Review of The Golden Egg by Donna Leon

I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to discover Donna Leon. I can honestly say I am a fan who is going to go out and get more books, preferably the first three, in this Commissario Brunetti series.  The Golden Egg is the 22nd novel in the Brunetti series but I feel that it can be read as a standalone as well. Although I'm sure it could have only helped if I had read any of the previos books, I don't feel like anything was lacked in regards to character depth, or vivid imagery. Leon's writing is top-notch and I can't wait to read more by her.

The Golden Egg begins with Commissario Brunetti accepting a request from his boss to investigate a potential scandal for the mayor who up for re-election involving his future daughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law may be in violation of shop-keeper laws. Something completely minor and really has nothing to do with the main dish of the plot. Paola, Brunetti's wife, is saddened by the idea that a mentally handicapped boy has been found dead by eating sleeping pills and may have died alone. Paola only knows of the boy because he "works" at their local cleaners. Brunetti agrees to find out what happened and this is where things get interesting. In an attempt to verify his identity, there is no proof that he's alive. There is no birth certificate, passport, ID, or school records. The boy, which find to later be a man, seems not to exist and his mother isn't giving up any information either. She blames his lack of papers on a recent theft.

I especially liked Brunetti and see why this series has made it to the 22nd book. He seems like a caring man, almost to the point of annoyance. He's not the typical detective that are used in American based procedurals. At times he makes moves based on how it is perceived and is very cautious of his actions not offending someone. I thought this was very interesting because it wasn't common. We often get the wise cracking, forceful brutes as police archetypes. Apparently Venice does not have this problem.

Although Leon's work falls under the thriller/mystery category, there wasn't much "thrilling" about it (not meant to be a slight) only that there isn't the usual thrill usually associated with novels under this classification. There are no gun fights, no ripping down the streets in Mini's, and no horribly mangled gorrey dead bodies. It's a genuine mystery supported by interesting characters with a plausible, real plot that explores the depth of character and greed. This novel should definitely fit nicely on the bookshelves of Leon fans as well as mystery lovers. I repeat I'm ashamed I haven't read this writer's work before now but as they say: better late than never.****

The Golden Egg by Donna Leon

This weekend was a productive one for me and I'm happy to announce that for once, I finished one novel and started another. I usually try to do as little as possible on weekends. Friday night through Sunday morning are my days to just unwind and not worry about what needs to be read, reviewed, or how will my commute to work be. I am not including a book by Martine Lacombe named Silver Orphan but will instead open with The Golden Egg by Donna Leon.

I have been interested in reading a book  by Donna Leon for a long time. Her books have been listed on mystery lists that I peruse to the tune of must-reads. I usually go for the must-reads. They are in fact usually must-reads. Her novels feature Commissario Brunetti and is located in Venice. The Golden Egg is the 22nd book in this series. Of course I'm extremely late to the party but I'm glad I came.

I started this novel with intentions of just reading the first few chapters. Eventually, I was 40% in with no thoughts of slowing down. The novel tells the story of Commissario Brunetti who's tasked with investigating an incident involving the mayor's future daughter-in-law. Much to his chagrin, he isn't interested in helping his boss Vice Questore Patta or his political ambitions, but does it anyway. Brunetti is clearly a good guy and I can understand why this novel is his 22nd.

Brunetti's wife, Paola, asks him to investigate the death of a mentally handicapped boy that works at their laundry. He has overdosed on sleeping pills but Paola is worried that he died alone and doesn't want that to be the case. Eventually, Brunetti is convinced that there is something wrong when there is no definitive way of identifying the boy. As far as the Italian government is concerned, he doesn't exist. The mother of the boy insists that the boy's papers were stolen in a robbery but she is hesitant to talk to the police.

My opinion of the book so far is that it's definitely well-written and Leon had me hooked from the first page. It's not the in your face, gruesome type of thriller but a genuine mystery so far. With Venice as the backdrop, Leon paints the landscape vividly through her descriptions. For this novel to be so far into a series, the characters are really shining through with their personalities. They aren't the painted as the brash officers usually associated with American police, but they are still engaging and able to hold my attention. I'm going to get back to my reading now so... Let's Read!