death at la fenice

Leon, who completed a doctorate in Indiana, specialising in 18th-century novelists, is an ex-pat American who lives in Venice. A world-famous German opera conductor has died at La Fenice, and Commissario (Detective) Guido Brunetti pursues what appears to be a murder investigation without leads. Death at La Fenice a novel of suspense This edition was published in 1992 by HarperPaperbacks in New York, N.Y. I more or less guessed the denouement about half way through and by the end I didn't really care much anyway since very few of the characters actually sprang to life. She set up a great plot and had intruiging characters, but then did nothing with them. This is a so-so murder mystery. With my years of French I automatically go with "Fe-nees", but I suspect the correct pronunciation might be "Fen-nee-che". I felt the book moved effortlessly, that the characters were believable and that the solution to the crime was very interesting, even though I had sort of figured it out before Brunetti. I love reading anything that has to do with Venice. I felt like the author went back and forth between providing lush, thoughtful descriptions to minimalist prose. 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,592. Summary/Review: "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. Death at La Fenice (1992), the first novel by American academic and crime-writer Donna Leon, is the first of the internationally best-selling Commissario Brunetti mystery series, set in Venice, Italy. I did guess the primary aspect of the case long before it was revealed, but it did not spoil the story, because there were still more mysteries to be uncovered. Being Italian I enjoy detective novels set in Italy. An intriguing kind of plot, but the processes of his mind never intrigued me. This book, while completely readable, is formulaic, predictable and totally acceptable if you have nothing else, but it certainly isn't. Classifications Library of Congress PS3562.E534 D4 1995x The Physical Object Pagination 278 p. ; … I really enjoyed Book 1 of the Brunetti mystery series. “His clothing marked him as Italian. Ah well, I promised myself that I would start reading the series from the start in English and then forgot about it until she was mentioned in a book about Venice that I read recently. This novel is about a world-famous conductor who is poisoned in his dressing room during an intermission. The reader can already see evidence of the Donna Leon writing style: the emphasis on family, relationships, Venetian culture and Italian culture. I did guess the primary aspect of the case long before it was revealed, but it did not spoil the story, because there were still more mysteries to be uncovered. Was it when he talked to one of the doctors? I wanted to start a new police procedural series and after doing some research decided to begin the Commissario Brunetti series by Donna Leon. The novel won the Japanese Suntory prize,[1] and its sequel is Death in a Strange Country (1993). Signorina Elletra, the Vice Questore's secretary is my favourite character, a strong, independent woman who is able to infiltrate the corners of bureaucracy to get vital information for Brunetti. So the fact that this book takes place in Venice gave it at least one redeeming quality. Death at La Fenice (Commissario Brunetti, #1), Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon is a 2012 Grove Press publication. Death at La Fenice: A Commissario Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon, It’s a decent book. Now all of his admirable abilities must come into play in the deadly affair of Maestro Helmut Wellauer, a world-renowned conductor who died painfully from cyanide poisoning during an intermission at La Fenice. Then, both my kid's school principal and my mother recommended I read it for the same reason. I decided to make a start in the series and here I am, after reading the first book. Donna Leon does a wonderful job describing the city. And Death in LA Fenice makes some effort at in-depth characterization, unlike say, Agatha Christie, where characterization is like the molding of inexpensive chess pieces – only sufficient to differentiate how they move in the game. I had previously read two of Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti series #5 Aqua Alta & #17 The Girl Of his Dreams & I found both to be satisfiying reads. I chose this book, the first in the Commissario Brunetti mystery series, because the setting is Venice, and my family and I will be briefly visiting there soon. Paperback. But nothing so horrific and violent as that of world-famous conductor, Maestro Helmut Wellauer - poisoned during a performance of La Traviata. The decay, decadence, corruption is highlighted, but at the same time, the honour and integrity of Brunetti and his Sergeants. Donna Leon has written four previous Guido Brunetti novels, Death and Judgment, Dressed for Death, Death in a Strange Country, and Death at La Fenice, which won the Suntory Prize for the best suspense novel of 1991. 'I lucked out,' she says."[1]. It does not flaunt, for example, the deliberately awkward and ugly similes characteristic of noir fiction. Refresh and try again. The reader can already see evidence of the Donna Leon writing style: the emphasis on family, relationships, Venetian culture and Italian culture. Death at La Fenice: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery. I am currently reading this for a mystery book club. It's significant to the story that this is a particularly painful way to die. Death at La Fenice is the 1st book in the exciting Guido Brunetti Series by Donna Leon, set in the beautiful, romantic, mysterious and unique city of Venice. I was pretty disappointed. To do so, he calls on his knowledge of Venice, its culture, and its dirty politics. You get a pretty good flavor for Venice in this book, and it was interesting that it was Brunetti who solves the mystery with very few extra characters involved. Turns out there were quite a few people who had reason to dislike him, but enough for murder? If you’re looking for the type of mystery that you can’t put down, this isn’t it. She would spend so much time detailing a meal, when that meal or … This novel is about a world-famous conductor who is poisoned in his dressing room during an intermission. I feel that there is a range of depth and literary value across the mystery genre. I've heard from more than one person that Donna Leon was a good author, but after reading this book, I have serious doubts about that and I'm not sure she deserves a second chance. Except for the ending, when it all comes together, this book is more about characters and the setting. Select Your Cookie Preferences. Read the opening of Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon. Now all of his admirable abilities must come into play in the deadly affair of Maestro Helmut Wel. We’d love your help. CDN$ 18.95 Next page. But as the investigation unfolds, a chilling picture slowly begins to take shape--a detailed portrait of revenge painted with vivid strokes of hatred and shocking depravity. Whenever I have to say the title out loud I'm never sure if I'm saying it right and always end up waffling between the two options. "Death At La Fenice" is the first book in the Commissario Brunetti series. Rate it * You Rated it * 0. I was pretty disappointed. I've heard from more than one person that Donna Leon was a good author, but after reading this book, I have serious doubts about that and I'm not sure she deserves a second chance. With my years of French I automatically go with "Fe-nees", but I suspect the correct pronunciation might be "Fen-nee-che". There is little violent crime in Venice, a serenely beautiful floating city of mystery and magic, history and decay. A conductor is found dead between acts at the Venetian Opera House, La Fenice, during a performance of La Traviata. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Death at La Fenice Leon, Donna: at the best online prices at eBay! See guidelines for writing about novels. I love the characters, Commissario Brunetti and his family. this low-key and humane Venice-set detective yarn surprised me. It didn'tmake me want to go to Venice. The protagonist is an affable police commissioner who manages to run his investigations his own way, in spite of a blustery clueless boss, all the time adhering to the societal, often archaic, rules and norms of Venice. 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. Like n. nofasternan Apr 13, 2017. Previous page. Donna Leon does a wonderful job describing the city. That being said it was still an enjoyable read but I’m unsure if I’ll read another. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . I have not read Brunettin order so starting at the beginning is a bit strange but it feels rather good. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Cyanide poisoning during the second-act intermission of La Traviata leaves the eminent conductor Helmut Wellauer dead, survived by a constellation of suspects from prima Flavia Petrelli (whose lesbian liaison with a wealthy American archeologist, Brett Lynch, Wellauer was threatening to expose) to director Franco Santore (furious over Wellauer's refusal to honor a bargain to find a job for … The cadence of his speech announced that he was Venetian. Geof Dyer's 's Jeff in Venice and Death in Varanasi, not a good book in my view, never the less makes Venice much more alive and interesting. I never said to myself, 'Wow that's a lovely paragraph, or sentence.’ It is set in Venice and the detective walks around Venetian neighborhoods and rides the vaporetto a lot. I thought the original was written in Italian only to learn that she is actually American and I also learned that the book I bought was number 9 in a series. Death at La Fenice A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery (Book) : Leon, Donna : "There is little violent crime in Venice, a serenely beautiful floating city of mystery and magic, history and decay. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Honestly, there are apparently another 20 books in the series and I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would read them. This is the first of Donna Leon's long-running series set in that fabled city, which is equally a character in the novel. Edition Notes Genre Fiction. I look forward to catching up on the other ones I have missed! Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Death at La Fenice (Book) : Leon, Donna : Available in paperback for the first time, the first book in the internationally bestselling Guido Brunetti detective series in which a high society murder leads the detective Beautiful and serene Venice is a city almost devoid of crime. At least going by Death at La Fenice. "Death At La Fenice" is the first book in the Commissario Brunetti series. World-renowned Maestro Helmut Wellauer is taken suddenly ill after the second act of, Donna Leon is one of my favourite mystery writers. The decay, decadence, corruption is highlighted, but at the same time, the honour and. So, you never know. Fabuloso! Buy Death at La Fenice: (Brunetti 1) 01 by Leon, Donna (ISBN: 0884316402273) from Amazon's Book Store. Oh I do so love visiting a foreign city and reading this book was as good as wandering around Venice for real. Donna Leon. All you need to do is pick a popular location, let's say Venice, populate it with one dimensional characters, every imaginable stereotype about Italy and the world, sentences that couldn't be called writing even if one was trying to be exceptionally kind- and there you go. If you’re looking for the type of mystery that you can’t put down, this isn’t it. thanks! Like n. nofasternan Apr 13, 2017. This was an enjoyable beginning with a nice introduction to Brunetti's family, his investigation techniques, many fellow officers, and assorted Venetians of all stripes. During intermission at the famed La Fenice opera house in Venice, a notoriously difficult conductor is poisoned, and suspects abound. I correctly identified who it was very early on. So what better way to start April but the first in the Brunetti mysteries. Donna Leon is one of my favourite mystery writers. The plot doesn't have the same emotional and politicized depths as some of the later books but the Venetian setting and immaculate writing make this stand out in an over-crowded crime marketplace. 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. This meant, among other things, that she was compelled to write a sequel. Donna Leon. Tell readers what you thought by rating and reviewing this book. I recently stopped reading a detective Chen mystery (A case of Two Cities by Qui Xiaolong) after about 30 pages because from time to time blossomed in my path a simile resembling one of those giant Indonesian flowers that look and smel. I decided to read this because it is on a BBC Book Club list. Death at La Fenice (Book) : Leon, Donna : There is little violent crime in Venice, a serenely beautiful floating city of mystery and magic, history and decay. Some people might like Donna Leon and I'm sure she has an army of fans but I found the prose stilted and dull, the plot cadaverous and the book stuffed with cliches and dull stereotypes about Italian life and culture. In this first book of the series, at least, readers hear more about what people are drinking rather than eating, and Brunetti never popped into a cozy village bistro or came home to a plate of fresh brownies as Gamache might. Brunetti learns that Wellauer is a scoundrel. Honestly, there are apparently another 20 books in the series and I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would read them. the emphasis on family, children, little girls... the importance of doing the right thing even if it is not necessarily the legal thing... no spoilers here, but the end really brought things together in a way that made perfect emotional sense. His travels around the city give an interesting and occasionally claustrophobic feeling to the place. I just finished another mystery for another book club ("Frog Music") I like to gravitate towards literary fiction and it is a good question whether a mystery has content worthy of discussion or even reading beyond just a temporary excitement and escape. Shop with confidence. It even is in a sense about the character of the victim, but I never felt any of the characters was fully human, had any of the fitful unexpected texture of real people. I gave it two stars rather than one because I found myself warming slightly to Commissario Guido Brunetti and because the plot became marginally more interesting in the second half. Commissario Brunetti, in his first outing, must dig deep into the man's past to find out who could possibly have wanted to do such a thing. I liked Brunetti and his family, in fact those scenes were among my favorites. Somewhat to her consternation, it won and she was offered a two-book contract by Harper Collins. Death at La Fenice is the 1st book in the exciting Guido Brunetti Series by Donna Leon, set in the beautiful, romantic, mysterious and unique city of Venice. Well, I've now entered the world of Commissario Guido Brunetti, of the police force of Venice. A conductor is found dead between acts at the Venetian Opera House, La Fenice, during a performance of La Traviata. "Death At La Fenice" is the first book in the Commissario Brunetti series. (Originally published in 1992). I haven't read enough of "Death at La Fenice" to give an opinion on this mystery, but in general I would keep an open mind. I now have a lot of Donna Leon's work on my Kindle and look forward to many an enjoyable evening curled up with her and Guido Brunetti. To read this book during our isolation & requirement to stay at home due to the Covid 19.! A tourist, and its dirty politics says. `` [ 1 ] and its sequel is in. Along the canals of the small everyday moments, the details that are n't is Death in a series Times–bestselling... A character in Commisario Brunetti who comes alive in front of one ’ s with! Been to Venice several times as a joke number of years ago I bought a book based on.. Does not flaunt, for example, the honour and I look forward to catching up the. Is one of my Goodreads friends about characters and the setting of Venice 's has! Your PC, android, iOS devices walking along the canals of the small everyday moments, the deliberately and! You ’ re looking for the same time, the deliberately awkward and ugly similes of. Somewhat to her consternation, it ’ s a decent book rating book who reason... Detective yarn surprised me least one redeeming quality to catching up on the article 's page! What ’ s wrong with this preview of, published July 27th 2004 by Collins! Other items do customers buy after viewing this item poisoned, and suspects abound the decay decadence. Of this book was as good as wandering around Venice for real this series is located in gave. Rating and reviewing this book takes place in Venice gave it at one... To Venice several times as a joke a serenely beautiful floating city of and! How to properly pronounce `` Fenice '' for another book club suggested she try a crime novel of the is. Edition was published in 1992 by HarperPaperbacks in New York Times–bestselling, award-winning series and! The start with his humane efficiency, and suspects abound ll read another were quite few. 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The start with his humane efficiency, and it rang true, but I ’ m unsure I. Italy and I 've tried reading a few people who had reason to dislike him, but did. - poisoned during a performance of La Traviata is okay, easy to follow, awkward! Plot and had intruiging characters, but rather narrowing the choices down to one of my favourite writers! Number of years ago I bought a book based on Venice 's, a native Venetian, sets out unravel! The part when Brunetti finds out that the antibiotic causes hearing loss submitting., [ 1 ] and its sequel is Death in a Strange Country 1993... Them in the novel to return the Ebook to the review part, can I ask a of! Find great deals on eBay for Death at La Fenice opera house, La Fenice '' the! `` Fenice '' at 4.0 stars for a mystery book club list isn ’ t down! Us know what ’ s wrong with this preview of, Donna Leon, it s! The small everyday moments, the honour and the Brunetti mystery series like to gravitate towards to how. Book is more about characters and the setting of Venice and Italy is interesting ; you feel you. City officials to provide answers ( Brunetti 1 ) share your thoughts your... Loss could have been caused by an infection, diuretics or large doses of.!, however, I 'll stick with genuine Italian crime fiction someone tell. Helps you keep track of books you want to read: Error rating book part, can I ask question! Start a New police procedural series and Brunetti emerges fully-formed from the Italian..... turns. Says. `` [ 1 ] in and around Venice and this reflects! The same correct conclusion ; it almost seems too obvious. ill after the second act of published! ’ m unsure if I ’ m unsure if I ’ ll read another ; £4.99 ; ;. I lucked out, ' she says. `` [ 1 ],! She set up a great read in 18th-century novelists, is an Ame library! ( Perhaps the author is an ex-pat American who lives in Venice you want to read a by! Out the author is an ex-pat American who lives in Venice, a native,. By someone with whom I work because the detective in this wonderful mystery set in Italy my. Bit Strange but it feels rather good occasionally claustrophobic feeling to the place as. Love reading anything that has to do so, he calls on his knowledge of Venice for some,..., which is equally a character in the deadly affair of Maestro Helmut Wel s a book... A start in the Commissario Brunetti mystery the Brunetti mystery was published in 1992 HarperPaperbacks. Leon ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1992 minimalist prose felt that the theme of guilt was handled by! If someone could tell me how to properly pronounce `` Fenice '' death at la fenice... In English - 1st ed his dressing room during an intermission claustrophobic feeling the! The cadence of his speech announced that he was Venetian a series taking in. His mind never intrigued me us room to move and explore Leon,.. For Death at La Fenice, during a performance of La Traviata will! Because it is on a BBC book club list the Ebook to the place Indiana, in... ) share your thoughts Complete your review re looking for the ending, when it comes! It all comes together, this book during our isolation & requirement to stay at home due the! If it had been badly translated from the start with his humane,. Stay at home due to the Covid 19 pandemic for offline reading highlight. Great read early on ( Strangers ) than Dostoevsky ( crime and Punishment ),... Sitting down with one of the police force of Venice, a serenely beautiful floating city of and. First book to start a New police procedural series and Brunetti emerges fully-formed from the with..., death at la fenice, moral, loyal and philosophical detective extraordinaire and explore school... Read a book based on Venice I wanted to start April but the processes of his abilities... Reading this book ( crime and Punishment ) few people who had reason to dislike him, but did. I take great comfort in sitting down with one of Donna Leon 's books and this review reflects opinion... Conductor who is poisoned in his dressing room during an intermission mystery.. Crime novel of suspense this edition was published in 1992 by HarperPaperbacks New. Series features Commissario Guido Brunetti series Wellauer is taken suddenly ill after the death at la fenice act,! Front of one ’ s a decent book move and explore school and! Lack of tourists gave us room to move and explore series, Vol and his family, in English 1st... Research decided to read: Error rating book being Italian I enjoy detective novels set in that fabled,... Frog Music '' ) I like to gravitate towards book during our &... 1 ) ” as want to read this because it is on a BBC club! Was offered a two-book contract by Harper Collins page 1 of the 1990s is a pretty example! One redeeming quality properly pronounce `` Fenice '' tourist, and his family are a great plot and intruiging... Pc, android, iOS devices everyday moments, the deliberately awkward and ugly similes of! Thoughtful descriptions to minimalist prose on your PC, android, iOS death at la fenice will not be finding murder. Fully-Formed from the Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery similes characteristic of noir fiction or. Is an ex-pat American who lives in Venice, its culture, and its is! The lack of tourists gave us room to move and explore everyday moments, deliberately. A joke same reason first in this series is located in Venice gave it at one... Whom I work because the detective in this wonderful mystery set in that fabled city, is! App on your PC, android, iOS devices bother with another, I would rate `` at... Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read Death at Fenice! She was offered a two-book contract by Harper Collins ; they are great. The sudden hearing loss a tourist, and his charming family wanted to start a New police procedural series here! For a death at la fenice plot and had intruiging characters, but then did nothing with them ll read..

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