The Golden Egg (Guido Brunetti)

Another captivating story of Venice as lived by Guido Brunetti. Not so much a whodunit as a simple curiosity that occupies a week or so in Brunetti's life. The story comes out little by little and I would have given it five stars except for the last few pages which left me confused.

Oh no! Is Donna Leon getting tired of Brunetti? I am an ardent fanand will read these until she stops writing the, but this one did not have the complexity, emotion or suspense of the others. I hope the next one shows she is back on track. I enjoyed this but usually I am completely captivated and this one did not take me there as vividly as some of the others.

This book gives the impression that the author is tired of writing this series and had little commitment to the story line. It's a shame because Donna Leon is fundamentally such a fine writer.

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This series may have reached its usefulness or else the books could be spaced into more time so that the characters can grow a bit. This book felt more like the author was told another book was due so she completed it. Doesn't have the verve of the first few.

This is a powerful narrative that will engulf the reader as Inspector Brunetti moves to untangle an intricate web of lies and deception. It took me a while to realize that the author was somewhat on new ground here as compared to the previous novels in the series, but once I discovered a story of extraordinary sensitivity, I was moved almost beyond words. Be patient. Give the story time to develop. You'll be well satisfied.

I agree with other readers who had the same experience, disappointment with the content. I had purchased the book as a vacation read which added to my dissatisfaction when it turned out to have a plot whose premise was not believable. That was the first clue. The book ended as if the author had run out of ideas or she had written the necessary number of pages required of her contract.

Great story. Wonderfully written in rich language that enthralls...ok, so I'm a huge fan but that's the point isn't it? If you are you will love it...if you're not yet, I envy you...you have a treat in store reading them all...this is the last...until the next to be released in April.

I love Donna Leon's writing. she always delivers a well written,totally engrossing mystery to be sollved by the wonderful Commissario Brunetti.
I love Italy & Venezia is a favorite city. So while solving a murder, I get to enjoy & reive my time there.
I recommend reading all he novels in this series,

Brunetti once again delves into the lives of those who live in Venice and who work with him in the police service. In his thoughtful, humble and dogged manner he unravels another mystery set in the fascinating city.

Leon effortlessly leads us through Brunetti's investigation with all of its minute twists and turns. If only police work could have been so gentle, sophisticated and enjoyable when I was doing it...

Well worth a read if you want to relax and unclutter your busy mind. If you are looking for guns, violence and drama, I suggest you look elsewhere.

I love Venice and its character and characters in this series. I have read them all. Guido and his family add to the mystery he solves. I also like his attitude towards those in authority and those in trouble -- a nice combination of thumbing his nose and baring his heart. The secretary always makes me smile.

Enjoyed this story even though it was not a typical murder mystery, but more a study of socio-psychology. Bear with it and you'll learn not only something about the characters but discover a deeper, and hidden, mystery than you expected.

Enjoyed this story even though it was not a typical murder mystery, but more a study of socio-psychology. Bear with it and you'll learn not only something about the characters but discover a deeper, and hidden, mystery than you expected.

First Sentence: It was a peaceful night at the Brunetti home, and dinner progressed in harmony

Comm. Guido Brunetti is asked by his boss to look into a minor violation possibly being committed by his future daughter-in-law. But it is Brunetti’s wife’s request that has more significance. The handicapped man at their dry cleaner has died of an apparent suicide and she feels it’s sad that no one knew anything about him. As Brunetti begins to investigate, he finds the man has no recorded history of being alive and the mother refuses to speak to the police but claims his papers were stolen. Who really was this man, and who might have wanted him dead.

Leon has a way of describing things so you clearly see them and so you feel the emotions of the characters. It’s lovely when an author doesn’t assume the reader has been following the series from the beginning. Leon starts off with an excellent introduction to Brunetti and his family.

The characters are fully developed and what truly bring the books to life. How refreshing to have a protagonist who works well with his colleagues and empathetic to those around him. He understands the idiosyncrasies of Italian law and politics…"Upstairs, Brunetti opened the online pages of Il Fatto Quotidiano, a newspaper which often delighted him by its manifest distrust of every political party, every politician, and every religious leader.", yet does his best to do his job, often with the help of Signorina Elettra, "...a buccaneer utterly without respect for rules or regulations." He also has a close, loving and intelligent family who love to eat good food, the descriptions of which are mouth-watering.

Leon not only writes dialogue with subtle humor, but she asks philosophical questions that make you think. She is an intelligent writer who uses thoughts well…”Here he was again, assuming that what he thought was what other people must surely think; that his judgments must have universal validity.” She does, occasionally, send the reader searching out a dictionary. Her simple observations often catch you offguard…"Poor people had grandparents; the rich had ancestors." Her observation on how children learn is fascinating.

“The Golden Egg” is a police procedural, but it is also a commentary on society and people. Although it is not a crime story in the usual sense, it is a crime of inhumanity, cruelty and ignorance. The story is fascinating and completely involving with an excellent revelation.

THE GOLDEN EGG (Pol Proc-Comm. Guido Brunetti-Venice-Contemp) - Ex
Leon, Donna - 22nd in series
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013

Author Donna Leon gives Commissario Guido Brunnetti another mystery to solve in his native Venice, the city that is itself a mystery. Leon's descriptive narrative and believable dialogue carry the reader through the story like a gondolier guides his passengers through the canals. Her fans will enjoy another ride.

I always enjoy my forays into Venice with Commissario Guido Brunetti. The crimes are interesting, not 'run of the mill'. The milieu is fascinating. I love Venice and I feel like I'm back there again each time I delve into one of these stories. Brunetti is a great character, very human. Very kind.

i enjoy the brunette series. they are a good read, and increase one's
pleasures of venice. like others in the series, a commentary of italian
public life and the protection of a loving private life.

Donna Leon just keeps getting better with each book she writes. What insight! What attention to detail. The plot is masterful. I also love participating in the intellectually rewarding life of the Brunetti family. Can't wait to read the next book.

After a few missteps, most notably The Jewels of Paradise, Leon and Brunetti are back in good form, tweaking the government and solving cases. We enjoy the meals, the wine and the ambiance of Venice as we unravel the clues along with Brunetti's Questura colleagues.

I have been reading Donna Leon for decades, and Brunetti is one of my favorite detectives. This book is terrific. The writing is excellent as always, but the themes and observations are of moment and the relationships among the characters are illuminating.
Loved it!

A police procedural that takes place in Venice Italy. Inspector Brunetti, his work associates and his family immerses you in daily life in Venice. The story leads to a suprising ending but leaves you with a lot to think about.

Brunetti seems to have slowed down in this one but Donna Leon fans will still like it. Not up to Aqua Alta and some of the others but if you are an avid reader of the series the detective, his family, and colleagues are old friends and it is still good to turn the pages.

I have enjoyed this series so much. The best part for me is the
wonderful glimpse into life in the fabulous and unique city of
Venice. I have been a tourist there twice and look forward to
going back and trying to see the city from the inside out. Wish I
could follow Guido around!

The story in this book reinforces the character of Brunetti. He
is driven in so many different ways; curiousity, compassion,
honor, love of family. Enjoyed!

Donna Leon's novels give life to her characters and I have become as interested in them and their development as I was the mystery itself. Her wry sense of humor, especially when the subject of Italian politics and the Italian citizen's view of corruption, taxes and politicians are concerned, is spot on and refreshing. Hopefully, she will continue to write more Guido Brunetti novels.

Returning to Venice with Donna Leon is always a delight and intellectual treat. However, in this case, her plot seems strained. Not that that matters too much. After all, one is back in Venice and Brunetti and Paola are telling you about its unmatchable wonders and bureaucrats.

Donna Leon's books shoud be assigned reading for all students seeking to understand Europe's current economic disasters.

As Venice heads into Autumn, Guido, too, is in an autumnal, reflective mood. While not a major "mystery," this is a solid addition to the series, with some lovely reflections on family and children. And, as always, there is the food and the guided tours of Venice.

I read Donna Leon for her perspective on Venice, on life, on crime, and on the Brunetti family. Leon takes me on a tour of Venice in each book as I follow Brunetti along the canals with Google Maps. Even if she had no plot or no crime I would enjoy my time with Signora Elettra and Paola Brunetti.

Leon's Brunetti series has remained my favorite mystery series since I was first introduced to it three years ago. I've read every book, and I will continue to do so until Leon no longer writes these mysteries. The Golden Egg is a little slow-moving, with many of the complexities in the plot being revealed only as one reaches the end. However, it is an intriguing plot and, as with all of Leon's books, it reveals much about Venetian society and its organizations that is both charming and disturbing.

We first discovered Donna Leon thanks to Matt Lauer's "Where in the World" visit to Venice. It was difficult to get books at first, but all of them have been well worth the effort. Imagine having a husband who has dinner ready for you when you come home from work. Meeting Commissario Guido Brunetti, a family man who is also a shrewd detective, is just one aspect of Leon's genius. Learning about his involvement of his boss's secretary,his Venice, his food and the Venetian dialect are equally delightful. Her latest mystery "The Golden Egg" is a subtle study of the treatment of special needs children/adults in Venice. I would love to prepare and lead a group in discussing this book or any or all of her books. You can't miss with Donna Leon. I am grateful that her first books are available now in paperback. Some of the earliest series have also been produced by the Germans for television. We enjoyed those too. They are also available from the store. It is wonderful to see Donna Leon's Venice any time.

The Golden Egg is everything those of us who love Leon's Commisario Guido Brunetti want: an intelligent consideration of life, of good and evil, in the modern world coupled with a mystery to solve. Leon is my favorite mystery writer and The Golden Egg is a good example of why - try it, you'll like it.

Dona Leon is at her best when her story describes Venice, Guido Brunetti, and the interoffice politics of the police department. She creates believable characters, she maintains relationships across books, and celebrates Venice. This is enough and she does it in superb fashion. This last book is more of the same which means for aficionados that they should go for it and for all others to get hooked into a good read.

I enjoy knowing the main characters and their relationships. This time we had a chance to learn more about a couple of the other officers Brunetti relies upon. It was an intriguing story, never sure of who the 'bad' person would turn out to be.

Everything she writes is good. I actually prefer listening to these on CD because the reader is excellent at conveying the mystery of Venice and the writing is so good it has rhythm. Wonderful characters.

Sometimes these books depict such miserable excuses for human beings that I can hardly accept that there are such souls actually living. But then I review my own teaching career and know that all of it actually could have happened. I have read every one of this series and they are some of the few books I can cheerfully re-read.

Guido and Paola are attractive characters, as always, but there is no mystery here. There is an investigation of the life of a young man, but no murder. I see what Leon is doing, and of course her point is important and clear, but not a mystery, and not very believeable.

Classic Donna Leon story. The mystery wasn't that involving at first but by the end, it was shocking and sad.

Of course I always enjoy her love affair with the city of Venice. But I would have liked more about the Commisario's family who we have witnessed growing up over the years.

Donna Leon has given us another Commissario Brunetti mystery. This one is particularly dark but I cannot say more without revealing the story. If, like me, you plot out the movements of the characters on the map of Venice, you will see quite a few areas of the city visited in the course of this novel. Paola cooks some memorable meals as well. Ah, Venice...I will have to visit you before you sink into the Laguna.

This latest title in the Commisarioo Brunetti series was a well written story. While I enjoyed it, I found it lacked many of the Venetian customs that we have come to expect in Leon's writing. The family interactions, the food that was always being prepared and the many stops for a coffee and or a grappa were much less a part of the story. Any Donna Leon fan or anyone who loves Venice will enjoy this book, but again it was not quite as wonderful as what we have grown to expect from Leon.

I always enjoy Donna Leone's mysteries. This Commisario Brunetti mystery has a sad side to it, but the plot line is, as usual, twisted and complex, and the location, food, and characters keep your interest.

Although I give this five stars, because it is written by a five-star writer, it is a little short of the other books in the series. The problem I had was why the good Commissario spent the time he did on this case.

Only Dona Leon can invite you to traverse Venice while untangling crimes of society and compassion. Like all her efforts this one keeps you torn between not being able to put it down and not wanting it to end

Immediately liked the characters and the extra dimensions to their personalities. Liked the edgy stories within a framework of family life. Modern issues, no weird plots qdded to boost the sex/ violence level, satisfying endings. After reading this I ordered more Brunetti books. I'm happy to have found another well- written series to read.