DRESSED FOR DEATH

Commissario Brunetti is a likable and thoroughly modern Venetian detective, and David Colacci enhances Brunetti’s world. Colacci makes us feel the crushing heat of the Venetian summer and employs a slight but authentic-sounding Italian accent for the dialogue. Brunetti is hoping to head for the mountains on a family holiday when the body of a man, beaten beyond recognition, is found dressed in red shoes and a dress. The victim is not a transvestite but the president of a bank, so Brunetti must unravel a web of corporate welfare fraud and sex scandals. Colacci adeptly varies his voice to distinguish multiple characters, including Brunetti’s brilliant wife, Paola; daughter, Chiara; assistant, Vianello; and a number of Venetian transvestites. A.B. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]