The Jewels of Paradise - Donna Leon

The Jewels of Paradise

By Donna Leon

  • Release Date: 2012-10-02
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
4 Score: 4 (From 40 Ratings)

Book Synopsis

The New York Times–bestselling author of the Commissario Guido Brunetti series takes readers beyond the Venice police force in her first standalone novel.
 
Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she’s had to leave home to pursue her career. With a doctorate in baroque opera from Vienna, she lands in Manchester, England. Manchester, however, is no Venice. When Caterina gets word of a position back home, she jumps at the opportunity.
 
The job is an unusual one. After nearly three centuries, two locked trunks—believed to contain the papers of a baroque composer—have been discovered. Deeply connected in religious and political circles, the composer died childless; now, two Venetians, descendants of his cousins, each claim the inheritance. Caterina’s job is to examine any enclosed papers to discover the “testamentary disposition” of the composer. But when her research takes her in unexpected directions, she begins to wonder just what secrets these trunks may hold. From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history, and greed.
 
“Commissario Brunetti is allowed to take a vacation once in a while, but only if his replacements are as wry and erudite as Caterina.” —The Washington Post
 
“Fascinating . . . Boasts the same sensitivity to human behavior that distinguishes her Guido Brunetti series.” —Booklist
 
“A veteran mystery maven weaves present-day Venice into a 300-year-old puzzle in this engaging stand-alone . . . Packs the charms of Venice into a smart whodunit.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“Elegant prose, with humorous, wonderfully detailed descriptions as seen through the eyes of her heroine.” —Opera News

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Latest Impressions

  • Great Read!

    5
    By tippypoodle
    Don’t miss this truly engrossing book. A slow start, but it gains speed page by page. Enjoy.
  • The Jewel of Paradise

    5
    By nmp apps
    Every writer brings something different to the page. Leon brings us a rich understanding and a clear eyed introduction to a Venice we’ll never understand. With it’s odd social mores, complex system of finances, and charming attitude toward both crime and criminals, but plagued by a moribund bureaucracy. My favorite addition to the usual cast of good guys and bad guys, the wonderful 80 year-old Nun and her dog Sally. But what I look forward to is Bruno’s interactions with his vain glorious boss, the Director’s Assistant, a hacker extraordinaire and his family, helping Bruno deal with sordid side of his work.
  • Unexpected fun!

    5
    By Glücklicher Freund
    I love books. I love history and I love Venice. I really liked the professor. She was very interesting and multilayered. He sister was great. I also love Ms. Leon’s style.
  • Interesting

    3
    By suhollan
    Very little action then suddenly I was near the end. Surprising, but a witty ending.