really great - I love being in this world - there is a side issue going on, never fully explored - a kind of nod in direction of political correctness, i guess - about the pairing of a lovely , gentle gay cop and a thuggish one - and it goes well (I wonder if something wasn't edited out) - cliched presentation of what a gay policeman might be, but, okay - kudos for even bringing it up I guess - it all goes nowhere, but occupies time out from the narrative of the murder by an artisto ... several cliches are brought into play but Leon makes such convincing characters - from the diligent, prayerful nun to the obsequious and wronged servant, the loving but fearful wife etc etc - old italian stories of lefties - but, no matter - it's all gripping and readable and Brunetti's family are growing up well - the daughter's still a vegetarian - so it's coming into the 'modern' albeit slightly cliched world - I always look forward to her new ones ...

Once again, Donna Leon has written a small masterpiece. Guido Brunetti becomes progressively more complex and wonderfully likeable. There is a profound morality in these novels, a huge psychological depth and astute commentary on the issues facing society, not only in Venice, but in today’s world. The story itself is as gripping as always. I love the subtle thought processes that lead the inspector to the resolution of the situation. The everyday scenes of family life, of colleagues enjoying a coffee and a chat, contrast with the gravity of the crime being investigated. Then there is the food and the literature. Simply wonderful.

Donna Leon continues to produce thoughtful well-written and well-plotted novels in this long-running series. Like the detective novels of Louise Penny they manage to celebrate life, family and community whilst also being about quite gruesome crimes. In this the murder of a Sri Lankan immigrant to Venice links back to the activities of the Angry Brigade in the 1970s. Leon also succeeds in making the novels as accessible to new readers as to those who've followed the series from the beginning. Highly recommended.

This is the 32 book in the Guido Brunetti series, a series that remains as strong as its first outing 30 years ago, I don't know how Donna Leon does it, keeping the quality and the interest in a character for so many years is a challenge to most writers. So Shall You Reap opens with Leon carefully laying out the pieces of the puzzle that will come together at some point later in the plot. As with every Brunetti novel there are themes, concerns and history running through it, Leon turns her eye to Italy's modern past, the 1970's when the Red Brigades sought to create a revolutionary state using violence as a weapon against those who they viewed against them. What is so clever with Leon's writing is that this history is set against the safety and comfort that runs through every Brunetti novel. You are always in safe hands with Leon. I say this every time I read a Brunetti novel they are hidden treasures in the genre of crime fiction.

While I agree with some other reviewers that the plot tended to meander a little, I nevertheless loved this book, the latest by Donna Leon. As ever the main character is Venice herself and Leon brilliantly evokes the city with all its ambiguities. The writing was simple and luminous and the character of Brunetti incredibly appealing.
Thank you to the publishers, to the author and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc.

This is the first book by Donna Leon that I have read and it won't be the last. The plot, the murder of a Sri Lankan, investigated by Commisario Guido Brunetti. As the body is found in one of Venice's canals , Brunetti realises that he has recently met the victim. The investigation takes him back into the history of Italy's 1980's political terrorism.
Its a wonderful crime mystery with a fascination dialogue, beautifully written.

This is a new author to me so I came to this 32nd? Book in the series completely in ignorance of the characters. It reads well as a stand alone book, good strong storyline, nice to have a flavour of Italian police procedures for a change. Good ending and the story wrapped up well. It’s always good to find a new author, I’ll be going back to the beginning to read the rest.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Over a period of years and through highly successful novels Donna Leon has created a separate world of crime and detection.. Based on the wonders of Venice, Italian food and on family life the main plot almost takes second place. It's a world where the chief detective, when asked to attend a crime scene, can complain ""It;s Saturday, and it's raining and it's cold." But he does attend and the murder(s) are investigated through team work, intelligence - he is very well read - intuition and dedication to detail. An unpleasant character reaps as he sowed. Along the way the author provokes thoughts about current issues and the behaviour of humankind, None of her books are to be missed and this one is no exception - if you haven't read any, do start - this is another 5 star.

Excellent, as always.I love the Brunetti series and the descriptions of daily life in Venice. This novel was welll written and plotted. I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend the series.

The locating of this story in Venice, described as. a small town where the people all know each other, gives it a particular appeal. Following the lead policeman Benedetti on his journey to work by boat and bridges has an unusual attraction. Beyond that, it is a fairly unexciting survey of his daily working practices. Quite well into the book it becomes clear that the main story line is to solve the murder of an illegal immigrant from Sri Lanka. It is evident early on who is the most likely suspect so there is no exciting climax. If this book did not have the Venetian context it would be fairly mundane.

This is a good book if you are into the history of Italy! And the architecture of Venice! For me the plot lacked depth. I read it but did not enjoy it

Another excellent addition to the Brunetti series. This is very much character-driven and, although there is a crime to solve, it is the people involved, and the 'human condition' that is to the forefront. There is much about social justice, recent Italian history and society, and a real sense of Venice.

A highly recommended novel.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hutchinson Heinemann for an ARC.

Brunetti investigates the murder of a Sri Lankan man who lived in the garden house of a Venetian palazzo. He uncovers events reaching into the past and solves the crime. I really enjoyed the story as the author has created a great detective with an interesting personality and personal life. She brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of Venice and made me want to read on to find out how this intriguing mystery would make sense. I’d read one other in the series previously and this made me want to read more.

This is the first time I have read a Donna Leon book. It is the latest in a series, however you don’t have to have read any previous books to enjoy it. Obviously there is some background things that you miss but it doesn’t detract from the story.
It feels as relaxing as the town it is set in, moving steadily along through the mystery of a murder.
A man is murdered while working for a professor, he has uncovered a secret from the past and is killed before he can reveal what he knows. Brunetti, the detective investigating the murder is a very steady, thoughtful man and the entire story embodies that feeling. We are also taken around some of the sights of Italy and the descriptions are so beautiful you feel as if you are there.
A wonderful book for those who want a more relaxed pace Murder mystery.
I will definitely be reading some more of Donna Leon’s books.

Thanks to a Penguin netgalley proof ,  I was able to read the upcoming  Donna Leon, comfort reading for me always and this week especially;  it has been a couple of challenging weeks.

"So shall you reap" is one of Leon's  better books in my opinion, dealing with the murder of a Sri Lankan immigrant whose body  had been found in the canals. As Brunetti discovers he has been quietly living in a garden house on the grounds of one of Venice's noble families,  with one family member having past ties to Red brigades terrorists.  As always Brunetti's subtle, calm but determined investigation leads to results with no Hollywood ending,  a colorful portrait of human behaviour with Donna Leon's narration making this so enjoyable. I once had the pleasure of spending time with her at the bookfair and her kindness and keen observations transpire into her writing. 

Loved it, as always. Coming in March 2023

After the years of being unable to travel, it is always a delight to return to Venice, if only vicariously. As crime novels go, the Brunetti series is relatively gentle, but the writing is always classy, the plots interesting and the characters comforting. What comes through particularly in this instalment is Donna Leon's erudition; her knowledge of italian geography and culture is impressive and gives a wonderful backdrop to the central story. Very enjoyable.

Spending time in Venice with Brunetti, his family and colleagues is always time well spent. I agree with some of the other reviewers in that this story isn’t perhaps as hard hitting as others and I am intrigued to see where Leon takes the new storyline with one of the characters. I enjoy these books and find Brunetti’s erudition charming.

Donna Leon and Guido Brunetti always deliver but this book is not as hard hitting as some of the previous ones.

We still have the rich pageant of characters and the delightful family meals but the plot meanders a bit.

Central to the plot we have the murder of a Sri Lankan probably living illegally at a large palazzo belonging to a prominent professor.

The murdered man's bookshelf reveals political literature which makes Brunetti examine his own student days whilst pursuing the motives and the killer.

Entertaining as always, Leon delivers in her own Venetian style.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hutchinson Heinemann Publishing for the chance to review this book

A new Donna Leon - Guido Brunetti - book is always worth the annual wait. The cerebral detective is again involved in another case within the darker side of Venice. Ms Leon's novels take us into the world of the Commissario and his colleagues and their range of characters and professional teamwork. The body of a Sri Lankan man is discovered in a canal leading to a mystery from the past and the desires and political passions of the young and how as many getting older these ideals can vastly differ. The plot is woven around various storylines and by the conclusion the pieces fit together with the additional nods to the classics and historical figures. One new storyline involving a police officer was opened but didn't reach a clear conclusion to which I would imagine that this may resurface in a future story. Brunetti's thirst to understand the human psyche is as ever at the forefront and those familiar with the series know he will leave no stone unturned to reach the denouement. This is police procedural without the fast action but contemplatively acknowledges the jigsaws of people's lives ultimate solve the crime.

Settling down to a new Commisario Brunetti is like making a date to chat to an old friend. And his friends. And his wife and their children. And their delicious meals. Sadly I’m not sure we get as many meals as we used to.
In this latest outing by Donna Leon, Brunetti learns something new and vaguely surprising about a colleague but Vianello, as always, is on hand to ensure he keeps perspective.
The main plot however centres around a palazzo, a Sri Lankan immigrant who has settled probably illegally and is working for the owners while improving their outbuilding, in which he is living .Immigrants have become a feature of these novels, reflecting the more diverse and sometimes precarious nature of Venice today. Venice of course remains described here in her glory and with all the frustrations of the citizen.
The Sri Lankan turns up murdered and a perusal of his bookcase sends Brunetti on a voyage of discovery that pretty much comes full circle. It’s an intriguing tale involving Italys not so distant history of home grown terrorism in the form of the Red Brigade.. Finding just why this would be interesting, if indeed relevant, to the peace loving Buddhist victim is a gentle but disturbing story.
The Brunetti novels are often gentle but no less disturbing for the ground they cover. I never tire of them and if you’ve never read them, start at the beginning and know that you will grow older with Brunetti but that he’s not going to let you down 32 books later. It’s a most satisfying series.