A Venetian Reckoning and Death and Judgment are two titles for the same Donna Leon novel. This is the fourth Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery. It follows Brunetti as a deadly truck crash in the Dolomites and the murder of a lawyer in Venice point toward a larger crime. I found it one of the darker installments in the series; here is my spoiler-light review and whether I recommend it. The publisher confirms the alternate title.
A Venetian Reckoning Summary
A truck crashes on a treacherous road in the Italian Dolomites, exposing a disturbing cargo. Meanwhile, a prominent international lawyer is found dead aboard an intercity train. Commissario Guido Brunetti begins to suspect that the two tragedies are connected.
Commissario Guido Brunetti is assigned the case of the prominent lawyer’s death. The case is considered important because he was a friend of the mayor. Brunetti investigates the past of the lawyer and tries to figure out why anyone would want him dead.
More deaths follow as Brunetti searches for the connection between the lawyer, the crash and a wider criminal network. Can he uncover what is happening before anyone else is killed?
Commentary
The book appeared in the United Kingdom as A Venetian Reckoning and in the United States as Death and Judgment. It was first published in 1995. The Brunetti mysteries can be read individually, but I recommend starting with the first book if you want to follow the detective and his family from the beginning.
A big theme of the novels seems to be the crimes committed by the powerful. Brunetti is often unable to do much about them. He is only one person and his sense of justice makes him see it through as he learns just how corrupted the rich and powerful are.
This novel is dark and not always easy to read. Some scenes deal with exploitation and violence, and Brunetti’s investigation exposes the power of people who expect to escape consequences. Leon’s treatment of those themes is part of what made the book stay with me.
Conclusion
The writing style of Leon is what makes me come back to her novels. And while this novel was darker than her usual novels, it was still a great read. It is hard to believe there are over two dozen more books in the series to read but that is the goal! Happy reading
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