Beastly Things (A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery)

The stars of the book are always Venice and Comisario Brunetti, whom we learn more about in each book. It is just great to have intelligent mysteries that teach us something about people and place, that are not gratuitously violent. Although the description of the slaughterhouse is horrifying and memorable. I look forward to the next one.

Found the story line fascinating. Enjoyed learning nore about Venice. Would definitely read another one of her books. Since this is the latest of this authors books I will be interested in seeing character development.

Venice is one of the most fascinating places in the world and Donna Leon gives us a glimpse of everyday life of the Venetians through the family and work of Brunetti.
Well written with insightful characters.

Two of my favorite fictional detectives are Guido Brunetti and Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano. They both enjoy good food and good wine. However, as someone whose ancestry is Sicilian I must admit a preference to Camileri's Sicilian cuisine to Leon's Venieziano cuisine.

Very well written. First book I read by this author, but I plan to read more. Brunetti was such a warm, caring commissario. I liked reading about, Venice, especially since I have been there. It quickly became a page turner the more I got into the story.

As she does so well, the author reveals a complicated situation containing illegalities, this time in the world of meat packing, with the solving of a murder. Always great to spend time with Guido and get inside his head, and spend time with his family, a little less time than usual in this book. But a good mystery it s!

Very good -- but not her very best. All the usual characters are there (though Raffi and Chiara hardly feature directly). The argument for vegetarianism is interesting... A good read as always with Leon.

Since Drawing Conclusions, which I found a bit confusing, I paused a bit to read the investigations of Brunetti. I tried Beastly Things and I liked very much even if the rational behind the murder could be deducted very quickly.

The review by Sharon Isch is really detailed and very accurate. The characters in the Brunetti series are as fresh as the first novel and the web of intrigue better than ever with this latest story. While Sharon Isch says you can skip Chapter 19, I personally wish every meat consuming person on earth would read it. The topic is horrible, but one everyone should be aware of - how animals are "processed" and the many dangers of having contaminated meat in the marketplace. I have been a vegetarian for years precisely because of this issue - in my case it is because like the victim, I love animals too much to ever eat them. Readers should be prompted to look at the "processing" in their own areas - it is a cruel, horrible and dangerous process - don't think Donna Leon exagerated - just think of how many meat "recalls" and outbreaks of disease there have been in just the US lately. This must have been an extraordinarily difficult issue to write about, although the issue has come up frequently in past Brunetti stories. The ending of this book left me in tears - the dialog and setting of the last chapter will break your heart, but it is so beautiful and beautifully written, that it was a blessing just to read it - every animal lover on earth should read it and thank Donna Leon for such a compassionate ending that surpasses anything you would expect or wish for.

The plot has already been discussed. It is solid, perhaps with a slower start than some of leon's books, but a good, solid story. I would have given it 4 stars simply because i prefer some of her other works were it not for the ending. The priest's sermon was so moving that i found myself getting misty...ok, i cried. If i knew a priest like this, i would go to church. If you love god's creatures, and those who care for them, i think you will find this moving.

Have just finished Beastly Things and think Donna Leon gets better and better.
There's still quite a bit of political negativity - which gets a bit tiresome - but
it adds to the characters' moods and actions. And every character becomes
known to you right from the start. Such intelligent writing, so human, intimate and
compassionate. Makes me feel smarter just by reading it. Keep writing Donna Leon.
And thank you for sharing your gift.

There are a number of fictional detectives that I have tired of over time. Guido Brunetti is not one of them. Donna Leon continues to construct plots that are interesting, but more importantly the details of Guido's life, including the food and of course, Venice, add a touch to these stories that maks them a pleasure to read. Thank you Donna.

Interesting crime novel based in Venice, Italy. The authors description if the canal city was pretty much as I remembered it. The murder plot line a little weak, but never the less, a nice read but nothing great.

For those that appreciate Brunetti's love of food through descriptions of lunches with his family, you will be disappointed this time, however this loss is certainly made up width the minutiae of the meat chain. Brunetti's intelligence wins the day again with the help of his Lieutenant's assistant and his own burgeoning skills with the computer. Can't wait for book twenty one.

commissario Guido Brunetti solves another murder in the venetian way of subtle dodging of the ever present corruption of Venice that has become a way of life. May he continue his slow step of survival with his sidekick and secretary with unusual connections.