Why a Booktrail?
1990s – No one transports you to Venice in quite the same way that Donna Leon does
Death at La Fenice (Brunetti 1)
What you need to know before your trail
The twisted maze of Venice’s canals are shrouded in mist and mystery and they have always been a place of interest and intrigue for visitors and locals alike.
Not far from its shores is the world famous opera house La Fenice. An ironic musical statue in the city but which is also has overtones of death attached to it.
Just recently, Maestro Helmut Wellauer has been poisoned during a performance of La Traviata.
Commissario of Police, Guido Brunetti, may be used to the ripe corruption of the city, but he’s is shocked at the number of enemies Wellauer has made on his way to the to the top.
But who would have motive enough to actually kill him?
Travel Guide
The beauty of Venice is crumbling. For the once grand opera house, La Fenice is now tainted with the murder of Maestro Helmut Wellauer during a performance of La Traviata.
The Fenice is a world class establishment and a world class theatre renowned and loved by many – we are in that theatre as the performance starts –
“The third gong, announcing that the opera was about to continue sounded discreetly through the lobbies and bars of Teatro La Fenice.”
“Here a jewel flashed, there a mink cape was adjusted over a naked shoulder or an infinitesimal speck of dust was flicked from a satin label”
It’s here we met the main police officer – Guido Brunetti, vice-commissario of police in Venice, who is sharp and very insightful detective. He likes to take time over his investigations and so appears slow to act but his way is the gently probing way and to gather as much information as he can, discreetly before moving on. His contacts are very important to him and he likes to get the job done.
“Because this was Venice the police came by boat”
Of course Venice is his home so he cares about his city – and his love for his family shine through – he strives not to neglect wife Paola and their two children despite the horrors he may find in the city.
But its the world of high class theatre of backstabbing and murder happening just of stage, that the theatrical and the drama of Venice really comes to the fore –
“The lights dimmed the hall grew dark…..
And the stage was set for murder”
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