Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Feb/March 23 buddy read of The Anonymous Venetian aka Dressed for Death, first published in 1994 and the third book in the Guido Brunetti series.

Commissario Brunetti's hopes of a refreshing holiday with his family are dashed when a body is found in Marghera so badly beaten that the face is unrecognizable. Brunetti searches in vain for someone who can identify the body. Then he receives a call promising some tantalizing information.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

Once again, engrossing, but upsetting, as the victim seemed like a genuinely decent man. The description of Brunetti’s last visit to the widow was very sad.

I did like this but found that the absence of Brunetti's family did take away a certain sense of humour the previous books contained, therefore lightening the story. I liked the book and think the overall plot was good, and once again showed how corrupt, and discriminate the law and government were.

Throughout the book we are reminded of the heat that pervades the city, which I had heard from my younger son when he holidayed there some years ago, and came back saying the whole place stunk, and would never revisit despite the wonderful buildings and art.

Jill wrote: "I did like this but found that the absence of Brunetti's family did take away a certain sense of humour the previous books contained, therefore lightening the story. I liked the book and think the ..."

My sisters and mother visited there about 20 years ago, said the same about the heat and crowds. I guess the key is not going in the summer, and also avoiding flooding season, not sure when that is - spring? Winter? I guess we’ll learn about that in Acqua Alta!

I enjoyed the way Patta became a 'proper' character in this one, in that we had some sense of his true self and feelings, however hidden.

Susan wrote: "I enjoyed the way Patta became a 'proper' character in this one, in that we had some sense of his true self and feelings, however hidden."

Yes, up until now he has been a caricature of over-the-top Italian manhood, hasn’t he? I pictured a younger Berlusconi, puffed up and full of himself and his ambitions!

I was happy that we got more about Patta, but also happy that he has returned to 'the boss we love to hate' by the end. I felt a bit lost with him as a sympathetic character.

I am eager to find out more about the new very competent secretary as I'm sure there will be a reason for her demotion to the police force.

Regarding the ending, I was very disappointed that the real villain will be able to wiggle out of serious punishment, but it is in keeping with the pervasiveness of corruption surrounding Brunetti.

He tries to find his way around the corruption, doesn't he? So he is working not only against the criminals, but levels of corruption that reach his own office.

I think the series is starting to fall into place with this one, as Patta becomes more filled out, and we're introduced to the divine Signorina Elettra.

I did miss Paola and the kids who ground Brunetti and offer a sanctuary from the endemic corruption in which he's mired.

Sandy wrote: "I was happy that we got more about Patta, but also happy that he has returned to 'the boss we love to hate' by the end. I felt a bit lost with him as a sympathetic character.

I am eager to find ou..."

Yes, not comfortable feeling sorry for Patta! As for the new hyper-efficient and elegant secretary, with expensive taste - anyone remember the hilarious American sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati”? Getting definite ‘Jennifer, the gorgeous and hyper effective secretary’ from that show vibes! I hope we learn more about her - I love how she’s almost the only one who knows how to use a computer!

Really, that wasn’t that long ago - when I graduated university in 1987 with a journalism degree, we were still using big, boxy VDTs (video display terminals) and Daisy wheel printers in our writing lab! The internet was still a few years away…no wonder our generation is a bit dazed, the changes over 30 years have been earth shattering! ;)