Donna Leon’s newest in her Commissario Guido Brunetti series delves even deeper into Brunetti’s character. Leon has written more than twenty novels in this series. She is an American who has lived in Venice for more than thirty years, so she knows this magical city very well. Her books are almost a travelog of Venice. Her characters ride the ferries and boats that criss cross the canals, walk the bridges, and the ancient streets and campos and frequent the many bars and cafes. “The Golden Egg” is set in the early fall when Venice still has some remaining warm afternoons, but the weather is turning cold and very rainy. This element is important because it is the backdrop of the the tragic death of a forty-year old man who was a deaf mute.
As in all her books there is the main plot and a sub plot that have nothing to do with each other. The sub plot deals with a request by the mayor of Venice to make sure that his son’s girlfriend is allowed to continue to use a public square for her business. Of course, this is illegal, but Brunetti’s boss, wanting to stay in the mayor’s good graces, orders Guido to make any problem go away. One of the constant themes in all of Leon’s books is the issue of government corruption and favoritism on all levels.
The more important story line deals with the death of Davide Cavanella. At first, the death is ruled a suicide. Cavanella is known to the few people who know him as a deaf mute who has limited intelligence. Brunetti and his wife Paola know him because he works at the dry cleaner they frequent. Paola is very saddened by the death of Davide, who she sees as a very tragic figure. She asks her husband to delve a little into the case.
As Brunetti investigates the death, he deals with a number of women who have played a role in Davide’s life. Each fact he uncovers leads him deeper and deeper into the lives of these women and how Davide was their victim. Brunetti as a man of principles will not rest until all the facts have been revealed and those responsible for the David’s horrible existence pay for their crimes.