Donna Leon Books In Order – Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series is a collection of crime novels set in Venice, featuring the astute and ethical detective Brunetti.
The series began with Death at La Fenice (1992) and continues with over 30 books, each offering a mix of mystery, social commentary, and Venetian culture. To read her books in order, start with Death at La Fenice and follow the publication sequence for a complete experience of Brunetti’s evolving investigations and personal life.
A Quick Biography of Donna Leon
Donna Leon (born September 29, 1942) is an American author best known for her Commissario Guido Brunetti detective series, set in Venice, Italy. Raised in New Jersey, she studied English literature and worked as a teacher in various countries, including Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Leon lived in Venice for over 30 years, drawing inspiration from its culture and history for her crime novels. The Brunetti series, which began with Death at La Fenice (1992), has gained international acclaim, though Leon has kept the books from being translated into Italian to maintain her privacy in Italy.
Apart from crime fiction, Leon is passionate about opera and environmental issues, both of which often feature in her work. In 2023, she published her memoir, Wandering Through Life, offering personal insights into her experiences. She now resides in Switzerland.
Publication Order of Guido Brunetti Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Death at La Fenice | (1992) | Buy Now |
| Death in a Strange Country | (1993) | Buy Now |
| The Anonymous Venetian / Dressed for Death | (1994) | Buy Now |
| Venetian Reckoning / Death and Judgment | (1995) | Buy Now |
| Acqua Alta / Death in High Water | (1996) | Buy Now |
| The Death of Faith / Quietly in Their Sleep | (1997) | Buy Now |
| A Noble Radiance | (1998) | Buy Now |
| Fatal Remedies | (1999) | Buy Now |
| Friends in High Places | (2000) | Buy Now |
| A Sea of Troubles | (2001) | Buy Now |
| Wilful Behaviour | (2002) | Buy Now |
| Uniform Justice | (2003) | Buy Now |
| Doctored Evidence | (2004) | Buy Now |
| Blood from a Stone | (2005) | Buy Now |
| Through a Glass, Darkly | (2006) | Buy Now |
| Suffer the Little Children | (2007) | Buy Now |
| The Girl of His Dreams | (2008) | Buy Now |
| About Face | (2009) | Buy Now |
| A Question of Belief | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Drawing Conclusions | (2011) | Buy Now |
| Beastly Things | (2012) | Buy Now |
| The Golden Egg | (2013) | Buy Now |
| By its Cover | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Falling in Love | (2015) | Buy Now |
| The Waters of Eternal Youth | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Earthly Remains | (2017) | Buy Now |
| The Temptation of Forgiveness | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Unto Us a Son Is Given | (2019) | Buy Now |
| Trace Elements | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Transient Desires | (2021) | Buy Now |
| Give Unto Others | (2022) | Buy Now |
| So Shall You Reap | (2023) | Buy Now |
| A Refiner’s Fire | (2024) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Guido Brunetti Non-Fiction Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Brunetti’s Cookbook | (2009) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Jewels of Paradise | (2012) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Handel’s Bestiary: In Search of Animals in Handel’s Operas | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Venetian Curiosities | (2012) | Buy Now |
| My Venice and Other Essays | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Gondola | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Wandering Through Life: A Memoir | (2023) | Buy Now |
List of Awards Owned By Donna Leon
Here is list of awards that Donna Leon has bagged over the years.
- Suntory Mystery Fiction Grand Prize for her first novel Death at La Fenice
- Golden Book Award from the Austrian Booksellers Association
- International Deutscher Krimi Preis, 3rd place, for Dressed for Death
- CWA Silver Dagger Award for Friends in High Places in 2000
- Chorine – International Book Prize for Willful Behaviour
- Spoken Word Awards Silver Award for Blood From a Stone
Donna Leon Beastly Things Insights
When a body is found floating in a canal, strangely disfigured and with multiple stab wounds, Commissario Brunetti is called to investigate and is convinced he recognizes the man from somewhere. However, with no identification except for the distinctive shoes the man was wearing, and no reports of people missing from the Venice area, the case cannot progress.
Brunetti soon realizes why he remembers the dead man and asks Signorina Elettra if she can help him find footage of a farmers’ protest the previous autumn. But what was his involvement with the protest, and what does it have to do with his murder? Acting on the fragile lead, Brunetti and Inspector Vianello set out to uncover the man’s identity. Their investigation eventually takes them to a slaughterhouse on the mainland, where they discover the origin of the crime, and the world of blackmail and corruption that surrounds it.
Both a gripping case and a harrowing exploration of the dark side of Italy’s meat industry, Donna Leon’s latest novel is a compelling addition to the Brunetti series.
Donna Leon “The Golden Egg: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery” Insights
In The Golden Egg, as the first leaves of autumn begin to fall, Vice Questore Patta asks Brunetti to look into a minor shop-keeping violation committed by the mayor’s future daughter-in-law. Brunetti has no interest in helping his boss amass political favors, but he has little choice but to comply.
Then Brunetti’s wife, Paola, comes to him with a request of her own. The mentally handicapped man who worked at their dry cleaner has just died of a sleeping pill overdose, and Paola loathes the idea that he lived and died without anyone noticing him, or helping him.
Brunetti begins to investigate the death and is surprised when he finds nothing on the man: no birth certificate, no passport, no driver’s license, no credit cards. As far as the Italian government is concerned, he never existed.
Stranger still, the dead man’s mother refuses to speak to the police and assures Brunetti that her son’s identification papers were stolen in a burglary. As secrets unravel, Brunetti suspects that the Lembos, an aristocratic family, might be somehow connected to the death. But why would anyone want this sweet, simple-minded man dead?
Falling in Love: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery Insights
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, Flavia has returned to Venice and La Fenice to sing the lead in Tosca.
Brunetti and his wife, Paola, attend an early performance, and Flavia receives 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.
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.
To Sum Up
If you enjoy crime fiction set in atmospheric locations, then having copies of Donna Leon’s Books In Order in your collection is a must. Her Commissario Guido Brunetti series takes readers on gripping investigations through the streets of Venice, blending mystery, social issues, and culture. Following the books in order allows you to experience Brunetti’s character development and the evolving themes that make this series a standout in crime fiction.
Top FAQ on Donna Leon
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Who is Donna Leon?
She is an American author of a crime novel series. She is the crime mystery author of the Guido Brunetti series featuring the popular Commissario of Police, set in Venice, Italy.
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What is Donna Leon’s most recent book?
Donna Leon’s most recent book is Wandering Through Life (September 2023), a memoir about her adventurous life and experiences.
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Does Donna Leon have upcoming books?
Yes, Donna Leon has an upcoming book titled Backstage, scheduled for publication in August 2025. This collection offers a behind-the-scenes look at her life and work, providing readers with personal insights and stories from her experiences.
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