Book description
In the thirty-third installment of Donna Leon's magnificent series, Commissario Guido Brunetti confronts a present-day Venetian menace and the ghosts of a heroism that never wasAround one AM on an early spring morning, two teenage gangs are arrested after clashing violently in one of Venice's squares. Commissario Claudia Griffoni, on duty that night, perhaps ill-advisedly walks the last of the boys home because his father, Dario Monforte, failed to pick him up at the Questura. Coincidentally, Guido Brunetti is asked by a wealthy friend of Vice-Questore Patta to vet Monforte for a job, triggering Brunetti's memory that twenty years earlier Monforte had been publicly celebrated as the hero of a devastating bombing of the Italian military compound in Iraq. Yet Monforte had never been awarded a medal either by the Carabinieri, his service branch, or by the Italian government.That seeming contradiction, and the brutal attack on one of Brunetti's colleagues, Enzo Bocchese, by a possible gang member, concentrate Brunetti's attentions. Surprisingly empowered by Patta, supported by Signorina Elettra's extraordinary research abilities and by his wife, Paola's, empathy, Brunetti, with Griffoni, gradually discovers the sordid hypocrisy surrounding Monforte's past, culminating in a fiery meeting of two gangs and a final opportunity for redemption.A Refiner's Fire is Donna Leon at her very best: an elegant, sophisticated storyteller whose indelible characters become richer with each book, and who constantly explores the ambiguity between moral and legal justice.
About the Author
Donna Leon, born in New Jersey in 1942, has worked as a travel guide in Rome and as a copywriter in London. She taught literature in universities in Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia. Commissario Brunetti made her books world-famous. Donna Leon lived in Italy for many years, and although she now lives in Switzerland, she often visits Venice.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Intimidation Station
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Classy Dancer
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Pinball Wizard
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Seal Snake
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs.
Risen
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Doughboy, Esq
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now!
Black Fantastic
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Frosty Snazz
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Viceswerve
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Ember Rope
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Mother Hen
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
TeederSmartie
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Fuzzy Claws
Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Pixie Soldier
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Bazooka Har-de-har
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
FRMhndshk
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
Black Fantastic
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Mr. Thanksgiving
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Are Ess Tee
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience