By Its Cover

Commissario Guido Brunetti, Book 23

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Colacci

Donna Leon's critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling Commissario Guido Brunetti series has attracted listeners the world over with the beauty of its setting, the humanity of its characters, and its fearlessness in exploring politics, morality, and contemporary Italian culture. In Leon's novels, the beloved conversations of the Brunetti family have drawn on topics of art and literature, but books are at the heart of this novel in a way they never have been before.

One afternoon, Commissario Guido Brunetti gets a frantic call from the director of a prestigious Venetian library. Someone has stolen pages out of several rare books. After a round of questioning, the case seems clear: The culprit must be the man who requested the volumes, an American professor from a Kansas university. The only problem-- the man fled the library earlier that day, and after checking his credentials, the American professor doesn't exist.

As the investigation proceeds, the suspects multiply. And when a seemingly harmless theologian, who had spent years reading at the library turns up brutally murdered, Brunetti must question his expectations about what makes a man innocent, or guilty.

©2014 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag, Zurich (P)2014 Recorded Books

Always the pleasure that was expected

An adventure into a new area of human greed with great detail. Characters created reflecting all classes. And the decay of Venice reflecting the decay of modern culture.

Murder among rare books

Vintage Leon but a very slow book which ended too soon without much resolution. I was shocked at the ending since it was abrupt as if author was bored with story

Good, but I was left unfulfilled (see why below).

I've binged the first 23 Donna Leon Brunetti books so far. I loved all of them except the ones narrated by Brits. I prefer the Italian accent for these books. it just seems to make more sense.

in this audio book, I hated the loudmouth who introduces and ends the audiobook! His accent and the volume of what he says is loud and crass.

PLUS there isn't a quote from an Opera in Italian or German (or French or...), translated into English in this A-book. It's just in plain ol' English, with no reference to an opera. I hope this isn't a trend from here on out.

AND please, please, please mind these details, and bring them back! All through the audio book, I felt slighted. Having them makes Donna Leons' thrillers that much more special!

l loved it

great as usual with this wonderful author her books are mesmerizing bravo again!hope to read more of her

Leon the magician

Once more she enchants us with one more intimate glimpse into the everyday life and ancient treasures of Venice

Interesting subject, but too short

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I usually enjoy Donna Leon books about Inspector Brunetti, but this one seemed very rushed, with an abrupt ending. It seemed like the author suddenly tired of the story and just wanted to get it over with. Too bad, because the subject of stolen pages from very valuable old books could have been so much more. I knew the audio would be short, but when "the end" came, I could hardly believe it.

If you’ve listened to books by Donna Leon before, how does this one compare?

There was much less interaction with Brunetti's wife and children, and his fellow police. The story line was good, but could have been developed more deeply.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narrator is ok, but a bit bland.

Any additional comments?

I hope this book doesn't signal the end of the series, if the author is tired of writing them.

Wonderful thing to read and listen to. I love these stories.

Wonderful thing to read and listen to. I love these books! Even all the vocabulary.

Great narration again

I gave this four stars, rounded up from 3.5, only because it’s Guido Brunetti. He’s one of my favorite book characters. After 23 books, that’s a good thing.

However, this is not a favorite. It was rather boring. Even the regular characters lacked the polish that the author has given them in previous books. The endings have been abrupt lately and this is no exception. It was understandable and I’m not sure what would have been gained by drawing it out more so I can’t really fault Donna Leon on this one. I look forward to lunches at the Brunetti home and interaction with Paola and the kids and that was lacking. (I usually end up craving some great Italian meal after reading these books.)

Worth an extra star is the fact that David Colacci is back as the narrator. He does a fine job and his talent was missed in the previous book.

A true fan of Donna Leon

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes...most especially to friends who have been to Venice and appreciate Italy. Love the mystery and how Brunetti and his team calmly go about ferreting out clues and and work with intelligence and good psychology. The interaction with Brunetti and Paola is insightful and entertaining. It is nice to have a good story without explicit sex or violence, but with appropriate descriptions, even if grisly...as it would exist in most murder investigations. The author is a wonderful storyteller who obviously knows the territory and how things work in police investigating in enchanting Venice.

What other book might you compare By Its Cover to and why?

My husband and I have either read or listened to every book Ms. Leon has written. As for comparisons, they all stand on their own as great entertainment and compelling characters and story lines.

Have you listened to any of David Colacci’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

David Colacci and George Guidall are the two performers we especially enjoy. The best!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The abrupt ending was a surprise..mostly because I was not ready for it to end!

Any additional comments?

Hope there are more Donna Leon books on the way!!

Good mystery with a tragic side

Being a book lover, it was hard to read about ancient books being mutilated. The human aspect of the story was just as sad. But with all the sadness I loved the story. Brunetti is such an interesting investigator and I love all of the insights into life in Venice.