Earthly Remains

During an intense interrogation of a privileged, overconfident man suspected of supplying drugs to a young girl who subsequently died, Commissario Guido Brunetti makes a hasty decision that he soon regrets. This incident prompts a period of self-reflection, as he begins to question his career path and feels the need to take a break from the overwhelming pressures of his job. Granted a leave of absence from the Questura, Brunetti is sent by his wife, Paola, to a villa owned by a wealthy relative on the island of Sant'Erasmo, one of the larger islands in the Venetian lagoon. His plan is simple: spend his days rowing and his nights immersed in Pliny's Natural History. Initially, the retreat is successful, providing much-needed relaxation, until the disappearance of Davide Casati, the villa's caretaker, after an unexpected storm disrupts his peace. Despite efforts, neither his daughter, his friends, nor the woman he secretly visited can locate him. Brunetti feels a strong obligation to investigate, setting his vacation aside to uncover the fate of the man who had quickly become a confidant. In "Earthly Remains," Donna Leon offers an authentic glimpse into Venice, portraying its insider's nuances. From intimate family dinners and vaporetti journeys to the incessant wave of tourists and the stifling political corruption, the novel intricately weaves the vibrant tapestry of Venetian life with the underlying mystery of a chilling crime.