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Through a Glass Darkly

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( 10,316 ratings, 615 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Through a Glass Darkly by Donna Leon, the story is set in the atmospheric city of Venice. Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates the death of a night watchman at a local glass factory. As Brunetti delves into the case, he encounters a world of corruption and passion intertwined with Venice's beautifully complex culture and history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you love engaging crime thrillers with a strong sense of place. Set in the evocative city of Venice, it follows the keen and relatable detective Commissario Guido Brunetti as he unravels a complex mystery. If atmospheric settings and intricate tales of justice intrigue you, this could be a read worth exploring.

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Originally published: Great Britain: William Heinemann, 2006.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new look for the fifteenth installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon.

Leon...has once again, apparently effortlessly, produced a wholly absorbing read. Sunday Telegraph

It is a luminous spring day in Venice, as Commissario Brunetti and Inspettore Vianello take a break from the Questura to come to the rescue of Vianello's friend Marco Ribetti, who has been arrested while protesting against chemical pollution of the Venetian lagoon, only to be faced by the fury of Marco's father-in-law, owner of a glass factory on the island of Murano.

But it is not Marco who has uncovered the guilty secret of the polluting glass foundries of the island of Murano, nor he whose body is found dead in front of the furnaces which burn at 1400 degrees, night and day. The victim has left clues in a copy of Dante, and Brunetti must descend into an inferno to discover who is burning the land and fouling the waters of the lagoon...

As usual, Leon's witty portrayal of modern Venetian life, and Brunetti's model marriage, are as entertaining as the working out of the whodunnit. A joy from start to finish. Evening Standard

A smart and stylish, fast-paced case of intrigue and corruption, written with wit, affection and authority... Impressive. Los Angeles Times

Series: A Commissario Brunetti Mystery

View all
  • Death at La Fenice
    A new look for the first instalment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'A splendid series . . . with a backdrop of the city so vivid you can almost smell it.' β€” The Sunday Telegraph Winner of the Suntory Mystery Fiction Grand Prize The twisted maze of Venice's canals has always been shrouded in...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Noble Radiance
    A new look for the seventh installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'Every detail on every page forms part of a succession of clues, planted with exquisite precision, to unravelling the mystery' - Sunday Times In a small village at the foot of the Italian Dolomites, a grave is discovered by the owner of...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Death in a Strange Country
    A new look for the second Brunetti novel from award-winning crime writer Donna Leon. Brunetti . . . long ago joined the ranks of the classic fictional detectives - Evening Standard When the body of a young man is pulled out of a fetid Venetian canal, all clues point to a violent mugging. But for Guido Brunetti, Commissario of the...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Give Unto Others
    The celebrated Venetian detective returns in his 31st case in a year of celebration for his author, Donna Leon. Donna Leon has been giving unto us for all of the thirty years since Death at La Fenice introduced us to Brunetti β€” Val McDermid Crime writing of the highest order β€” Guardian The gifted Venetian detective returns in his 31st...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • The Waters of Eternal Youth
    A new look for the twenty-fifth installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'There is no one better than Donna Leon at showing the ripple effects of a single traumatic event . . . Leon has recast the city in her own venerable image- full of surprises and hidden beauty.' Evening Standard Fifteen years ago,...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Trace Elements
    A new look for the twenty-ninth novel in Donna Leon's bestselling crime series The New York Times Bestseller Leon is a superb novelist . . . You can feel the tension, fear, horror - and wonder The Times 'They killed him. It was bad money.' A dying hospice patient gasps these cryptic words about her recently-deceased husband, who lost his...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Falling in Love
    With the dramatic force of Tosca, Donna Leon's twenty-fourth novel in the bestselling Brunetti crime series quivers with the passion of opera and with the power of obsession. Donna Leon's deft and descriptive words do for Venice what Canaletto did for this serenest of cities with his brushes and paint palette and bring it to life in all its reach...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Through a Glass Darkly
    A new look for the fifteenth installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. Leon...has once again, apparently effortlessly, produced a wholly absorbing read. Sunday Telegraph It is a luminous spring day in Venice, as Commissario Brunetti and Inspettore Vianello take a break from the Questura to come to the rescue of Vianello's friend Marco Ribetti,...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • Transient Desires
    A new look for the landmark thirtieth instalment of the global bestselling Commissario Brunetti series. Chosen as Star Pick in the Sunday Times Crime Club Chosen as a 'Best New Crime Novel' in the Sunday Times 'The series that has shadowed Brunetti for three decades is an epic achievement' – The Times 'Leon's books are a joy' – Guardian When...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • A Sea Of Troubles
    When two fishermen are murdered on the island of Pellestrina, Commissario Brunetti must work closely with his secretary-turned-undercover-agent to solve the case. Donna Leon goes from strength to strength ... This is her tenth novel but it's as fresh and entertaining as the first - Observer When two clam fishermen are murdered on the island of Pellestrina, Commissario Brunetti is...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Donna Leon's Through a Glass Darkly is praised for its smart and stylish narrative, combining fast-paced intrigue and corruption with wit and authority. The series is noted for its atmospheric setting and sense of place, effectively bringing Venice to life through its glass-making industry and backstreet charm. Readers appreciate the masterful storytelling and the thoughtful musings of Commissario Guido Brunetti on crime and humanity.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529158328

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin (Cornerstone)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 245g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Donna Leon was named by The Times as one of the 50 Greatest Crime Writers. She is an award-winning crime novelist, celebrated for the bestselling Brunetti series. Donna has lived in Venice for thirty years and previously lived in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Iran and China, where she worked as a teacher. Donna's books have been translated into 35 languages and have been published around the world. Her previous novels featuring Commissario Brunetti have all been highly acclaimed; including Friends in High Places, which won the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction, Fatal Remedies, Doctored Evidence, A Sea of Troubles and Beastly Things.

Also by Donna Leon

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  • Wandering Through Life
    The internationally bestselling author tells her own adventurous life story as she enters her ninth decade. 'A delightful companion in life and on the page' The Times 'Donna Leon has created a beautifully crafted looking glass into her world' TLS From a childhood in the company of her New Jersey family, with frequent visits to her grandfather's farm and its...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Death at La Fenice
    A new look for the first instalment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'A splendid series . . . with a backdrop of the city so vivid you can almost smell it.' β€” The Sunday Telegraph Winner of the Suntory Mystery Fiction Grand Prize The twisted maze of Venice's canals has always been shrouded in...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Backstage
    An engaging collection of stories and essays by the celebrated author of the internationally bestselling Guido Brunetti series, infused with her ever-present and delightful senses of humour and irony. Donna Leon's memoir, Wandering Through Life, gave her legions of fans a colourful tour through her life, from childhood in New Jersey to adventures in China and Iran, to her love...
    Hardback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Noble Radiance
    A new look for the seventh installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'Every detail on every page forms part of a succession of clues, planted with exquisite precision, to unravelling the mystery' - Sunday Times In a small village at the foot of the Italian Dolomites, a grave is discovered by the owner of...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Death in a Strange Country
    A new look for the second Brunetti novel from award-winning crime writer Donna Leon. Brunetti . . . long ago joined the ranks of the classic fictional detectives - Evening Standard When the body of a young man is pulled out of a fetid Venetian canal, all clues point to a violent mugging. But for Guido Brunetti, Commissario of the...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Give Unto Others
    The celebrated Venetian detective returns in his 31st case in a year of celebration for his author, Donna Leon. Donna Leon has been giving unto us for all of the thirty years since Death at La Fenice introduced us to Brunetti β€” Val McDermid Crime writing of the highest order β€” Guardian The gifted Venetian detective returns in his 31st...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • So Shall You Reap
    The latest instalment from Donna Leon sees Brunetti engaged in a case that forces him to confront his past. Donna Leon provides another delectable slice of the thoughtful policeman's life at work and at home... So Shall You Reap is as witty and wise as anything Leon has written. To read her is to restore the soul. - Mark Sanderson,...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • The Waters of Eternal Youth
    A new look for the twenty-fifth installment in the award-winning Brunetti series by crime fiction writer Donna Leon. 'There is no one better than Donna Leon at showing the ripple effects of a single traumatic event . . . Leon has recast the city in her own venerable image- full of surprises and hidden beauty.' Evening Standard Fifteen years ago,...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Trace Elements
    A new look for the twenty-ninth novel in Donna Leon's bestselling crime series The New York Times Bestseller Leon is a superb novelist . . . You can feel the tension, fear, horror - and wonder The Times 'They killed him. It was bad money.' A dying hospice patient gasps these cryptic words about her recently-deceased husband, who lost his...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Falling in Love
    With the dramatic force of Tosca, Donna Leon's twenty-fourth novel in the bestselling Brunetti crime series quivers with the passion of opera and with the power of obsession. Donna Leon's deft and descriptive words do for Venice what Canaletto did for this serenest of cities with his brushes and paint palette and bring it to life in all its reach...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Backstage
    An engaging collection of stories and essays by the celebrated author of the internationally bestselling Guido Brunetti series, infused with her ever-present and delightful senses of humour and irony. Whether walking along the canals of Venice or teaching English to Iranian pilots, interviewing blood diamond dealers or reading Great Expectations, Donna Leon has found inspiration in the strangest of places....
    Paperback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A Refiner's Fire
    Brunetti returns with a gripping and powerful case about the murkiness of power and a test of loyalties. When two teenage gangs are arrested after clashing violently in one of Venice's campi, the son of a local hero is implicated. But when Commissario Guido Brunetti is asked by a wealthy foreigner to vet this man, Monforte, for a job, he...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Backorder
    Ships mid August

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