Donna Leon Books In Order + Printable Booklist
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If you’re looking for a complete list of Donna Leon books in order, featuring her beloved Commissario Brunetti mysteries set in Venice, you’ve come to the right place. This post includes her full publication order, upcoming releases, and a handy printable booklist PDF to help you keep track – whether you’re reading for ambiance, intrigue, or Italian charm.
Key Takeaways: Donna Leon Books In Order
- Commissario Brunetti series has 33 novels (so far) set in Venice, Italy.
- The books should be read in order for character and family development.
- The series blends crime investigation with Venetian culture and politics.
- Donna Leon writes in English but deliberately avoids Italian translation to maintain anonymity.
Complete List Of Donna Leon Books In Order
Below, the books are organized by the Commissario Brunetti series, followed by her standalone novel and nonfiction works, including essays, history, and cookbooks related to Venice.
Commissario Guido Brunetti Series (By Publication Year)
Except for only one standalone novel published in 2012, all of Donna Leon’s fiction books (so far) are part of the Commissario Guido Brunetti Series.
- Death At La Fenice – 1992
- Death In A Strange Country – 1993
- Dressed For Death – 1994
- Death and Judgment – 1995
- Acqua Alta – 1996
- Quietly In Their Sleep – 1997
- A Noble Radiance – 1998
- Fatal Remedies – 1999
- Friends In High Places – 2000
- A Sea Of Troubles – 2001
- Wilful Behaviour – 2002
- Uniform Justice – 2003
- Doctored Evidence – 2004
- Blood From A Stone – 2005
- Through A Glass, Darkly – 2006
- Suffer the Little Children – 2007
- The Girl Of His Dreams – 2008
- About Face – 2009
- A Question Of Belief – 2010
- Drawing Conclusions – 2011
- Beastly Things – 2012
- The Golden Egg – 2013
- By Its Cover – 2014
- Falling In Love – 2015
- The Waters Of Eternal Youth – 2016
- Earthly Remains – 2017
- The Temptation Of Forgiveness – 2018
- Unto Us A Son Is Given – 2019
- Trace Elements – 2020
- Transient Desires – 2021
- Give Unto Others – 2022
- So Shall You Reap – 2023
- A Refiner’s Fire – 2024
Commissario Guido Brunetti Series (Detailed Summaries)
Death At La Fenice – 1992
The series begins when opera conductor Helmut Wellauer is found dead during a performance at Venice’s famed La Fenice. Commissario Brunetti must uncover the maestro’s hidden past while navigating Venetian society.
Death In A Strange Country – 1993
Brunetti investigates the murder of an American soldier found floating in a canal, uncovering a tangled web of corruption, military secrets, and environmental crime.
Dressed For Death – 1994
When a transvestite’s body is discovered near an illegal slaughterhouse, Brunetti faces prejudice and deception while uncovering a larger criminal network.
Death And Judgment – 1995
The murder of a wealthy lawyer leads Brunetti into the dark world of human trafficking and exploitation stretching across Europe.
Acqua Alta – 1996
Set during Venice’s high-water floods, this mystery follows an art historian and her lover as they become entangled in murder and ancient art smuggling.
Quietly In Their Sleep – 1997
Brunetti investigates the suspicious death of a young nun, exposing corruption and abuse within a powerful religious order.
A Noble Radiance – 1998
A body discovered on a country estate reopens the case of a long-missing aristocratic son, pulling Brunetti into a family’s long-buried secrets.
Fatal Remedies – 1999
Paola, Brunetti’s wife, is arrested for an act of protest, leading to a case that mixes personal stakes with the city’s political corruption.
Friends In High Places – 2000
When a housing official with dangerous secrets is killed, Brunetti faces a network of bureaucratic corruption reaching to the city’s elite.
A Sea Of Troubles – 2001
A fishing community closes ranks after two men are murdered at sea, forcing Brunetti to navigate local loyalties and dangerous vendettas.
Willful Behaviour – 2002
The brutal death of one of Paola’s students reveals a hidden history of wartime collaboration and revenge.
Uniform Justice – 2003
The suspicious death of a young military cadet inside a prestigious Venetian academy exposes institutional corruption and family honor.
Doctored Evidence – 2004
An elderly woman’s murder first appears simple, but Brunetti uncovers a trail of lies, greed, and betrayal.
Blood From A Stone – 2005
When an African street vendor is gunned down, Brunetti uncovers a network of illegal arms trafficking.
Through A Glass Darkly – 2006
Environmental activism collides with glassmaking traditions when a night watchman’s death reveals Venice’s toxic secrets.
Suffer The Little Children – 2007
The brutal abduction of a child shocks Venice, forcing Brunetti into the murky ethics of adoption and medical politics.
The Girl Of His Dreams – 2008
The drowning of a young Roma girl pulls Brunetti into an investigation balancing prejudice, faith, and justice.
About Face – 2009
A dinner guest with a mysterious past ties into a case of illegal waste disposal and international crime.
A Question Of Belief – 2010
Brunetti uncovers a scam involving fraudulent healers and crooked judges, exposing Venice’s darker spiritual undercurrents.
Drawing Conclusions – 2011
An elderly woman’s death seems natural until Brunetti senses foul play tied to domestic abuse.
Beastly Things – 2012
The body of a slaughterhouse vet reveals corruption in the city’s meat industry and political cover-ups.
The Golden Egg – 2013
The death of a young man with mysterious ties to a wealthy family forces Brunetti to uncover a lifetime of secrets.
By Its Cover – 2014
Priceless books vanish from a Venetian library, leading to murder, theft, and a black market book trade.
Falling In Love – 2015
Opera singer Flavia Petrelli is stalked by an obsessive fan, pushing Brunetti into a chilling case of obsession turned deadly.
The Waters Of Eternal Youth – 2016
A young woman’s near-drowning years ago resurfaces as a possible crime, blending Venice’s timeless beauty with hidden cruelty.
Earthly Remains – 2017
Burned out by corruption, Brunetti takes a leave on a Venetian island – only to stumble into yet another murder.
The Temptation Of Forgiveness – 2018
When a friend’s husband falls into a coma under suspicious circumstances, Brunetti uncovers a case of drug use and deception.
Unto Us A Son Is Given – 2019
A wealthy man’s controversial adoption sparks scandal and ultimately murder, testing Brunetti’s moral compass.
Trace Elements – 2020
A dying woman’s cryptic words lead Brunetti into a case involving toxic waste and environmental negligence.
Transient Desires – 2021
A hit-and-run involving two young Americans drags Brunetti into questions of privilege, justice, and responsibility.
Give Unto Others – 2022
A favor asked by a friend entangles Brunetti in a case of charity gone wrong, revealing greed and betrayal.
So Shall You Reap – 2023
The murder of a Sri Lankan immigrant in a garden connects to Venetian politics, identity, and global tensions.
A Refiner’s Fire – 2024
Brunetti investigates a fire in a Venetian warehouse, uncovering secrets of smuggling and corruption hidden in the city’s labyrinth.
Commissario Guido Brunetti – Non-Fiction
You might be wondering how there can be a non-fiction book about the fictional character Commissario Guido Brunetti!
If you’ve already read the Guido Brunetti series, you’ll know that Paola Brunetti (Guido’s wife) cooks delicious meals for her family. Food plays an important part in many Italian families, and such is certainly the case with the fictional Brunetti family.
Donna Leon has put together this book of culinary stories, along with recipes by Roberta Pianaro, so that we can enjoy delicious meals similar to what the Brunetti family enjoys in the book series.
A Taste Of Venice: At Table With Brunetti – 2009
A mix of Venetian recipes and excerpts from the Brunetti series, offering a delicious look at food as a cultural cornerstone.
Brunetti’s Venice: Walks With the City’s Best-Loved Detective (Commisario Brunetti) – 2019
Follow Commisario Brunetti on over a dozen walks around Venice that highlight churches, markets, bars, cafes, and palazzos.
Standalone Novels
The Jewels Of Paradise – 2012
When a musicologist investigates the papers of a forgotten Baroque composer, she uncovers family feuds, hidden treasures, and a modern-day struggle for truth.
Other Non-Fiction Written By Donna Leon
Handel’s Bestiary – 2011
Venetian Curiosities – 2012
A charming exploration of Venice’s eccentric traditions, superstitions, and lesser-known history.
My Venice and Other Essays – 2013
A collection of Leon’s witty and insightful essays about her adopted home, covering everything from Venetian quirks to global culture.
Gondola – 2014
A beautifully illustrated history of Venice’s iconic boats, blending art, craftsmanship, and tradition.
Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life – 2025
Donna Leon Printable Booklist
FAQs About Donna Leon Books
Do I need to read Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series in order?
Reading the series in order gives added depth to character relationships and recurring themes. I recommend reading the Brunetti books in the order of publication.
What is the order of the Brunetti books?
The correct reading order of the Commissario Brunetti book series is in the order in which they were published. The books are shown above in the order of publication, so you should read them in the order shown here in this post.
Does Donna Leon write in Italian?
No. She writes in English. She does not translate into Italian to preserve her anonymity in Venice.
Are the Brunetti books violent?
Leon’s style is low-violence, character-driven mystery, focusing on societal issues, morality, and Venice’s backdrop more than gore.
What is the best Donna Leon book to start with?
Start with Inspector Brunetti book #1, Death at La Fenice. This will set you up perfectly to continue with the series if you like the book.
Quick Shopping Guide – Donna Leon Inspector Brunetti Series (Fiction)
Quick Shopping Guide – Brunetti Companion Books (Non-Fiction)
Quick Shopping Guide – Donna Leon Standalone Books
Quick Shopping Guide – Donna Leon’s Other Non-Fiction
Conclusion: Donna Leon Books In Order
Whether you’re reading in order or dipping in for a dose of Venetian intrigue, Donna Leon offers a refreshing change of pace in crime fiction. If you’re craving more mysteries in this style, check out our Ultimate Guide to Mystery Books for even more authors and titles to explore.
Happy Reading!
Did You Know?
American-born Donna Leon has lived in Venice for decades, later gaining Swiss citizenship. She chose to avoid Italian translations of her Brunetti books to stay anonymous among the locals.
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