A review by bunny7
Trace Elements by Donna Leon

5.0

If one draws a line between genre fiction and literary fiction, Donna Leon has a foot firmly planted in both camps. Her Venetian series starring Commissario (police superintendent) Guido Brunetti are always entertaining mysteries, but they are always far more, with outstanding characterization and (disturbing) insights into Italian and Venetian politics as they affect police investigations. One can read these novels as standalones, but much more pleasure will be derived by starting nearer the beginning of the series and gradually getting to know Brunetti (how can you not be fascinated by a detective who reads Aeschylus for pleasure?), his family, his fellow police officers, and the city itself. “Trace Elements” is concerned with pollution of Venetian waters. I highly recommend it.