Review: Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, Venice. City of canals. City of murder. But Commissario Brunetti will get his man in the end.

I like stand-up, moral guys who do the right thing, and Brunetti is the Italian version of my favorite lawman, Walt Longmire. Lawful good is my jam, folks. He solves the crime despite his superiors, red herrings, and roadblocks. I was way off on my assumptions, and I liked the resolution. Well plotted and I enjoyed the details.

New series for me. I like Commissario Brunetti and will definitely continue solving crimes with him.

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Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet [New Folger edition] by William Shakespeare

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I haven't read this since high school. I remember enjoying it, but found I enjoyed it a bit more this time. The first blush of young infatuation. Love at first sight. Family feuds. And death. The play that spawned a thousand movies and has set an unrealistic, strangely morbid bar for teens everywhere. I would blame Leonardo DiCaprio but I know this obsession was there long before our pal Leo caused millions of ladies to swoon. The family conflicts are so outdated in this day and age, but the insanity of pubescent hormones are alive and well even now. Read it, debate it, perform it--it's a classic for a reason.



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The Hills of Tuscany: A New Life in an Old Land

The Hills of Tuscany: A New Life in an Old Land by Ferenc Máté

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ah, Tuscany! I love you so. I have armchair traveled there many times, and will visit in person someday.

I loved reading about how one couple relocated to a small village in Tuscany and learned to live among the locals. I read with jealousy how they simplified their lives and settled into the slower routine. I would love to be able to do something similar someday. Whenever I read about Tuscany, something pulls at my soul. Having no Italian blood in my heritage, I find it odd, so it must be my soul was there in a previous iteration of life. Hunting truffles, gathering the grape harvest, sharing food and drink with friends. Tending my garden and reading books. This sounds like the perfect life. Obviously the author has a different financial and family situation than I do, so I will patiently save up for a trip while he jet-sets around the globe. Jealous. Good for you, sir, good for you.



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The Name of the Rose

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It took me a while to get into the story, but in the end I enjoyed it.

You might find yourself bogged down with Eco's need to show you how much he knows about monks, religious rites, and history. Descriptions are everywhere--you practically drown in them. But wade through it all and you will find Brother William, a Medieval-era Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Adso. William notices details that others overlook. He comes to the monastery as they have just discovered a suicide. Several deaths follow as William and Adso work together to figure out what is happening. The monks are quite naughty, and the mystery is solid.

It wasn't a quick read due to the tremendous amount of details Eco adds, but it is a good book. Now off to watch the movie!



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13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1)

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fun, if unrealistic, adventure. Non-existent parents and teens running around the globe. What's not to like? Ginny's aunt sends her on a globetrotting quest across Europe. A coming of age book that will make people like my daughter want to run off and have adventures. Hell, it makes me want to run away to Europe too.

It's a cute book--I didn't hate it. If I find the next one cheap or free I will read it too.



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The Danger

The Danger by Dick Francis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Dick Francis stays true to form in The Danger.

Andrew Douglas is a kidnap and ransom expert. He's called to Italy to assist with a missing young jockey and quickly finds himself embroiled in a web of interconnected cases which take him back to the UK and ending in the US.

This one is what you expect from a Francis novel: crime, romance, and horse racing. A solid read.



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