Customer Reviews

Willful Behavior (Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book is good. This misleading presentation by Amazon is not. This is not a new Leon book, as one might think, given that the only date provided is 2010. The book was published and copyrighted in 2002. It is #11 of Leon's (now) 19 books.

Book11, in the Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery Series

This novel was originally published in 2002, I knew I had missed it while I read my way through the series so when it was reprinted in 2010; I seized the opportunity to catch up. Ms. Leon's earlier novels are thoughtful and satisfying in many ways and this one shines, it is a powerful murder investigation that has Brunetti uncovering dark secrets that date back as far as WW11.

Claudia, a student of Paola, Brunetti's wife, asks for help in obtaining a pardon for a crime committed years ago by her now dead grandfather. He is intrigued by this unusual young lady's request but made little of it until she is found stabbed to death in her apartment.

When Brunetti breaks the devastating news to Signora Jacobs, an old Austrian lady and Claudia's only close friend, he discovers an extraordinary art collection in her modest apartment. Brunetti always the investigator is intrigued and soon learns she was once Claudia's grandfather's lover. Could the stunning art collection have come from desperate people selling their prize possessions during the war and be the reason behind the grandfather's imprisonment....

When Signora Jacobs is also found murdered, Brunetti launches an investigation that will uncover shocking secrets. He discovers evidence hidden deep in the closets of Nazi Collaborators that ultimately reveals the exploitation of Italian Jews during the war......

This is an excellent example of a classic detective murder tale, a thought provoking story that highlights and exposes the way of doing business in a corrupt world. The first few chapters set the scenes really well while at the same time setting a sub-story which has Brunetti struggling to help a friend obtain a construction permit without paying the customary bribe. The characters are memorable, the plot is intricate and multi-dimensional, and the narration is fluid, it subtly and slowly draws the readers into a compelling and atmospheric tale that is interspersed with domestic interludes. Ms. Leon loves to show the personal side of Italian life through food and family interaction, an asset to any story when not overdone.

This is one of my favourite novels in this series.

2 and 1/2 stars.

"Willful Behavior,"while not a return to the author's highest level, is more tolerable than Ms. Leon's most recent Brunetti novels. Its subject matter (the death of an appealing young woman and the survival of Fascism in modern Italy) is treated with relative texture and subtlety, and hero Commissario Brunetti seems less cranky than he has of late--tho he still really hates tourists. It's the atmosphere that makes these books so popular, and when that is in place, as it is here, you've got a reasonably entertaining, if predictable, mystery. In spite of the fact that so much of Leon's plotting turns, as usual, on Brunetti's noble father-in-law's wealth and connections, and his boss's beautiful secretary's subversive computer skills, "Willful Behavior" is a welcome improvement to this series.

I love Donna Leon's books and this was one of the best in my opinion. I know it was published in 2002 apparently but somehow I missed it when I started reading her series. I enjoyed how she took me around the streets of Venice again and with Commissario Brunetti's family. I truly enjoy her characters and feel sometimes like I am walking around next to him as he solves his crimes. Such enjoyable reads.

The evil that erupted in World War II in Italy lies hidden in Venice
until a college student inadvertently dredges it up. There's some
mouthwatering food, including actual instructions for cooking mussels,
and lots of amazing characters. There are themes of beauty, honor and
tragically deluded love. Paola and Elettra both have good
scenes, and Brunetti seems a bit less frustrated than he sometimes is,
despite the usual miasma of corruption, and a good deal of evil. I
found it a very satisfying read. It makes me want to go to Venice,
but then I'd be one of the dreadful tourists he despises. Perhaps
it's better to stay home and read another Brunetti novel.

One of the things that make the Brunetti series so appealing is Guido's relationship with his family. After 20 years of marriage, he and Paola are still in love. As Willful Behavior opens, Paolo, a college lecturer, is approached by one of her students, Claudia Leonardo, for some advice about acquiring an exoneration for her grandfather, an art dealer during WWII. Paola arranges for Claudia to talk to Guido, who believes nothing can be done, but whose curiosity is aroused by the story related by this obviously intelligent young woman. By the end of the week, Claudia's body is discovered by her flat-mate, stabbed to death at home.

Commissario Brunetti's investigation requires delving into a web of secrets that official Venice buried immediately after the end of the war. He is assisted, unofficially, by his patrician father-in-law and by a couple of friends of longstanding who are active in the art world. Officially, Signorina Elettra comes through with her superb computer research skills, and Guido's partner, Vianello, now promoted to Ispettore, provides valuable assistance.

As always in Donna Leon's novels, the social problems that underlie the crime in question are given equal importance with the investigation. In Willful Behavior,, the issue is the wholesale victimization and defrauding of Jews, desperate to escape the Nazis, by Venetian art dealers. Appealing recurrent characters, intelligent, well constructed plots, great back stories, and the beautiful backdrop of hidden Venice - each of Leon's Brunetti books is a little gem.

The best Donna Leon so far. (I've read them all.) The mystery is intriguing; the writing is lyrical. She just gets better and better.

Captain Eddie

Reading Donna Leon is like revisiting Venice and reconnecting with people
you love! What could be better than that? You always learn more about
Italy, Venice and Italians. Her books are pure pleasure.

Wilful Behavior is among my favorite of Donna Leon's Brunetti series. She has a wonderful way of weaving Italian history and commentary on the very Italian-ness of her characters. In this novel, some of the greed and plunder of the spoils of World War II are at the core of the development of the case. Too, we find out more details of the mysterious past of Paola's father, the count. In each book, the main characters reveal more of themselves. Vianello, for instance, is being fleshed out much more and even Brunetti is impressed as he discovers the sympathetic nature of his favorite. A wonderful story of love, respect, and honor. Five stars from me.

Another wonderful Guido Brunetti story. Family, food ,Venice and a tale worthy of Donna Leon. If you want a humane and human detective who is not jaded by his world Guido is it.