MYSTERY

The Waters of Eternal Youth: A Commisaario Guido Brunetti Mystery

Atlantic Monthly. Mar. 2016. 304p. ISBN 9780802124807. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780802190314. M
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OrangeReviewStarA new literary mystery by Leon is cause for celebration, and her latest superb novel (after By Its Cover and Falling in Love) takes the series featuring contemplative Venetian Police Commissario Guido Brunetti to a new level. The investigation commences when Brunetti's mother-in-law invites him to dinner, and he meets a wealthy, socially prominent contessa who makes a peculiar request—namely, that Brunetti investigate the near-drowning of her granddaughter 15 years ago. The contessa insists that Manuela was terrified of water and was an intended murder victim. Moreover, the inebriated man who rescued Manuela initially claimed that he had seen another man push her into the water. While Manuela survived her submersion, she incurred severe brain damage that left her dramatically impaired.
VERDICT Surprisingly, Leon has crafted a crime novel both more complex and less dark than his usual offerings. In fact, the book ends not only optimistically but affirmatively. Perfect for readers who enjoy Andrea Camilleri's Italian mysteries. [See Prepub Alert, 10/15/15.]
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