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A conductor succumbs to cyanide at the famed Venice opera house, in the first mystery in the New York Times-bestselling, award-winning series. During intermission at the famed La Fenice opera house in Venice, Italy, a notoriously difficult and widely disliked German conductor is poisoned-and suspects abound. Guido Brunetti, a native Venetian, sets out to unravel the mystery behind the high-profile murder. To do so, he calls on his knowledge of Venice, its culture, and its dirty politics. Along the way, he finds the crime may have roots going back decades-and that revenge, corruption, and even Italian cuisine may play a role.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
I intentionally began at the start of this series; but I began so late! Nevertheless, instead of bemoaning this imprudence I am celebrating the discovery, to my mind at least, of a tremendously well-written, truly enjoyable crime series; disregarding utterly the fact I could have been entertained,
There is no slow build-up here either. Immediately we are embroiled in the death of the world-renowned conductor, Maestro Helmut Wellauer, found in his dressing room, between acts of a performance at Venice’s famous opera house, La Fenice, seemingly poisoned. And it is Commissario Brunetti who is called to the scene of the crime; and it is Commissario Brunetti who must navigate the tortuous paths of the victim’s past and present lives in order to determine the truth behind this death. In his own inimitable fashion, in a self-determined time-frame and work ethos, and despite intense pressure from all sides, this genial policeman stoically unravels the complicated and complex tangles entwined around this developing sordid tale, to carefully arrive at a surprising, but satisfying, conclusion.
This is the beginning of a first-rate series. There is something particularly pleasing in reading about such an agreeable main protagonist of these environs - Guido Brunetti - a character who is not angst-driven, who has a loving, happy family relationship, and who imparts a regular countenance to life in his wry, discerning opinions and observations, even as his considerable aptitude is brought to bear. It is refreshing to observe a police officer with a normal marriage; with a relationship with his wife where each work with, and for, the success of each other - in their career, in their partnership and in their life. There are snippets of personal foibles and follies afforded to all the supporting cast, and in the vastly amusing dialogue, from the members of his family to his odious superior officer; and including the intriguing and diverse range of suspects attached to the case, all are, at once, both endearing and extremely entertaining – there are some really laugh-out-loud moments in this book!
With Death at La Fenice I salute Donna Leon; in her writing style, in her receptivity to all things Italian, and in her approach to the premise of this first book – it is a delight. This is not a deeply twisted, profound mystery and as such may not appeal to some aficionados of this milieu. The satisfaction in this case is not in the successful solution to the crime – possibly deduced easily and early by the reader; the success at the heart of this story is the skilful depictions of the players, the cunning reasoning behind the actions of all parties, and the clever construction of the workings of the case. More a dip into life’s darker proclivities than an intense crime thriller this book was a considerable pleasure, and a joy, for me to read, and when finished, I was torn between writing this glowing report and reading the next book – now this review is finally complete, if very late, I will happily, once again, immerse myself in the next engaging chapter.
(Mar 17, 2009)
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for many years previous, by the amiable company of the uncommonly well-rounded (for this genre) and charming Italian police detective, Guido Brunetti – and his considerable talent - all set amidst the sublime backdrop of Venice. As the saying goes: better late than never!There is no slow build-up here either. Immediately we are embroiled in the death of the world-renowned conductor, Maestro Helmut Wellauer, found in his dressing room, between acts of a performance at Venice’s famous opera house, La Fenice, seemingly poisoned. And it is Commissario Brunetti who is called to the scene of the crime; and it is Commissario Brunetti who must navigate the tortuous paths of the victim’s past and present lives in order to determine the truth behind this death. In his own inimitable fashion, in a self-determined time-frame and work ethos, and despite intense pressure from all sides, this genial policeman stoically unravels the complicated and complex tangles entwined around this developing sordid tale, to carefully arrive at a surprising, but satisfying, conclusion.
This is the beginning of a first-rate series. There is something particularly pleasing in reading about such an agreeable main protagonist of these environs - Guido Brunetti - a character who is not angst-driven, who has a loving, happy family relationship, and who imparts a regular countenance to life in his wry, discerning opinions and observations, even as his considerable aptitude is brought to bear. It is refreshing to observe a police officer with a normal marriage; with a relationship with his wife where each work with, and for, the success of each other - in their career, in their partnership and in their life. There are snippets of personal foibles and follies afforded to all the supporting cast, and in the vastly amusing dialogue, from the members of his family to his odious superior officer; and including the intriguing and diverse range of suspects attached to the case, all are, at once, both endearing and extremely entertaining – there are some really laugh-out-loud moments in this book!
With Death at La Fenice I salute Donna Leon; in her writing style, in her receptivity to all things Italian, and in her approach to the premise of this first book – it is a delight. This is not a deeply twisted, profound mystery and as such may not appeal to some aficionados of this milieu. The satisfaction in this case is not in the successful solution to the crime – possibly deduced easily and early by the reader; the success at the heart of this story is the skilful depictions of the players, the cunning reasoning behind the actions of all parties, and the clever construction of the workings of the case. More a dip into life’s darker proclivities than an intense crime thriller this book was a considerable pleasure, and a joy, for me to read, and when finished, I was torn between writing this glowing report and reading the next book – now this review is finally complete, if very late, I will happily, once again, immerse myself in the next engaging chapter.
(Mar 17, 2009)
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LibraryThing member Joycepa
First in the Commisario Guido Brunetti series set in Venice, Italy.
At La Fenice, Venice’s renowned opera house, the curtain is ready to go up for the final act of Verdi’s La Traviata. Everyone is ready and waiting, but the conductor, the world famous Helmut Wellauer, doesn’t appear--because
Enter Commisario (Chief Inspector) Guido Brunetti, a compassionate, idealistic but realistic Venetian. Aspects of the case puzzle him; he follows up seemingly trivial facts to uncover a past that leads directly to Wellauer’s death.
The beauty of Leon’s books is not the plots, which are very good but nothing really outstanding. Her strengths are in her characters. Brunetti, his wife Paola, their two teenage children Chiara and Raffi, are brilliantly realized. Other recurring characters, such as Vice-Questura Patta, are also memorable; Patta, in the tradition of Racer in the Ricahrd Jury series of Martha Grimes, is unforgettable, and his meetings with Brunetti are hysterically funny. Even the minor characters who appear just once add heft to the book; their authenticity is resounding.
In addition, Leon, who has lived in Venice many years, writes lovingly and in detail of the city. One of the fun activities I indulged myself in during this reread was to follow Brunetti through Venice’s streets and into its establishments via GoogleEarth maps of the city. The locales are real as are establishments such as Biancat’s San Polo florist shop. There are photos of buildings in the areas which just adds to the enjoyment, even if it does mean reading while sitting in front of a computer--well worth it!
Last but not least is Leon’s wry humor, which at times is exquisite; there were many times when I still, after 4 or 5 rereads of this superb book, laughed out loud, and one passage had me in tears of laughter--again.
The resolution of the plot is different, certainly, and casts further insights into Brunetti’s character.
A superb book in an excellent series. Highly recommended.
At La Fenice, Venice’s renowned opera house, the curtain is ready to go up for the final act of Verdi’s La Traviata. Everyone is ready and waiting, but the conductor, the world famous Helmut Wellauer, doesn’t appear--because
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he is dead, of cyanide poisoning, in his dressing room.Enter Commisario (Chief Inspector) Guido Brunetti, a compassionate, idealistic but realistic Venetian. Aspects of the case puzzle him; he follows up seemingly trivial facts to uncover a past that leads directly to Wellauer’s death.
The beauty of Leon’s books is not the plots, which are very good but nothing really outstanding. Her strengths are in her characters. Brunetti, his wife Paola, their two teenage children Chiara and Raffi, are brilliantly realized. Other recurring characters, such as Vice-Questura Patta, are also memorable; Patta, in the tradition of Racer in the Ricahrd Jury series of Martha Grimes, is unforgettable, and his meetings with Brunetti are hysterically funny. Even the minor characters who appear just once add heft to the book; their authenticity is resounding.
In addition, Leon, who has lived in Venice many years, writes lovingly and in detail of the city. One of the fun activities I indulged myself in during this reread was to follow Brunetti through Venice’s streets and into its establishments via GoogleEarth maps of the city. The locales are real as are establishments such as Biancat’s San Polo florist shop. There are photos of buildings in the areas which just adds to the enjoyment, even if it does mean reading while sitting in front of a computer--well worth it!
Last but not least is Leon’s wry humor, which at times is exquisite; there were many times when I still, after 4 or 5 rereads of this superb book, laughed out loud, and one passage had me in tears of laughter--again.
The resolution of the plot is different, certainly, and casts further insights into Brunetti’s character.
A superb book in an excellent series. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member culturion
I have always enjoyed crime series that evoke and explore a particular place. To the long running, hard boiled 87th Precinct novels by Ed McBain and the comically observed Roman world of Marcus Didius Falco from Lindsey Davies I can now add the Venetian investigations of Commissario Guidi Brunetti
In all three of them it is the central characters and the meticulously described worlds, situated in both time and place, that tug our interest and intrigue as much as the crime. In some respects the criminal investigation acts simply as a plotting scaffold for this leisurely unpicking of human nature and social milieu.
I very much enjoyed this story. It was a well crafted scenario that was gradually revealed. Like Venice trapped in the winter missed morality seemed to wobble and fade as the back story to the opening death of conductor Helmut Wellauer, poisoned suddenly during a performance. Even as I understood the likely whodunnit before Brunetti the final reveal was fascinatingly complex. More a gradual almost imperceptible glimpse at human secrets rather than criminal mysteries. The story is allowed to wander and breathe beyond the plot, much as the Venetian police approach their task devoting more time to food, coffee, wine and family than the work of working out who and why. There is much more to see and say about Venice and her inhabitants to become too obsessed with mere procedure.
Consequently reading this book was a pleasure like wandering along a beautiful pebble beach, stopping to pick up and marvel at pebbles that glisten like gems such was my enjoyment of the many well observed and well crafted scenes, moments and phrases along the way. Leon has a way of prising open a character or emotion with small moments of elegantly, poetic prose. These invite your imagination in. This was a book I carried everywhere with me looking forward to any moment I could pull it out and luxuriate in its pages for a while.
I enjoyed reading about the 87th Precinct and Falco's Rome seeing the characters and societies change and grow old over time whilst investigating each individual crime episode and I hope reading the rest of this series will prove as pleasurable. Leon's tale also featured a delight in ridiculing the self important, empathy for those trapped in unenviable situations and sympathy for the tactics people use to get themselves through the day.
The novel hovers in time around the late eighties and early nineties and it is curious how quaint a world it seems before the pervasive connectivity of internetworked computers and mobile phones. The investigative techniques interviewing, walking, messages, gossip, slowly put together records would not be unfamiliar to investigators in Ancient Rome or 1950s American cities. It will be interesting to see whether the series remains suspended in this time outside the sphere of instant information or gradually incorporates a changing world.
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courtesy of Donna Leon.In all three of them it is the central characters and the meticulously described worlds, situated in both time and place, that tug our interest and intrigue as much as the crime. In some respects the criminal investigation acts simply as a plotting scaffold for this leisurely unpicking of human nature and social milieu.
I very much enjoyed this story. It was a well crafted scenario that was gradually revealed. Like Venice trapped in the winter missed morality seemed to wobble and fade as the back story to the opening death of conductor Helmut Wellauer, poisoned suddenly during a performance. Even as I understood the likely whodunnit before Brunetti the final reveal was fascinatingly complex. More a gradual almost imperceptible glimpse at human secrets rather than criminal mysteries. The story is allowed to wander and breathe beyond the plot, much as the Venetian police approach their task devoting more time to food, coffee, wine and family than the work of working out who and why. There is much more to see and say about Venice and her inhabitants to become too obsessed with mere procedure.
Consequently reading this book was a pleasure like wandering along a beautiful pebble beach, stopping to pick up and marvel at pebbles that glisten like gems such was my enjoyment of the many well observed and well crafted scenes, moments and phrases along the way. Leon has a way of prising open a character or emotion with small moments of elegantly, poetic prose. These invite your imagination in. This was a book I carried everywhere with me looking forward to any moment I could pull it out and luxuriate in its pages for a while.
I enjoyed reading about the 87th Precinct and Falco's Rome seeing the characters and societies change and grow old over time whilst investigating each individual crime episode and I hope reading the rest of this series will prove as pleasurable. Leon's tale also featured a delight in ridiculing the self important, empathy for those trapped in unenviable situations and sympathy for the tactics people use to get themselves through the day.
The novel hovers in time around the late eighties and early nineties and it is curious how quaint a world it seems before the pervasive connectivity of internetworked computers and mobile phones. The investigative techniques interviewing, walking, messages, gossip, slowly put together records would not be unfamiliar to investigators in Ancient Rome or 1950s American cities. It will be interesting to see whether the series remains suspended in this time outside the sphere of instant information or gradually incorporates a changing world.
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LibraryThing member dorie.craig
This mystery was set in Venice and featured detective Guido Brunetti. Brunetti is assigned to investigate when a world-famous conductor is found dead in his dressing room, and poison is found in his coffee. Brunetti goes on to investigate all the usual suspects: the younger wife, the producer, the
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various singers, an old lover. I liked the character of Brunetti and his wife. It's nice to see a detective in a crime fiction novel happily married. My favorite parts of the book involve Brunetti's discussions with his boss, who is portrayed as particularly dumb. The investigation itself made sense, but wasn't particularly fascinating. A lot of information was collected but not much was relevant to the case. The resolution to the mystery was okay, but I couldn't help but feel the author was being a bit sensational. Certainly a famous man with such habits would have encountered scandal long before he'd reached his advanced age? Or even some gossip? Overall this was a good, satisfying book and I understand why people would enjoy the series. But I don't believe I'll be continuing with this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Commissario Guido Brunetti makes his debut in this wonderful mystery set in Venice. World-renowned Maestro Helmut Wellauer is taken suddenly ill after the second act of La Traviata – or so management would have the audience believe. But it’s clear to the doctor who volunteers her assistance
I was quickly caught up in the plot, and was kept guessing to the end. I also enjoyed the depth of character, and especially the relationship between Brunetti and his lovely wife Paola. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I don’t know what I was waiting for. So glad I finally got to it; I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
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that the Maestro is beyond help. In fact, he’s quite dead when she arrives at his dressing room. It quickly becomes clear to Brunetti that there are several possible suspects, and that the victim, while a musical genius, had a very dark history. I was quickly caught up in the plot, and was kept guessing to the end. I also enjoyed the depth of character, and especially the relationship between Brunetti and his lovely wife Paola. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I don’t know what I was waiting for. So glad I finally got to it; I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
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LibraryThing member lycomayflower
If you had asked me recently, I'd have said that I generally didn't care for mysteries, or detective stories, or police procedurals. But I suppose that's not actually true. I went on a fairly lengthy kick in high school where I would read Robert B. Parker's Spenser books back-to-back-to-back, and I
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enjoy Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe books. I've always liked television cop/detective/lawyer shows like Law and Order and Magnum P.I., and I find myself greatly looking forward to each new installment of ABC's new police/mystery writer show Castle. But the fact remains that I haven't ever thought of myself of a fan of the genre. That being said, I very much enjoyed Death at La Fenice. I felt very much like I was uncovering the crime with Guido Brunetti and never felt as if he had a brain wave I was not privvy to and ran off to solve the thing without me (that's my biggest turn off with mystery stories). By the end, I had the crime somewhat sorted--just enough that I felt clever, but not so much so that I had lost interest in the story. The setting and details of Venice were fascinating, and the characters interesting and well-drawn. I see myself carrying on with this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
I have been interested in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series for a while. When I stumbled upon the first in the series I decided it was time to read and see if I would like it. I did and I do.
Brunetti is a clam man and one who wants to know as much as possible about the victim and their life.
Brunetti sets out to find out the answers to these question and what he finds is much more and maybe not so nice. Ex-wives, performers, family members and others all have their stories about him. The picture that starts coming into focus has so many perspectives and suggestions to a number of possible suspects, but it is hard to tie these bits into one coherent picture. Bit by bit things click, as Brunetti slowly unearths the secrets behind this great man.
I plan on reading more from this series. It is set in Venice; a moody and secretive place in Italy. It adds to the mystery.
Brunetti is a clam man and one who wants to know as much as possible about the victim and their life.
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When a famous opera conductor dies in his room during the intermission of "La Traviata", it is Brunetti who is to solve the case. Cyanide is the poison, administered in his coffee. Why was such a famous, successful and loved man murdered? Who could do this and why?Brunetti sets out to find out the answers to these question and what he finds is much more and maybe not so nice. Ex-wives, performers, family members and others all have their stories about him. The picture that starts coming into focus has so many perspectives and suggestions to a number of possible suspects, but it is hard to tie these bits into one coherent picture. Bit by bit things click, as Brunetti slowly unearths the secrets behind this great man.
I plan on reading more from this series. It is set in Venice; a moody and secretive place in Italy. It adds to the mystery.
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LibraryThing member cybercarotte
Loved it! Happy it's part of a really long series. :)
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Maestro Helmut Wellauer, considered the world's greatest living conductor, is found dead of cyanide poisoning between Acts 2 and 3 of La Traviata at Venice's La Fenice Opera House. Commissario Guido Brunetti of the Venice police is called in to investigate. There are plenty of suspects since
An engaging and professional man in his forties, Brunetti is one of the three highest detectives working under Vice-Questore Giuseppi Patta, a pretentious man of limited intelligence who holds his position because of politics. It's a pleasure to join Brunetti as he picks his way through the investigation, and the somewhat surprising conclusion. One of the things I really liked about this book is that the reader is involved in Brunetti’s thought processes as he works the investigation. By the end of the story readers are intimately acquainted with him, as well as his family, and he seems like a friend.
This is the first mystery in a hugely popular series by Donna Leon that currently has 24 books . It's been on my TBR forever. Now that I've read one I can definitely agree. Leon's Venice is incredibly atmospheric, filled with beautiful buildings, bridges, and, of course, food. The story moves along with leisurely speed over the more interesting parts and briskly over the necessarily drier parts, like autopsy results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good murder mystery/police procedural. I can't wait to get the next book in the series, Death in a Strange Country.
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Wellauer made a lot of enemies on his way to the top. An engaging and professional man in his forties, Brunetti is one of the three highest detectives working under Vice-Questore Giuseppi Patta, a pretentious man of limited intelligence who holds his position because of politics. It's a pleasure to join Brunetti as he picks his way through the investigation, and the somewhat surprising conclusion. One of the things I really liked about this book is that the reader is involved in Brunetti’s thought processes as he works the investigation. By the end of the story readers are intimately acquainted with him, as well as his family, and he seems like a friend.
This is the first mystery in a hugely popular series by Donna Leon that currently has 24 books . It's been on my TBR forever. Now that I've read one I can definitely agree. Leon's Venice is incredibly atmospheric, filled with beautiful buildings, bridges, and, of course, food. The story moves along with leisurely speed over the more interesting parts and briskly over the necessarily drier parts, like autopsy results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good murder mystery/police procedural. I can't wait to get the next book in the series, Death in a Strange Country.
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LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Venice and La Fenice are certainly characters in the story. I had read and enjoyed a Brunetti mystery a few years ago and am glad to now be getting back into the series. Perhaps recent travel to Venice pushed me over the edge.
La Fenice burned for the third time in 1996. This book was published in
Character development well done, making them believable. The scene in the apartment of the former diva in her poverty was touching and real sounding.
I enjoyed the mention of being able to see the distant mountains on a clear winter day as I had that experience when I was there recently.
La Fenice burned for the third time in 1996. This book was published in
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1992 before that fire, the third in is history. La Fenice = the Phoenix. Character development well done, making them believable. The scene in the apartment of the former diva in her poverty was touching and real sounding.
I enjoyed the mention of being able to see the distant mountains on a clear winter day as I had that experience when I was there recently.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
Amazing! A first novel that was well done! I look forward to reading number two!
I didn't get a full picture of Venice through this book, but I imagine I will become more and more familiar with its streets and byways and canals as I read more and more of the series.
I know next to nothing about
I didn't get a full picture of Venice through this book, but I imagine I will become more and more familiar with its streets and byways and canals as I read more and more of the series.
I know next to nothing about
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Opera, but some of the characters did flesh out the caricatures of the principal or typical subjects. I really puzzled over the list of suspects. Of course, this no doubt had much to do with the fact this was a "first" book. No spoiler alerts from me. So, while the murderer seemed obvious, the reason wasn't so clear until the end. The detective, Guido Brunetti, is human. Wow. What a nice change. Show Less
LibraryThing member tloeffler
Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates the poisoning of Maestro Helmut Wellauer at LaFenice. There is no dearth of suspects--he was roundly unliked. The trick is finding which of the possibilities actually "did it."
This is the first of a series, set in Venice, that I will definitely continue.
This is the first of a series, set in Venice, that I will definitely continue.
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Solving the murder is secondary to character development, and Brunetti is a charmer, who doesn't always follow the rules. Show Less
LibraryThing member cmbohn
Maestro Helmut Wellauer is murdered right in the middle of conducting La Traviata. Commissario Guido Brunetti is called in to investigate the case. At first, there don't seem to be any suspects. Everyone got along fine with the conductor. But the deeper Brunetti digs, the more motives appear. Seems
This is the first in the series. I've heard a lot about this book, so I was looking forward to reading it. I really liked the setting, liked the characters and the mystery, but there was a stronger sexual undercurrent than I enjoy. We'll see what happens with the next book in the series.
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the dead man wasn't liked that much after all. With a possible Nazi past, a wife who committed suicide, ruined careers and scorned women, Brunetti will have use all his resources to solve this one.This is the first in the series. I've heard a lot about this book, so I was looking forward to reading it. I really liked the setting, liked the characters and the mystery, but there was a stronger sexual undercurrent than I enjoy. We'll see what happens with the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
When a world famous conductor is discovered dead between acts at the La Fenice in Venice, Police Comissario (Chief Inspector) Guido Brunetti is called in to investigate. Discovering that the victim was poisoned by cyanide, Brunetti has several suspects. His interrogations take him throughout the
Guido Brunetti is a well-developed character with considerable aptitude in his profession shown by wry observations and discerning opinions. His family life should be mundane, but appears delightful and fulfilling as well as humorous (while playing Monopoly the Commissario's wife is shown as a compulsive thief).
This charming Italian Policeman unemotionally separates the complex tangles entwined in this squalid tale by using his abilities to read body language, long silences along with other psychological tools, and carefully devises an amazing and fulfilling solution.
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city navigating not only through the canals and picturesque sights of Venice but also the dark side of his victim's past.Guido Brunetti is a well-developed character with considerable aptitude in his profession shown by wry observations and discerning opinions. His family life should be mundane, but appears delightful and fulfilling as well as humorous (while playing Monopoly the Commissario's wife is shown as a compulsive thief).
This charming Italian Policeman unemotionally separates the complex tangles entwined in this squalid tale by using his abilities to read body language, long silences along with other psychological tools, and carefully devises an amazing and fulfilling solution.
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LibraryThing member rohetherington
"Was there any sign of a child? Books? Clothes?" Both showed signs of deep thought. Riverre stared off into space, which he seemed to find closer than most people did, and Alvise looked down at the floor, hands thrust into his uniform pockets. The requisite minute passed before they both answered,
A bit gruesome for me, though I thought it was well written.
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"No, sir," at the same time, almost as if they had practiced it."A bit gruesome for me, though I thought it was well written.
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LibraryThing member Yllom
book coverDeath at La Fenice by Donna Leon, 1992. The first in the series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. Brunetti is called in when a famous conductor dies of poisoning during an intermission at La Fenice. The city of Venice is the backdrop to an abundance of suspects, as Brunetti, with
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little help from his superior or the other policemen assigned to him, deftly investigates. Show Less
LibraryThing member darkline
A cosy murder mystery set against the backdrop of Venice, Death At La Fenice introduces us to Leon's erudite detective, Commissario Guido Brunetti. The dead body is Maestro Helmut Wellauer, a highly respected conductor who is loved by his audiences and, apparently, hated by many musicians. It's an
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entertaining read, filled with lots of nice flourishes about opera and Venice itself. In the end, though, I started caring less about the mystery and more about the supporting characters (who are delightful, through and through), and fortunately, Leon wraps the story up at just about that time. This is the first in a series, and like most mystery series, I'd be coming back for the atmosphere and the reoccurring characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member firebird013
Throughly competent and readable detective novel with an engaging central character and evocation of Venice life.
LibraryThing member Seamusoz
Donna Leon's First Detective (Commissario) Brunetti crime story and a perfect place to start. A fine, tight murder investigation leads to a satisfying end. Great characterization and wonderful sense of place- Venice. Read this and go on to read the rest. A delightful feature is the sprinkling of
James Pope
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Italian language and culture- not too such and not too little. I think the author knows how to cook.James Pope
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LibraryThing member hazelk
I'd heard that this was the most highly rated of Leon's detective fiction and I can well believe it.
Brunetti is a marvellous creation and his family life nicely contrasts with his working life without becoming overly sentimental or trite.
I don't often smile while reading this sort of fiction but I
A really nicely written and nicely paced piece of work by Donna Leon.e
Brunetti is a marvellous creation and his family life nicely contrasts with his working life without becoming overly sentimental or trite.
I don't often smile while reading this sort of fiction but I
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was amused by Brunetti's wry comments about Venice's faded glory and the country's inimitable 'justice' system.A really nicely written and nicely paced piece of work by Donna Leon.e
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LibraryThing member TadAD
The most famous conductor in the world is found dead of cyanide poisoning in his dressing room during the intermission of La Traviata. This is our introduction to Guido Brunetti, a commissario of police in Venice.
I understand why so many have fun with this series—it's fast, colorful, populated
I'll definitely be back for the next one in this series.
I understand why so many have fun with this series—it's fast, colorful, populated
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with engaging characters, and managed to avoid what I thought was the inevitable ending.I'll definitely be back for the next one in this series.
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LibraryThing member fourbears
A promising mystery series. I heard the author interviewed on NPR in a series about mystery writers who set their stories in one place. Donna Leon’s place is Venice and the mystery was pretty good. I figured out the who fairly easily, but the why was worth reading to the end for. A famous German
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conductor dies in his dressing room between acts of La Traviata at La Fenica, Venice’s opera house (before it burned down as documented in John Berendt’s The City of Falling Angels). Suspects are a famous soprano from whom he’s threatening to have children taken away because of her relationship with a woman (evidently Italian law allows that), the woman she’s living with, a theatre director with a friend whose career was jeopardized by the conductor because he was gay, a second wife who seems cold and aloof, an elderly singer living in poverty on Guidecca for who holds the conductor responsible for her sister’s death 50 years before. Conmissario Guido Brunetti becomes convinced that the key to the murder (cyanide in the coffee) lies in the conductor’s past; there are rumors that he was a Nazi. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stromata
I very rarely read 'detective' novels but an impending trip to Venice prompted me to try Donna Leon's series set in the city.
The series revolves around the work of Police Commissario Brunetti, his various side-kicks, his pompous boss and the ingenuous Signorina Elettra.
'Death at La Fenice' was the
As with the others in this series, Donna Leon paints a vivid and loving picture of Venice; the storylines are fairly engaging. In Death at la Fenice the characters are particularly well drawn and one was kept guessing to the end of the book to find out 'whodunnit'!
However, and perhaps this is my fault for reading four of these books in quick succession, the plots are rather on the thin side; the complexities of real life are missing, people and situations seem at times one-dimensional. Brunetti's personal life appears a little too perfect to ring true - wonderful, if at times amusingly adolescent children; beautiful, intelligent, astute wife who not only cooks exquisite suppers but who is the daughter of a well-heeled, well-connected palazzo-owning Venetian. Even his mother-in-law is perfect!
My main puzzle with these books may seem a little trivial but how are we to believe in a character such as Brunetti who drinks so much alcahol - two or three glasses of wine at lunchtime, the best part of a bottle at supper, followed by glasses of grappa? I am amused he can walk in a straight line, let alone solve crimes!
The series revolves around the work of Police Commissario Brunetti, his various side-kicks, his pompous boss and the ingenuous Signorina Elettra.
'Death at La Fenice' was the
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first of this series that I read and I must say that I really enjoyed it. A world-famous conductor fails to return to the rostrum after the first interval at the Venecian opera house, La Fenice. He is found dead in his dressing room, apparently poisoned - but who had laced his coffee? Enter Brunetti, whose job is to find out hated the maestro enough to want him dead. He quickly finds that its not so much who wanted to kill him - but rather who didn't.As with the others in this series, Donna Leon paints a vivid and loving picture of Venice; the storylines are fairly engaging. In Death at la Fenice the characters are particularly well drawn and one was kept guessing to the end of the book to find out 'whodunnit'!
However, and perhaps this is my fault for reading four of these books in quick succession, the plots are rather on the thin side; the complexities of real life are missing, people and situations seem at times one-dimensional. Brunetti's personal life appears a little too perfect to ring true - wonderful, if at times amusingly adolescent children; beautiful, intelligent, astute wife who not only cooks exquisite suppers but who is the daughter of a well-heeled, well-connected palazzo-owning Venetian. Even his mother-in-law is perfect!
My main puzzle with these books may seem a little trivial but how are we to believe in a character such as Brunetti who drinks so much alcahol - two or three glasses of wine at lunchtime, the best part of a bottle at supper, followed by glasses of grappa? I am amused he can walk in a straight line, let alone solve crimes!
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LibraryThing member Talbin
Death at La Fenice is the first of Donna Leon's series featuring Guido Brunetti, a commissario of in the Venice police department. One evening Brunetti is called to the La Fenice opera house - world-famous conductor Maestro Helmut Wellauer has been found dead at the intermission of the inaugural
I enjoyed this book, but I had really hoped to love it. One of my LT friends lists this as among her favorite books, and because our tastes in mysteries are so close I figured I would love it as much as she does. However, I think my expectations were too high. I found a beautifully written book with wonderfully well-drawn characters (including Venice, a character in and of herself), but a pretty light mystery. I had a good idea of the reason for the murder about two-thirds of the way through the book. There wasn't too much suspense, nor was there a great puzzle to work out. However, as I said, the characters are wonderful. I am hopeful that because this is the first book of the series, Leon is laying the groundwork so that she can build some great mysteries in the series. I will keep reading the series, as I find the characters and setting intriguing - I am hopeful that the mysteries become just as intriguing.
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performance. Wellauer was a musical genius, but not a well-loved one. To find the killer, Brunetti must sort through the suspects, including the much-younger widow, the lead soprano, the soprano's beautiful and wealthy partner, the opera's director, and a woman from Wellauer's past.I enjoyed this book, but I had really hoped to love it. One of my LT friends lists this as among her favorite books, and because our tastes in mysteries are so close I figured I would love it as much as she does. However, I think my expectations were too high. I found a beautifully written book with wonderfully well-drawn characters (including Venice, a character in and of herself), but a pretty light mystery. I had a good idea of the reason for the murder about two-thirds of the way through the book. There wasn't too much suspense, nor was there a great puzzle to work out. However, as I said, the characters are wonderful. I am hopeful that because this is the first book of the series, Leon is laying the groundwork so that she can build some great mysteries in the series. I will keep reading the series, as I find the characters and setting intriguing - I am hopeful that the mysteries become just as intriguing.
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LibraryThing member Poquette
Death at La Fenice is the first in Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti series of police procedurals. As first novels go, this one is competently written and plotted in such a way as to almost guarantee an interest in the books that follow. One of the things that sets this apart from other
La Fenice ("The Phoenix") is Venice's world renowned opera house. (Interestingly and as an aside, it had risen twice from the ashes prior to publication of this book in 1992, and then it burned down again in 1996 and has been dazzlingly rebuilt and restored to its former glory.)
La Traviata, as the novel opens, is being conducted by world famous conductor Helmut Wellauer. He departs the podium at the end of the second act, and that is the last time he is seen alive. When he does not return for act three, after a long pause, someone announces from the stage that the conductor was unable to continue and would be replaced.
Meanwhile, Commissario Brunetti is summoned to investigate the apparent murder of Maestro Wellauer by cyanide poisoning. As there were a thousand people in the theater that evening, there is no shortage of potential suspects.
The principal soloists, the stage director and the wife, who is present for the performance, are all questioned immediately. No one who had not been permitted back stage during the evening was seriously a suspect, so after the preliminary interviews, all were allowed to leave.
Because of the high profile of the crime, Vice-Questore Giuseppi Patta, Brunetti's boss and a man with social pretensions, loses no time in trying to intimidate Brunetti and even threatens to take him off the case when, the morning after the murder, Brunetti hadn't already solved the alleged crime! For anyone familiar with this series or the excellent German television productions, the bare mention of Patta will elicit smiles because he is, in fact, an officious buffoon. With pressure from above, on the one hand, and a collection of prima donna suspects on the other who are reluctant to talk, Brunetti must skillfully thread his way through the process of fact finding without ruffling feathers on either side.
Through many interviews, the collection of dossiers on the major suspects and a selective ear to gossip, Brunetti solves the mystery surrounding the poisoning of Maestro Wellauer.
As an addition to the police procedurals genre, Death at La Fenice is an entertaining quick read, which also doubles as a kind of travelogue, as Donna Leon never lets her readers forget where they are.
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similar series is that the novels take place in Venice, which is almost a secondary character because of its unique microcosmic locale. Leon, an American, has lived there for many years and knows the city and its peculiarities — both geographic and social — almost as well as a native. This knowledge contributes uniquely to the texture of the novels.La Fenice ("The Phoenix") is Venice's world renowned opera house. (Interestingly and as an aside, it had risen twice from the ashes prior to publication of this book in 1992, and then it burned down again in 1996 and has been dazzlingly rebuilt and restored to its former glory.)
La Traviata, as the novel opens, is being conducted by world famous conductor Helmut Wellauer. He departs the podium at the end of the second act, and that is the last time he is seen alive. When he does not return for act three, after a long pause, someone announces from the stage that the conductor was unable to continue and would be replaced.
Meanwhile, Commissario Brunetti is summoned to investigate the apparent murder of Maestro Wellauer by cyanide poisoning. As there were a thousand people in the theater that evening, there is no shortage of potential suspects.
The principal soloists, the stage director and the wife, who is present for the performance, are all questioned immediately. No one who had not been permitted back stage during the evening was seriously a suspect, so after the preliminary interviews, all were allowed to leave.
Because of the high profile of the crime, Vice-Questore Giuseppi Patta, Brunetti's boss and a man with social pretensions, loses no time in trying to intimidate Brunetti and even threatens to take him off the case when, the morning after the murder, Brunetti hadn't already solved the alleged crime! For anyone familiar with this series or the excellent German television productions, the bare mention of Patta will elicit smiles because he is, in fact, an officious buffoon. With pressure from above, on the one hand, and a collection of prima donna suspects on the other who are reluctant to talk, Brunetti must skillfully thread his way through the process of fact finding without ruffling feathers on either side.
Through many interviews, the collection of dossiers on the major suspects and a selective ear to gossip, Brunetti solves the mystery surrounding the poisoning of Maestro Wellauer.
As an addition to the police procedurals genre, Death at La Fenice is an entertaining quick read, which also doubles as a kind of travelogue, as Donna Leon never lets her readers forget where they are.
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