Brunetti is a police inspector with a keen mind, razor-sharp wit and a touch of melancholy. In fact, his is probably the most melacholic expression in all of Venice. He strives to bring criminals to justice, but experience has taught him that countless things work against that, human frailty, corruption and police incompetence being chief among them. It may be a Sisyphean task but the impossibility galvanizes his resolve to tackle head-on the ominous intertwining of economy, politics and crime. He takes refuge from the job in the company of his loving wife Paola, a university literature professor, and two teenage children, Raffi and Chiara. The charismatic inspector also receives professional support from Sergeant Vianello, who is as loyal as he is capable, while his smug superior, Vice-Questore Patta continues to hinder him in his work. On the other hand, Patta's secretary, Signorina Elettra pushes Brunetti's investigations forward again and again by providing him with information from sources that never cease to amaze him, even after years of working together.