A New York Times bestseller: The police investigate the death of a veterinarian in Venice, Italy in this "swiftly paced" mystery (The Seattle Times). When the body of man is found in a canal, damaged by the tides, carrying no wallet, and wearing only one shoe, Guido Brunetti has little to work with. No local has filed a missing-person report, and no hotel guests have disappeared. The autopsy shows he had suffered from a rare, disfiguring disease. A shopkeeper tells Brunetti that the man had a kindly way with animals. Finally, the victim is identified as a much-loved veterinarian-and Brunetti's quest to find the killer will take him on a harrowing journey . . . "All her trademark strengths shine in this swiftly paced, sophisticated tale of greed versus ethics." -The Seattle Times "Written with such delicacy and emotional force that we can't help but be reminded of Greek tragedy." -Booklist, starred review

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