Another very good Brunetti novel | The Girl of His Dreams (A Commissario Brunetti Mystery)

Heart wrenching | The Girl of His Dreams (A Commissario Brunetti Mystery) | Donna Leon

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	• The Girl of His Dreams (A Commissario Brunetti Mystery) Donna Leon BBC Audiobooks America, 2008 average customer review:based on 28 reviews view larger image
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The Girl of His Dreams

Will hold your interest. Always a suspense ending by the Commissario!

Enjoy!

Another very good Brunetti novel

If my expectations of Donna Leon's books weren't so high, I would have given this one 5 stars. It's very good - not up to the level of the first few but very good.

Leon's writing does such an excellent job evoking the spirit of Venice, and over the course of this series she's provided so much detail into the thoughts and feelings (and eating/drinking habits) of many of these characters that they've become as familiar as family members. She seems incapable lately of avoiding heavy-handed moral lessons (in this case, the plight of the Gypsies) but it doesn't detract from the story in this case to the extent that it has in some of her previous efforts.

All in all, highly recommended, but if you're starting as a new reader of Leon go with the early novels first.

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Heart wrenching

The title of this book is not what a reader would expect. Rather than being a romantic fantasy, Commissario Guido Brunetti of the Venetian police force is haunted by the sight of a very young girl whose body is found floating in the Grand Canal. A slightly built child of about 11 years has either fallen or been pushed from the roof of an apartment building, probably after breaking into one of the apartments. She is found to be a gypsy, living with her parents in a gypsy encampment outside the city. Several small pieces of jewellery which are identified by the apartment owner are found concealed internally and, to Brunetti's horror and distress, she is also found to be infected with a venereal disease. The usually peaceful life of the Brunetti's is severely interrupted by this tragic find and their peace of mind takes a terrible shaking as they trace the lives of this child and her family. This is another fine piece of writing by Donna Leon, making the reader feel quite at home in the mysterious city of Venice and I'm already eagerly anticipating her next Brunetti novel.

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Riveting and horrifying

Let me preface this by admitting that I am a huge fan of these novels. The characters are very human but still interesting. This novel is both disquieting and fascinating, particularly in light of current events and troubles in Italy. I think this is one of the better and heart-wrenching novels in this series.

Not up to her standard performance

I've read most of this series with great enjoyment, but this one is below the standard she has set for herself. The novel doesn't hang together--the mother's funeral takes up a lot of space but doesn't really lead anywhere. Ditto the side story about the priest, old friend of Sergio. A lot of print for very little understanding of characters or action. The main story could have been interesting, but all of the characters are cardboard figures. Even Paola and Guido seem to be lacking in their usual zest--the food isn't even interesting. I will admit to possibly having a jaded palate, due to reading this right after reading two fabulous books by Sicilian (mystery) writer Andrea Camilleri. Still, I think Leon has done much, much better.

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In this Latest Venice-set Mystery, a Grieving Brunetti Must Discover the Identity of a Drowned Child. When a friend of Commissario Brunetti's brother, a priest recently returned from years of missionary work, calls with a request, Brunetti suspects the man's motives. A new, American-style Protestant sect has begun to meet in the city, and it's possible the priest is merely apprehensive of the competition. But the preacher could also be fleecing his growing flock, so Brunetti and Paola, along with Inspector Vianello and his wife, go undercover.

But the investigation has to be put aside when, one cold and rainy morning, a body is found floating in a canal. It is a child, a gypsy girl. He has to inform the distrustful parents, encamped on the mainland, and soon finds himself haunted by the crime -- and the girl.

Presented unabridged on 8 CDs; narrated by David Colacci.

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