By Its Cover

Description

When a seemingly straightforward art theft rocks Venice, Commissario Guido Brunetti discovers that the stolen objects are not just valuable—they’re coveted by collectors who treat the past like a commodity. What begins as a case of missing illustrated pages quickly deepens into a murder investigation that exposes the city’s quiet networks of privilege, corruption, and obsession. As Brunetti follows the trail through bookshops, back rooms, and the everyday rhythms of Venetian life, the novel turns its attention to how culture can be exploited—and how truth is pursued in a society that resists it. With Donna Leon’s signature blend of patient observation and sharp moral clarity, this installment offers a thoughtful, leisurely crime story where character and place carry as much weight as the plot.