Weather and tides and looting by “baby gangs” require a bit of real police work, but then the vandalism of Flora’s veterinary clinic on Murano, which might be linked to their enquiries, gives their work official standing. What they ultimately uncover presents them with a dilemma, which is then taken out of their hands by others. But the deeper truth, when Brunetti uncovers it, admonishes him for forgetting to be a policeman when he most needed to.

Guido Brunetti loves his city and his family. He cares about the people he works with (but not those he works for) and makes the most of friendships and good food and wine. We know there will be a murder in the book but it takes a while for Leon to get us there - a gentle path with everyday events that need Guido's attention. March is one of my favorite months because that is usually when Donna Leon’s latest Commissario Guido Brunetti book is published. I was fortunate enough to read an #ARC of 2023’s book. A panoramic view of the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice with the equestrian statue of mercenary Bartolomeo Colleoni on the extreme right. The history of the mercenary, the statue and the location are featured during "Give Unto Others." Image sourced from Wikipedia.Like all of Leon's novels, it ultimately feels like a glorious invigorating holiday.' Daily Express

Brunetti is approached by a woman who knew him and his family long ago, asking his “advice”; she is worried about her daughter because of the behaviour of the daughter’s husband. Brunetti allows old loyalty to draw him into an “unofficial” investigation, which slowly - very slowly - begins to uncover possible malfeasance. The good news is that she ages him – so there is a sense of realness about her characters, which makes him and others believable. So, she thinks he's involved in something bad, but she still considers him a good person who could not be involved with anything dishonest?" She asked permitting herself sarcasm but keeping anger in reserve." Wondrous . . . A reader who is new to the series can start anywhere and pretty much be up to snuff with Commissario Brunetti, his family, co-workers, and the highs and lows of Venice, his lifelong home. The books are character studies, triptychs and psychological dissertations, all wrapped around the heart of a mystery.” — BookreporterCommissario Brunetti’s investigations place Donna Leon very high in the hierarchy of crime writing.” — Le Figaro (Paris) As a favour to his wealthy father-in-law, the Count Falier, Commissario Guido Brunetti agrees to investigate the seemingly innocent wish of the Count's best friend, the elderly and childless Gonzalo, to adopt a younger man as his son. Under Italian inheritance laws, this man would become the sole heir to Gonzalo's substantial fortune, something which Gonzalo's friends, including the Count, find appalling. For his part, Brunetti wonders why they're so intent on meddling in the old man's business.