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Product Description
Review
"Surprisingly moving . . . a first-rate mystery and a fine novel."
--"Washington Post Book World"
"Dibdin's plot is as elegantly elaborate as the crisscrossing canals of Venice."
--"Newsday"
"The author has transcended his own superb craftsmanship by working [two] story lines into a structure of pure steel, and by making it the foundation of a serious study of modern-day Venice."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
--"Washington Post Book World"
"Dibdin's plot is as elegantly elaborate as the crisscrossing canals of Venice."
--"Newsday"
"The author has transcended his own superb craftsmanship by working [two] story lines into a structure of pure steel, and by making it the foundation of a serious study of modern-day Venice."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
"From the Trade Paperback edition."
Product Description
Aurelio Zen returns to his native Venice to investigate the disappearance of a rich American resident but he soon learns that, amid the hazy light and shifting waters of the lagoon, nothing is what it seems. As Zen is drawn deeper into the complex and ambiguous mysteries surrounding the discovery of a skeletal corpse on an ossuary island in the north lagoon, he is also forced to confront a series of disturbing revelations about his own life.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been drawn to this series as this is the fourth "Zen Mystery" I have read recently. For any readers new to these books all the installments are available except "Cabal", which Amazon shows scheduled for release next month. Nothing I have read so far has suffered from my out of sequence start, but as in any series there are references to prior events that would make the reader more comfortable with the history of the character, if known. The Author Michael Dibdin gives at least a sketch of what has happened if not the details, so starting with the most recent book, as I did, was still very enjoyable.
"Dead Lagoon" brings the protagonist back home, to the City of Venice, the Zen Family house, and a Venice in political turmoil that welcomes only those Venetians that meet their criteria. While this book continues the investigative mystery that is the core of these books, Mr. Dibdin coils a second plot line that is politically based in to the narrative. While it is not as distinct an element, the latter half of 20th Century Venetian History is also intertwined.
The subsequent books will tell, but I believe this is a turning point in the development of Aurelio Zen. As he has in the past he winds up in the middle of a crime, but the practical realities of right and wrong, are blurred by who the victim is, what childhood friends are involved, and other issues long thought to be laid to rest that come back to make Zen's world even more chaotic. And as in the other works, Zen is forced to deal with his Mother who has no use for anyone or anything, when her boy leaves her alone in Rome.
Different from the others I have read, but still very worthy of the time spent.
"Dead Lagoon" brings the protagonist back home, to the City of Venice, the Zen Family house, and a Venice in political turmoil that welcomes only those Venetians that meet their criteria. While this book continues the investigative mystery that is the core of these books, Mr. Dibdin coils a second plot line that is politically based in to the narrative. While it is not as distinct an element, the latter half of 20th Century Venetian History is also intertwined.
The subsequent books will tell, but I believe this is a turning point in the development of Aurelio Zen. As he has in the past he winds up in the middle of a crime, but the practical realities of right and wrong, are blurred by who the victim is, what childhood friends are involved, and other issues long thought to be laid to rest that come back to make Zen's world even more chaotic. And as in the other works, Zen is forced to deal with his Mother who has no use for anyone or anything, when her boy leaves her alone in Rome.
Different from the others I have read, but still very worthy of the time spent.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Protagonist is Aurelio Zen an Italian senior policeman who in this novel (11 of 18 in the series) returns to his family roots in Venice, ostensibly to investigate a friend's minor assault, but is really investigating the death of a U.S./Croat war criminal. This official/unofficial theme runs throughout in tune with clean versus corrupt or dirty imagery.
Zen is an interesting character; middle-aged, hatchet-faced, stroppy, surly, claustrophobic, subject to panic attacks and very politically astute. Mr Dibdin has a fluent style which occasionally seemed Germanic.
There is a plethora of crime novels based in Venice and this is one of the best although the fruitless pursuit of his friend did read like 'a Guided Tour of all the bits of Venice that I haven't managed to get in so far including the Lido'!
His view of Venice in February is not romantic in fact it is dirty (well, a ruder word is used actually). This is grown-up, well thought out with no crash-bang-wallop ending. It is downbeat in keeping with the story and its themes and I think all the better for that.
Really took to Zen as the book wore on which was pleasing as I found the cover on the Faber edition very dull and off-putting.
Zen is an interesting character; middle-aged, hatchet-faced, stroppy, surly, claustrophobic, subject to panic attacks and very politically astute. Mr Dibdin has a fluent style which occasionally seemed Germanic.
There is a plethora of crime novels based in Venice and this is one of the best although the fruitless pursuit of his friend did read like 'a Guided Tour of all the bits of Venice that I haven't managed to get in so far including the Lido'!
His view of Venice in February is not romantic in fact it is dirty (well, a ruder word is used actually). This is grown-up, well thought out with no crash-bang-wallop ending. It is downbeat in keeping with the story and its themes and I think all the better for that.
Really took to Zen as the book wore on which was pleasing as I found the cover on the Faber edition very dull and off-putting.
Format:Kindle Edition
I'm really keen on this series; I like the setting and characters, the pace and the style. But don't come to this book expecting it to be the same as the first three, the author has moved on, both in his personal life but also in his style of writing. Come to this book as a fresh expression of much loved characters and you'll enjoy it just as much as the first three.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
very hard work
I have read several of the Zen books before and I have become used to the rambling style in which Zen coducts his investigations. Read more
Published 3 months ago by boschfan1
Venice by another name
This is the fourth in the series featuring Italian detective Aurelio Zen. Zen comes from Venice and in this novel returns to his native city on a pretext, the real reason being to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ragnar
Dead Lagoon
This is the fourth book in the series of Inspector Zen series, i enjoyed the first three and also watched them on TV. Read more
Published 4 months ago by margaret
another great Zen novel from Michael Dibdin
i'm so sad there'll be no more as I really loved these books - Zen is a complex, flawed hero with a brilliant mind & I found this book just as intriguing and unputdownable as the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by pollyanna
excellent service, excellent condition
Arrived on time and copy was in prime condition. Dead Lagoon is a little less lively others of Dibdin's Zen books but a fine read nonetheless.
Published 7 months ago by rosie
Aurelio Zen
After seeing the T V series I just had to try the books! I have to admit I found the character darker and the plots very intricate. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mrs. L. A. Raughter
Give it a go Dottore
Having watched and enjoyed the TV adaptations, I started on the fourth book in the series, which works for me as I can't compare it to anything. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Strefford Villas
Book review
A good read especially if you like Aurelio Zen the only drawback with this edition was the text size presumably to save paper some of the dearer editions may be easier on the eye.
Published 15 months ago by G. Kissick
Heavy Going
Purchsed book for my Husband following the hit TV trio of episodes which we loved. Boo, however, is really heavy going and will not be purchasing the rest of the series -... Read more
Published 15 months ago by T. Oakes
'Dead Lagoon' Review
I have never written a review for a book before, but in this instance I felt compelled to share my views with others. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2006 by Lara
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