Review of The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon

The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In each of her books featuring Venetian detective Guido Brunetti, Leon tackles a current and relevant issue, moral, religious, or political, in the context of the case before him. Always in her books, Brunetti, a highly intelligent, ethical, honest policeman is besieged by forces beyond his control to “solve” the case in a way that is most expedient or convenient for his superiors, his political bosses, the moneyed interests, and/or the church.

A man who reads Greek philosophy to relax, Brunetti is seldom able to resolve a case to his own satisfaction, even though he nearly always arrives at the truth.

The issue disclosed and running like a thread thoughout The Girl of His Dreams is the ever-increasing nomad population of Italy, Zingari, Rom, Sinti, and Nomadi, commonly referred to as Gypsies. These immigrants, who are able to cross Italy’s borders legally because of lax immigration laws, now number some 40% of the total Italian population, and account for about 80% of the inmates of Italy’s jails, according to Leon. By inclination and tradition, Gypsies make their living through theft and train their children early to be beggars and thieves.

The “girl” of the title is a ten-year old who drowns in a canal, with evidence that she fell there from the roof top of the building above. On her are items that clearly were stolen. Did she fall or was she pushed? She’s a mere child and Brunetti’s sympathies are aroused. He wants to know the truth, but he’s blocked at every turn by both the community of Gypsies and by his own superiors.

Like all of the Brunetti series, this deeply disturbing and beautifully written novel is definitely a thinking person’s book. I consider it to be one of Leon’s best.


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I currently have three published novels and one short story. I hope you will add them to your reading list and let me know if you enjoy them. All are on my Goodreads page, so you can share your 'review' there if you choose.  To purchase one of these books, just click on the book's link and choose the vendor of your choice.

 • The Memory of Roses ~ The enduring love story of two generations of the McQuaid family unfolds on the beautiful Greek Island of Corfu. It is a tale complete with beautiful and passionate women, handsome and fiery men, and an intriguing mystery.

 • Delighting In Your Company ~ Delighting In Your Company is a paranormal romance set on an exotic Caribbean island, featuring a handsome ghost and an adventurous heroine who travels back in time to solve a mystery!

 • Sonata ~ Sayuri McAllister has just arrived home to Vancouver to find some startling situations:  
~ A robbery has taken place at her family home, and it is being investigated by her old flame;
~ Alyssa James who she barely knows, is about to become her new stepmother; 
~ and Alyssa’s brother, Hugh James, is a charming Irishman who is intent on bedding and wedding the rich and beautiful Sayuri. 
It’s a confusing and difficult time for Sayuri, especially when dangerous accidents happen to her father and herself – or are they accidents?

 • Abigails Christmas (short story) ~ An enchanting tale of love and romance, with a magical touch of fantasy.
Abigail's Christmas is a holiday story about Abigail who goes looking for a tree on Christmas Eve, and ends up with the man of her dreams in a sleigh in the Rockies --- with a wedding in the offing! Is it real?  Is she dreaming?  Or is it just Christmas magic?