A Refiner's Fire

The Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries, Book 33

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Colacci

In the thirty-third installment of Donna Leon’s magnificent series, Commissario Guido Brunetti confronts a present-day Venetian menace and the ghosts of a heroism that never was

Around one a.m. on an early spring morning, two teenage gangs are arrested after clashing violently in one of Venice’s squares. Commissario Claudia Griffoni, on duty that night, perhaps ill-advisedly walks the last of the boys home because his father, Dario Monforte, failed to pick him up at the Questura. Coincidentally, Guido Brunetti is asked by a wealthy friend of Vice-Questore Patta to vet Monforte for a job, triggering Brunetti’s memory that twenty years earlier Monforte had been publicly celebrated as the hero of a devastating bombing of the Italian military compound in Iraq. Yet Monforte had never been awarded a medal either by the Carabinieri, his service branch, or by the Italian government.

That seeming contradiction, and the brutal attack on one of Brunetti’s colleagues, Enzo Bocchese, by a possible gang member, concentrate Brunetti’s attentions.

Surprisingly empowered by Patta, supported by Signorina Elettra’s extraordinary research abilities and by his wife Paola’s empathy, Brunetti, with Griffoni, gradually discovers the sordid hypocrisy surrounding Monforte’s past, culminating in a fiery meeting of two gangs and a final opportunity for redemption.

A Refiner’s Fire is Donna Leon at her very best: an elegant, sophisticated storyteller whose indelible characters become richer with each book, and who constantly explores the ambiguity between moral and legal justice.

©2024 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag AG Zurich (P)2024 Recorded Books

One of the best of a wonderful series

The book was gripping and had a great storyline. I love all of Donna Leon's books, and this was one of my favorites.

Another great Guido brunetti story

The narration on this audiobook is excellent, adding to guidos character and appeal The cast of characters around him continues to be interesting. Good plot

Performance as good as ever, but story disappointing.

I’m a longtime and loyal fan of Donna Leon’s Brunetti series and will remain so. But this was not among her best. Familiar but a bit boring.

Slow moving story

This is one of the weakest of Donna Leon’s books. Weak story - and very slow moving.

history and focus on his working thru a complicated incident.

the reality of government agencies versus their public image. Different than most of Leon's novels.

Venice's darker side

Donna Leon once again teaches as well as entertains by weaving Italian history into her story. I was intrigued with the parts of the story that took place where tourists do not venture. Certainly a different perspective of Venice. Great to learn more about Claudia.

As always, wonderful character development

As I said above, the character development was wonderful. However, there is no mystery here. It was evident very early what the theme would be, and there was no intricacy related to a mystery. I found this extremely disappointing. The book is worthwhile read because the characters are so compelling, but I do miss the mystery

Donna Leon: Always a Winner

"A Refiner’s Fire is Donna Leon at her very best: an elegant, sophisticated storyteller whose indelible characters become richer with each book, and who constantly explores the ambiguity between moral and legal justice."

Not her best.

After reading/listening to whole series; was very disappointed in this installment. Lacked any actual decent storyline, and seemed more like a “gotta stick with it” attempt. Sad. Narrator as always saved it from total fiasco.

interesting story , riveting read

As a former resident of Venice, I look forward to revisiting the Campos and called with Brunetti as my guide. no coincidence he is named Guido. Thank you, Donna Leon.