By Its Cover

Book. I seemed to have finished reading Donna Leon’s novel, By Its Cover, just minutes after starting it. Leon reprises Commissario Guido Brunetti and draws him into a case involving the theft of rare books. The extended cast of characters includes many familiar ones from this series, supplemented by new and interesting villains and citizens. As always, Venice itself remains as vivid and present as a character, and food is always important. This time another interesting distinction arises: is it the physical book that is important, or the text contained therein? Brunetti’s view differs from that of other characters. Fans of the series, those who love Venice, and readers who like character-based crime fiction are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase By Its Cover from amazon.com.