Reviews - Death at La Fenice

611 reviews for:

Death at La Fenice

Donna Leon

3.62 AVERAGE

lakecake's review against another edition

3.0

I was iffy about this book all the way through, and then the ending just blew me away. I wasn't expecting it at all, and it really made the book.

deboramadeleine's review against another edition

3.0

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

ist okay

chrisbarranco's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

d_audy's review against another edition

3.75

funny informative mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A good debut to what became a long series. Leon's skills at writing mysteries will no doubt evolve a lot over time, but already she's created an interesting protagonist in an evocative setting that feels lived in and avoids nicely turning itself into a touristy tour guide. The mystery story is interesting but rather conventional, for now it's the characters of Guido and his family, and the insight into Venetian culture that remain the main draw and will definitely make me pick the next book in the series sooner than later.

penguin555's review against another edition

4.25

funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

mingerific's review against another edition

Venice! A likeable, cultured detective with an interesting family! Witty asides! What's not to like?
(OK,the fact that there's over 30 of these already and the author seems to publish regularly is daunting) but long live mysteries

rissaleighs's review against another edition

3.0

I think I read mysteries mainly for the setting. Is that weird? So I definitely enjoyed the glimpse into the canals of Venice and the opera scene that this book gives. I was a little confused by all the political references, though,and accidentally spoilered myself by googling and trying to figure out what was up with Italy and communism in the late 80s early 90s. (Never quite figured it out.) The mystery itself ended up being a little more sordid than I really wanted it to be. Trigger warning: pedophiles. Ugh. I might try another in this series, though. I liked the detective.