The first Guido Brunetti mystery, from mother- and father-in-law.

I've read a few other Brunetti mysteries before, in the random order they have happened to cross my roads. It's interesting to see that in the first one everything was already in place and as they appear in later novels: Leon has a good understanding of i>Northern Italy, but I find her views of South, especially Sicily and Sicilians very Northern Italian (much stronger than North vs South in US. Try NYC vs Alabama, perhaps that sets the spirit how she paints the Sicilians, as in how a New Yorker would see the flyover states in the South)... yes, you do find the annoying people there but you can find them anywhere. I've lived both in Sicily and 'in the continent', Milan, and I find the people in North, and in Leon's books, much colder than the Southerners. Paola, Brunetti's wife, is occasionally irrational and annoying (more so in the later novels), his homely life with her and two annoying teenagers... is probably realistic, but I prefer my detectives somewhat like Salvo Montalbano or Harry Bosch. People who trust their intuitions (Brunetti does not trust his), who have their own roads and don't try to please the others for the sake of pleasing others.

Storywise, solid well written classic detective. Even the murder is classic: a well-known opera conductor is murdered with cyanide... it's a hot case for the city of Venice, and Brunetti is asked to solve the case, no matter what it takes. When it starts to appear that there are a lot of people that would want Wellauer dead the list of suspects grow...

Anyway, if you like detectives and mysteries that are based in Italy, try any Salvo Montalbano-mystery if you'll ever find one. The author is Andrea Camilleri, and the stories are located in a small city in Sicily. Both are enjoyable.

Reserved for Bookstogive's Mystery/Thriller/Suspense VBB.

Sending it to 6of8, who picked it from the VBB.

Safe journey little book - I hope you'll make many new friends on your travels!

"Don't ever apologize to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that's what they're there for. Use your library). Don't apologize to this author for buying books second hand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend's copy. What's important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read... "
— Neil Gaiman

To the finder of this book:
Hello and congratulations! You have not only found yourself a good book, but a whole community of booklovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. I hope you'll stick around a bit and get to know BookCrossing --maybe even make a journal entry on this book. You may choose to remain anonymous or to join (its free!)
Feel free to read and keep this book, or to pass it on to a friend or even set it out "in the wild" for someone else to find like you did. If you do choose to join and journal, then you can watch the book as it travels- You'll be alerted by email each time someone makes another journal entry. It's all confidential (you're known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free. Happy reading!

Excited to have a chance to read the first book in this series. I have heard good things about the series and recently came across a couple of the later books, but they are still on Mt. TBR, so I can at least see how it all started rather than jumping in to the middle.

Started reading this one this morning, because I signed up for a book box of mysteries taking place abroad (bookstogive has such great book box ideas) and this would be a perfect addition. Already half-way through -- a very compelling read. Even brought it on the train with me when I had to come into the office for a meeting, despite having a "dedicated" train book in my bag, because I want to get it finished.

Finished it!! Fabulous -- the mystery was well done (I figured it out about the same time as Guido did) and the end was not too bad. Sometimes the fuzzier endings are disappointing because of the failure to tie up loose ends, but in this case it was done just right. Looking forward to reading the others in the series which are sitting on Mt. TBR.

Adding this book as "seed stock" to the new VBB organized by bookstogive focusing on mysteries taking place outside U.S./Canada.

Off in the mail to bookstogive, who selected it from her International Mystery VBB. DC # 03110820000096336440

Welcome to Book Crossing -- this book is now yours to read, retain, release, or any combination thereof which suits your fancy. Books registered with Book Crossing are tracked by those who have read them before to see where they will go and who they will meet on their journeys. People who participate in the Book Crossing community often establish friendships and trade books or comments on books and just relish a relationship with other readers across the globe.

You are welcome (and encouraged) to create a journal entry on the book, particularly when passing it on to a specific someone or releasing in the wild. You don't have to read the book to create a journal entry nor do you have to feel obligated to write only positive things. All those who have had their hands on the book before you would be excited to read any journal entry you choose to make.

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Sharing books in this fashion is just another way of spreading good karma across the world. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the book!

I selected this one from the International Mystery VBB. After the great reviews I am really excited to have the chance to read it. Thanks so much for including it and I will post again after reading.

Sending this book out as part of the Wishlist Tag Game, I hope you enjoy it!

To the finder of this book:

Welcome to BookCrossing, a unique community of book lovers, sharing their libraries with the world. This book is now yours to read, enjoy, keep or pass on to another reader.

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BookCrossing is free to join, completely confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address) and a great deal of fun. If you choose to join please consider using meBOOKSTOGIVE
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Thanks to bookstogive for tagging me in the Wishlist Tag Game and sending this to me promptly! I recently enjoyed reading another of Donna Leon's novels and am looking forward to going back and starting from the beginning of the Brunetti mysteries.

The first of Leon’s Commissario Brunetti series, this novel takes place in the classical music world, where a famous conductor is found poisoned in between acts of an opera. Though Inspector Brunetti is rather bland as a character, I enjoyed Leon’s writing. The real star of this book is the setting. I loved the detailed descriptions of Venice, which covered geography, history, art and the best part, the food. It brought back for me fond memories of a family vacation in Venice. Such a beautiful and interesting city!

A classic mystery which keeps you putting together the pieces. The description of Venice is beautiful. Enjoyed this one.

Back in my hands now. I'll try to find another reader for this book.

I've added this book to a friend's Little Free Library.