- Paperback: 310 pages
- Publisher: Pan Books; New edition edition (6 Mar 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 033034949X
- ISBN-13: 978-0330349499
- Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 2.7 x 17.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 152,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Maria Testa, better known to Brunetti as the nun who once cared for his mother, turns up at the Commissario's door. Maria has left her nursing convent after the suspicious deaths of five patients. Is she creating fears to justify abandoning her vocation, or is there a more sinister scenario?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Big fan of the series but this is the most disappointing I've read so far. The last 70 pages are quite gripping but its very slow starting, the plot isnt as good as usual and the ending is a bit crow barred. Death at the Fenice and Acqua Alta are much better reads for anyone getting into this fun Venetian series
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
With this, the sixth in the Brunetti series, we begin with the shortest of introductions before we are straight away in the midst of an interview. Brunetti's superior, Vice-Questore Patta is away on holiday, so Brunetti is in charge. It's a clever story in more ways than one, because even two-thirds of the way into the book, we are still not entirely sure that a crime has been committed.
The context for this story is a series of deaths in a church nursing home. Enquiries, of course, have to be made with a lightness of touch in such circumstances, and Brunetti promises his informant that his "tongue shall be as gossamer". It is quite comical, though, how the cynical Sergeant Vianello acts the pious son of the church when trying to glean information from the relatives of the deceased.
Opus Dei make an appearance. And we also see the return in a cameo role of Raffi, Brunetti's son (hurrah). And where the church is involved, there is always Paola ready to give her opinion. For the church to teach sexual ethics is, for her, "just asking for trouble. In a way, it's like having a blind person teach Art History ..." As for Brunetti himself, we learn more about him as each book is read. This time we discover he studied history for three years at the University of Venice before doing law at Padua. He dislikes the architecture of the Bauer Grunwald hotel and that of the train station too. Hm.
There are some problems with the story. I'm not sure, for example, how Elettra could gain access to the computerised payroll of the nursing home. Finally, is it me, or has anyone else noticed that in every novel so far, there has been a reference at some point to the sexual abuse of children? Something tells me that this subject will be the substance of one of the next in the series.
The context for this story is a series of deaths in a church nursing home. Enquiries, of course, have to be made with a lightness of touch in such circumstances, and Brunetti promises his informant that his "tongue shall be as gossamer". It is quite comical, though, how the cynical Sergeant Vianello acts the pious son of the church when trying to glean information from the relatives of the deceased.
Opus Dei make an appearance. And we also see the return in a cameo role of Raffi, Brunetti's son (hurrah). And where the church is involved, there is always Paola ready to give her opinion. For the church to teach sexual ethics is, for her, "just asking for trouble. In a way, it's like having a blind person teach Art History ..." As for Brunetti himself, we learn more about him as each book is read. This time we discover he studied history for three years at the University of Venice before doing law at Padua. He dislikes the architecture of the Bauer Grunwald hotel and that of the train station too. Hm.
There are some problems with the story. I'm not sure, for example, how Elettra could gain access to the computerised payroll of the nursing home. Finally, is it me, or has anyone else noticed that in every novel so far, there has been a reference at some point to the sexual abuse of children? Something tells me that this subject will be the substance of one of the next in the series.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you haven't read any other books in the Guido Brunetti series, don't start with this one. Go back and begin with Death at La Fenice.
The Death of Faith is one of Donna Leon's best stories in terms of making the mystery hard to understand until she chooses to let a key clue become available. The book also displays the problems that detectives have in solving crimes when doors are closed to them. As a result, this is a fine police procedural that you'll enjoy. Those who don't like the plodding steps involved in a detailed investigation may find this book to be a little slow for their taste.
If you dislike books that look at the potential for abuse in the Catholic Church, I recommend you skip this book: You won't be pleased.
Vice-Questore Patta is off on a second honeymoon, leaving Commissario Guido Brunetti in charge. He's at loose ends because crime has also taken a holiday when a vaguely familiar woman arrives to report her suspicions. Once Brunetti realizes that this is a person he has highly trusted in the past, he's inclined to take her report seriously. But scratching around doesn't yield any corroboration . . . until unknown agents seem to be determined to still the suspicions. This time the trail yields helpful clues.
Back in the family, Brunetti and his wife, Paola, discuss their differing views about religious instruction as their daughter, Chiara, becomes disillusioned with a class she's taking.
One of the pleasures of this story is to see a further development of Brunetti as a loyal person who wants to do the right thing.
One of the disappointing things about the book is that Ms. Leon seems to have an ax to grind that extends beyond her story.
The Death of Faith is one of Donna Leon's best stories in terms of making the mystery hard to understand until she chooses to let a key clue become available. The book also displays the problems that detectives have in solving crimes when doors are closed to them. As a result, this is a fine police procedural that you'll enjoy. Those who don't like the plodding steps involved in a detailed investigation may find this book to be a little slow for their taste.
If you dislike books that look at the potential for abuse in the Catholic Church, I recommend you skip this book: You won't be pleased.
Vice-Questore Patta is off on a second honeymoon, leaving Commissario Guido Brunetti in charge. He's at loose ends because crime has also taken a holiday when a vaguely familiar woman arrives to report her suspicions. Once Brunetti realizes that this is a person he has highly trusted in the past, he's inclined to take her report seriously. But scratching around doesn't yield any corroboration . . . until unknown agents seem to be determined to still the suspicions. This time the trail yields helpful clues.
Back in the family, Brunetti and his wife, Paola, discuss their differing views about religious instruction as their daughter, Chiara, becomes disillusioned with a class she's taking.
One of the pleasures of this story is to see a further development of Brunetti as a loyal person who wants to do the right thing.
One of the disappointing things about the book is that Ms. Leon seems to have an ax to grind that extends beyond her story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another compelling read in the series
I have read all the previous books in the series, and a few of the later ones as well. Though this one proceeds at a more ruminative pace than some, it was a wonderful read,... Read more
Published 6 months ago by jfpessoa
ponderous and mean spirited diatribe
Ponderous novel about how the Catholic Church murders old people in their Casae di Cura to get possession of their money etc. etc. Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. Mc Mahon
Faith in Donna Leon remains
This is not the first of Donna Leon's Venetian series in which the mystery takes second place to the people. Read more
Published 19 months ago by G. M. Sinstadt
Commissario Brunetti Italian Mystery
The thing that I like most about Donna Leon's characters Commissario Brunetti and Inspettore Vianello is their dogged commitment to resolve crimes even though the criminals may go... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Renee Cox
An absorbing read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings.
The characters are believable, the pace is cracking and the plot involving. Read more
The characters are believable, the pace is cracking and the plot involving. Read more
Published on 25 July 2007 by John Jackson
A fascinating who-done-it set in the city of Venice
Step into the romance and soul of Venice, known as the jewel of the Adriatic, but hiding murder and intrigue in the dark twists and turns of it's canals. Read more
Published on 8 July 1999
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