I loved this book - I think it is one of Ms. Leon's best. It was lovely to step away from the usual local of Venice and see the more distant islands. The book had a different flavor but was as engaging and intriguing as usual. It was as if a great cook introduced a new seasoning to an old favorite.

I requested this novel because Donna Leon is one of my mum’s favorite writers. She’s a crime novels addict and I remember her talking to me about this series a couple of times. Her love for the author made me curios and I jumped at the occasion to read the latest release, the 26th!!!! Installment in the Commissario Brunetti series. I was a bit worried that I will have some problems understanding the personal life of the main characters since I did not read the previous novels and I was partially right. 

Donna Leon, the author of the series of novels that have as main character Guido Brunetti, a detective at the Police Headquarters in Venice, is an American of Irish and Spanish origins who’s lived in Venice for over 30 years. From the way she writes, we see that she is in love with the beauty and uniqueness of Venice and the nearby islands but also sees its darker side: environmental damage, pollution, crime, corruption. These latter issues are the subject of her newest novel.

Following an uncontrolled fit during an interrogation (a case of corruption in the high society of Venice) Brunetti realizes he needs a break and he gets nearly three weeks away from the office to recover. His wife Paula sends him to the villa of a rich aunt, on the secluded island Sant Erasmo, to relax and read. Here, he spent the days in the companionship of David Casati, the caretaker of the villa and an old friend of Brunetti' father. The two became friends and David helpes Brunetti to restart rowing, to rediscover the beauty of the lagoon and initiates him into the life of bees, which unfortunately, for some unknown reason, perished from the island. After a storm, David Casati disappears and Brunetti interrupts his vacation and starts his own investigation to discover the truth about the disappearance and, after the discovery of the corpse, about the death of David Casati.

About a third of the book covers the relationship between Brunetti and David Casati, the way they spend their time together in nature. Only later the conflict is triggered and the novel becomes a detective story. 

I liked the book and the style in which it was written but the beginning was a bit boring. I discussed with my mum and she told me that her other novels are more action packed so I will probably read other Donna Leon books. In order to have a better reading experience, I should have started with the first books in the series to better understand Brunetti as a character, his spiritual conflicts, the other people from his life and circumstances that made him react like this at the beginning of the book. I would not recommend to start with this novel if you never read anything by Donna Leon before, it is more suitable for readers that already know and love these characters.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Have read all of Donna Leon books.. Starts out slowly but builds and builds momentum as it rolls along. Definitely in the top 25% of the series. Highly recommend to faithful!! April is just around the corner.

This is the first book I have read by Donna Leon and thank Net galley for the chance. Not having read the previous books I was a little mystified by references to assumed knowledge but this soon disappeared. This was a novel that kept my interest and the descriptions were captivating. Would definitely recommend and look forward to reading another novel in the series.

Always a great read as we see the characters develop through the series.

Although I've come late to Leon's wonderful series, she's jumped straight into my list of go-to crime writers with her evocative portrait of Venice and her charming Brunetti family (and do Guido and Paola have one of the best marriages in fiction?). Here a stressed Brunetti leaves his family for a rest on an island in the lagoon where he plans to read Pliny and row - of course, he's soon involved in a murder and industrial corruption... 

While Leon's writing is as sharp, smart and clear as always, taking Brunetti out of his usual environment didn't really work for me: I wanted more of his arrogant boss, more of his colleagues breaking the rules, more of Brunetti drinking coffee and wine in little Venetian bars, more of his boisterous, charming children, more of Paola's sharpness and wonderful cooking and thoughts on books - in short, I wanted all the things that make this series so redolent of Venetian life. 

Leon's empathy for her characters is still working here and her ability to render the unexpected suddenly fascinating (the view inside a bee-hive) - so this is still a treat of a read, just not one of the best or most hard-hitting in this marvellous series.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Grove Atlantic for the review copy of this book.

I've had the pleasure of reading several of the Commissario Brunetti novels and enjoy reading about the Italian detective, his family and seeing a glimpse of the scenery in Venice.  I was a little disconcerted when this stalwart detective decided he no longer enjoyed his work and wanted a break.  I should not have worried as of course he found something to investigate as he was taking his break from investigation.

This investigation into the death of a new friend, but one who seemed to have been a part of his life for much more than 2 weeks was done in his typical style. Always thinking, putting the pieces together, Brunetti and his crew make the leaps, but always seem very human, caring about the people he interacts with, as well as "justice". 

The ending left me wondering- what in fact - would he do with this final puzzle piece?  Guess I;

Needing some time from his day to day grueling police work, Guido Brunetti, a Commissario of Venice Police, his wife suggests spending a couple of weeks at her aunt’s villa on one of the islands. There, he becomes friends with the caretaker, David Casati,  a friend of Brunetti’s dead father, and each day they row with one another in a gondola like boat out into the Venetian canals.

Brunetti’s new friend keeps bees, and he keeps his hives out on various islands including a few that are nearly submerged when the tide comes in.  But Casati finds that his bees are dying and not from any of the usual diseases. They are dying, as perhaps Casiati’s wife died, from the toxic chemicals dumped into the waters years before.

Brunetti’s restful vacation is ripped apart when a sudden storm sweeps across the water and his new friend, who had gone out rowing alone, dies. Was it an accident? Did he kill himself despairing about his dead wife?

Brunetti sets out to find the true answer, as much for his now dead friend’s daughter and her family, as for himself and what he finds at last to be the truth, is the stuff of today’s headlines.

This is a remarkably well written, plotted, and thought out mystery with characters as real as your friends and every bit as interesting.

A new Donna Leon book is a treasure!  Leon writes literate mysteries sent in her beloved Venice, and each one is a jewel.  This 26th book in the series is one to be treasured.  It offers a new setting for Commissario Guido Brunetti, as he becomes too stressed out at his job and takes a solo vacation to a local charming island, Sant’Erasmo.  Again, we see Leon create another vivid experience, this time, not only in urban Venice, but in the surrounding islands.  And again, Leon delicately brings into play the destructive forces of nature, man, and greed.  Readers will get great pleasure from this story.  Bravo!

Donna Leon never disappoints.  In her 26th Brunetti mystery, her beautiful use of language continues.  Readers will get a sense of the beauty of Venice and the outlying islands Brunetti explores on a leave of absence from the force.

As usual, I was intrigued by the main character, Brunetti, However, it felt like it took a very long time for the victim to actually die. I was uncomfortable rooting for the victim-to-be to die so that the plot could unfold. 

It seemed like this book marked a turning point in the life of the main character, who actually took time to be away from job and family. I wonder if the series will be changing and if so, how?

 (Spoiler alert)
After finishing the book, I went right out and bought honey...readers will understand. But, I have yet to go rowing. I just might remain on the sofa and pick up a Donna Leon book I've missed reading. Safer that way.

Donna Leon is a very well known mystery/thriller writer for a reason. She writes great books set in a great city, Venice, Italy. She writes wonderfully about the city and makes you feel as though you are there. This is the latest addition in her long running series about Commissario Guido Brunetti and while I enjoy her books at any time and this one included, I do think it can only be recommended to fans of her series. If you are new to the series I suggest an earlier book to start. :-)

Although I am a big fan of her other Brunetti books, this one seemed to lack that certain charm. Revisiting the problems of pollution of Venice, this story is set outside of the city proper. A good story, but I missed the city, as well as his family.

Twenty six novels in, and Guido Brunetti hasn't lost his charm. Just like his relationship with his wife, Paola, this series gets better with age. Guido is still as principled as ever, and his job doesn't get any easier, with the bureaucracy that he has to deal with. The story begins in the middle of an interrogation. When young(ish) and naive Pucceti is about to attack the interviewee, Brunetti acts thoughtlessly to defuse the situation, gets a two-week leave of absence and decides to take it. Almost the first half of the book is Brunetti and his new life at a villa, where he rows, and walks, and reads. Nothing much happens, but it is a joy to read about life and nature in the laguna while Guido gets to know David Casati, the villa's caretaker. When he disappears after a storm, Brunetti feels compeled to investigate. But the real crime may not be the disappearance,  but may lay in events that happened decades earlier. As always, the dialogs with the suspects are pure gold, with philosophical insights and, in many cases, a sense of humor that had me laughing out loud. Brunetti may not always get to see justice done, but he will try his best.

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Donna Leon: Earthly Remains, Grove Atlantic US Edition, 9780802126474, hardback, April 2017, (UK Edition Heinemann, 9781785151354, hardback, April 2017), German edition not announced yet  

When I get my hands on a new Donna Leon, I know I have guaranteed reading joy ahead. Not only will I be immersed in the life of Commissario Brunetti and his family, but I will be in Venice in spirit, reading about mouthwatering food and great sites, Venetian grandezza, corruption & murder.  “Earthly Remains” is no exception, I loved every moment of reading, and I particularly enjoyed this novel being set mostly on one of the Venetian islands. 
The usually calm and diplomatic Commissario Brunetti loses his cool during an investigation involving the famous Ruggeri family on a hot July day, ending in hospital. Diagnosed with exhaustion, sick of dealing with the nastiness of his job, he is given 3 weeks sick leave. Paola Brunetti decides the best place for him to recuperate is in her Aunt Constanza’s house out on Sant’Erasmo Island where Brunetti can enjoy a swim, rowing and reading in perfect solitude. The caretaker of the house, Davide  Casati, picks him up and once Brunetti has settled in, the two men find themselves enjoying daily rowing excursions out in the laguna.  Brunetti learns that Casati has beehives placed on many of the smaller islands, something he has found purpose in after his wife’s death. Rowing, being out on the sea and enjoying Davide’s friendship soon restore Brunetti. When Casati goes missing during a bad storm, Brunetti joins the marine search party the islanders and police embark on. His new friend’s death leaves Brunetti badly shaken and he begins asking questions looking into what does not seem like a clear cut cause of death. 
I will not reveal more as it would spoil you reading fund.  As always I felt really sad when I was finished reading.  Donna Leon – thank you for giving me the pleasure of reading your new book!!!

I’ve been reading Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series for close to twenty years. At first it was my love of Venice that drew me to the books - Brunetti is a Commissario of Police, based in the The Floating City – and the descriptions of life (and death) in this unique environment have brought me back time and again. The nuances and customs of this city feel to me quite different to anything I've come across anywhere else. The very absence of roads make the whole place a maze that only the locals can effectively navigate. Mix into this the natural suspicion Italians have for all government bureaucracy and the tendency for native Venetians to always know somebody who knows somebody and the way has been paved for readers to enjoy not just a series of crime stories but an ongoing commentary on the lives of people who live in this wonderful place. 

The cast is always kept small and the main players are ever present. From Guido’s pompous boss, Vice-Questore Patta, and his ever inventive and effective assistant, Signirina Electra, to Brunetti’s friend and colleague, Lorenzo Vianello, I’ve grown to love each and every one of them over the years. I’ve also grown up with Brunetti’s family (a university professor wife and two children) ageing at the same rate as I’ve waited each Spring for the next episode.

In this book the involvement of some of the cast has been limited, in fact it’s been pared back to focus mainly on Brunetti’s involvement with one man and the mysteries and tragedies that he uncovers as a result. After a strange incident when questioning a suspect in a drug related matter, our lead man finds himself in the local hospital, wondering if his job is something he's prepared to continue to countenance from this point on. As it happens, he's given the opportunity to withdraw to a small, seemingly idyllic, island situated in the Venetian Laguna for a period. 

This is crime fiction so obviously there is a crime, but as is often the case in these books it takes quite a while for an incident to manifest. I've always thought that the crime itself is a secondary element in these books – Venetian life and the descriptions of the daily struggles, worries and challenges its people face is the primary reason I’ll always come back to this series. That and the people who have begun to feel like old friends - friends I wouldn't want to be absent from my life. 

The crime element here is typically tragic and points to bigger, localised issues. Brunetti is an intelligent and thoughtful investigator, highly skilled in questioning suspects and witnesses. Don't expect this story to rush ahead with much shooting of guns and manic chases around the city's canals, that’s not the nature of these books. But do expect thoughtful reflection and a dawning realisation that something bigger may be at play. Seasoned readers of these books will know that endings are not always neat and tidy – something I really like! Whether you’re an existing fan of this author or if you’re a crime fiction fan looking for something a little different, I think you’ll find plenty to like here.

There's no getting away from death for Brunetti, even when he's on a much-needed R&R leave trying to lose himself in physical exertion. But this time, he has to figure out if the death is accidental, suicide, or murder. Throw in a little beekeeping, a long-ago explosion, and two men mysteriously living in luxury in a retirement facility, and the plot thickens. Leon is exquisitely tuned into her characters, and the well-read Brunetti continues to be both perceptive and  lovably human.

My first  Leon and it won't be my last. Incredibly well written- Leon's descriptive,powers are such that I can really see Venice- the waterways, th small islands , the terraced homes. Protagonist Brunetti is smart , self effacing and a many of many tastes. The story is modern and relevant but the feel of the has a very early twentieth century tone. Hard to explain but great to read --  reminds me, in a way, of a Patrick O'Brian, if he has written a mystery. High praise indeed.

I received an electronic copy and thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic.

I have read only one or two of Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti novels and after finishing Earthly Remains I wonder why. The writing is exactly as I would expect to hear the dialog spoken. The descriptions take you to the place and time as if you were an invisible participant. The story is challenging and believable. 

Without giving up too much, Inspector Brunetti "falls on his sword" to save one of his officers from ruining an interview with a member of one of the city's more illustrious families. This leads to the Inspector taking a brief rest at a villa owned by one of his wife's relatives on an island in the Laguna. This is where the story really begins.