A REFINER'S FIRE Commissario Guido Brunetti, Book 33

David Colacci, longtime narrator of the Inspector Brunetti mysteries, performs with confidence in this broody story that starts with teenage gangs wreaking havoc in Piazza San Marco and evolves into a tale of bullying and secrets in many quarters. As always in this series, corruption is rife in Venetian officialdom. Leon's writing emphasizes exposition over dialogue, so Colacci delivers most of the story in his distinctively American baritone, which contrasts sharply and often uncomfortably with his Italian character voices. As for characters, males and females are clearly differentiated, and the central personalities are distinct. Secondary people, who sound more Italian American than Italian, are given some well-chosen quirks. As befits a relaxed Italian approach to life, Colacci performs without hurry. Buon appetito to regular listeners. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]