Drawing Conclusions: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery [Hardcover]

I'm a bit stunned to realize that "Drawing Conclusions" is the 20th book in Donna Leon's series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti of Venice, Italy; I've been reading this series since its first "chapter," "Death at La Fenice," but I hadn't noticed how many years had passed since that first tantalizing breath of the air and world of Venice that she so wonderfully evokes. Anticipating the delights of a new Brunetti story has been a fixture in my life for decades now, and I've yet to be disappointed. Briefly, "Drawing Conclusions" concerns the death of a still-active retiree, only brought to the attention of the police because the neighbour who finds her body calls them rather than the nearest hospital. As it happens, the death was caused by a heart attack, and the woman had a known heart condition for which she was taking medication, so it would seem to be a natural death; only both Brunetti, the senior officer on call at the time of the report of death, and Rizzardi, the medical examiner summoned to the site, notice the slight bruising on the woman's shoulders, not enough to cause harm but perhaps an indication that a woman with a heart condition might have been frightened to death, and of course that detail bothers Brunetti enough that he cannot just walk away....This entry in the long-running series is about getting old, being old and struggling with what that means. And neither Donna Leon, nor her lead character Guido Brunetti, is prepared to ignore the realities of age, or the consequences of actions in the past. Highly, highly recommended. (You *can* read this book without having read the 19 that came before it, but for the richest experience of the book, you need to know all of the relationships, long-term, of the series characters with each other; most of all, beginning at the beginning and going forward gives you the exquisite joy of meeting, and coming to know and understand, that complex man, Guido Brunetti.)

Book 20, in the Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery

As usual Ms. Leon's social concerns always play a prominent component of her mysteries; in her latest tale she looks into how a civilized society treats abused women and the elderly. The catchy setting is the romantic waterways of Venice with the loveable and caring Commissario Brunetti at the helm.

The story opens with the death of sexagenarian, Widow Costanza Altavilla, from what appears to be a fatal heart attack in her apartment in Santa Croce. The medical examiner concludes, no foul play, death by natural causes. Brunetti's experience and instincts lead him in a completely different direction, why would an elderly woman living alone have clothing of different sizes and style not fitting her stature? Digging deeper he uncovers the fact she was running a clandestine safe house for women seeking shelter from domestic abuse, perhaps her death is the result of an encounter with a violent partner of one of these women. Eventually the enquiry brings him to a senior citizens home and to a gallery of a questionable art dealer''and with the help of Inspector Lorenzo Vianello and the ever-resourceful Signorina Elettra Zorzi, the truth surfaces and justice prevails.

As we expect from Ms. Leon, the novel is beautifully written, narrated with elegance and sly humour. Set against a backdrop of police indifference and corruption we see another side of Brunetti, distressed and having contradictory feeling towards the casual attitude of his fellow Venetians. The story is well-paced and moves very quickly with some unexpected twists to keep us guessing till the end, a never ending game of speculation trying to guess what really happened to Signora Altavilla. As always, the domestic interludes play a vital part of Donna Leon's novels, this one is no exception. She has seasoned her story with moments that reflect her protagonist's compassion, principles and the love for the simple pleasures of life.

'Drawing Conclusions' is an interesting and captivating addition to the series I enjoyed thoroughly.

First Sentence: Because she had worked for decades as a translator of fiction and non-fiction from English and German to Italian, Anna Maria Giusti was familiar with a wide range of subjects.

When a woman finds the body of her neighbor, Comm. Guido Brunetti is called to the scene. The medical examiner pronounces the cause of death to be a heart attack, but Brunetti has questions created by the blood from a wound on the victim's head and a bruise near her throat. A search for the truth leads Guido to a home for the elderly, but it takes the assistance of Insp. Vianello and the talented Signorina Electtra to learn the truth surrounding the victim's life and death.

There are many reasons to love Ms. Leon's books. From the very first page, you are drawn into the story with no desire to leave it until the final line.

Leon creates such a definitive sense of place you feel you are by Brunetti's side. The love both the author, and thus the character, have for Venice is apparent yet not idealized. They are aware of the flaws and decay which surrounds them, while realizing the irony of the city's physical decay adding to its perceived charm. Her description of meals always leaves me hungry.

Brunetti's relationship with Paola creates a solid core to both Brunitti's character and the story. The dialogues between them bespeak a long marriage between two people who love, respect and understand one another as often exemplified by the humor in their conversations. One characteristic which makes Brunetti such a good policeman is that he accepts the possibility of 'less tangible phenomenon.' In this case, it is feeling the 'traces of a troubled death' in the victim's apartment that causes him to investigate further in spite of the examiner declaring the cause to be a natural death. Including such details as Brunetti's view of faith adds to our understanding of the character.

The somewhat enigmatic Signorina Elettra Zorzi is brilliant and clever and someone from whom no information is safe. You also feel she would be a dangerous person to annoy as her revenge would be subtle yet effective. Leon does not slight the supporting characters either. Even the most minor player is fully developed and memorable.

Even the strongest opening, the most evocative sense of place, and the most natural dialogue can't support a book without a compelling plot. No worries here. There are interesting observations on the differences between Italians from the North and South as well as a fascinating insight of battered women and the private system of safe houses to protect them. There are intriguing ethical and legal questions to make you think. And there are truths; some simple, but truths nonetheless, about that which is really important and the lengths to which one will go to protect it.

If you're looking for car chases and fist fights; look elsewhere. 'Drawing Conclusions' is a wonderfully written book that will stay with you after closing the cover.

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS (Pol Proc-Comm. Guido Brunetti-Italy-Cont) ' Ex
Leon, Donna ' 20th in series
Atlantic Monthly Press, ©2011, ARC ' Hardcover ISBN: 9780802119797