Product Description

An Aurelio Zen mystery. Zen returns to his native Venice to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy American resident, but soon learns that, amid the hazy light and shifting waters of the lagoon, nothing is what it seems.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86822 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 354 pages

Customer Reviews

Aurelio Goes Home
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.

Polished writing but ultimately lacks a sharp edge
This was my first Dibdin and while i enjoyed the Venetian setting I always felt that the plot played a supporting role to the location and Zen's cynical character and convoluted personal history. I found about half way through that I no longer cared about the crime being solved. To me the villains seemed half drawn shadows lacking substance and menace. Maybe Dibdin was as preoccupied as his detective by the surroundings but his writing lacks any of the sparks of Chandler's Marlowe books. A fair book but Zen needs to take a holiday or retire.

'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. This book really was very bad - it seemed to slowly plod along with no intrigue or suspense. To make matters worse, the main character, Zen, was at best a hapless moron, and at worst an immoral villain. So thoroughly unlikeable that one really couldn't care less how the book ended and whether or not the plot was solved. I literally only bothered finishing it because I was on a delayed plane with nothing else to read. If Crime Fiction is your thing, I'd recommend Mark Billingham, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell etc. Please don't waste time or money on this.