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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
A thoughtful whodunnit, though it doesn't get done until three quarters of the way through. If you love Venice and thoughtful policemen you will enjoy this!
Unto Us a Son Is Given by Donna Leon is the 28th in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series but it easily reads as a standalone. Beautiful Venice is as much a part of this novel as Brunetti himself. Guido is approached by his father-in-law in the hope that he will discourage their mutual friend Gonzalo in his endeavour to adopt a much younger man as his son. The inheritance laws in Italy permit that this adoptee can then become heir to Gonzalo's entire fortune in the event of the old man's death. Guido sees nothing wrong with Gonzalo's plan but soon after, the old man collapses in the street and dies. It is at this point that the story becomes a mystery. I found that this book read more as a cozy than a police procedural. However, this takes nothing away from the enjoyment of this title. Although the action ramps up slowly, this novel packs quite a wallop. I look forward to reading other books by Donna Leon. Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Super sad..super super sad.
And I'm finally caught up!
And I'm finally caught up!
It was a friend who suggested, about four months ago, that I take a look at Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series, as a way of taking my mind off the pandemic. He said she was an intelligent writer and her Brunetti mysteries were unique--and set in Venice. That was the bait--Venice, and its people.
This is the fourth one I've read, and I have another on hold at the library. This is the first one I've given five stars to, although they've all been readable and interesting--and different. If you're looking for a tough-guy lead and books that end in shoot-outs, knifings or dangerous capture-the-bad-guy scenarios, Brunetti probably isn't for you. This book did involve a murder, but the motivation and circumstances, as in the other books, were complicated.
Not in a way that was difficult to understand--but complicated by human nature, and Italian law, and our unwillingness to believe the worst. Brunetti solves criminal actions by understanding people (and reading the classics, refusing to master computer searches, and talking to his wife). In most of the books, there are reminders that people don't trust the police. That, too, is refreshing in a crime novel, where police are supposed to be solving problems.
Four and and half stars, rounded up for the unique plotline.
This is the fourth one I've read, and I have another on hold at the library. This is the first one I've given five stars to, although they've all been readable and interesting--and different. If you're looking for a tough-guy lead and books that end in shoot-outs, knifings or dangerous capture-the-bad-guy scenarios, Brunetti probably isn't for you. This book did involve a murder, but the motivation and circumstances, as in the other books, were complicated.
Not in a way that was difficult to understand--but complicated by human nature, and Italian law, and our unwillingness to believe the worst. Brunetti solves criminal actions by understanding people (and reading the classics, refusing to master computer searches, and talking to his wife). In most of the books, there are reminders that people don't trust the police. That, too, is refreshing in a crime novel, where police are supposed to be solving problems.
Four and and half stars, rounded up for the unique plotline.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A mystery that also gives vivid insight into the complexity of why people do things. Loved it.
Unlike most of the recent entries in this series, there is no corruption, no pollution. There is only love, and lust, and family, and friendships. Brunetti is asked by his father-in-law to investigate the young man his oldest friend is planning to adopt. He knows there is a sexual relationship between the two and he fears the older man is being used. Brunetti comes to appreciate his mother's words: "It would be nice if we could choose the people we love, but love chooses them.".
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A