A Sea of Troubles (2001) Donna Leon The tenth Commissario Brunetti mystery finds Signorina Elettra deciding to take a more active role in the investigation of the murders of a fisherman and his son. We get Brunetti’s observations upon the people around him, of course. Her smile, which exposed perfect teeth and permitted the appearance […]

Friends in High Places (1999) Donna Leon The ninth Commissario Brunetti book finds the Brunetti family possibly in danger of losing their apartment. ‘I’m afraid there is some doubt as to the official status of your apartment.’ “‘Official status”?’ Brunetti repeated, looking off to the left of Rossi, to the solid wall and then up […]

A Matter of Magic: Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward (1991/1997) Patricia C. Wrede This is a reissue of two lovely YA novels, Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward. Kim is a thief in London, who hopes that this job will help her get off the streets for good–before those around her discover […]

The Sword Dancer (2013) Jeannie Lin Set in Tang Dynasty China — AD 848 Thief-catcher Han is searching for jewel thieves. Li Feng was involved in the heist, but not for the reasons the others in her group were, so she left the group but still fell afoul of Han. This was a book I […]

Fatal Remedies (1999) Donna Leon I actually didn’t repurchase this as an ebook, because I clearly remembered not liking it the first time around. Mind you, I’m not saying it’s not good, because it is good. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. The 8th mystery opens with Paola breaking the window of […]

A Noble Radiance (1998) Donna Leon The seventh Commissario Brunetti mystery opens with a body (more bones than body) discovered when a field is plowed. We get to enjoy the usual characters, of course. Signorina Elettra was at his door before he could answer his own question. ‘Please come in,’ he called. ‘You found it […]

Quietly in Their Sleep (1997) Donna Leon The 6th Commissario Brunetti mystery finds Brunetti in charge while Patta is on vacation. It also finds a young woman in his office with claims of patients at a nursing home being murdered for the legacy they left to the church and home. ‘No, Commissario, it’s not your […]

Acqua Alta (1996) Donna Leon The fifth book in the Commisario Brunetti series finds the city of Venice a major character, as the Acqua Alta threatens the city with flooding. We also return to Flavia Petrelli and Brett, the women from the first book. Brett has returned to the city to speak to the Dottor […]

Death and Judgment (1995) Donna Leon The fourth book in the Commisario Brunetti series opens with a truck smuggling prostitutes crashing, and killing the driver and all the women in back. We then see the death of Avvocato Carlo Trevisan. his own office, specializing in corporate and international law. Italy is a country in which […]

Raven Cursed Audible version (2012/2012) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam I am really enjoying listening to this series–perhaps more than I was expecting to. I’ve found that when I listen to a book, I tend to hear things I missed when reading, especially when it comes to action scenes, where I’m speed reading through […]

Dressed for Death (1994) Donna Leon And now, in the third book of the Commisario Brunetti series, we finally meet Elettra, who will become just as (if not more) central to the series as Vianello. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Signorina Zorzi,” Brunetti said. The name rang familiarly in his ear. “I believe I’m […]

Death in a Strange Country (1993) Donna Leon The second Commisario Brunetti books finds Brunetti investigating the murder of an American stationed in Vicenza, Italy. In this book, we meet Sargent Vianello, who will help Brunetti throughout the series, and become just as beloved. When Brunetti turned to leave, Vianello asked, ‘What about the deal […]

Death at La Fenice (1992) Donna Leon I love Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series. It’s set in Venice, Italy, and the place is a much a character as Brunetti, his family, and the other members of the Questura. Like all street addresses in Venice, the one the American had given him was virtually meaningless in […]