So Shall You Reap

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I think it would have been much more interesting to read about Venice during the pandemic, as it would have made great contrast to the usual descriptions of the city, plagued by tourists. Aside from some small details about masks, people keeping social distance or some hospital restrictions, it was all business as usual, and I feel like it was some missed opportunity to do something different. People who have animals tend to be calmer, especially if they are dog people." Then, reflecting on this she added, "it's cat people who can be strange sometimes."" For many years, Donna Leon has been writing thoughtful, perceptive mysteries” —Sam Coale, Providence Journal Guido is given very little to go on, only that Fenzo told Flora that they could be in danger. Feeling that he owes loyalty to Elisabetta's mother, who had been kind to him, he agrees to help and that there will be no police records kept. The smart close knit police team hone in Fenzo's accountancy business, thinking that it's good place to start, looking at his clients, but they hear little but praise for him. They move onto a South American charity that Fenzo had helped Elisabetta's husband set up, the Belize nel Cuore, providing a hospital and medical services to the poor, a charity that was founded with a retired, ex-naval Vice-Admiral suffering from dementia. When Flora's veterinary clinic is vandalised and her dog hurt, the police are called to the scene, putting their team inquiries for the first time on a formal police footing.

Mindful of the past, Brunetti has much to ponder. Meanwhile one of his officers runs into trouble at a Gay pride parade. The past and present are on a collision course. SO SHALL YOU REAP is a novel full of secrets. The larger case in this story involves a murder investigation of a Sri Lankan man who had been living in Venice for many years. His body is found in the canal and there are no immediate suspects or motives for this apparently senseless murder. The man named Inesh had lived in the garden house of a wealthy older Venetian couple for eight years. All they knew about him is that he was nice, quiet, and a devout Buddhist. Inspection of his small residence confirmed this as Brunetti did not find much more than a small statue of Buddha that he worshipped at and a number of novels, mostly crime fiction. There is not a lot I can say about the book though, because really ...... not much actually happens. Why, oh, why can't I meet a man like you? You know, we're about the same age. You are well read in philosophy and the classics, are devoted to your beautiful wife, Paola--the daughter of a count and a professor of English literature with an emphasis on Henry James--and your teenaged children, Raffi and Chiara. You're a good man without dangerous vices, have a kind heart, adore your beloved and historic city (despite the annoying tourists, especially those Americans with their white tennis shoes), and have the citizens and safety of visitors in mind as you do your job. Though you are skeptical of the Church (as are many these days, Italian and non-Italian alike), you treat everyone with respect and kindness, including your co-workers (Signorina Elettra, Claudia Griffoni--though she is from Naples--Lorenzo Vianello, and even your pompous boss Patta and that worm of a lieutenant, Scarpa). I hope to visit Venice someday and wonder, are there other men like you in this world? En una fría noche de noviembre, Brunetti recibe una llamada del Inspector Vianello comunicando que ha aparecido una mano en uno de los canales de la ciudad. Poco después es encontrado el cuerpo, y se asigna a Brunetti la investigación de la muerte del hombre, un inmigrante de Sri Lanka con un sorprendente interés en el terrorismo italiano ocurrido durante los años 80. La investigación transportará a Brunetti a su etapa de estudiante y a aquellos ideales perdidos y errores de juventud en los que podría encontrarse la solución al caso.The cases, while always intriguing, are almost secondary to the wonderful characterizations and musings and observations of life, especially Venetian life, by Brunetti. So nice to visit again with all the familiar actors, flamboyant Signora Elletra, strong and wise Paola, philosophical Guido, comical Patta, capable Griffoni, loyal Foa. The value of friendships that last into old age: "I thank heaven for your mother-in-law every day, I think it's her loyalty that helps my grandmother keep going." In this story, an old family acquaintance of Brunetti seeks his assistance. Leon writes in such a vividly descriptive manner that you feel you are actually in the room with characters. Interwoven throughout the story is the pandemic, along with Leon’s typically sharp observations. An illustration: Brunetti’s musing as to whether this “disease” infects all of our thoughts. What prompted this? A body was found. It was a pleasant Buddhist Sri Lankan, Inesh Kavinda, who was living in the garden shed of the Palazzo Zaffo Sri Leonie. It might take a day or two,’ Signorina Elettra answered, tapping the erasered end of her pencil against the paper. ‘If it’s a small project, then it’s unlikely they’ll have adequate protection.’

Brunetti is approached by a woman who knew him and his family long ago, asking his “advice”; she is worried about her daughter because of the behaviour of the daughter’s husband. Brunetti allows old loyalty to draw him into an “unofficial” investigation, which slowly - very slowly - begins to uncover possible malfeasance. Guido Brunetti loves his city and his family. He cares about the people he works with (but not those he works for) and makes the most of friendships and good food and wine. We know there will be a murder in the book but it takes a while for Leon to get us there - a gentle path with everyday events that need Guido's attention. Brunetti and Vianello are able to smooth things over and get Alvise released without any charges. The larger issue is that the two of them were completely unaware that their colleague for twenty years may have been leading an alternative lifestyle. It is not a commentary on male ignorance in the workplace, just a testament to how little we may actually know about the people we work closely with. Alvis, a single man in his early fifties, is finally comfortable admitting this to them and lets them know about his partner. Talking of the state of play, I loved how Leon described the task of plotting out the characters to unravel the mystery. She likened it to a pinball machine. The characters were like the balls careening about, seemingly unconnected and in all directions.

Donna Leon Book Releases 2023/2024

On a cold November evening, Guido Brunetti and Paola are up late when a call from his colleague Ispettore Vianello arrives, alerting the Commissario that a hand has been seen in one of Venice's canals. The body is soon found, and Brunetti is assigned to investigate the murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant. Because no official record of the man's presence in Venice exists, Brunetti is forced to use the city's far richer sources of information: gossip and the memories of people who knew the victim. Curiously, he had been living in a garden house on the grounds of a palazzo owned by a university professor, in which Brunetti discovers books revealing the victim's interest in Buddhism, the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, and the last crop of Italian political terrorists, active in the 1980s. As always an insightful foray into Venetian life, the past, the various laws of inheritance, including titles, and of course food.

Donna Leon y el Comisario Brunetti llevan acompañándome más de media vida. Después de más de veinte años, leer cada una de sus nuevas novelas se ha convertido en una especie de ritual en el que reencontrarme con viejos amigos para ponernos al día. Desde hace ya unas cuantas entregas (“Cosecharás tempestades” es la número 32), la serie dejó de interesarme por los crímenes en sí (que también), si no que lo hace por sus maravillosos personajes, que ya siento casi como si fuesen familia. Después del sabor agridulce que me dejó la anterior entrega, me alegra comprobar que en esta ocasión Donna Leon vuelve en plena forma. There’s no denying that Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries_ Are well written in a manner that eliminates the extraneous without becoming showily stoic.” —Charles Taylor, Bloomberg What role can or should loyalty play in the life of a police inspector? It's a question Commissario Guido Brunetti must face and ultimately answer in Give Unto Others, Donna Leon's splendid 31st installment of her acclaimed Venetian crime series. Brunetti’s Cookbook, recipes by Roberta Pianaro, culinary stories by Donna Leon (Published previously in the United Kingdom as A Taste of Venice: At Table with Brunetti, William Heinemann, London, April 2010; Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, hardcover, May 2010)The story begins when Alvise is detained at a gay rights demonstration in Treviso for resisting arrest. It gives Paola a good laugh that Guido has never realized after years of working with him that Alvise is gay. I struggle to think of other series authors who are as dependable as the excellent Leon.” —Maxine Clarke, The Philadelphia Inquirer At one stage I just thought that some of the writing was a little poor compared to the other books in the series. And now, here she is, with her 32nd book (her latest) showcasing Commissario Guido Brunetti, as always.

What a joy to read such a literate writer; and I think this may be her best. Yes, this is her 31st, and I have looked forward to and read all of them. I did finish the book, with a little skimming, but I found it a disappointent. It’s not bad, but it’s not that great either, I’m afraid. Drawing Conclusions (Forthcoming in 2011 from William Heinemann, London, and Atlantic Monthly Press, New York) In Donna Leon’s sure hands, the crime novel becomes an instrument for exploring social justice and universal truths about human behavior while beautifully telling a compelling story.” —Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, Arizona A panoramic view of the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice with the equestrian statue of mercenary Bartolomeo Colleoni on the extreme right. The history of the mercenary, the statue and the location are featured during "Give Unto Others." Image sourced from Wikipedia.

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I’ve been following Brunetti for over twenty years (this is book number 31) and whenever I sit down with the latest episode I feel that I’m reacquainting myself with a group of old friends: Guido, his wife Paola and their children and also Brunetti’s colleagues at the Questura. The crime itself – if you can actually identify one – is often inconsequential to my enjoyment of these books, what I most enjoy is the verbal jousting that takes place between the various players and the frequent tangential musings on art, food, literature and history, or simply on the overt bureaucracy that is an inescapable component of life in this country. If this makes the books sound somewhat muddled or confused then I can only assure you that they don’t read this way. Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti novels are an absolute treasure and perhaps my favorite mystery series. Her characters are extremely relatable, and each entry seems to deal with a different ethical or moral issue. In GIVE UNTO OTHERS, we have a number of them, varying from charity to loyalty to trust. In the end, all of these feelings will be tested, some in a very personal way for Brunetti.