Venice. Hidden places!

So Shall You Reap (Inspector Brunetti #32) by Donna Leon    

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Inspector Brunetti is transported back to his student days, to the Italy of the red brigade activists — bombing, kidnapping, disappearances.

What prompted this? A body was found. It was a pleasant Buddhist Sri Lankan, Inesh Kavinda, who was living in the garden shed of the Palazzo Zaffo Sri Leonie.

Brunetti had met him.   Days before he’d enquired for his father-in-law if the rumour was true that the palazzo was for sale, a hidden palazzo with its abandoned gardens. (And ok, I’d just viewed a Monty Don program about the gardens of Venice. So I was all a quiver at the idea of mysterious spaces unknown to Brunetti)

At that time the owners were away. It turns out the wife is an old friend of Guido’s from his childhood, Gloria Forcolin. 

Mindful of the past, Brunetti has much to ponder. Meanwhile one of his officers runs into trouble at a Gay pride parade. The past and present are on a collision course. 

As always an insightful foray into Venetian life, the past, the various laws of inheritance, including titles, and of course food.

A Grove Atlantic ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.