Soylu Çürüme

Commissario Brunetti #7

by Donna Leon, Volkan Sümbül (Translator)

Donna Leon'un bu yapıtında hep birlikte toprağı kazıyoruz. Bunu yaparken toprağın karanlık sırları, kirli çamaşırları örtmekte aciz kalışına tanıklık ediyoruz aslında. Üzeri toprakla örtülü genç bir adamın iskeleti, Komiser Brunetti'nin geçmişi ve bugünü aydınlatmasına yardımcı oluyor. Yolculuğumuz küçük bir kasabada başlasa da, Venedik'e dönüp, yüksek tavanlı malikanelerde arıyoruz ipuçlarını. Üstünde aile arması olan bir yüzüğün izini takip ederken sadece bir kayboluş hikayesine ait gerçekleri değil, aynı zamanda köklü bir ailenin karanlık yüzünü de buluyoruz. İlk bakışta çürümekte olan tek şey, sular altındaki Venedik'ten kopartılıp toprağa gömülen genç bir adamın bedeniymiş gibi görünse de, aslında daha köklü, daha "soylu" bir şeylerin çürümekte olduğunu gösteriyor Donna Leon bu romanında. Venedik'in içyüzünü içinde yaşadığı toplumun mikrokozmosu olarak bir dedektif romanının merceğinden gözler önüne seriyor.

Ölümün, soyluluğun, hırsın ve aile olgusunun iç içe geçtiği Soylu Çürüme'de Brunetti her zamanki gibi, hizmet ettiği adalet mekanizmasını ve ayrılmaz bir parçası olduğu Venedik'teki "kara ayrıntılar"ı sorguluyor...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Italy, Crime, Detective, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Donna Leon (born September 29, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.

Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over twenty-five years. She has worked as a lecturer in English Literature for the University of Maryland University College - Europe (UMUC-Europe) in Italy, then as a Professor from 1981 to 1999 at the american military base of Vicenza (Italy) and a writer.

Her crime novels are all situated in or near Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, although not, by her request, into Italian. Her ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.

Series:
* Commissario Brunetti

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persistence!

Once again Commissario Brunetti is on a mission of justice.

When the kidnapped son, of the famed Lorenzoni family’s body is found in a shallow grave, Brunetti decides to reinvestigate the kidnapping.

Two years have passed since the young Roberto Lorenzoni was kidnapped and the ransom was never paid.

Brunetti feels that the investigation wasn’t thorough, but he gets no help from the family. As usual, his suspicions are justified.

The city of Venice is lovingly brought to life by Leon. We happily follow Brunetti through her streets as he follow the clues.

Five lovely stars. 💫💫💫💫💫

[Gerald Sinstadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I close this book I reflect on mixed reviews from other readers. Among the disappointed are those who complain of slow pace and a plot which is often virtually static. True, but they bought the wrong book. Donna Leon doesn't aspire to write another Italian Job; she is interested in moral issues, in personal relationships, in truth and justice and corruption. For example, she can deal perceptively with the fur trade in a couple of paragraphs, leave the reader thoughtful before turning the page. Her novels tend to have texture rather than line, and it is easy to believe that to be true of police work.

Devotees may regret that in A Noble Radiance there is less of Venice itself than in the earlier books, but that is compensated by further insights into the character or the Brunetti family. They feel more and more like real people who cook, worry about children, squabble and make up within the context of a family whose lives are touched by the Commissario's often unpleasant job.

Plotwise, the noble Lorenzoni's push the boundaries of credibility but just about survive. The coincidence of the role played by Brunetti's brother is crucial and artfully planted early; many a mystery story has relied on the device but it leaves a faint feeling of cheating. And not for the first time, Signorina Ellettra, with her contacts and her computer, proves to be the most capable detective in the Questura. But she is a secretary - and one whose generous disposal of public funds at the florists might one day merit a thought or two from Brunetti himself.

A Noble Radiance is a good book which, read with the right expectations, will entertain and provoke.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Noble Radiance, the 7th novel and an interesting addition to Donna Leon’s amazing and thought provoking Guido Brunetti Series.

Guido Brunetti, the intelligent and intellectual Venetian Commissario is called in to investigate the findings of a decomposed male body found in a shallow grave by workmen in a home just outside Venice. The body is identified as Roberto Lorenzoni, the son of Count Lorenzoni, a member of the Venetian aristocratic society, who had been abducted two years earlier and had never been found or any ransom being paid.

Brunetti suspects that the family had something to do with the disappearance of Roberto and the more he learns about the Lorenzoni’s family secrets and dubious businesses ventures and as he untangles the clues that are brought to light, the more he realizes that the kidnapping was just the tip of the iceberg in the investigation.

As Brunetti observes the pain and loss of the Lorenzoni family, he reflects on what his wife and children and family mean to him….

"Brunetti's thoughts went from Paola's happiness to his own, and he surprised himself by realizing that it had never before occurred to him to wonder whether he was happy or not. In love with his wife, proud of his children, capable of doing his job well, why would he worry about happiness, and what more than these things could happiness be comprised of?

Brunetti’s relationship with his father-in-law, Count Orazio Falier, is changing and Brunetti begins to see another side of him that he had never seen before.

Politics, corruption and the different sides of justice in Italy, where the law is manipulated and used by the powerful and rich society for their own gains.

Signorina Elletra is someone that I grow to like more and more as I get to know her. There’s something about her….mysterious, smart…yes, a hacker…..funny and kind hearted and understanding. When Brunetti tells her about the pain of Roberto’s mother on hearing about his body being discovered…..

‘The poor mother,’ Elettra said and then added, ‘I wonder if she’s religious.’
‘Why?’
‘It helps people when terrible things happen, when people die.’
‘Are you?’ Brunetti asked.
‘Per carità,’ she said, pushing the idea back towards him with raised hands. ‘The last time I was in church was for my confirmation. It would have upset my parents if I hadn’t done it, which was pretty much the same for all my friends. But since then I’ve had nothing to do with it.’
‘Then why did you say that it helps people?’
‘Because it’s true,’ she said simply. ‘The fact that I don’t believe in it doesn’t prevent it from helping other people. I’d be a fool to deny that.’

This is a sad and emotional and very touching story.

[Christmas Carol ꧁꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard a lot about Leon's books & they are set in one of my favourite places in the world (Italy) & mostly in one of my favourite cities (Venice) Leon not wanting her books translated into Italian (why???)made me a little uneasy, but I thought I would give this one a go.

&, in spite of a few quibbles, overall I'm glad I did. This story at first appeared very slight & was much embellished by Leon's side journeys into food or family life. This did remind me of the late Sue Grafton & hopefully what now just slowed the tale of the discovery of the body of a missing young aristocrat down, will not deteriorate further into the series like Grafton's later writing did.

& this book (written 1999) does show us how quickly the world has moved in recent times.

'And everyone else uses that?' he said, indicating the little box on her desk.
'It's called a modem, sir.'

I feel a hundred years old.

I found some of the characterisations, particularly of the murder victim quite inconsistent - almost like Leon had decided in a slight change of plot & didn't want to rewrite. The book meandered on at it's own leisurely pace & was heading for a 3.5★ rating (which from me is still a good rating) But the ending & resolution were awesome & took me completely by surprise. & I am conscious that I'm starting from Book 7, so may not be being completely fair.

I can get hold of the first book Death at La Fenice. After reading that I'll decide if I want to carry on with the series.

https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's back! Yes, Donna Leon is back in top form in her 7th novel in the Commissario Brunetti series. This time Brunetti s pulled into a case he had nothing to do with when it occurred, two years prior to the books timeline. A body is found in Belluno well over 100 km from Venice. Testing shows it to be the body of a young man who was kidnapped from the family villa (also not in Brunetti's jurisdiction). This turns out to be the body of the only son of a wealthy and noble Venetian family and Brunetti is assigned to the case. So many dead ends in this plot, and so few people who fit the profile of the kidnappers. How did the body end up in the field of an abandoned farm with a bullet in the back of his head? And what makes this book work for me is that the supporting characters are back and in fine form. More and more we see secretary Signorina Elettra becoming a valued part of the team due to her contacts and computer skills. Detective Sergeant Vianello is right by Brunetti's side throughout and then we have his boss, Vice-Questore Patta who is more concerned with his own publicity and not ruffling the feathers of the rich and powerful in Venice. A few new faces also show up, along with Brunetti's family making a strong appearance in the show.
As with all things in Venice, no matter how talented Brunetti is, the rich and powerful always manage to dodge their rightful punishment, but here I must admit that I felt the ending did mete out justice, maybe not exactly as we may wish, but nonetheless a fitting ending of a sad case!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commissaris Guido Brunetti is faced with a case from the past. Two years ago a son was kidnapped from an important and aristocratic family from Venice. And now his body has been found and the case changes from kidnapping towards murder and Brunetti has to solve it albeit that nobody realy wants it solved as it has case pain enough.
This time around there is less Venice but more introspection by the main character. A good as you find out more about this Venetian Chopper.

An enjoyable meandering tale of murder and mayhem, not for adrenaline junkies but for people who do not mind their mysteries at a lot pace.

A nice visit to the city of Venice and its Police. Well adviced to people enjoying their mysteries in exotic places.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Donna Leon, I wish I knew how to quit you.

Seriously guys, I can't fully explain what keeps me coming back to her books. The mysteries are never as good as the synopses make them sound, the stories are full of useless filler scenes to increase the page count, Guido Brunetti's investigative technique is less "actual investigating and action scenes" and more "doing lots of phone interviews", and none of it is terribly riveting.

But then again: Venice. The setting is what makes these books. The way Leon knows and understands this city - the people, the geography, the politics, the overall feel of Venice - is nothing short of intimate, and no matter how lackluster her actual stories can be, I always enjoy seeing Venice through her eyes. I just wish the mysteries were a little better.

This one's not too bad, all things considered. The story starts when the partially-decomposed body of a young man is found in a shallow grave on farmland outside the city. Found on the body: a ring with the crest of an old noble Venetian family. The body is identified as Roberto Lorenzoni, who was kidnapped two years before. Brunetti suspects that the original kidnapping may have been orchestrated by someone within the family, and starts digging into the Lorenzoni's dirty secrets.

It could have been a lot more explosive, as far as I'm concerned - characters were so reluctant to say definitively that the body was Roberto that I was hoping the big twist would be that the body wasn't him and that he had pulled a Harriet Vangar and switched places with a relative, but unfortunately this did not happen. Pointless scenes with Brunetti's family still intrude on the investigation (this time, we get an in-depth look at the daughter learning to make ravioli) but they are at least slightly relevant here, because the scenes make Brunetti consider what would happen if it was one of his children who had gone missing, so it at least connected to the main storyline. Less relevant is the two-page conversation he has with a colleague about insurance plans, but we can't have everything.

The solution to the mystery and ending are, in typical Leon fashion, less than satisfying, but at least this time Brunetti figures everything out on his own instead of having the solution handed to him by someone else. So altogether, not a terrible installment of the Brunetti adventures. Just the usual sense that something is missing.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no mention of any Brunetti or associate until page 18. And it was superb. 4.5 star in every category, not just the beginning. Plot (yes, there is real heinous crime), voice, continuity, conversational flow, characters melding within connection- all of it. Formerly I noted in my successive Brunetti reviews that I was reading them out of order (completely hodgepodge)and that the very best were all within the last 10. Most are, but this Noble Radiance is certainly the one exception to that rule. For inclusion into the "top 5" category out of 25 novels by Donna Leon in Brunetti series of 25, this one is definitely in that elite group. And by some reckonings, might even be in the top 3. I'd say exactly #4 (fourth best) and I only have one more to read. POOR ME! What will I do without my fix of the Veneto. And the reasoning of Guido and Elettra to season my thoughts!

Yes, there is the skillful dichotomy of Italian "Justice" revealed. And the pathways by which the powerful and monetary can entwine. And what that immense "luck" might produce. And also the asides of observation by all of the Brunetti's and in-laws, especially the Count, his father-in-law were not only compelling of intellectual interest but psychologically core to the Italian perception of authority. And more. And more. And more.

Never forgetting that luncheon that might be "best in the series" running all by itself, that Guido had with his father-in-law at the elder's favorite secret place- as a setting for both inquiry and "Father-in-law concerned about his daughter" TALK. And God save me, Guido hates small piles of what I call "tortured" food in 5 star arrangement too! I would have went with the bream as he did, instead of the "coda". But give me a separate dish for the tiny clam shells.

Also, if that were not enough- going to the farmlands on the mainland North of Venice and close to Austria- the regional interplay also became fantastically notched too here. With Patta squirming because of all the money men and power brokerage paths in which he could get solidly caught within the very cracks.

Here was a history to uncover for a "star couple" that was enthralling, as well. And their homes and all that travel. Just the passport of the "vic" was enough for a 4 star read!

And Paola had some bones to throw too. Some of them actually contained a thread of meat. As in what morality "is" and when the death sentence is essential? But more so a kernel of absolute insight when Guido thoughts lead to the observation that the law only contains and punishes what is AGAINST THE LAW. The "bads" that are unlawful. But that formerly religion curtailed the "bads" that were not against the law, but at times, more harmful.

Of course, this is a hard book to review. Because the criminal perp is truly evil. And the outcomes are far more than just unfortunate in societal collapse. And more murder ensues.

This is a really good Leon. Guido matures here.

You know, after reading so many I am getting skilled at recognizing a Leon theme. She loves to relate how this one or that one has no belief but still "loves" the magic or the ritual or the tradition of the forms for religion. So she can then discount faith as a mere voluntary whim or superstitious habit- like loving a certain form of music or the visuals of a ceremony admired.

Oh of course, the Palermo natives who now work in Venice or Milan are slow to the direction that this one takes. As usual. But there are also some extra special under character descriptions too. The victim, his mother and several of the "hear-say" witnesses are pure 5 star.

There's much more of Leon reaching into the core of Italian governmental, cultural, economic that I could type in length upon. And at least 6 or 7 fine quotes to list next after that which were perception incredible. But I won't. It (paperback copy this time) had to go back and I don't have the time.

But this one is a gold nugget disguised within a bluish glowing color? That doesn't make sense? Read this one and find out how it does.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Donna Leon books featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti of the Venice police have become some of my favorite guilty reading pleasures over the past year. Time to squeeze in one more before the year ends!

A Noble Radiance is the seventh in the series and once again it highlights the corruption and intrigue which seem to be hallmarks of public life in Italy - at least in public life as told by Donna Leon.

The plot begins with the discovery of a body, not an unusual event in a murder mystery. In this case, the body is that of a young man, long dead and mostly decomposed. The body is discovered when an abandoned and derelict farm in a village near Venice is purchased by a German doctor from Munich as a retirement home. He starts the process of renovating and upgrading the house and the land around it. As one of the fields is being plowed, the plow uncovers the remains which had been in a shallow grave. The case is assigned to Brunetti.

Along with the body, a ring is discovered. The ring bears the crest of the Lorenzoni family. As it happens, two years earlier, the twenty-year-old son of that family, Roberto, had been kidnapped. A ransom was demanded but his father was not able to access the money to pay it, thus it was never paid. The family never had a second request from the supposed kidnappers and they've never heard from or seen their son again. His body was never found. The experience has completely destroyed the boy's grieving mother.

Soon the authorities are able to confirm that the body that was found is Roberto's and the old kidnapping case that was never solved is reopened as a murder case.

As Guido investigates, he senses that there is something "off" about the family relationships, particularly the father and a nephew who is now the family heir. He begins to suspect that Roberto's disappearance may not have been a clearcut kidnapping and that the family may be involved.

As the Commissario investigates, he goes home each day to his own family of a wife and two teenage children and we see the contrast between this loving unit and the Lorenzoni family. Brunetti's relationships with his family and with the co-workers whom he trusts, like Signorina Elletra, sustain him and make it possible for this clever, empathetic, and philosophical detective to maintain his integrity in a corrupt system. Time spent with him always leaves the reader with the sense that continuing to fight the good fight is a worthy goal in and of itself.

(Originally published at my blog, The Nature of Things, https://birdwoman-thenatureofthings.b...).

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another twisted family appears at the centre of Brunetti's investigation as what originally seems like a kidnapping turns into something far more complicated... As ever, Brunetti, his wonderful family and colleagues take centre stage, as does Venice herself.

[Elizabeth (Alaska) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are books where you know pretty early who is the perpetrator. I have read many reviews where the reader has DNF'd such a book. What if you're wrong? With Brunetti, you always get a little more than just a murder mystery.

I have read and reviewed enough of this series that I find it hard to say something new about why I have read and will continue to read it. In this one, Brunetti searches for the truth while those most affected ask "what difference does it make?" When we see a real life murder, most often the family seeks justice, if not vengeance. In not a single case will either justice or vengeance bring back the dead. And so, "what difference does it make?" For Brunetti, the truth matters and that is enough.

Is the obvious the truth? This was a page turner for me. Unfortunately, page turners can be like popcorn - easy to keep after but not necessarily the really good stuff. I liked it well enough to find a 4th star, but trying to be honest, I'll admit it's probably toward the floor of that group.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best of the Commissario Brunetti books I’ve read so far! Great murder mystery plot, great insight into his marriage and family life, and great interactions with his coworkers.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #7 in Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series. For me, they just keep getting better and better all the time. In this book, Brunetti finds resolution to a kidnapping that happened two years previously. He digs into the past and present of a well known Venice family, making his usual intimate disturbances along the way so that he find justice for the long dead Roberto.

Another Goodreads member reviewed this book, saying that many people who read Donna Leon find her books slow paced and the plot often static.

I totally agree with him. Donna Leon novels are not fast paced and they lack what many people want in a book...constant action. But they have something to me that is much more important when reading any book...the ability to make me think. I adore sitting down with one of Leon's books and submerging myself in the life of Brunetti...the way he thinks, what he feels, his strength of character to uphold morals and justice at the cost of himself feeling uncomfortable and making other people question their own humanity.

[Austra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donna Leona ir autore, pie kuras es atgriežos ikreiz, kad gribu palasīt kādu klasisku detektīvgabalu, kur ir noziegums, ir izmeklētājs un ir izmeklēšana. Bez visādiem liekiem pribambasiem, tb spiegiem, maniakiem un pārmērīga alkohola patēriņa. Tiesa, Brunetti sērijā finišs bieži vien ir bez soda, jo - korupcija, mafija un tml., kas liedz spriest taisnu tiesu. Bet nu jau pie tā ir pierasts, un šī bija vēl viena jauka atgriešanās Venēcijā, kur, protams, atkal kāds tika atrasts beigts un pagalam.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Commissario Brunetti investigates a body discovered by a farmer plowing his field. A ring bearing the Lorenzoni family's crest suggests the corpse's identity as the son and heir who disappeared more than a year ago. Dental records confirm the conclusion. Several things suggest the crime's responsibility lay in a family member's hands. While there's nothing really wrong with the mystery, it lacks the depth of earlier installments and misses the opportunity to showcase Venice. The case was just too straightforward and obvious. It lacked the turns and twists to make it a compelling read. in the spirit of Christmas, I'm erring on the side of generosity with my star rating. It probably deserves 2.5 stars, but earns 3.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best of this series thus far, in my opinion. I have read three of these in fairly rapid succession and I am addicted. These mystery-detective stories move fairly slowly but are thought provoking and center on Brunetti's methodical interviews and intelligent gathering of clues as well as his caring for his family.

[Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 7th entry into the Comnissario Brunetti series did not resonate for me. Each time I would put it down, I'd then have a hard time picking it up again. Sigh! I'll try another one at some point.

Why I'm reading this: Love Brunetti, his family and this mystery series. Not sure why I didn't make headway in this series, but glad to be back listening to David Colacci narrate this one.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series of books about Commissario Guido Brunetti, a policer officer and detective who lives and works in Venice. I particularly enjoyed this book for its several facets: the mystery surrounding the remains of the kidnapped son of a Venetian Count; Brunetti's musings on his own father-in-law's assertion that Paola (Brunetti's wife) is unhappy in her marriage; the process by which Brunetti puzzles out the answers to the murder; and as always, Brunetti's philosophical thoughts about life, love, truth, and justice. I love how modern-day Venice figures prominently in each of these books and never tire of reading about the city's architecture and how life goes on there without cars or scooters or even elevators. Through dialogue and the craft with which Donna Leon writes about the main characters in the series, the reader continues to gain insight about their personalities, working and/or familial relationships, their strengths and weaknesses, and their Venetian way of life. I recommend the series and especially this book.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I have come so late to Brunetti. I am going to Venice in Sept. and decided to read and listen to them. I also found a TV show (German with English subtitles, filmed mostly in Venice) so I am not reading in order but as I can get them. (Tomorrow I will watch this show) I love the philosophical discussions, the home life, the meetings with his boss, the humor and most of all Venice!! The mysteries are secondary, but learning how Italians look upon different parts of the country is interesting, and also that there is a Venetian dialect. The religious discussions, the difference in the aristocrats, the corruption!! One of my favorite lines, not from this book, but another, Argentine bureaucracy makes Italy look like Switzerland, sums up the kind of humor in the books. Brunetti and his wife are smart and engaging, his love of his children is sweet and the books themselves are "not put downable".

[Marina Maidou · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I must say I like this writer's books for one reason: they take place in Venice. The stories are interesting, unexpectable and logic. But to be honest, I most like when she describes the life of inspector Brunetti and the problems he has with his family, as the comic times he has with ridiculous Patta or with the fantastic secretary Miss Elettra Zorzi, than the crime itself. That stays in my mind after I read her novels, not who was the murderer and why he/she did it. In fact I find sometimes the unbelievable thing that happens in her crime novels: at first I can always guess who did but in the end I become really confused what really happened until the murder. There is so much innuendo in the final pages of the mystery, that I am really tired to find what they say. But Venice is very nice viewing from her novels so I continue to search her foggy mysteries.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh do I love this series, so low key and informative and you don’t have to read them in order! Another social issue is covered here but I won’t divulge it because it would sort of be a spoiler.

Glad to see Signorina Elettra in this book, she always adds her color and smarts. I have one more book to read that will finish the series for me, but I’m going to take a break from it for a bit. I’ve spent too much time in Venice!! Going to see what Bill Bryson has to say in “Neither Here nor There”, his travels through Europe (does not include Venice.)

Since my library is closed a big thank you to ThriftBooks for their excellent service. They are getting me through this quarantine for Coronavirus! One book at a time.

[Phil Cotnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Donna Leon. Quite good. I will consider more!

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really an incredible series; easily as good as Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache books. It's a bit more straight mystery than Louise Penny but the hero Brunetti is every bit as thoughtful, likeable and human as Gamache.

There are (multiple) times I have to stop and reread a sentence because it is so beautifully put or so touching, or thought-provoking. If you have not read any of Donna Leon's books do yourself a huge favour and begin. Commissario Brunetti will quickly become one of your favorite characters.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Sentence: There was nothing much to notice about the field, a hundred-metre square of dry grass below a small village in the foothills of the Dolomites.

On the recently purchased property of a doctor near the Italian Dolomites is found the much decomposed body of a young man. Near it is a ring bearing the crest of the Lorenzonis, one of Italy’s most aristocratic families, whose son had been abducted two years ago. Comm. Guido Brunetti reviews the file and decides to unofficially re-investigate the case. The more he learns, the more he questions whether the kidnapping was as it appeared.

Leon writes some of my favorite characters. Guido Brunetti has a strong moral and ethical code as well as a need to seek out what is just. He has a strong marriage and a close relationship with his children, although these were relatively absent from this book, and is developing a closer relationship with his wife’s parents. Then there is the remarkable Signorina Elettra, of whom each reader should have the pleasure of discovering on their own. I particularly like that, in this book, we learn more of Guido’s own family and his past. I also appreciate that we see the principal characters grow and develop with each book in the series.

The book is so well written and I love her use of language. There is a classicism to it that reflects the characters and the author and makes her books such a pleasure to read.

Leon creates a very strong sense of place that takes the reader along with the characters. I’ve not visited Venice, but nearly forget that when I read her books. Her descriptions of food always leave me heading for the kitchen.

The plot was very well done. In essence, it is a story of families and the impact they can have upon us. It is also a story of greed; for money, prestige and false respect. I’ve always respected that we see the progress of the investigation as Brunetti does, rather than everything revealed at the end. Within the story are scenes that are touching, suspenseful and tragic.

This was a very good book. I am delighted to know I have many more books in the series ahead of me.

A NOBLE RADIANCE (Pol Proc-Comm. Guido Brunetti-No. Italy-Cont) – VG+
Leon, Donna – 7th in series
Penguin Books, 1998, US Paperback – ISBN: 0142003190

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thought-provoking read in the Commissario Brunetti series, this time centring around the kidnapping of a businessman's son. Roberto Lorenzoni was bundled into a car two years earlier and a ransom attempt failed. When bones and a ring bearing the Lorenzoni crest are discovered in a field in a remote area, Brunetti must try to piece together the inconsistent information gathered about the kidnapping to identify his culprit.

This is a slow, meandering mystery but I have rated it highly because of the way Leon raises issues of justice and integrity. This is done with a sensitivity that still challenges the reader to grapple with moral ambiguity and the human condition. Alongside digressions on topics such as the fur trade, Leon builds a clever and convincing story of a crime with heart rending consequences.

Another strength of this series is the part played by Brunetti's domestic life and his relationship with his work colleagues. Never over dramatic and never allowed to overshadow the plot, the reader still gains an insight into what drives this decent and intelligent policeman. In this episode, Brunetti's difficult relationship with his wealthy father-in-law develops in an unexpected direction, and he continues to fence with his ambitious and rather slimy boss, Patta.

Very enjoyable - a series which always makes me think while being entertaining and intriguing.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin with, I have to confess that I love Venice. So any story that takes place there is likely to please me. Also, I love a good whodunit. Nothing's better for curling up with and relaxing. Still, Donna Leon's stories have something special. Maybe it's her detective, Commissario Brunetti. He's an extremely wise and cool person. A murder mystery's effectiveness depends on the personality of the detective, and Brunetti is extremely simpatico. Maybe it's the way her ripped-from-the-E.U.-headlines plots examine aspects of contemporary life that we don't like to look at, lay bare the ugliness of society, and yet leave you feeling hopeful for the human race. Actually, I think it's because it's through the eyes of Brunetti and his unforgettable friends and family that we observe these things. Riding along in his boat is a bit like following Virgil through the Inferno: you know you will witness the very worst of human nature, but you'll be safe, and you're headed for better places.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an early Donna Leon and has all the hallmarks of her early work: the politics of the police workplace, references to the wider challenges of Italian politics and bureaucracy and descriptions of charmingly decrepit Venice. Then there are the familiar characters and the home life of Guido Brunetti to add a warm and human touch to the darker world of murder investigations. In this story, the body of a young man who was kidnapped some years earlier is found. The plot has all the requisite twists and turns and although I guessed part of the denouement (the title was a bit of a giveaway at about the two-thirds mark) I found the ending both tragic and convincing.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to read earlier Guido Brunetti mysteries, having read most of the more recent ones. This was a good solid one. This series is fine to read out of order, unlike other mystery series.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery from author Donna Leon offers yet another challenging murder for Commissario Brunetti to solve. Very interesting twists and turns in this one as he pulls together bits of information that look as if they're leading nowhere.

[Isabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the novel in a couple of days easily enough but without great pleasure. It is neither good nor bad, neither captivating nor boring... what else could I possibly say?