Donna Leon

Brunetti eagerly awaits the long awaited comeback of opera diva Flavia Petrelli.A stalker, however, would like to stage the performance of the opera "Tosca" as Petrelli's as an unforgettable stage performance, in which real blood is supposed to flow

Brunetti would like to have as little as possible to do with the the old-established families. The Commissario however, cannot refuse The venerable Contessa Lando-Continui (Hildegard Schmahl), an request. The 80-year-old urges him to investigate a family tragedy, that was hushed up 15 years ago. Her granddaughter, who almost drowned in a mysterious fall into the canal, has lasting damage from brain injuries. Manuela, now 30 years old, is and will always be on the mental level of a child! When her then saviour is stabbed, Brunetti finds himself in the middle of a murder case. In his investigations he does not stop at the family, the confidants and the business of the mighty Contessa. He wants to find out the whole truth.