Unto Us a Son Is Given by Donna Leon

First Sentence:  "You know I don't like to meddle in things," Conte Falier told Brunetti.

      

Gonzalo Rodríguez de Tejada is a wealthy, titled man who has announced his intention to adopt a much younger man to be his son and heir.   Conte Falier, father-in-law to Comm. Guido Brunetti is concerned about his elderly friend and asks Guido if he could look into the situation.  With the aid of colleagues and contacts, Guido fears things may not be as straightforward they seem. 

      

The theme of family is central this Leon's latest book, as is love.  Brunetti's relationship with his family has become a hallmark of the series and that's very true here.  But it also looks at what constitutes a family—'It would be nice if we could choose the people we love, but love chooses them."  Having Brunetti question his feelings towards his preconceptions of gays is an interesting topic—"Was a preconceived notion the same thing as a prejudice?"

      

Although the majority of the book is crime-free, it is anything but slow and/or boring.  There are so many layers and elements to reading Leon, as there are to life including Brunetti's own family and even his musings over literature and the law.  Leon doesn't allow one to be lazy but asks that one take the time to think along the way. Leon's reference to a technique used by writers adds just the right touch of verisimilitude to the story.  

      

Death does come.  Even here, Leon's presentation of it is to be contemplated—"It is a terrible thing for us when a person dies here. … I don't mean here, this time, but always.  A hotel – any hotel – isn't the same for days, even longer.  It's strange because that's what the person is, a stranger to us, and yet we all feel their death.  Maybe it's the absence of any real involvement with the person that lets us feel the mystery of death." Leon's insightfulness into the nature of humans often gives on pause.  That is, perhaps, her greatest gift and truest strength.

      
"Unto Us a Son is Given" is a compelling story of relationships.  One might wish the mystery had come sooner, but the twist is startling and very effective, and the procedural and investigative elements grab one's interest to the end. 

 UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN (PolProc-Guido Brunetti-Venice-Contemp) - G+

      Leon, Donna – 29^th in series

      Atlantic Monthly Press – April 2019