As you know I am big fan of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, but when you are all caught up and are waiting for the next book to be released  or there is an eight week wait list at the library, then you have to have an alternative to get your fix of crime solving and soulful reflections on the human condition. As I was looking around for something to feed my Penny habit, I remembered Donna Leon and her Commisario Brunetti series and fell in love all over again! This series is more than an alternative, it is worthy of being on the same pedestal as my beloved Inspector Gamache!

If this all sounds a bit overwrought it may be because I am channeling some of the Italian propensity for drama, as Leon’s series is set in Venice, Italy.  Behind the beauty of the old city, the canals and the gondolas there is a living city and Commisario Brunetti, a detective on the police force, serves and protects the people who live there.

So when a very famous but notoriously difficult German conductor is found dead during the intermission at the famous Le Fenice opera house, Brunetti is called to investigate. With numerous people who had both motive and opportunity, Brunetti is overwhelmed with evidence, but soon realizes that this death may be revenge for an injustice buried deep in the political corruption of Venice’s past, which makes his job even more difficult.

Brunetti has a gruff exterior, but is caring towards the people he works with and his wife and family. He believes in law and order, in right and wrong, but sometimes, especially in Venice, the rules must be bent in order to get justice. Leon evokes the world of Venice with great attention to detail and yet creates a living breathing city, not a Disneyesque replica. Whenever Brunetti stops for coffee, or has lunch, Leon describes it so lovingly you can almost taste it!  I have enjoyed every book I have read, and you will too!

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Marian and Keith

Book Study Worthy? Sure, but must go to an Italian restaurant!

Read in ebook format.