"...There's nothing to understand. People steal them for money....That's the only reason that animates thieves. Forget the articles about the men who suffer a mad passion for maps and books and manuscripts: that's all romantic nonsense. Freud in the library...People steal books and maps and manuscripts, and they cut out single pages or whole chapters because they can sell them."
-Contessa Morosini-Albani to Commissario Brunetti
This was the first novel I've read by this author. The book was chosen for the Page Turners by one of the members who is a fan of Leon. I must admit the story grew on me but I can't give it higher than 3.
The setting was one of my favorite things about the novel---the city of Venice. I was intrigued by police taking boats to the scenes of crimes and it was a fun challenge to figure out some Italian phrases from the context. Commissario Guido Brunetti is called to investigate some significant thefts from a renowned Venetian library. In the process a murder is discovered and it is probably related to the thefts. The suspect list is not extensive but includes a mysterious library researcher who is supposedly American. I found the ending abrupt and disappointing but I'll not be a spoiler.
One interesting thing about this author, who apparently has written a series of mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is her mention in another book I read very recently. In The Little Paris Bookshop set in France, a character is listing books, among them "who-dunnits by Donna Leon." It seems she is well-known in Europe.
Well, I won't rule out another of the series but it will likely be a while. So many books in my queue!
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When the Page Turners met on our usual day, several regulars were missing but the discussion was great! The group average rating was 3.3 with most members liking but not loving the novel. I don't believe any of us had read this author before (well, maybe the one who selected it). Apparently Leon is quite prolific and well-known in Europe. Perhaps we will try another of her "who dunnits" one of these days.
Most in the group enjoyed the setting and we found Commissario Brunetti plenty resourceful and a bit more simpatico than most detectives. It was interesting hearing everyone's take on the value of antique books and/or pages of the same. And discussion about the possible theme of "You can't judge a book by its cover" was thought-provoking. Several of us admitted the plot thickened when the murder took place. The most common complaint about the book was the abruptness of the ending. You are warned!
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