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By Its Cover
By Its Cover
May 4, 2025 8:58 PM

Author:Donna Leon

By Its Cover

'The multiple award-winning Leon has lost none of her talent for weaving intrigue, and the atmosphere of Venice is as beguiling as ever.' Living North

A Washington Post Bestseller

A New York Times Bestseller

A Seattle Times Best Mystery and Crime Novel of 2014

__________________________________

By Its Cover is the much anticipated twenty-third instalment in Donna Leon's bestselling crime series, where Commissario Brunetti is better than ever as he addresses questions of worth and value alongside his ever-faithful team of Ispettore Vianello and Signorina Elettra.

When several valuable antiquarian books go missing from a prestigious library in the heart of Venice, Commissario Brunetti is immediately called to the scene. The staff suspect an American researcher has stolen them, but for Brunetti something doesn't quite add up.

Taking on the case, the Commissario begins to seek information about some of the library's regulars, such as the ex-priest Franchini, a passionate reader of ancient Christian literature, and Contessa Morosini-Albani, the library's chief donor, and comes to the conclusion that the thief could not have acted alone.

However, when Franchini is found murdered in his home, the case takes a more sinister turn and soon Brunetti finds himself submerged in the dark secrets of the black market of antiquarian books. Alongside his ever-faithful team of Ispettore Vianello and Signorina Elettra, he delves into the pages of Franchini's past and into the mind of a book thief in order to uncover the terrible truth.

Reviews

The multiple award-winning Leon has lost none of her talent for weaving intrigue, and the atmosphere of Venice is as beguiling as ever.

—— Living North

Leon's command of the baroque Italian thriller is second to none.

—— Good Book Guide

An excellent entry in the Brunetti series … There are few detectives with whom I enjoy spending time more and I must now endure the long wait for Leon’s next book.

—— 2606 Books

Captures sinister atmosphere brilliantly

—— Spectator

For the first time in years, P.D. James has serious competition

—— Philip Oakes , Literary Review

I raced to finish this story of a couple caught in the fall-out of their best friends' split. Beautifully written and peppered with moments of stunning observation, it's a superb read.

—— Amanda Jennings

Reading Tamar Cohen's THE BROKEN is like sitting down with your most eloquent, quick-witted friend. She sees every side of the story. She's always one step ahead of you, full of empathy and insight. This is a story of the implicit social pacts of marriage, a fresh examination of human nature. And also, let's just say it. It's downright, utter, nasty, page-turning, delicious fun.

—— Caroline Kepnes, author of YOU

Fabulous. I was drawn in from the very first page. Tamar is very skilled at creating characters that seem so real, almost as if we're their best friends too, yet beneath their exteriors, you just know there's so much more simmering away. The tension grew with every page turn, until it was almost unbearable, yet I couldn't stop reading! I literally gasped out loud, so shocked by the very unexpected ending. This brilliant book will be on my mind for a long time.

—— Samantha Hayes, author of UNTIL YOU'RE MINE

Compulsive reading ... the tension racks up and the book switches from domestic drama into full-blown, chilling thriller

—— Essentials, Book of the Month

Everyone's talking about this ... A gripping cocktail of betrayal and revenge

—— Prima Magazine

Dramatic, sad and tense, it's essential you get your hands on this thriller. (Five stars)

—— Closer

A chillingly brilliant thriller

—— Red Magazine

A sustained work of near genius that takes a very familiar theme - man leaves wife for younger model - and not only brilliantly dissects the breakdown of the marriage but also teh consequences for the couple's close circle of friends ...Cohen's first foray into psychological suspense is a triumph.

—— Daily Mail

Taut, tense and addictive

—— Good Housekeeping

Cohen’s marital drama morphs into a psychological thriller, and a last-minute twist set into motion much earlier in the narrative is brilliant.

—— Publishers Weekly US

A war novel like no other“Dark desires sizzle” and explode with a furious climax. Ellroy is not only back in form – he’s raised the stakes.

—— Kirkus Review (starred review)

One of the most original and daring writers alive.

—— Independent on Sunday

It’s an epic 687-page undertaking that is at times disturbingly violent – a must for noir fans.

—— Stylist

Ellroy, writing in his signature telegraphic style, strives to depict reality, every dark aspect of it: there’s murder, apparent ritual suicides, hate crimes and a world of characters that you just cannot root for. Ellroy successfully establishes his four main characters, alongside a wealth of fully developed, clever and sophisticated secondary characters, within his own creation of a microcosm of a community challenged by politics and an unavoidable history.

—— Culture Fly

James Ellroy is the best crime writer in the world.

—— Irish Times

A brash, two-fisted tour-de-force of spleen and invective which holds up a cracked and tarnished mirror to a turbulent period of American history … powerful in scope, theme and character … for blood and guts, he could give Beowulf a run for its money … it is impossible to deny the power and energy that has gone into Perfidia, which is more than a crime novel whilst showing, at the same time, what the crime novel is capable of.

—— SHOTS

The prose is as tight and fast moving as ever … If you are in pursuit of vintage Ellroy, this book is for you.

—— The Register

A sprawling, uncompromising epic of crime and depravity.

—— Publishers Weekly

As unflinching and sharp as ever, even more so . . . Perfidia might be his [Ellroy’s] finest novel yet . . . Its story is full of tectonic movements, fascinating and dangerous characters with ambiguous morality, and events bigger than life itself. It’s brilliant in its complexity and vastness.

—— Upcoming4.me

As abrasive and compelling as always.

—— Me and My Big Mouth
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