The Jewels Of Paradise

Canals of Intrigue

The Jewels of Paradise by Donna Leon (2013, Arrow Books) drifts you into the labyrinthine waterways of Venice, where each gondola glides beneath whispering archways and shadows hide secrets older than the city itself. Commissario Guido Brunetti—haunted by the glitter of stolen gems and the darker facets of human nature—must navigate not only the city’s winding canals but also the tangled loyalties of its power players.

Echoes Behind Masked Facades

Following a daring heist at a prestigious gala, Brunetti uncovers a web of black-market collectors and aristocratic families determined to protect their reputations at any cost. Leon’s prose is both elegant and incisive, capturing the melancholic beauty of decaying palazzi as deftly as the sharp tension of a suspect’s confession. Each dialog and discovery peels back another layer of Venice’s gilded veneer.

Venice’s Pulse and Poise

As the tide of suspicion rises, Brunetti confronts moral dilemmas that challenge his ideals and dredge up personal ghosts. With Commissario’s characteristic empathy and quiet resolve, you’ll witness a city in flux—where beauty and betrayal drift side by side. By the final act, The Jewels of Paradise leaves you spellbound, convinced that in Venice, even the shiniest treasures cast the longest shadows.