The temptation of forgiveness

The memorable characters and Venetian drama that have long captivated Donna Leon's many readers are on full display in this novel. Surprised, if not dismayed, to discover from his superior, Vice-Questore Patta, that leaks are emanating from the Questura, Commissario Guido Brunetti is even more surprised by the appearance in his office of a friend of his wife's, fearful that her son is using drugs. When Tullio Gasparini, the woman's husband, is found unconscious and with a serious head injury at the foot of a bridge in Venice after midnight, Brunetti is drawn to pursue a possible connection to the boy's behaviour. But the truth is not straightforward.