Donna Leon

Donna Leon is an American author best known for her crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. Born on September 29, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey, Leon has lived in Venice for many years. Her deep knowledge of the city, its culture, and its people has significantly influenced her writing, making the setting a vivid and essential element of her novels. Leon's works have been celebrated for their intricate plots, well-developed characters, and moral contemplation. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Acqua Alta

    Cover of 'Acqua Alta' by Donna Leon

    In this gripping installment of a celebrated mystery series set in Venice, the protagonist, a thoughtful and diligent detective, finds himself embroiled in a complex case that intertwines a brutal attack on a famous opera singer with a sinister burglary at a local museum. As the detective delves deeper into the investigation, navigating the atmospheric and flood-prone streets of Venice, he uncovers a web of deceit, corruption, and long-buried secrets. With the city's unique and treacherous acqua alta (high water) providing both a backdrop and a clue, the detective must use all his skills and local knowledge to solve the case before the rising waters erase all traces of the perpetrator's crimes.

  2. 2. Friends In High Places

    Cover of 'Friends In High Places' by Donna Leon

    "Friends in High Places" is a mystery novel that follows the protagonist, a Venetian detective, as he investigates a case involving the suspicious death of a government official. The detective's inquiry leads him into a tangled web of corruption, real estate fraud, and high society connections in Venice. As he delves deeper, he must navigate the perilous waters of political influence and ethical dilemmas, relying on a few trustworthy allies in a city where appearances often hide darker truths. The novel combines a compelling detective story with a rich portrayal of Venetian life and politics.