Mystery
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So Shall You Reap
In the thirty-second installment of Donna Leon's bestselling series, a connection to Guido Brunetti's own youthful past helps solve a mysterious murder
On a cold November evening, Guido Brunetti and Paola are up late when a call from his colleague Ispettore Vianello arrives, alerting the Commissario that a hand has been seen in one of Venice's canals. The body is soon found, and Brunetti is assigned to investigate the murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant. Because no official record of the man's presence in Venice exists, Brunetti is forced to use the city's far richer sources of information: gossip and the memories of people who knew the victim. Curiously, he had been living in a small house on the grounds of a palazzo owned by a university professor, in which Brunetti discovers books revealing the victim's interest in Buddhism, the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, and the last crop of Italian political terrorists, active in the 1980s.
As the investigation expands, Brunetti, Vianello, Commissario Griffoni, and Signora Elettra each assemble pieces of a puzzle-random information about real estate and land use, books, university friendships-that appear to have little in common, until Brunetti stumbles over something that transports him back to his own student days, causing him to reflect on lost ideals and the errors of youth, on Italian politics and history, and on the accidents that sometimes lead to revelation.
On a cold November evening, Guido Brunetti and Paola are up late when a call from his colleague Ispettore Vianello arrives, alerting the Commissario that a hand has been seen in one of Venice's canals. The body is soon found, and Brunetti is assigned to investigate the murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant. Because no official record of the man's presence in Venice exists, Brunetti is forced to use the city's far richer sources of information: gossip and the memories of people who knew the victim. Curiously, he had been living in a small house on the grounds of a palazzo owned by a university professor, in which Brunetti discovers books revealing the victim's interest in Buddhism, the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, and the last crop of Italian political terrorists, active in the 1980s.
As the investigation expands, Brunetti, Vianello, Commissario Griffoni, and Signora Elettra each assemble pieces of a puzzle-random information about real estate and land use, books, university friendships-that appear to have little in common, until Brunetti stumbles over something that transports him back to his own student days, causing him to reflect on lost ideals and the errors of youth, on Italian politics and history, and on the accidents that sometimes lead to revelation.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for So Shall You Reap:
Named a Best Book of the Month by Amazon (Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense)
"Donna Leon provides another delectable slice of the thoughtful policeman's life at work and at home-where his wife, Paola (an expert on Henry James), keeps him and their two children, Chiara and Raffi, on their toes. So Shall You Reap is as witty and wise as anything Leon has written. To read her is to restore the soul."-Mark Sanderson, Times (UK)
"As always, Brunetti's sensitivity to the human factor in his work-apparent in his sense of responsibility to the victims and his empathy with nearly all those he encounters-is what draws the reader to care for this character in a way that is very different from how we respond to most fictional sleuths. Add to that the richness of Brunetti's domestic life-loving but never sentimental, defined more by a raised eyebrow than a rhetorical flourish-and you begin to see why this series occupies a very special place in the crime-fiction world. Over several decades, Leon has built an adoring band of readers who can't get enough of Guido Brunetti and his family of colleagues and loved ones."-Booklist (starred review)
"The torture murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant, whose body was dumped in a Venice canal, drives bestseller Leon's enjoyable 32nd outing for Commissario Guido Brunetti . . . Brunetti's respect for his squad, coupled with his detectives' regard for him, plays a major part in the crime solving, while the portrait of his strong marriage and solid relationship with his family serves to reinforce his beloved character. As usual, the rich backdrop of Venice complements the well-designed plot. Leon shows no signs of losing steam."-Publishers Weekly
Praise for Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries:
"This endlessly enjoyable series, with its deep thoughts about justice and vengeance and charming classical allusions, can't help making you smile."-Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review
"[Leon] has never become perfunctory, never failed to give us vivid portraits of people and of Venice, never lost her fine, disillusioned indignation."-Ursula K....
Named a Best Book of the Month by Amazon (Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense)
"Donna Leon provides another delectable slice of the thoughtful policeman's life at work and at home-where his wife, Paola (an expert on Henry James), keeps him and their two children, Chiara and Raffi, on their toes. So Shall You Reap is as witty and wise as anything Leon has written. To read her is to restore the soul."-Mark Sanderson, Times (UK)
"As always, Brunetti's sensitivity to the human factor in his work-apparent in his sense of responsibility to the victims and his empathy with nearly all those he encounters-is what draws the reader to care for this character in a way that is very different from how we respond to most fictional sleuths. Add to that the richness of Brunetti's domestic life-loving but never sentimental, defined more by a raised eyebrow than a rhetorical flourish-and you begin to see why this series occupies a very special place in the crime-fiction world. Over several decades, Leon has built an adoring band of readers who can't get enough of Guido Brunetti and his family of colleagues and loved ones."-Booklist (starred review)
"The torture murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant, whose body was dumped in a Venice canal, drives bestseller Leon's enjoyable 32nd outing for Commissario Guido Brunetti . . . Brunetti's respect for his squad, coupled with his detectives' regard for him, plays a major part in the crime solving, while the portrait of his strong marriage and solid relationship with his family serves to reinforce his beloved character. As usual, the rich backdrop of Venice complements the well-designed plot. Leon shows no signs of losing steam."-Publishers Weekly
Praise for Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries:
"This endlessly enjoyable series, with its deep thoughts about justice and vengeance and charming classical allusions, can't help making you smile."-Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review
"[Leon] has never become perfunctory, never failed to give us vivid portraits of people and of Venice, never lost her fine, disillusioned indignation."-Ursula K....
Readers Top Reviews
hiking teacherLouise
I had forgotten what a joy it is to read a mystery that is well written, has exemplary character development, and an intriguing plot. Read every thing you can by Leon. You won't regret it.
R M Pauly
In this latest murder mystery featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti in his Venetian life, Leon achieves a masterful style of irony, parody, simile and metaphor, highlighting the traits and quirks of all her characters through delightful details and idiosyncrasies. Her work is evermore refined.
Cicily
Another Brunetti mystery. Donna Leon ties together apparently disparate strands of politics, human nature, good and evil over the decades and it’s all solved by a dog. A wonderful mixture of real family values , glorious Venice and who dun it.
Cainea
Back to high level Brunetti books this one blends seamlessly the old and the new, the ordinary and the extraordinary, the beautiful and the ugly, evil and good. Sensitive, funny and touching at the same time, with the occasional cynical aside, it is a more than recommended reading. Enjoy!
Teddy
I have read and enjoyed all previous Commissary Brunotti novels, though I found some of them disturbing in their accurate representation of Italian politics and legal system. This last book was disappointing. I knew what had happened before l was half way through the story, maybe because I remember those years, and the kidnappings and bombing so it was easier to guess who the killer was. Still a good mystery, but not as good as some of the previous ones.
