»[…] this cop [. . .] has that rare quality Italians would call un cuore d'oro, a heart of gold.«

»Along the way, murder and perfidy abound, providing Brunetti with numerous investigative challenges. Ultimately, Brunetti muses about the profound nature of family ties and the danger of family secrets, inviting readers to do likewise.«

»An intriguing look at love [and] family life. There is a mystery and a murder here, but they appear very late in this intriguing yarn [. . .] The real focus is on the intricate social realities and old rich families of Leon's beautiful, mysterious and labyrinthine Venice.«

»Brunetti's humane police work is disarming, and his ambles through the city are a delight.« 

»With each installment of the series, [Leon] continues to find and reveal new layers to her familiar characters and to Venice.«