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Aqua Alta

by Donna Leon

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Aqua Alta is one of Dona Leon's earlier works, being published in England in 1996. I read the paperback edition published in the United States by Penguin in 2004. In Aqua Alta Ms. Leon writes effectively about the flood tides which invade Venice at certain seasons of the year – and combines the 'high water' of the book's title with her usual excellent portrayal of Italy and its local Italians in the North. Donna Leon also manages to insert plenty of referrals to classical music, including opera – with one of her major characters an operatic soprano. Ms. Leon's work is always a delight to read, providing the authentic, factual Venetian and Italian background unnecessary to mystery writers who choose settings here in the United States.

Aqua Alta begins with a vicious beating. Archeologist Brett Lynch is attacked by two men she admits to her apartment in the mistaken assumption that they're bringing her some papers from a museum administrator she's to meet on the following day. Her lover, Flavia Petrelli, is a diva from La Scala singing in the kitchen along with one of her recordings, and completely unaware until too late what's occurring by the front door. I must admit that it took me a few seconds to realize that Brett was a female, since she obviously has what is mostly regarded as a male name, but the idea of lesbianism is certainly not a repugnant one to this critic, and I quickly adjusted.

The two thugs quickly depart when Flavia manages to cut one of them with her kitchen knife – and Brett finally lands in the hospital with two broken ribs and her mouth wired together for a cracked jaw. It's there that Guido Brunetti comes to visit her, the case initially being given to someone else, and only appearing after his recognition of her name in the police report. His superior claims it was an attempted robbery, although nothing was stolen. Then Semenzato, the director of the museum with whom Brett had the appointment, is murdered.

It develops that Semenzato had – like many other people in high places – a lucrative sideline involving collectors and an antique dealer. Investigation into his bank deposits, telephone calls and travel itineraries brings out his frequent association with a known Mafia mobster who has recently moved to the area from the South. The man is Signore La Capra, and he has a son, Salvatore, known for nefarious activites with a lengthy record. So far, both have managed to avoid incarceration by the clever footwork of their expensive lawyers. Brunetti feels they are the ones responsible for certain artifacts that have suddenly gone missing – beautiful pieces that have simply disappeared.

Brunetti collects most of the information he desires, and as it accumulates it's increasingly evident that the La Capras are major influences – in the robberies, Brett's beating, and Semenzato's murder. But it's not until Brett is effectively placed in La Capra's hands that things come to a head. The rising tides play a compelling part in the final scenes, and although Brunetti once more succeeds in 'getting his man' he realizes that the actual punishment deserved by La Capra may be once again withheld by clever lawyers plus corrupt officials.

It's always fun to read one of Donna Leon's mysteries about the activities of Inspector Brunetti. Ms. Leon provides such a vivid Italian setting to her stories that you become emersed in both the language and the country. Although Donna Leon was born right here in the United States, very few authors (excepting those who choose other English-speaking countries such as England or Ireland) can bring such background reality to their work. Venice – especially Northern Italy – is, of course, Ms. Leon's adopted city and nation; that alone accounts for much of her success. She's lived there for more than twenty years. But Donna Leon towers above her
contemporaries when it comes to foreign settings – regardless of where any author chooses to take his or her protagonist!
And if you love classical music as well, be sure not to miss any of the Donna Leon Brunetti series.

Alan Paul Curtis

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