12 July 2012

Review: QUIETLY IN THEIR SLEEP, Donna Leon

  • Format: Kindle (Amazon)
  • File Size: 1706 KB
  • Print Length: 318 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0143115936
  • Publisher: Grove Press; Reprint edition (May 29, 2007).
    First published 1997.  aka THE DEATH OF FAITH
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0028QGQ9I
  • Source: I bought it
Synopsis (Amazon)

Donna Leon's mastery of plot, her understanding of Venetian manners and mores, and above all her philosophical, unfailingly decent protagonist have made the Commissario Brunetti mysteries bestsellers around the world, including an ever-growing American audience.

In The Death of Faith [QUIETLY IN THEIR SLEEP], Brunetti comes to the aid of a young nursing sister who is leaving her convent following the unexpected death of five patients. At first Brunetti's inquiries reveal nothing amiss, and he wonders whether the nun is simply creating a smoke screen to justify abandoning her vocation. But perhaps she has stumbled onto something very real and very sinister - something that puts her life in imminent danger.

My take

This novel comes relatively early (#6) in the Brunetti series series in Venice. Brunetti's two children, Raffi and Chiara, are still at school, and Chiara's experiences with her religious education teacher allows the introduction of secondary plot. The secondary plot also allows the author to explore the lengths to which Brunetti's wife Paola will go to protect her children.

The young nun comes to Commissario Brunetti at a time when his boss Vice-Questore Patta is away on what is rumoured to be a second honeymoon. On the surface Brunetti's initial investigation seems to say that no crimes have been committed. Some of the elderly at the nursing home have chosen to leave a bequest to the church and their subsequent deaths seem entirely due to natural causes. But then comes the murder of one of the recipients and the young nun is knocked off her bike. Brunetti doesn't like the coincidences. In the background is a powerful group protecting the church and their network reacts quickly and violently.

I have read most of the Brunetti series but here was one that I hadn't. I really enjoyed it.

My rating: 4.4

Other reviews of books in the series on MiP
ABOUT FACE
THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS
THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
4.4, A QUESTION OF BELIEF
4.5, BEASTLY THINGS 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kerrie - I always enjoy it when you highlight a book from one of my favourite series. This is one I must re-read...

kathy d. said...

I've read the whole Brunetti series, but don't remember this one, actually, happily, as I can now reread it.

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