By Its Cover: (Brunetti 23)

The latest entry in Donna Leon's acclaimed Commissario Guido Brunetti series draws inspiration from the true story of the Girolamini Library heist in Naples. This novel, which has become both a Washington Post and New York Times bestseller, vividly brings the setting to life, as noted by the New York Times. It promises to both enchant and unsettle book enthusiasts, as described by the Boston Globe. The plot centers around the disappearance of rare antiquarian books from a prestigious Venetian library. Commissario Brunetti is tasked with investigating, but his instincts tell him something is off about the initial suspicion that an American researcher is responsible. He begins delving into the lives of the library's frequent patrons, including the former priest Franchini and the primary benefactor, Contessa Morosini-Albani. Accompanied by his loyal colleagues Ispettore Vianello and Signorina Elettra, Brunetti is drawn into the hidden world of antiquarian book trafficking. As he explores Franchini's past and the psychology of a book thief, the Commissario navigates through a web of theft, blackmail, and murder to reveal the grim reality behind the stolen volumes.