Falling in Love - (The Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries) by Donna Leon (Paperback)

About the Book

Donna Leon's "Death at La Fenice," the first novel in her beloved Commissario Guido Brunetti series, introduced readers to the glamorous and cutthroat world of opera and one of Italy's finest living sopranos, Flavia Petrelli, then a suspect in the poisoning of a renowned German conductor. Years after Brunetti cleared her name and saved the life of her female American lover in "Acqua Alta," Flavia has returned to Venice and La Fenice to sing the lead in "Tosca," and Brunetti has tickets to an early performance. The night he and his wife, Paola, attend, Flavia gives a stunning performance to a standing ovation. Back in her dressing room, she finds bouquets of yellow roses, too many roses. Every surface of the room is covered with them. An anonymous fan has been showering Flavia with these beautiful gifts in London, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, and now, Venice, but she no longer feels flattered. A few nights later, invited by Brunetti to dine at his in-laws palazzo, Flavia confesses her alarm at these excessive displays of adoration. Brunetti promises to look into it. And when a talented young Venetian singer who has caught Flavia's attention is savagely attacked, Brunetti begins to think that Flavia s fears are justified in ways neither of them imagined. He must enter in the psyche of an obsessive fan before Flavia, or anyone else, comes to harm.

Book Synopsis

Donna Leon's Death at La Fenice, the first novel in her beloved Commissario Guido Brunetti series, introduced readers to the glamorous and cutthroat world of opera and one of Italy's finest living sopranos, Flavia Petrelli--then a suspect in the poisoning of a renowned German conductor. Years after Brunetti cleared her name and saved the life of her female American lover in Acqua Alta, Flavia has returned to Venice and La Fenice to sing the lead in Tosca, and Brunetti has tickets to an early performance.

The night he and his wife, Paola, attend, Flavia gives a stunning performance to a standing ovation. Back in her dressing room, she finds bouquets of yellow roses--too many roses. Every surface of the room is covered with them. An anonymous fan has been showering Flavia with these beautiful gifts in London, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, and now, Venice, but she no longer feels flattered. A few nights later, invited by Brunetti to dine at his in-laws' palazzo, Flavia confesses her alarm at these excessive displays of adoration. Brunetti promises to look into it. And when a talented young Venetian singer who has caught Flavia's attention is savagely attacked, Brunetti begins to think that Flavia's fears are justified in ways neither of them imagined. He must enter in the psyche of an obsessive fan before Flavia, or anyone else, comes to harm.

Review Quotes

Praise for Falling In Love

A New York Times Bestseller
A Midwest Independent Booksellers Association Indie Bestseller
A National Indie Bestseller

"Donna Leon's first love is opera. . . . So choosing Teatro La Fenice for the setting of Falling in Love, her latest mystery featuring the erudite and oh-so-sympathetic Commissario Guido Brunetti, makes this elegant novel something of a mash note to a longtime lover. . . . The audacious investigation, conducted by Brunetti's confederate Signorina Elettra, into the psychology of stalkers is thorough and illuminating. But for opera buffs, going backstage at Teatro La Fenice is the real treat."--New York Times Book Review

"[A] widely admired series . . . Brunetti is unfailingly good company, and when he isn't . . . he is wonderfully refreshing."--Chicago Tribune

"The ever-incredible Leon's 24th stunning entry in her stellar mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti brings the series full circle, revisiting Venice's Teatro La Fenice. . . . Another provocative addition to a fine series, certain to appeal to aficionados of profound literary mysteries such as Louise Penny's How the Light Gets In."--Library Journal (starred review)

"For many fans, the high points in Leon's beloved Guido Brunetti series have been the two novels featuring opera diva Flavia Petrelli . . . . Now, finally, Flavia returns . . . . Best of all, the reappearance of Flavia gives Leon the opportunity to display her deep love of music and to construct a marvelous climactic scene between Flavia and her fan that parallels the finale of Tosca. Brava!"--Booklist (starred review)

"Leon's devoted readers love her books for their juicy mystery plots, and also for the rich and varied cast of recurring characters, among which is the city of Venice itself. . . . Leon's evildoers are not psychopathic serial killers or rapists. . . . [She] delves into the more interesting territory of moral corruption, in all its forms."--Publishers Weekly (author profile)

"Commissario Guido Brunetti returns to La Fenice for another dramatic encounter with the diva Flavia Petrelli . . . there are the usual pleasures of following Brunetti as he walks around the city he knows like the back of his hand."--Kirkus Reviews

"Splendid . . . Leon makes us feel [Venice's] magic, taste it, smell it . . . Falling in Love is altogether a bravura accomplishment."--Open Letters

"Another entertaining installment in one of mystery fiction's most consistent series."--Bookreporter.com

"Leon . . . infuses even predictable scenes with fresh vitality, employing her subtle wit and psychological acuity to make well-loved characters freshly engaging. . . . [the] finale is engrossing and oddly moving; a fitting end to a Brunetti thriller that is also a rare portrait of an artist and her art."--Barnes & Noble Review

"[A] captivating series . . . [Falling in Love] offers the usual combination of mystery and dread."--Toronto Star

"Thrilling . . . Readers will not be disappointed. Whether you've solved cases with Brunetti from the start or are a first time guest, this book will hold you spellbound . . . . [Falling in Love] will grab you from the first page, keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you breathless while yearning for more, as if you've just witnessed a spectacularly powerful performance at the opera."--Killer Nashville

About the Author

Donna Leon is the author of the highly acclaimed, internationally bestselling Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series. The winner of the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction, among other awards, Leon has lived in Venice for thirty years and now divides her time between Venice and Switzerland.