Guido Brunetti is a Commissario di Polizia of the City of Venice. It takes quite a few pages before a body is found floating in one of the lesser-used canals and the detective’s inspired investigative skills emerge for us to admire.
Until then, Donna Leon, at her usual measured, thoughtful pace, fills in Brunetti’s background. She tells us about his home life and his working relationships at the Questura.
The Commissario’s skilled diplomacy is used to obtain the release of a police officer detained in a neighbouring jurisdiction. He was demonstrating in civilian clothes for legislative change. Soon after, Brunetti gives a shrewd explanation to the Vice-Questore of his own police command. Without letting us know, he must’ve thought out what he would say in case he was asked. The result is a gem.
Luigi Rubini had recently served a prison sentence for being a dealer in stolen property. As a middleman he has a list of wealthy clients not bothered about the provenance of the high value objects he sells. There’s a rumour that he’s about to start up again. Before a magistrate’s order to have access to Rubini’s phone is obtained, news is received that surprises Brunetti, his colleagues and me.
When the body in the canal is reported and there’s evidence of brutality, the Commissario puts other cases on hold and concentrates on finding the murderer, using logic, intelligence, intuition and the ABC of policing: accept nothing, believe no-one and challenge everything.
Factors he immediately considers are opportunity, method and motive. In this case, opportunity and method are quickly ascertained. Motive proves elusive. Love, lust, revenge and hate are strong possibilities. With the help of Sara, a lovable dog, the murderer is eventually unearthed.
So Shall You Reap is well-crafted, engaging and intriguing.
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
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