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May 25, 2014DorisWaggoner rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Berendt says the timing of this visit to Venice was coincidental--he'd wanted to spend a few weeks there in the off-season getting to know the city, and its residents, without "the crush of other tourists." But he arrives 3 days after the disastrous fire that destroys the Fenice Opera House. This last opera house in the city, a showplace of interest to Venetians who inherit their season tickets, not tourists, sets off a drama that claims Berendt. I'm not an opera buff, and have never been to Venice, but he had me hooked. Somehow he got entree into the highest levels of Venetian society, officaldom, and the investigation. Corruption was everywhere, including the American volunteer groups working on Venetian restoration. Not all mysteries get solved, including why some interesting side topics are included in the book. I was left admiring Donna Leon's Venice mysteries even more, as Berendt's view of the city dovetails with hers. Oh--spoiler, but it took eight years and three contractors before the gala reopening of the Fenice.