Death at La Fenice: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery

Commissario Brunetti Is a homicide detective in Venice, Italy. He loves his wife, Paolo, his children and Venice. He also loves his work. He is good at puzzles. He listens to the people he interviews. And he is suspicious of nearly everyone he meets. In short, he is good at what he does.The most famous musical conductor in Italy is found murdered in his dressing room after the second act of La Traviata. He was poisoned.Since the man was not a very nice man, there are many possible suspects. In fact, it would be easier to name the people who would not be suspects.This is the first book in the series and it is the first book I have read in the series or by this author. My heavens, it is evident, I have been missing a lot of good writing.The characters are all well developed. Even the secondary characters are done so well, I could picture them. They are also very human. Not all of them are likable, but each of them add to the texture of the story.The story presents descriptions of Venice which are obviously written by someone who loved being there.I liked the characters. I liked the plot. It was not the most difficult mystery to solve, but it is very well done.I can see why Brunetti is the lead character in a long running series. He is interesting, smart and funny. His life is not all detecting. But, his life is full of life.I am glad that I read this book.

Death at La Fenice is written by Donna Leon..This is the first Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, published in 1992.There are currently 32 books in this series with the 32nd title, So Shall You Reap, published in 2023.“During intermission at the famed La Fenice Opera House in Venice, Italy, a notoriously difficult and widely disliked German conductor is poisoned and suspects abound. Commissario Brunetti, a native Venetian, seeks to unravel the mystery behind the high-profile murder.”I have wanted to read this series for a long time and I finally finished Book #1 Death at La Fenice. A great title - as good as I had hoped. The series comes with an excellent pedigree and rave reviews.Guido Brunetti is a very likeable police detective. He is hard-working, sincere, and seemingly uncorrupt. This first book in the prolific series fleshes out the character of Guido Brunetti, his family, his habits and personality. The city of Venice is a character in its own right.I am a big fan of series and am glad I began with Book #1. I have already started Book #2, Death in a Strange Country. I think I have many hours of enjoyable reading ahead of me!Excellent Read ****

The writer is very descriptive and it draws you into the story to the point where there are time you feel as if you are physically there.

I just learned about this series and decided to start with Book #1. I did enjoy it very much. I like the character of Brunetti and the fact that the Series is set in Venice.I am an avid reader, reading almost a book a day. My favorites are mysteries written by European authors, such as Ruth Rendell, Stephen Booth, and Henning Mankell. Although I enjoyed this book a lot, I didn’t feel as if the writing was in the same league as these other authors. The writing is clean and precise, but there aren’t really any captivating phrases or moments when you think to yourself, “Wow, I wish I could write like that!” I still would recommend this series to mystery lovers, especially if you love Venice as I do.

I’ve been collecting Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti books for some time. Like many readers I’m a serial book buyer. It often takes me months and/or yes even years to read some of my books. I’m also one that likes to read a series in order. I will occasionally break this rule but try to adhere most of the time. That said I started on the CB books with book 1 and glad that I did as it did a great job to acclimate the reader to Venice, CB, his family and the way of life personally and professionally. If you’re a lover of Italy and Venice you’ll be reminded of all the things you love. I became drawn into the place more and more each page. The story was compelling but not thrilling. If you’re looking for a Lee Child type ride, this is not it. If you’re looking for a good story that develops at a moderate pace, this is a great one. I didn’t find the story overly descriptive as others mention. I also roll my eyes when something is described for pages. I didn’t find that here. For me it was enough description to set the place and people. I highly recommend the book for anyone that likes a story with unusual characters, a wonderful sense of place and a mystery in the mix. Warning for adult situations that can’t be mentioned without spoilers. Not much in the way of graphic violence or language but will test your sense of justice vs right and wrong.

Donna Leon at her best. Venice in wintry foggy gloom. Violence, but all the colour of the opera, yet Commissario Brunetti solves the crime.

Exceptional. Always fantastic as Donna Leon should be.

I like Donna Leon‘s work.Im definitely going to buy all the series.

a mi abuelo le gustó

Libro giallo intrigante e ambientato a Venezia. Ne prenderò altri della stessa scrittrice