The Waters of Eternal Youth (Commissario Brunetti Book 25)

I'm a total sucker for Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series, but I can recommend this latest installment, "The Waters of Eternal Youth" without the shame of a true believer. This one is smooth as silk, with all the wit, cleverness and Venetian bells and whistles that Leon delivers in the best of these books. There is a good "cold case" assault case that evolves into a murder procedural. Venice and the entire Brunnettii tribe and professional team are gently reintroduced to new readers while giving series regulars some new tidbits to chew on. Signorina Elletra is in fine form and a big part of the storyline as always.The action is accompanied by a running commentary on the state of Venice (lamentably touristic and expensive); Italy (corrupt and wonderful); human behavior (governed by emotions, angelic and satanic); Brunetti's wife's cooking (just superb); and the vagaries of life in general.Lovely, graceful and satisfying

I try to read Donna Leon books slowly because I don't want them to end. This is her 25th Guido Brunetti book and I savored it as long as I could, Reading one of her books is like taking a short trip to Venice. You are immersed in local customs and cuisine. You walk through Venice with Guido Brunetti as your guide. These books are not breathless whodunits. They are elegant escapes with complex characters and as one reaches the final page everything may not (or ever) be wrapped up. Ms Leon has perfected a style that is entirely her own. There are a few other authors trying to jumpstart a series similar to the Brunetti books but they are pale immitators. There is a 26th book but I am holding it at bay. I can't bear the thought that I will have read everything. Of course if I do I can simply pick up her first book and begin again.

As a devoted Donna Leon fan, I am always pleased to get the new Brunetti mystery, and in her latest, "The Waters of Eternal Youth," I am not disappointed! Nor will her legions of fans! In Ms Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti series, the Venetian inspector has been called on to investigate many things, from shocking to petty crimes. But in this, the 25th novel in this celebrated series, Brunetti finds himself drawn into a case that may not be a case at all. Or so it seems. Fifteen years ago, a teenage girl fell into a canal late at night. Unable to swim, she goes under and starts to drown, only surviving thanks to a nearby man, an alcoholic, who heard her splashes and pulled her out. Alas, though, not before she suffers irreparable brain damage that left her in a state of permanent childhood, unable to learn or mature. The drunk man claimed he saw her thrown into the canal by another man, but the following day he couldn't remember a thing. Now, at a fundraising dinner for a local charity, a wealthy and aristocratic patroness (the girl's grandmother) asks Brunetti if he will investigate. Brunetti's not sure what to do. If a crime was committed, it would surely have passed the statute of limitations. But out of a mixture of curiosity, pity, and a willingness to fulfill the wishes of a guilt-wracked older woman, who happens to be his mother-in-law's best friend, he agrees. In true Donna Leon style, Brunetti soon finds himself unable to let the case rest, if indeed there is a case. Awash in the rhythms and concerns of contemporary Venetian life, from historical preservation, to housing, to new waves of African migrants, and the haunting story of a woman trapped in a damaged perpetual childhood (and she’s good at opening up socially significant and valid, issues), The Waters of Eternal Youth is yet another exciting addition to this series. Leon’s style of writing moves quickly and adeptly toward its conclusion, and, as uusual, not what one might expect. She keeps the readers on their toes. After 24 previous Brunetti episodes, this one does not seem to have lost any of the charm, the excitement, the intellectual process that Leon’s books have previously presented. The cleverness of the author’s multitude of literary and musical allusions is also one of her unique writing traits—just reading her is an adventure.

I've read all of Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries and "The Waters of Eternal Youth" has one of the most pitiful victims, nastiest villains, and most satisfying endings in this rich, evocative series about life and death in Venice. As always, La Serenissima--the city herself is on display in all of her ancient and sometimes tawdry finery.According to author and socialite, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, "the secret of eternal youth is arrested development." This defines the victim in this mystery, who was resuscitated after her rescue from a Venetian canal, but whose brain had been too long without oxygen. Manuela will live the rest of her life with the mental capacity of a seven-year-old, even though she is now approaching her third decade.Manuela's grandmother, who is both rich and a friend of Brunetti's mother-in-law wants the Commissario to investigate the accident, even though it happened fifteen years ago. He reluctantly agrees.As with all of the Brunetti books, there is a thick dollop of office politics involving Signorina Elettra, her boss, Vice-Questore Patta and his creepy side-kick, Lieutenant Scarpa. Watching Elettra hack into government computers in order to help Brunetti and plot revenge against the evil Scarpa is one of the long-running joys of this series. Brunetti's colleague, Commisario Claudia Griffoni also plays a major role in "The Waters of Eternal Youth" when she befriends the unfortunate Manuela.Donna Leon is the only mystery author whose books I buy as soon as they appear in hardback, and she never fails to disappoint.

This is quintessentialDonna Leon: subtle, richly educated, compassionate, and informative. This is her finest book in a remarkable series in my opinion. She makes you laugh at human foibles and also weep at high tragedy in the relationships of its characters. This story is especially poignant in the way it's young girl is cruelly stripped of much of her mind as the apparent result of an accidental near death of drowning. But this incident from many years earlier is woven into a murder that only the subtle mind of inspector Brunetti can unravel.

Leon’s Brunetti stories have always been strong on Venetian atmosphere and the ambiguity of Italian morality. Like many authors spoiled by international success she has occasionally struggled to maintain the high standards attained by the first ten books in the second ... but here she has surpassed herself on an emotional level. As is often the case with her crime fiction, the resolution of the who-done-it is neither the point nor particularly demanding: It is the journey that matters, not the destination.In my humble opinion, any reader who fails to tear up reading her account of the haunting aftermath of the near-drowning of a teenager can confidently be diagnosed as not neurologically typical. And once more, on the final page, the same rule applies. Brava, Dottora!

I have read all of Donna Leon's novels and I have to remind myself that Brunetti, like Santa Claus is a work of fiction - maybe...I first came across these novels whilst recovering from a severe injury and started with Fatal Remedies. Immediately I then backed up to Death a La Fenice and started from scratch.Brunetti is not a hero, he is a normal guy doing his best who (along with his family & friends) grows in each novel. I love the world weary cynicism that flows through the books, interlaced with just enough humour to deflect.Since 2008 I have hidden each novel away until my husband and I visit Venice where I devour the latest episode in Brunetti's life.We stay away from St Marks hidden away in Dorsoduro, shopping for fish at the Rialto and stopping for a bite in Do Mori.If you love Venice with all of its idiosyncrasies and world related issues these novels will transport you back there. If you have yet to visit book you flight and stay in the 'real' Venice.This novel for me was the best ever. In part because of the equestrian connection. If you ride you will get it - not only the ending but the answer "Would you miss breathing" by Claudia in response to a question from Brunetti. The insight shown in this one line stopped me in my tracks.I write this whilst overlooking Guidecca yet again reminding myself this is fiction.I read every moment I can and work permitting ( plus I feel I should converse occasionally with my husband ) probably read three books a week - Donna Leon remains my favourite author for contemporary fiction.

I love Donna Leon's Brunetti books, and I've been waiting for this one. It doesn't disappoint, although I detect a slight change of atmosphere - I think Brunetti is getting older! They are such delightful books, well written, easy to read and all the characters feel like real people. Situations are handled with humour and commonsense, troublesome authority is quietly by-passed. There are no histrionics, and the true, unique atmosphere of Venice shines through the story. Pity they are read so quickly - I'm waiting for the next one now!

Another good book from Donna Leon. As always the complete person is fleshed out in the work and family live of this detective. A young woman has been attacked in the past but her grandmother is unhappy about past investigations so Brunetti takes on the task. His interest grows as he learns more about her past.

I have read all of Donna Leon's featuring Brunetti. Coming to then of each one saddens me, it means I have a year to survive before the next one. Brunette's world is fascinating a policeman with a penchant for Classic Greek literature, whose ambience hardly ages yet scads of time in the world affects him but does not age him or his family or his colleagues. Fantastic. Sigh, another year must pass before we are reacquainted!

After a bit of a dip with a couple of previous books, Donna Leon has roared back in fabulous style with this latest Brunetti. For the first time (I think) he is actually spending more time with the aristocracy but discovering he has more empathy with them than he expected. There's a wonderful swipe at the captain of the Costa Concordia, which is probably actionable, but her views on brain-injured people are truly touching. Welcome back, Commissario. Oh, and Elettra is in tremendous duplicitous form.

Atmospheric description of the people and place Leon again evokes the heart of Venice and yet also the gradual change. Brunetti shows the gentility of a well rounded character eschewing the blood and gore of CSI narrative beloved by lesser American detective fiction. Read it in 2 sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it the denouement is in the final chapter graduslly prepared but still unexpected. Thoroughly recommended.

All Donna Leon`s Brunetti stories are excellent but this one is just so good. The satisfaction of catching the criminal linked with the story of the dealings with the `damaged` young girl is so well written, the trade is caught in the moment, willing residence to catch the man responsible. The ending of the story is also so pleasing and leave hope for the future for all involved

I waited impatiently for this latest Leon to come out and was as usual not disappointed although the cast was so small the outcome was easy to see but it is the smell and taste of the writing that is addictive and I read this in one greedy gulp so lovely to wallow in all these wonderful familial characters again read this and if you are a virgin Lenoner start at death a la. Fenice. And read them all more please .

My abject apologies for having taken SO long to send my review. I have almost finished reading this Brunetti and I reckon it is one of the very best and I have read all of Donna's books so far. It was in near PERFECT condition so my usual top-of-the-tree praise to one of my favourite dealers. As I say all the time --- see you guys and gals again in the not too dim and distant

Yet again Donna Leon has produced my annual Easter egg! She always manages to combine a guided tour of Venice with an intricately woven plot culminating in a morally acceptable conclusion.

I have loved this series for many years and this installation does not disappoint. Calm and lulling then suddenly fierce.

A vague story turns into a strong and positive ending , the wonderful sarcasm at the Questura puts a grin on your face ! Thank you , once again , Donna Leon .

One of the very best but very saddest of the Brunetti novels .... very moving

I love the Donna Leon Brunetti books. The descriptions og Venice take me there and the story lines are always revolved around Brunetti's family. A very good read.