This was a good mystery -- a good story well told. As a matter of fact, the writing was excellent, not at all like many that seem to be churned out by machine. I'm not sure what "noir" means in regards to mysteries and detective fiction, but I believe this book would qualify. And that was my problem with it, the story left me feeling rather depressed about my fellow humans. ( )

I've yet to read a Bruntetti book I don't relish reading. Though 23 years old now, this book is extremely topical. It involves ..... no what it really involves isn't revealed until quite well into the book. Let's not spoil it. If you love the central characters as I do, and Venice too, you won't be disappointed. ( )

While I like the mystery and the main character in this series, I find it a bit depressing that every time it seems that corruption and politics interfere with the course of justice.. ( )

Donna Leon’s Death and Judgement is Book #4 of her very popular Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery series.
It is a very complex, very interesting, well-crafted plot. Our main character is Commissario Guido Brunetti, He is an excellent policeman and detective and a man with a very deep, moral, ethical character. (His very moral and compassionate character must be a curse at times in Italy’s very complex culture, where it seems even the most commonplace transaction is frought with corruption and possible criminality.)
As usual, the city of Venice with its history and atmosphere is also a main character.
Death and Judgement is a very tense, difficult and dark read. It will take me a long time to get over the ending.
***** ( )

A murder mystery with an ethical thread. Men who deal in trafficing women for prostitution and who order, purchase and distribute tapes of rape and murder of women in war-torn places. All three men are murdered by an appalled female accomplice when she finds what the tapes contain. There is a line some will not cross when others do not even see it. ( )