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Donna Leon's critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling Commissario Guido Brunetti series has attracted readers the world over with the beauty of its setting, the humanity of its characters, and its fearlessness in exploring politics, morality, and contemporary Italian culture. In the pages of Leon's novels, the beloved conversations of the Brunetti family have drawn on topics of art and literature, but books are at the heart of this novel in a way they never have been before.One show more afternoon, Commissario Guido Brunetti gets a frantic call from the director of a prestigious Venetian library. Someone has stolen pages out of several rare books. After a round of questioning, the case seems clear: the culprit must be the man who requested the volumes, an American professor from a Kansas university. The only problem—the man fled the library earlier that day, and after checking his credentials, the American professor doesn't exist.
As the investigation proceeds, the suspects multiply. And when a seemingly harmless theologian, who had spent years reading at the library turns up brutally murdered, Brunetti must question his expectations about what makes a man innocent, or guilty.
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In By Its Cover, by Donna Leon, Commissario Guido Brunetti is called in when the director of a private library discovers that some pages have been cut out of rare books; soon she realizes that a few whole books are also missing. There seems to be but one suspect: a professor from the United States, who has spent some time at the library doing research, or so he claims. But he has abruptly disappeared, and Brunetti's inquiries show that he was not who, or what, he said he was. The library director worries for the reputation of her library, as the vandalized and missing books were donated by someone high in Venetian society, someone Brunetti himself knows. The Commissario begins by trying to find the book vandal/thief, but soon finds show more himself investigating a murder.... This is the 23rd novel in the Brunetti series, and as always is a welcome addition. The quizzical and philosophical mind of Brunetti, and his genuine curiosity about and love for Venice and Venetians, makes him one of the most interesting and warm detectives in modern fiction; one wishes to go to Venice, in part, just to meet him (even if he is fictional!). My only quibble here is that we don't get enough of Brunetti's family (Paola, Raffi and Chiara) this time around, but the book is populated with many old friends and some interesting new individuals too. Very highly recommended, especially if you've read the whole series! show less
Donna Leon's love of books and literature has shone in her Inspector Brunetti mysteries, especially through the character of Brunetti's wife, Paola. In By Its Cover, books as objects are at the heart of the story's mystery.
Because this is a Brunetti story, in which differences matter, a distinction is made between books as art objects and the text contained on the pages of those objects. For rich collectors, the objects have more value. For the Brunettis, who live a book-strewn life in which volumes are left open and upside down, snuggled into cushions of furniture and perhaps even dog-eared, books are far more valuable for what they contain than for their appearance. And because this is a Brunetti story, perhaps this is a way to view show more people as well.
Brunetti is called to a Venetian scholarly library where old and revered volumes reside. Someone has been cutting out specific pages that are highly valued by collectors, while other rare and costly volumes are missing.
Suspicion immediately falls on a visiting American scholar, whose credentials soon prove to be false. Brunetti would like to speak with another man who spends many hours in the library -- a former priest who reads the works of older religious figures.
Adding to Brunetti's knowledge of this world are a library employee who helps retrieve books, the elegant library director and the woman whose generous donations form part of the damaged and stolen bounty. The benefactress is known to Paola's patrician parents, as is her wastrel stepson. But because she is not Venetian, she is not as valued by the small group that makes up the highest rung of Venetian society.
Donna Leon's compact story delves into the mystery of the underground market of rare books. But By Its Cover also touches on the idea of judging people by their covers, by their outside appearances and background. And because this novel is written by Donna Leon, that touch is light yet incisive.
By Its Cover is a shining example of how an author can keep a long-running crime fiction series fresh, relevant and highly entertaining. show less
Because this is a Brunetti story, in which differences matter, a distinction is made between books as art objects and the text contained on the pages of those objects. For rich collectors, the objects have more value. For the Brunettis, who live a book-strewn life in which volumes are left open and upside down, snuggled into cushions of furniture and perhaps even dog-eared, books are far more valuable for what they contain than for their appearance. And because this is a Brunetti story, perhaps this is a way to view show more people as well.
Brunetti is called to a Venetian scholarly library where old and revered volumes reside. Someone has been cutting out specific pages that are highly valued by collectors, while other rare and costly volumes are missing.
Suspicion immediately falls on a visiting American scholar, whose credentials soon prove to be false. Brunetti would like to speak with another man who spends many hours in the library -- a former priest who reads the works of older religious figures.
Adding to Brunetti's knowledge of this world are a library employee who helps retrieve books, the elegant library director and the woman whose generous donations form part of the damaged and stolen bounty. The benefactress is known to Paola's patrician parents, as is her wastrel stepson. But because she is not Venetian, she is not as valued by the small group that makes up the highest rung of Venetian society.
Donna Leon's compact story delves into the mystery of the underground market of rare books. But By Its Cover also touches on the idea of judging people by their covers, by their outside appearances and background. And because this novel is written by Donna Leon, that touch is light yet incisive.
By Its Cover is a shining example of how an author can keep a long-running crime fiction series fresh, relevant and highly entertaining. show less
Ah, I remember it well. Searching the dusty shelves of the library in the basement of the gothic building, amidst ancient tomes and tattered volumes, I stumbled across a 19th century edition of Gustave Doré’s Illustrations for Paradise Lost. Breathtaking, and I couldn’t believe that the library would loan such a treasure. But loan they did. I so wanted to keep it that I renewed it several times. Reluctantly I returned the book, but I’ve thought of it several times over the years, and each time I think, “I should have kept that book.” I love books, all types of books, but I’d never before or since for that matter had such a strong desire to become a book thief. So I can identify with the thief in By Its Cover, Donna Leon’s show more latest addition to her Guido Brunetti series of novels set in Venice.
Brunetti, Commissario di Polizia of the city of Venice, is called to the Biblioteca Merula where Dottoressa Fabbiani, chief librarian, tells him of the theft of material:
“From the collection?” Brunetti asked. He knew the library, had used it once or twice as a student but had not given it a thought for decades.
“Yes.”
“What’s been taken?” he asked.
“We don’t know the full extent yet. So far, all I’m sure of is that pages have been cut from some volumes.”
After questioning other staff members, it seems clear that the thief must be the American Professor from a Kansas university who has been working at the library for several days. He disappeared the day before the theft was noticed, and Brunetti finds, of course, that his credentials are phony.
Soon Brunetti is called to the scene of a murder. The victim: a regular patron of the Biblioteca. Are the two crimes somehow related? Brunetti thinks so, and talks to the victim’s brother Franchini for more clarification. Apologizing for the intrusion, Brunetti tells the man he is sorry, “but we need to know as much as we can about him”:
“Will that bring him back?” Franchini asked, as had so many other people in the same circumstances.
“No. Nothing will, I’m afraid. We both know that. But things like this can’t be allowed to happen . . .”
“It already has,” Franchini interrupted.
The Latin came to Brunetti unsummoned “Nihil non tatione tractari intellegique voluit.”
The words washed over Franchini, who moved to the side and turned to take a better look at Brunetti. “There is nothing God does not wish to be understood and investigated by reason.” He failed to hide his astonishment. “How do you know that?”
…
“I don’t know why I said it, Signor Franchini. I’m sorry if offended you.”
The man’s face softened into a smile. “No, it surprised me; it didn’t offend me. It was the sort of thing Aldo was always doing. Not only from Tertullian, but from Cyprian and Ambrose. He had a quotation for everything,” he concluded and then had to wipe his eyes again.
“Signore,” Brunetti began, “I think it’s right to find out who killed your brother. Not because of God. Because things like this are wrong and should be punished.”
This brief exchange sums up Brunetti’s effectiveness. He is empathetic, learned, and believes in justice.
If any readers have drifted away from this long running series, it’s time to return. This is a story about books, and it’s set in Venice. Need I say more? show less
Brunetti, Commissario di Polizia of the city of Venice, is called to the Biblioteca Merula where Dottoressa Fabbiani, chief librarian, tells him of the theft of material:
“From the collection?” Brunetti asked. He knew the library, had used it once or twice as a student but had not given it a thought for decades.
“Yes.”
“What’s been taken?” he asked.
“We don’t know the full extent yet. So far, all I’m sure of is that pages have been cut from some volumes.”
After questioning other staff members, it seems clear that the thief must be the American Professor from a Kansas university who has been working at the library for several days. He disappeared the day before the theft was noticed, and Brunetti finds, of course, that his credentials are phony.
Soon Brunetti is called to the scene of a murder. The victim: a regular patron of the Biblioteca. Are the two crimes somehow related? Brunetti thinks so, and talks to the victim’s brother Franchini for more clarification. Apologizing for the intrusion, Brunetti tells the man he is sorry, “but we need to know as much as we can about him”:
“Will that bring him back?” Franchini asked, as had so many other people in the same circumstances.
“No. Nothing will, I’m afraid. We both know that. But things like this can’t be allowed to happen . . .”
“It already has,” Franchini interrupted.
The Latin came to Brunetti unsummoned “Nihil non tatione tractari intellegique voluit.”
The words washed over Franchini, who moved to the side and turned to take a better look at Brunetti. “There is nothing God does not wish to be understood and investigated by reason.” He failed to hide his astonishment. “How do you know that?”
…
“I don’t know why I said it, Signor Franchini. I’m sorry if offended you.”
The man’s face softened into a smile. “No, it surprised me; it didn’t offend me. It was the sort of thing Aldo was always doing. Not only from Tertullian, but from Cyprian and Ambrose. He had a quotation for everything,” he concluded and then had to wipe his eyes again.
“Signore,” Brunetti began, “I think it’s right to find out who killed your brother. Not because of God. Because things like this are wrong and should be punished.”
This brief exchange sums up Brunetti’s effectiveness. He is empathetic, learned, and believes in justice.
If any readers have drifted away from this long running series, it’s time to return. This is a story about books, and it’s set in Venice. Need I say more? show less
The premise of this novel is interesting to book lovers: pages and entire rare books have been stolen from a library. But to say the novel is slow moving is putting it mildly. The pace picks up a bit in the second half, but it is too little too late. Though part of a successful series with characters that readers like, this book misses the mark.
After the discovery of the theft of rare items from the Biblioteca Merula, its director calls the Questura for assistance. Commissario Brunetti is a reader, but he knows very little about rare books and the collectors who covet them. While Brunetti is still trying to understand the means and motive for the thefts, a murder sends the investigation in a new direction.
I enjoyed this series entry for its library setting, but I was a little disappointed with the execution of the plot. Leon introduced clues that weren’t fully explored and suspects that weren’t developed. Signorina Elettra was off kilter without explanation, although maybe Leon plans to give her a larger role in the next book.
I enjoyed this series entry for its library setting, but I was a little disappointed with the execution of the plot. Leon introduced clues that weren’t fully explored and suspects that weren’t developed. Signorina Elettra was off kilter without explanation, although maybe Leon plans to give her a larger role in the next book.
This is the first Brunetti book I've listened to instead of reading with text, and it was pretty good. It was also very enjoyable, as it had to do with rare books! I had pretty much figured out who the relevant villains were, but the denoument was handled with, I think, great tact for people with real hardship.
In this installment, Brunetti investigates book vandalism for the art market and book theft for private collectors at a library in Venice. The chief suspect is a man purporting to be an American scholar from a heartland state offering a major in maritime studies. The library's regular patrons include a former priest nicknamed "Tertullian" because he enjoys reading church fathers and first requested one of Tertullian's works. As Brunetti investigates he learns more about the way these thieves operate. The novel felt "unfinished" because it lacked a wrap-up, and the only "justice" achieved was through a murder. We see the Italian justice system's corruption at play in this novel as in many of the author's works.
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Author Information
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Donna Leon was born on September 29, 1942 in Montclair, New Jersey. She taught English literature in England, Switzerland, Iran, China, Italy and Saudi Arabia. She is the author of a Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery series. Friends in High Places, a novel from the series, won the Crime Writers Association Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction in show more 2000. German Television has produced 16 Commissario Brunetti mysteries for broadcast. She was a crime reviewer for the Sunday Times. She has written the libretto for a comic opera and has set up her own opera company, Il Complesso Barocco. Her titles Jewels of Pardise, The Golden Egg, By Its Cover, Falling in Love and The Waters of Eternal Youth made The New York Times Bestseller List. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- By Its Cover
- Original title
- By Its Cover
- Alternate titles*
- Muerte entre lineas; Mort entre linies
- Original publication date
- 2014-04-01
- People/Characters
- Guido Brunetti; Patrizia Fabbiani; Piero Sartor; Elisabetta Morosini-Albani; Aldo Franchini; Giuseppe Patta (show all 20); Elettra Zorzi; Chiara Brunetti; Raffi Brunetti; Paola Falier Brunetti; Lorenzo Vianello; Dalla Lana; Enrico Franchini; Roberto Pucetti; Bocchese; Ettore Rizzardi; Adele Marzi; Claudia Griffoni; Tenente Scarpa; Alvino
- Important places
- Venice, Veneto, Italy
- Epigraph
- Mean as he was, he is my brother now.
Saul, Handel - Dedication
- For Judith Flanders
- First words
- It had been a tedious Monday, much of it spent with the written witness statements about a fight between two taxi drivers that had sent one of them to the hospital with concussion and a broken right arm.
- Quotations*
- Slecht als hij was, nu is hij mijn broeder.
Saul, Händel - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Brunetti pulled out his phone and dialed the number of the Questura and requested the warrant, then he went into Signora Sartor's kitchen to accept her hospitality.
- Publisher's editor*
- William Heinemann, Londen
- Blurbers*
- ‘Donna Leon doet wat Georges Simenon niet meer kan: haar commissaris heet niet Maigret maar Brunetti, en het romantische decor is niet Parijs en omgeving, maar Venetië.' – VN Detective & Thrillergids
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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