Appeal factors assignment

Donna Leon's latest title, The Golden Egg features her popular character Commissario Brunetti. In this title Guido is touched by the death of a man he knew only by sight. His detective work uncovers a sad tale of scandal and abuse. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy:

strong, individualized characters - Brunetti, his family and his work colleagues each have unique personality traits. Readers who follow the series look forward to Chiara's(Brunetti's daughter)latest ethical stance and the continuing mystery of Signorina Elettra and her amazing research skills that can uncover whatever detail Brunetti needs to solve his case.

steady pacing - Leon's stories move like the canals of Venice - steady and sure. The action may diverge to a side issue but there is always linear movement toward the solution of the mystery.


setting - Venice is the city in which the story takes place. The atmosphere is conveyed by the description of the architecture, the narrow streets and of course the canals. Even readers who have not visited Venice will feel they have been transported.

detail - followers of the series look forward to the descriptions of Paola's lovingly prepared meals and the family routines. The mystery itself always involves an unfolding solution that is exposed like an onion skin - layer by layer.

I enjoyed The Dinner by Koch. Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner at a ritzy restaurant in Amsterdam. One brother is a politician - the other, a former teacher who is no longer employed for mysterious reasons. They meet to discuss an incident involving their teenage sons.
I would recommend this title to customers who like:

strong characters - each of the characters is unique and the author exposes them through their actions rather than through physical descriptions.

setting - the action takes place over a short period of time in a restaurant. It is described to illustrate the ambiance of a 5 star dining venue.

detail - table settings in the restaurant, clothing of the characters serve to draw the reader into the story.

tone - there is a tension throughout the book. The reader knows things are not as they appear. Characters are not open but yet not fully exposed. The reader feels that something explosive is going to happen yet is never sure of what it is until the end.