Death at La Fenice is the first novel in Donna Leon’s internationally best-selling Commissario Guido Brunetti series. During intermission at the famed La Fenice opera house in Venice, a notoriously difficult conductor is poisoned, and suspects abound. Brunetti, a native Venetian, sets out to unravel the mystery behind the high-profile murder. To do so, he he calls on his knowledge of Venice, its … its culture, and its dirty politics. Revenge, corruption, and even Italian cuisine play a role. The novel that started it all, Death at La Fenice is an entrancing mystery, rich in atmosphere.
“Few detective writers create so vivid, inclusive and convincing a narrative as Donna Leon, the expatriate American with the Venetian heart. . . . One of the most exquisite and subtle detective series ever.” —The Washington Post
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Interesting characters, but they all could have been fleshed out much more, or, at least, the major people. The story itself was a bit hard to believe as to the conductor’s death.
I love all of Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti books. The later ones are more suspensful.
First book by this author. The main characters were human with human feelings. A great reminder of my visits to Venice and surrounding areas I never got to. Unusual ending!
I found this book at work and decided to read it, since it sounded interesting. I immediately fell in love with Inspector Brunetti. I loved the feel for Venice that is written into each page, not to mention that this is a first class mystery. It brought me to every other book the author has written about Brunetti and Venice, and I loved them …
Death at La Fenice is a wonderful introduction to Venice through the eyes of a Venetian. A detective, Brunetti, with a simple sense of humor, love of the law and justice, and an acceptance of the way things are done seeks a murderer only to deliver justice.
Donna Leon, the author, explores Italian politics and hiring practices with a practiced …
Donna Leon books give a great sense of the Venice culture .
I was looking for a new series to read. Seems I have stumbled on a good one -though not really new. I plan to read more by Leon.
I have enjoyed all of the books in the series, but this was one of my favorites. Great story, great characters, great setting.
Donna Leon has become one of My Favorite Authors, with her intriguing storylines, set in modern-day Venice!
Death at La Fenice was recommended as being similar to Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series (which I adore). I can definitely see the similarities: a very likeable family man investigating a murder in a setting that plays as much of a role as any character. The novel was a bit slow but I’ll read the next book in the series to see if it takes off.
The first in the Inspector Brunetti series based in Venice with all the rich tapestry of life offered by the tourists, immigrants, opera singers and a selection of re-occuring characters similar to Camilieri’s Inspector Montabano. My personal favourite is the subversive PA of Brunetti’s boss who runs rings around everyone and hacks like a …
I absolutely love this mystery series set in one of my favorite places- Venice.
I love following the everyday life of the family and the wonderful Secretary at the Police Station. Not only do you get a mystery in every book but you get great insight to the many political problems one deals with in Italy in general and
Venice in particular. You …
The first Dona Leon book I read and she hooked me with her understanding of life in Venice. Her love of the classics play a major role.
What a great start to a new and interesting series. Who says we don’t love European settings? I love Venice and this is a wonderful look at it.
I’ve always wanted to go to Venice, and this lovely mystery series launches us into Venice through the eyes of a Police Commisioner Brunnetti
A great way to start with Donna Leon and her Venice