I've led a sheltered life. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read a Donna Leon novel. Or, I should say that I had never read one because I just finished "Death at La Fenice".
I had heard all of the Donna Leon raves, of course, but I never took the bait. When I decided to go to Venice with GrapeHops next May, though, I decided to read as many of the Donna Leon novels about Commissario Guido Brunetti that I could.
I was hoping that the books would give me some insight to Venice as the locals see it. If "Death at La Fenice" is any indication, I have already gotten a "feel" for the spirit of Venice.
I really, really enjoyed my first Donna Leon book. I am going to try to read them in the order they were published, so I am now on to "Death in a Strange Country".
Comments (10)
Let me know if you need any others. I'm currently reading David Hewson's Lizard's Bite. It's about detective Nic Costa who normally lives/works in Rome but he's on special assignment to Venice - so far, so good. Another one that takes place in Venice is Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen but only one of the books - Dead Lagoon. I'm not sure if I still have it but if I do and you want it, let me know.
Posted by kim | September 20, 2010 3:58 AM
Posted on September 20, 2010 03:58
I was also 'late' to the Donna Leon fan club. I read most of them last year. Wonderful escapes and even better since you will be there soon!
Posted by Marta | September 20, 2010 8:15 AM
Posted on September 20, 2010 08:15
Yay! I really have enjoyed the whole series and think I would have loved them even if I wasn't so crazy about Venice. Great characters in these books. Enjoy!
Posted by Annie | September 20, 2010 12:52 PM
Posted on September 20, 2010 12:52
Enjoy them, Nancy! They are fun reads!
Posted by Palma | September 21, 2010 5:37 AM
Posted on September 21, 2010 05:37
Hi Nancy, how fun that you're going to Venice with GrapeHops. I had not heard of Donna Leon either until I started reading Annie's blog. I only managed to read one book before my trip in 2007 and wished that I had read more of her books before I left. Enjoy the next book.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | September 21, 2010 6:04 AM
Posted on September 21, 2010 06:04
This sounds like a fun idea. My first trip to Venice is in November...what perfect timing. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by LisaF | September 21, 2010 6:56 AM
Posted on September 21, 2010 06:56
The Donna Leon books are great. I do suggest you read them in some semblance of the order they were written. I kept looking for Brunetti in Venezia on Saturday, but it was raining... he was probably home with the wife and kids.
Posted by Brad'll Do It | September 21, 2010 1:52 PM
Posted on September 21, 2010 13:52
Good for you - I have 'em all.
Bring 'Brunetti's Venice' with you on the trip. I know you'll be busy with Shannon but it really has some interesting tours.
Posted by Jerry | September 21, 2010 5:48 PM
Posted on September 21, 2010 17:48
Hey, thank you all for your comments! I am definitely going to read the books in the order they were published.
And, Jerry, I do have "Brunetti's Venice" and was trying to decide if I should take it with me. Per your recommendation, I will definitely do that!
Posted by nancyhol | September 21, 2010 8:51 PM
Posted on September 21, 2010 20:51
I'm reading Brunetti's Venice. Nancy, perhaps on some of our free time (or maybe if we're all Brunetti fans) we can work one of the walks into our trip. :D
Posted by Kim | October 20, 2010 6:55 AM
Posted on October 20, 2010 06:55