A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery - Earthly Remains

This latest addition to Donna Leon's mystery series featuring Inspector Brunetti drew me into its spell just as the first book did years ago. She recreates the magical place that is Venice for all of us and populates it with characters that evolve and intrigue us even as we enjoy the mystery they unravel.

I love plowing through a good, suspenseful thriller, but while I'm always curious about the outcome of the stories in Donna Leone's books, that's not the primary focus. Its beauty lies in the luxiourious details of Venetian life. It's especially true in Earthly Remains. There is a musical feel to the descriptions of the rowing, the water, the ambiance of the lagoon. The reader is allowed a window into Venetian life that I rarely find anywhere else.

Commissario Brunetti is encouraged by his wife and friends to take some time off from the stress caused by his position. A member of Paola's family owns a villa on an island not far from Venice where he accepts their invitation to stay, looking forward to the solitude and the chance to do read and do some rowing. Brunetti becomes friendly with the caretaker, joining him daily to row and hear about his knowledge of the lagoon and the fascinating critters that inhabit it. The caretaker goes missing during a storm and is later found drowned. Was it an accident or something else?
Lots of twists and puzzles when Brunetti seeks the answers.

It seems as though in each successive novel Ms Leon devotes more words to describing Venice and its environs. This is interesting, but in this novel it detracts from Guido Brunetti, the detective. He, his family, his police colleagues, and the solving of the crime are the aspects I fined most appealing. A bit too much scenery and slow plot development in this one.

You certainly run the gambit of emotions in this book. The exasperation and tiredness of Brunetti at the beginning are followed by peace, contentment, humor, longing, sadness, horror and resignation, the reader feels them all. Wonderfully written as usual. A definite must read for any and all who follow Commissario Brunetti.

Another Bruneti novel ending with answer to a riddle is found but justice..resolution and a chance for better world is not...this is a sad fascinating and engaging but feel like a beautiful musical piece played by a band as the titanic is sinking.

Only human connection and closeness are left as a consolation ..

Brunetti seems to be cinematically present in this book, as we read detailed, descriptions of his movements and thoughts. All Brunetti fans will love this! It is indeed refreshing to follow the adventures of such a likeable, decent man as the detective-protagonist. It is a pleasure to read Donna Leon's books, which are incomparable setting of Venice.

Donna Leon just gets better and better. Brunetti has become a fully complex character who really stands out in this latest book. I fell in love with all of her characters several years ago and have been a fan ever since.

Her best work in years! Wonderful story, with fully realized characters. The straightforward brilliance of her prose alone makes the experience worthwhile, but it is her ruminations on the nature of grief and suffering that makes the book truly extraordinary! Must read!

I love the familiarity of Leon's characters, but I think I've read this same basic plot from her many times before. I'm surprised that there's so little surprise in this. But it is cozy and comfortable.

Always a pleasure to read about Guido and his fabulously beautiful and corrupt city of Venice. His days are filled with ethical anomalies and dangerous answers. The reader leaves the story wondering if there will be resolution or absolution

And these books. I feel like I can actually smell the air when it is described, and feel the motion of the water of the canals. Once again, a story that keeps me from doing anything but finding out where the story is going! Highly recommend!

Donna Leon never disappoints. Her characters are complex and well drawn. As usual, she tackles a major issue as a part of the mystery, In this case it's the pollution of sea in which Venice exists along with the political and social issues that allowed it to happen. She's a thoughtful and and insightful writer whose prose is often really delicious! I look forward to visiting Guido, Paola and the other characters in her next book!

A solid 5 stars for the first several chapters. I'll forgive her for the convoluted way Donna got him out of town and for the apparent lack of interest by Paolo since it led to pages and pages if her very best writing.

Then it all sort of fell apart and left us hanging.

But all in all I'm glad I bought the book. I seriously considered not doing so after the string of dogs, including one I doubt she wrote herself. They were off kilter. This one is dead on.

Yes, many characters were almost or totally missing, but for a good cause. The focus was firmly on Guida, a character who can be lost in the things swirling about him.

I truly thought the plot was leaving to make this the the book where she retires the series, but apparently not.

I'm a fan of Donna Leon and Commissioner Brunetti, yet this one of my favorites. I enjoyed the story of Brunetti's respite with Casati, Casati's bees, and the question of whether humans can really change. Wonderful story.

I love this latest from Donna Leon, so beautifully written on another thoughtful dark mystery, with my favourite Commissioner par excellence on the trail, no slight detail is missed by Brunetti n this tale moves to its conclusion smoothly.

Not up to her previous books. About a third through the book before a body was found and three quarters through before it was declared a murder. Rest was just fluff and fillers. A big disappointment. I liked her other books I’ve read.

Leon's talent for detailed description makes you part of the landscape,not just part of the story. A delightful if sad tale of the evil that lurks in the deeds of some men. Enriches the Brunetti character for us and our understanding of him. Dangling ends make me hopeful there is a sequel.

I enjoy commissRio Guido and his family at home as well as his work family. What I love the most is learning more and more about Venice, which is to me, the most unusual city in italy. The Venitians are A breed all their own and they solve a mystery in their own good time.

Another masterpiece capturing the profound emotions of the human experience while immersing the reader in the unique life of Venice. Donna Leon places the reader physically and spiritually into the drama as a participant and witness.