The Girl of His Dreams Paperback – April 7, 2009

This book is smoothly written. It will delight Brunetti fans. There is a certain frustration that the realities of Venetian politics, while probably true, create too much open-ended justice and thereby diminish the power and effectiveness of the protagonist. It seems impossible for the hero to triumph. So we must share the frustrations of imperfect justice most of tge time. But do we read mysteries so that reality will be truly represented and the book leaves in the reader the same frustrations that the characters have to live with? I think not. I think we read this type of book for entertainment and we wish tge hero to triumph because we are not able to do so in real life. The hero needs to be clever enough to give us hope even if we are not that clever. We want someone somewhere to triumph. Perhaps Italy is the wrong place for that expectation.

I have read this series through this book 17. Brunetti is a good guy, loves his family and finds beauty everywhere. What I can't understand is why he loves his job. He may be the only policeman I've ever read about who never gets a bad guy: He knows who the bad guys are but he never gets to bring one in. The bad guys in this series always get away with everything, usually because they are rich and/or politically connected, unless they are somehow killed by another character, which is rare. Brunetti's boss is arrogant and interested only in appearances and personal advancement: I wonder how Patta even got his job. In fact the entire justice system in Venice must be corrupt or lazy to the extreme.So, I can not recommend that you read this series if you need to see justice done because you will not find it here. But if you love Venice and food you will no doubt be satisfied. If you enjoy watching a man love his wife and children, you will be happy. If you take pleasure in getting to know a family of readers and art enthusiasts, you are in for a treat. But if you want to feel good after following a detective through painstaking investigation and "getting his man", you will be left unhappy and likely ondering why Guido Brunetti bothers to go to work every day.

I loved this book at one level and that was the very vivid sense I had of being with the characters, especially Brunetti, and following him in his thoughts and actions throughout the book. It was a slow pace, but still pleasurable pace. I thought the mysteries (there were two) was less effective. The priest issue that dominated the first part of the book was finally explained but there was no real "gotcha" to it as the character the priest resented was not "caught". Still there were moral lessons to be learned via Brunetti's initial prejudice, which I thought made up for the weakness. Similarly, the Rom or Gypsy child that was murdered had an unsatisfactory ending. Yet it was realistic! True to life. And there were moral lessons throughout confronting Brunetti and Vianello and others. So there is great depth to the novel.

Whenever one of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti books goes on sale, I immediately buy it. Other books, I usually read the professional reviews, and if Publishers' Weekly gives one of them a starred review, I'll consider it. But with Brunetti, I just push the "Buy" button, and I've never been disappointed.The characters in these books are as real as anyone you'll ever meet - for Brunetti, maybe more so, because as reader, you have access to his most private thoughts and feelings. You know how real Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe are (I've been half in love with Archie Goodwin for 60 years; I refuse to believe that he's not flesh and blood, and not still in his early thirties)? Well, same goes for Brunetti, though for different reasons because he's a different man than happy-go-lucky Archie. Luckily, I don't have to choose because Brunetti is happily married to a spunky Venetian aristocrat who teaches English at the university in that watery city.(I like the descriptions of the city and of the food that his wife cooks too.)I suspect that Brunetti's politics are a little different than mine, but he's so broad-minded that I think we would get along very well. Wait a minute - I think I'm getting a little too involved in this fiction...

This is perhaps the worst book of the series. It goes nowhere, slow, boring and the constant American bashing gets tiresome. This series better pick up, or I will move on to something else. I love the main character, but Ms. Leon needs to get to the point a bit faster. http://amzn.to/1jI5ZHO

One of the saddest books in this series but also very topical. Sad because here politics trump justice as the death of a young Rom child is shoved under the rug. Timely in its discussion of “ outsiders” , the political line is to be more inclusive while the reality is quite another story.I love the relationship of Paola and Guido. They truly communicate and understand each other. Guidos emotional reaction to this case and it’s unsatisfactory resolution only humanizes him more.

I have read in order all of the Donna Leon"s Brunetti Series and I was a big fan. The Girl of His Dreams was a real disappointment. It was a struggle to continue reading as it barely held my interest. The issues with the priest were marginally important with a weak, undeveloped plot. It was not until the last third of the book that the plot finally grabbed my interest. I will give the next book in the series a try but, if the same, I will be abandoning the series.

Donna Leon's name alone makes me eager to read one of her novels. I particularly enjoy Brunetti and his family who lend a very comfortable and attractive background to her stories. Donna Leon, however, is not afraid to tackle the politcal and social issues of Europe today, including immigration, as in this book. Here she shows great sensitivity and understanding of this problem - from both points of view - whilst managing to lead us into the plot and so engaging our attention on this level. The discovery of a drowned young girl is shocking, but I know Comissario Br;unetti will sort everything out - essential!For me, Ms. Leon cannot put a foot, or pen, wrong. To see her name under a book title is enough for me to want to read it in the knowledge that It will be thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. I' d give her six stars if I could.

Donna Leon, author, her writing is so authentic of time and place, her characters consistent, and detection plots riveting. I have to ration my reading....."delayed gratification" required, so I have more to look forward to! But........almost caught up!

Reviews seem to be mixed, some in praise, some disappointed. For me this is an excellent read, bringing into focus situations close to people in the centre of Europe which may be less recognised by people living far away. It is not a formulaic who-done-it to be rushed through, but a story interweaving different strands, seen through the eyes and minds of Brunetti and his family. I really enjoyed taking time over reading it.

Venice and the people come alive as do their cares, concerns, politics and food. These books are always an enjoyable read

It is always a delight to go to Venice in the company of Commissario Brunetti. This is a slight tale and the links to the murderer are slight. This could not be called a who dunnit but rather a who was he and it is a bit late to be bringing him in. Still a good view of life in Venice in charming company there are worse ways to spend an afternoon. Don't expect a detailed murder plot.