title: A Question of Belief
author: Donna Leon
published: 2010
genre: mystery
pages: 262
source: sent by publisher for review
first line: When Inspettore Vianello came into his office, Brunetti had all but exhausted the powers of will keeping him at his desk.
rated:
3 out of 5 stars
Donna Leon’s sumptuous series of novels featuring the principled, warmhearted Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti have won her countless fans, critical acclaim, and international renown as one of the world’s best crime writers. In A Question of Belief, the nineteenth novel in the best-selling series, Brunetti must contend with ingenious corruption, bureaucratic intransigence, and the stifling heat of a Venetian summer.
About:
A Question of Belief is the nineteenth book in Donna Leon's series featuring a Venetian police commissioner named Guido Brunetti.
Set against the stifling Venetian heat, there are two investigations going on in this installment.
A man named Araldo Fontana has been murdered and he is suspect of being involved with a corrupt judge who delays trials for bribes.
Guido was looking forward to a cool vacation in the Alps with is book loving wife Paola and their two children. He finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation instead.
Guido's sidekick is Ispettore Vianello. Vianello's aunt seems to be taken in by a corrupt psychic. Her bank account has been dwindling and she insists it is for charity. This is the second investigation.
My thoughts:
As I mentioned before, A Question of Belief is the nineteenth novel in this series. This can be read as a stand alone book.
The author sets the mood perfectly and as I read I could definitely imagine the stifling hot weather in Venice.
I think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read a few of the others books first and gotten a better feel for the characters.
The story did start off a bit slow for me, but it picked up toward the middle, once the murder occurred and the investigation really took off. Author Donna Leon added a twist that I hadn't seen coming and the ending was not what I expected. I don't include spoilers in my reviews, so I'll leave it at that.
Guido and his family were my favorites in this story. I especially liked Paola's literary references.
Guido actually takes time out of his busy day to come home and sit down to lunch with his family. I found that a nice touch.
Overall, a nice, quick dose of mystery set in Venice with some memorable characters.
The first in this series is called Death at La Fenice and was published in 1992. I'll have to be on the lookout for other Guido Brunetti mysteries.
about the author:
Donna Leon is the author of the international best-selling Commissario Guido Brunetti series. The winner of the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction, among other awards, Leon was born in New Jersey and has lived in Venice for thirty years.
