Through a Glass, Darkly, Donna Leon
Through a Glass, Darkly, Donna Leon
List: $21.95 | Sale: $15.37
Club: $10.97

Through a Glass, Darkly

Author: Donna Leon

Narrator: David Colacci

Unabridged: 8 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/01/2007

Synopsis

On a spring day in Venice, Commissario Brunetti and his assistant Vianello play hooky to help Vianello's friend Marco Ribetti, arrested during an environmental protest. They secure his release, only to be faced with the fury of the man's father-in-law, Giovanni De Cal, who has made violent threats against Ribetti. Brunetti's curiousity is piqued, and he finds himself drawn to investigate. Is De Cal the type of man to carry out his threats? When the body of De Cal's bookish night watchman is found in front of the blazing furnace, he wonders: Could the old man have killed him?

About Donna Leon

American author, Donna Leon, has settled nicely into a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy entitled, Brunettixote. The novels feature the fictional character of Commissario Guido Brunetti.

Leon was born in 1942, and eventually lived in Venice, Italy for over 30 years. She was an English literature lecturer for the University of Maryland in Europe (Italy), and worked on a military base in Italy for several years, before she became a full time writer. She moved to Zurich, Switzerland, and also had a home in a smaller Swiss village.

The novels have been translated from English into several foreign languages, but for some reason the author did not approve them being translated into Italian. German television has shown 22 Commissario Brunetti episodes that they produced for broadcast.

Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by whisky on 2007-04-11 15:28:48

Once again Donna Leon and David Colacci pair to create an entertaining listen. Ms. Leon's book is brought to life by Mr. Colacci who is an old friend of Commissario Brunetti's by now. With Brunetti it does not seem odd that a modern detective would flit between current pollution issues and Dante's Divine Comedy. The author adroitly sets the stage for a crime that doesn't occur until well into the book but the story never falters. This is not great literature but it is extremely well written and very entertaining. As usual this is not a book you want to listen to on an empty stomach for Brunetti's meals will drive you to the nearest restaurant in search of meal half as memorable as his everyday fare.

Goodreads review by Alex is The Romance Fox on November 02, 2016

Donna Leon’s 15th book in her Commissario Brunetti Series and once again we are back in the beautiful city of Venice. It's springtime and Commissario Brunetti asked by his assistant, Vianello, to help him rescue his good friend who has being arrested for taking part in an environmental d......more

Goodreads review by Carol on August 22, 2007

I am hooked on Leon's series. Why? Her characters, and the powerfully visual way she evokes her environment. Commissario Brunetti , like all central detective characters, sets the tone of her works. He is human, humane, leads a normal home life, hates guns and violence, loves where he lives and depl......more

Goodreads review by Jane on May 29, 2013

One of the things, of many things, I like about Donna Leon's series with Commissario Brunetti is the wonderful family parts of the stories. Brunetti's wife is intelligent and passionate about her beliefs which are sometimes at odds with her husband's. The children are smart and articulate. And the f......more

Goodreads review by Bill on September 28, 2022

It's always comforting to enjoy a Commissario Brunetti mystery by Donna Leon. Through a Glass, Darkly is the 15th book in this excellent, entertaining series set in Venice, Italy. Brunetti and his right-hand man, Vianello, are asked to go help a friend of Vianello's, Marco Ribetti, who was arrested i......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on June 16, 2013

As I gambol through Donna Leon's series I realize what an admirable friend the would make. After every disappointing novel, I seem to seek out one of her books because I enjoy spending time with them, so I realized how much I would like her at my dinner table. She clearly enjoys a few drinks and a go......more

Quotes

“No one knows the labyrinthine world of Venice or the way favoritism and corruption shape Italian life like Leon’s Brunetti…the thoughtful Venetian cop with a love of food, an outspoken wife, and a computer-hacker secretary who plays man Friday to his detective.” Time

“One of the best of the international crime writers is Donna Leon, and her Commissario Guido Brunetti tales set in Venice are at the apex of continental thrillers.” Rocky Mountain News

“Every character, every line of dialogue, every descriptive passage rings true in a whodunit that’s also travel essay, political commentary and existential monologue. And the middle-aged, happily married Brunetti remains unique—an everyman who’s also extraordinary.” Publishers Weekly

“Satisfying as always” Booklist

“Leon shows once more why she has no serious rivals in the art of unfolding mysteries in which the killer’s identity is the least interesting detail.” Kirkus

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List