In her 33rd installment of the series, Donna Leon once again transports us to the enchanting city of Venice, guiding us through the labyrinthine streets alongside Commissario Brunetti. While I may have missed a few of the series’ novels, my fondness for them remains steadfast, a testament to Leon’s captivating world.
This time, the story starts with Commissario Claudia Griffoni. Venice became a playground for teenager gangs, so-called “baby gangs,” and Griffoni finds herself slightly torn between her role as a law enforcer and a compassionate woman. A young Orlando could have been her son, and she feels she should at least listen to him: he seems to be a gentle boy with a rather strict father, a former Carabinieri who received the Medal of Valour after he heroically saved other soldiers. The story gets complicated, and soon, Commissario Brunetti tries to solve the jigsaw puzzle of false assumptions and human tragedies. He compassionately investigates the case of those who suffered while maintaining his integrity. There is less of Brunetti, a family man, and more of him working. Yes, he treasures his time with his wife and children, but we can see that soon Paula and Guido will become empty nesters.
As in Donna Leon’s other mysteries, this is not simply a “whodunit” but a novel that gives a reader a glimpse into Italian history, the present, and the people of Venice. Sure, there are cute cafes with brioche and espresso and pizzerias where Guido and Paula dine, but the view is often not something that tourists want to see, and the mood becomes darker than on a sunny postcard.
A REFINER’S FIRE by Donna Leon, Grove Atlantic 2024
Infinite Books 
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