A chilly winter's night. At the Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano, there is a scent of fine food in the air, and it's cold - so nobody notices the two gentlemen with their hats pulled down over their faces, scarves and turned-up collars. They are surrounded by a colourful display, by the blankets laid down by the African street vendors who are hawking their fake Gucci, Prada and Missoni bags in the heart of Venice. But this peaceful atmosphere of Christmas goodwill is suddenly shattered by the sound of five gunshots. One of the street vendors has been murdered in broad daylight. No-one displays much interest in solving the murder case of an illegal immigrant – no-one, that is, except Brunetti. Behind Venice's well-known facades, the Commissario discovers a world with a law of its own. And when the powers that be attempt to hinder his investigation, Brunetti suspects that this case will prove to be particularly enthralling...