Vianello, straight forward and competent, and Brunetti's family, his wonderful wife Paola, his son Raffi and daughter Chiara. Such a wonderful cast of regular characters, who all play important roles in assisting Brunetti or living with him.
The cases are all very intriguing and possibly intertwined. Other bodies crop up and besides the drug trade we discover the evil world of loan-sharking which may play an even more important role in Brunetti's case. I do enjoy how Brunetti gathers information; using the skills of Signora Elletra, and also of Brunetti's friends who he meets throughout the city.
I enjoyed this story. The ending wasn't necessarily a pat one but it was also a satisfying one. I loved the atmosphere that Donna Leon creates and the characters and dialogue and the food and the city. There isn't much not to enjoy in her Brunetti series and this story did not let me down. I look forward to visiting with this wonderful cast of characters again in the near future. (4 stars)
November 6, 2008
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES (Pol. Proc.-Comm. Guido Brunetti-Italy-Cont) – VG+
Leon, Donna – 9th in series
Arrow Books, 2001, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780099269328
First sentence: When the doorbell rang, Brunetti lay supine on the sofa in his living room, a book propped open on his stomach.
Commissario Guido Brunetti’s lazy Saturday is interrupted by a visit from Franco Rossi of the Ufficio Catasto. There is a question about the legality of Guido’s apartment. Rossi’s fear of heights is apparent when Guido tries to take him out to the terrace so it makes no sense when Guido learns Rossi has died after falling from a scaffold. Brunetti’s case goes beyond the murder into moneylenders, drug dealers, greed and love
Brunetti is a wonderful character and very much alive for the reader. He is different from the normal protagonist in that his home life and strong relationship to his family is as much a part of the story as the crime. Leon’s writing is wonderfully poignant and descriptive whether it be to convey Brunetti’s love of his city or his frustration with the corruption on which it runs. There is a wonderful line where Brunetti’s points out the irony of how Italy being part of the EU is forcing Venice to be less corrupt. Her dialogue is true and audible.
Leon has created a wonderfully twisty plot with lots of different threads, although some of them where a bit hard to put together. As an American, it’s not always easy to understand how things work, but the conclusion is a very satisfactory one. What I find most fascinating is the machinations Brunetti must employ to achieve justice that have nothing to do with the law. This is another great book in an excellent series.
Leon, Donna – 9th in series
Arrow Books, 2001, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780099269328
First sentence: When the doorbell rang, Brunetti lay supine on the sofa in his living room, a book propped open on his stomach.
Commissario Guido Brunetti’s lazy Saturday is interrupted by a visit from Franco Rossi of the Ufficio Catasto. There is a question about the legality of Guido’s apartment. Rossi’s fear of heights is apparent when Guido tries to take him out to the terrace so it makes no sense when Guido learns Rossi has died after falling from a scaffold. Brunetti’s case goes beyond the murder into moneylenders, drug dealers, greed and love
Brunetti is a wonderful character and very much alive for the reader. He is different from the normal protagonist in that his home life and strong relationship to his family is as much a part of the story as the crime. Leon’s writing is wonderfully poignant and descriptive whether it be to convey Brunetti’s love of his city or his frustration with the corruption on which it runs. There is a wonderful line where Brunetti’s points out the irony of how Italy being part of the EU is forcing Venice to be less corrupt. Her dialogue is true and audible.
Leon has created a wonderfully twisty plot with lots of different threads, although some of them where a bit hard to put together. As an American, it’s not always easy to understand how things work, but the conclusion is a very satisfactory one. What I find most fascinating is the machinations Brunetti must employ to achieve justice that have nothing to do with the law. This is another great book in an excellent series.
July 12, 2013
I picked up this book in a charity shop as part of an offer - 5 paperbacks for £1 so I suppose I only paid 20p for it but, seemingly like many of the Venetians in the story, I was robbed.
I kept waiting for the plot to thicken but it never did and the only way it could be described as a page turner is because the print is so big.
I found the constant references to corruption, apathy and incompetence amongst the officialdom of Italy rather depressing and if this is truly the state of affairs I am surprised the author has lived in such a hopeless country for so long.
There was no depth to the characters although I did get a fleeting glimpse into the relationship between the central character and his wife but not enough to form an opinion about them.
Definitely did not leave me either on the edge of my seat or wanting more.
I kept waiting for the plot to thicken but it never did and the only way it could be described as a page turner is because the print is so big.
I found the constant references to corruption, apathy and incompetence amongst the officialdom of Italy rather depressing and if this is truly the state of affairs I am surprised the author has lived in such a hopeless country for so long.
There was no depth to the characters although I did get a fleeting glimpse into the relationship between the central character and his wife but not enough to form an opinion about them.
Definitely did not leave me either on the edge of my seat or wanting more.
June 26, 2014
The plot is lightweight, but what I like about this book is probably true of other Commissario Brunetti mysteries, the atmosphere and setting: Venice, campos, and sliding down the canals. Then there’s the acknowledgment of how pervasive corruption is, with moneylenders, bribes, a city decaying from negligence. I wonder how the Venetians feel about Leon’s portrayal of their body politic?
I also enjoy the complicated psychological and ethical considerations, especially facing the reality that without the help of those “friends in high places,” Commissario Brunetti’s investigation would be, shall we say, marooned.
June 16, 2019
I bought this one in Dutch in a bookshop in the Netherlands. Didn't realise the author is American and that the original language is English. I really liked it as I have been to Venice myself and Donna Leon does a good job describing the atmosphere. I'm going to start reading the rest of this series in English.
April 22, 2022
Okay, I’m not one to read mystery thrillers but I’m really happy I read this because this was really good.
I loved the writing, every literary device needed was there at the right place and time and how Donna describes the setting and characters is seriously great.
I found that the mystery itself was easy to go along with, sometimes you get kinda lost when it comes to this genre but this was very straight forward (in the best of ways).
But then again I don’t usually read these genres so who am I to know if this is truly good or not? I just dearly enjoyed reading it!
I loved the writing, every literary device needed was there at the right place and time and how Donna describes the setting and characters is seriously great.
I found that the mystery itself was easy to go along with, sometimes you get kinda lost when it comes to this genre but this was very straight forward (in the best of ways).
But then again I don’t usually read these genres so who am I to know if this is truly good or not? I just dearly enjoyed reading it!
November 25, 2022
This book was one of the series that I really enjoyed. It seemed to have some of the most interesting characters and only near the end does it come together. I was rather surprised at the anger shown by the protagonist, more of his emotions than he has usually shown.
June 25, 2019
اگر بخوام تو ادبیات پلیسی در مقایسه با آگاتا کریستی بهش امتیاز بدم قطعا 3/5 خواهد بود و همچنان بهتر از آگاتا در ادبیات پلیسی ندیدم. به طور کلی کتاب قشنگی بود.
اما باقی ریویو هایی که از کتاب دیدم بعضی بر این عقیده بودن که اگر تمام مجموعه کمیسر برونتی باهم خوانده بشن قشنگی کتاب دوچندان میشه.
داستان هم در مورد پرونده های پلیسی کمیسر برونتی هست که در ونیز اتفاق میوفته و فساد توی شهر و فایده داشتن دوستان دم کلفت و پارتی برای حل مشکلات تو شهری مثل ونیز نشون میده.
اما باقی ریویو هایی که از کتاب دیدم بعضی بر این عقیده بودن که اگر تمام مجموعه کمیسر برونتی باهم خوانده بشن قشنگی کتاب دوچندان میشه.
داستان هم در مورد پرونده های پلیسی کمیسر برونتی هست که در ونیز اتفاق میوفته و فساد توی شهر و فایده داشتن دوستان دم کلفت و پارتی برای حل مشکلات تو شهری مثل ونیز نشون میده.
March 19, 2019
Donna Leon has a new book in her Guido Brunetti series. It is the 28th book in the series. It opened on The New York Times best sellers list.
It sounds interesting and I would really like to read it, but I am committed to reading the books of the series in order and I'm only up to number nine. At the rate I am going, it will be years before I can legitimately read number twenty-eight.
On the bright side, that means that I have a lot of entertaining reading ahead of me. My pleasure in reading this series has increased with just about every book I have read. That trend continued with Friends in High Places, published in 1999.
This book once again features the pervasive corruption that is so much a part of Venetian society, at least in Leon's fictional Venice. Commissario Brunetti receives a visit from an official from the Officio Castato, the registrar of buildings in Venice. He is there to determine if there was a permit for the construction of Brunetti's apartment on the top floor of a historical building.
After the visit and Brunetti's inability to provide any documentation, nothing further is heard from the office for months and Guido and his wife Paola consider what levers of influence they might be able to pull to stave off hostile action by the bureaucracy. Will they have to bring in the big guns of Paola's father, the very wealthy and well-connected Count? Thus we see the irony that even the upright and very honorable Commissario is willing to employ extralegal means to protect his family and home. It's the Venetian way.
Then one day, Brunetti receives a phone call from the Officio Castato official at his office, but the call is not in regard to his apartment. Instead, the official, Rossi, wants to discuss with him something that he has discovered, something that evidently involves illegality. The phone call is cut short and Rossi is supposed to call Brunetti back but he never does. Then Brunetti learns that Rossi has been found dead after apparently having accidentally fallen from some scaffolding outside a building.
Brunetti has questions about the "accident" because he knows that Rossi was deathly afraid of heights and he doesn't believe that he would ever have willingly gone onto the scaffolding. He determines to investigate further and in so doing he opens the lid on an unsavory brew of official corruption, drug dealing, unprincipled money lenders, and petty thuggery.
In seeking a resolution, Brunetti once again has the assistance of the indispensable Signorina Elletra, a wizard with the internet back when the internet was still in its infancy and when Brunetti himself was still learning how email worked. And once again we get to visit with the Brunetti family as they sit down each day to one of their simple but delicious meals, all described in loving detail. Good stuff! A fun read.
It sounds interesting and I would really like to read it, but I am committed to reading the books of the series in order and I'm only up to number nine. At the rate I am going, it will be years before I can legitimately read number twenty-eight.
On the bright side, that means that I have a lot of entertaining reading ahead of me. My pleasure in reading this series has increased with just about every book I have read. That trend continued with Friends in High Places, published in 1999.
This book once again features the pervasive corruption that is so much a part of Venetian society, at least in Leon's fictional Venice. Commissario Brunetti receives a visit from an official from the Officio Castato, the registrar of buildings in Venice. He is there to determine if there was a permit for the construction of Brunetti's apartment on the top floor of a historical building.
After the visit and Brunetti's inability to provide any documentation, nothing further is heard from the office for months and Guido and his wife Paola consider what levers of influence they might be able to pull to stave off hostile action by the bureaucracy. Will they have to bring in the big guns of Paola's father, the very wealthy and well-connected Count? Thus we see the irony that even the upright and very honorable Commissario is willing to employ extralegal means to protect his family and home. It's the Venetian way.
Then one day, Brunetti receives a phone call from the Officio Castato official at his office, but the call is not in regard to his apartment. Instead, the official, Rossi, wants to discuss with him something that he has discovered, something that evidently involves illegality. The phone call is cut short and Rossi is supposed to call Brunetti back but he never does. Then Brunetti learns that Rossi has been found dead after apparently having accidentally fallen from some scaffolding outside a building.
Brunetti has questions about the "accident" because he knows that Rossi was deathly afraid of heights and he doesn't believe that he would ever have willingly gone onto the scaffolding. He determines to investigate further and in so doing he opens the lid on an unsavory brew of official corruption, drug dealing, unprincipled money lenders, and petty thuggery.
In seeking a resolution, Brunetti once again has the assistance of the indispensable Signorina Elletra, a wizard with the internet back when the internet was still in its infancy and when Brunetti himself was still learning how email worked. And once again we get to visit with the Brunetti family as they sit down each day to one of their simple but delicious meals, all described in loving detail. Good stuff! A fun read.
February 22, 2021
Eu e os livros desta autora não temos uma grande relação.
Dos que li, até agora, nenhum me tinha tirado da monotonia.
Este foi o que, até ao momento, mais me agradou.
Talvez porque vi-o não como um policial/thriller mas mais como um drama.
Assim, deste ponto de vista, já me espevitou mais o meu interesse.
Veneza e os venezianos são, em muitos pontos, semelhantes a nós portugueses de Portugal.
A corrupção; os subornos; o tráfico de influências; o tio do primo da avó que é capaz de conhecer alguém das Finanças que nos dê uma ajudinha inocente; o fator Cunha;...
Foi isto que mais me agradou ler. O crime em si, os assassínios, a identidade do criminoso nem tanto. Aí esta obra é mediana.
Se a memória não me engana, penso ter mais 3 livros desta autora na estante por ler.
Quero ver se mais algum é assim tão bem escrito como este ao nível da descrição de uma sociedade.
Mas não considero que sejam bons exemplares de policiais/thrillers.
Isso não.
Dos que li, até agora, nenhum me tinha tirado da monotonia.
Este foi o que, até ao momento, mais me agradou.
Talvez porque vi-o não como um policial/thriller mas mais como um drama.
Assim, deste ponto de vista, já me espevitou mais o meu interesse.
Veneza e os venezianos são, em muitos pontos, semelhantes a nós portugueses de Portugal.
A corrupção; os subornos; o tráfico de influências; o tio do primo da avó que é capaz de conhecer alguém das Finanças que nos dê uma ajudinha inocente; o fator Cunha;...
Foi isto que mais me agradou ler. O crime em si, os assassínios, a identidade do criminoso nem tanto. Aí esta obra é mediana.
Se a memória não me engana, penso ter mais 3 livros desta autora na estante por ler.
Quero ver se mais algum é assim tão bem escrito como este ao nível da descrição de uma sociedade.
Mas não considero que sejam bons exemplares de policiais/thrillers.
Isso não.
February 21, 2023
This is the second book of this series I have read and enjoyed
Disclaimer: I have never been to Italy
The police officer lives and works in Venice. He lives with his wife and children in an apartment building.
They have lived there for twenty years when it comes to their attention that their apartment may have been illegally constructed and sold
This brings him into the orbit of a bureaucrat who seems both honest and sincere- a true oddity in Italy
Eventually their paths cross again when the man contacts the police to discuss something but dies before he can reveal his concerns. The police seem to play of off as an accident but the Commissioner isn’t convinced and manages to get an autopsy
This is a slow paced book that all comes back to corruption and influence selling
It also end abruptly with the reader feeling as powerless as the non corrupt policeman
Disclaimer: I have never been to Italy
The police officer lives and works in Venice. He lives with his wife and children in an apartment building.
They have lived there for twenty years when it comes to their attention that their apartment may have been illegally constructed and sold
This brings him into the orbit of a bureaucrat who seems both honest and sincere- a true oddity in Italy
Eventually their paths cross again when the man contacts the police to discuss something but dies before he can reveal his concerns. The police seem to play of off as an accident but the Commissioner isn’t convinced and manages to get an autopsy
This is a slow paced book that all comes back to corruption and influence selling
It also end abruptly with the reader feeling as powerless as the non corrupt policeman
February 17, 2025
Venice, and Italy, are not portrayed sympathetically, but Brunetti's integrity and marriage are inspirational. Excellent plot with a surprising opening, unimaginable to most of us. I felt there was a plot point left unexplained, but that reflects true police work.
September 9, 2023
What we do for love.
December 3, 2021
I read it too quickly. Over too fast. If you are not reading Donna Leon you are missing a fun series.
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