Fatal remedies: In nighttime Venice, a woman shatters the window of a travel agency. When the police arrive, she puts up no resistance. The woman is Paola Brunetti, Inspector Brunetti's wife. She is convinced that the agency caters to pedophiles seeking sex in poor Asian and African countries.

A noble radiance: Brunetti's search for justice puts him against a powerful Venetian family. The man whose skeleton is found in a field outside of Venice spoke his last words two years ago. The ring on his finger continues to speak, however, as it bears the arms of the Lorenzonis, one of the wealthiest families in Venice.