By Its Cover cover art

By Its Cover

Commissario Brunetti, Book 23

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By Its Cover

By: Donna Leon
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

By Its Cover is the much anticipated twenty-third instalment in Donna Leon's bestselling crime series, where Commissario Brunetti is better than ever as he addresses questions of worth and value alongside his ever-faithful team of Ispettore Vianello and Signorina Elettra.

When several valuable antiquarian books go missing from a prestigious library in the heart of Venice, Commissario Brunetti is immediately called to the scene. The staff suspect an American researcher has stolen them, but for Brunetti something doesn’t quite add up. Taking on the case, the Commissario begins to seek information about some of the library’s regulars, such as the ex-priest Franchini, a passionate reader of ancient Christian literature, and Contessa Morosini-Albani, the library's chief donor, and comes to the conclusion that the thief could not have acted alone.

However, when Franchini is found murdered in his home, the case takes a more sinister turn and soon Brunetti finds himself submerged in the dark secrets of the black market of antiquarian books. Alongside his ever-faithful team of Ispettore Vianello and Signorina Elettra, he delves into the pages of Franchini’s past and into the mind of a book thief in order to uncover the terrible truth.

©2014 Donna Leon and Diogenes Verlag AG, Zurich (P)2014 Random House Audiobooks Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Italy

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I’ve read/listened to all the Brunetti series of novels (this is the 23rd) and have enjoyed following his life and career. For me the detective element in these novels is subsidiary to the strong characterisation, the atmosphere of Venice and the cynicism over Italian bureaucracy. In this book the author seems to be just going through the motions of creating another book in the series. The story plods on and has little of the humour of previous books provided by the relationships between Brunetti and his boss Patta or the clandestine computer hacking skills of the secretary Signorina Electra. I missed the descriptions of the lovely meals prepared by Brunetti’s wife, Paula and the sparky dinnertime conversations with his wife and teenage children.

Thefts of pages from rare books is the main theme which is interesting but not enough to make for a completely satisfying listen. The solution to the crime is abruptly revealed at the end.

David Rintoul is, as usual, an excellent narrator.

Lack-lustre compared with her earlier novels

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A very compelling novel full of character and atmosphere holding your interest to the end.

Amazing detail about Venitian life

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David Rintoul is the best narrator ...of any genre & any authors work. This story is a typically enjoyable Brunetti outing. Well written with thoughtful content & language.
Always a gentle approach to an investigation without the need for spurious "action" type sequences.

Narrator

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Brilliant. Donna is a master of story telling. Impossible to put down. Her knowledge of Venice is incredible.

By it's cover

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As always loved the atmosphere of Venice and the character of Brunetti

As always, irritated by the lack of any time between the finish of the story (in this case excellently narrated) and the announcement about the publisher or Audible or whatever that acts like a cold deluge of water. Have these people never been immersed in a good story?

Very good listen

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