From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Death in a Strange Country (Commissario Brunetti, #2)

Donna Leon

Start date: October 15, 2022

Finish date: November 6, 2022

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Following on from our read of the first Brunetti book.
[close] Following on from our read of the first Brunetti book.

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Buddy reads

* Willful Behaviour by Donna Leon (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
By Susan · 17 posts · 11 views

last updated Oct 23, 2025 12:56AM

* Willful Behaviour - SPOILER Thread - (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
By Susan · 3 posts · 7 views

last updated Oct 23, 2025 12:57AM

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What Members Thought

Feb 15, 2023 Julie Durnell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I'm really enjoying the Commissario Brunetti series. This book pulls together cultural differences between Italians and Americans; and the intricate relationships Brunetti has with his superior, his family, and his father-in-law, Count Orazio Falier. The environmental issues do not portray either Italy, Germany, or America in a good light. Venice is a supporting character and beautifully described. ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2022 Susan in NC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, my-library, tbr-with-gr-groups, audiobook

4.5 stars - excellent! Read with Reading the Detectives Group. I first read a couple books in this series several years ago, but got distracted - so glad to be getting back to it with the group!

As the blurb says “No whodunit, but a measured, thoughtful conspiracy investigation that goes a long way toward extending Leon's range.” Very true. Darker than my usual fare, as I get older and follow news more closely, I find I don’t have as much interest in darker thrillers or police procedurals. Espec 4.5 stars - excellent! Read with Reading the Detectives Group. I first read a couple books in this series several years ago, but got distracted - so glad to be getting back to it with the group!

As the blurb says “No whodunit, but a measured, thoughtful conspiracy investigation that goes a long way toward extending Leon's range.” Very true. Darker than my usual fare, as I get older and follow news more closely, I find I don’t have as much interest in darker thrillers or police procedurals. Especially when accompanied by the kind of cynical corruption Guido Brunetti encounters at every turn in his work as a Venice commissario of police - even in his own extended family! But Leon has created such a wonderful, complex character (cast of characters), that although I sympathize with his rage at the cruel manipulations of the powers that be, I want to read more.

The story opens with the discovery of a dead young man in a canal. Turns out he’s an American military officer stationed at Vicenza - there is crime in Venice, Brunetti knows very well, but apparently robbing and murdering a tourist is unusual. His sycophantic, ridiculous superior officer doesn’t want to offend the powerful business and criminal figures (in this case, both) that have made fortunes working with the Americans, and pushes Brunetti to accept the mugging-gone-wrong motive. He also pulls him off that case, and puts him on an art theft from a newly remodeled palazzo.

The powerful (and definitely shady) Milanese businessman/palazzo owner is in the background of this whole conspiracy, but we don’t realize until the last quarter or so of the book how much. Meanwhile, there a couple more murders disguised as accidents, dirty contracts for disposing of toxic waste, and some intriguing insights into Brunetti’s home life and family. I definitely need to go back and reread the first book again! I remembered whodunnit, but had to return the book before I could finish it.

I very much look forward to continuing this series - I’ve never been to Venice, but Leon builds such an interesting world for Brunetti there. Not just the beautiful travelogue bits, but as a man who lives there and loves it, noting in his interior monologues that he’s lived there forever, but still notices new hidden beauty in the familiar surroundings. ...more

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Apr 25, 2019 Janet rated it really liked it

Very enjoyable book. Interesting, well drawn characters, scenic descriptions that put the reader inside the activity, and wonderful, current and relevant plot.

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Oct 27, 2017 Tom rated it it was ok

Too long. Over-written. Told at a leisurely pace, probably to reflect Italy, but it misses the mark. No tension. Not what you would want in a mystery.

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