If the jewelry you receive doesn't meet your expectations it may be returned. With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first stand-alone novel. Try as I am finding interest in "The Jewels of Paradise" is beyond - yawn - are we there yet? From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history, and greed. As a thriller, the story is not very thrilling. A big disappointment. She misses being in her beloved Venice, and when she learns that a little known foundation is looking for a researcher, she jumps at the chance to return home. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2019. At Jewel of Paradise our first priority is total satisfaction with your purchase. Furthermore, there were times when the main character behaves in ways that seemed either at odds with her personality or utterly nonsensical. There were some glimpses of what the author is capable of in the letters between the main character and her sister. And she was thin! Thank goodness I still have not read some of her other novels. by Donna Leon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 2, 2012. The Jewels of Paradise is as much a tale about a young woman wising up and learning to fight more effectively for her own happiness as it is a mystery—though the centuries-old secrets that those chests contain are also pretty compelling. Select language, opens an overlay The story was not interest8ng unless for specialists in componists maybe, the characters were very superficial and flat. As usual the author's atmospherics are solid--she's great at places. With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first standalone novel. All I gleaned from this narrative was that Caterina, protagonist, had a huge appetite and was always distracted by her rumbling tummy! In the book the crooks are after a treasure, thinking of gold and jewels, but what would be a treasure for a composer? It's a pile of nesting dolls. They have employed an attorney who hires Caterina, a young Italian woman who is a professor of musicology at Manchester University. The protagonist, Caterina. But most of the book leads you on to expect things you never get--such as an understanding of the lawyer, why he is involved and what motivates him. This is the first of Leon's non-Brunetti books I have ever read and I found it immensely interesting - partly because until I became deaf,nearly 40 years ago I enjoyed having perfect pitch (and believed until that time that everyone else had it) so the basic belief in music made sense. A musicologist from Venice (but living in the UK) is offered a job in Venice doing research regarding an obscure writer of opera's. I am still reading the book. Venice seems to be Venice even without Guido Brunetti, although I keep expecting him to turn up all the time. Intelligent, astonishing, perfectly written. No Kindle device required. Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she’s had to leave home to pursue her career. I feel as though I'm in a history class that I just have no interest. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. A veteran mystery maven weaves present-day Venice into a 300-year-old puzzle in this engaging stand-alone. When Caterina gets word of a position back home, she jumps at the opportunity. From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history, and greed. The Jewels of Paradise is as much a tale about a young woman wising up and learning to fight more effectively for her own happiness as it is a mystery-though the centuries-old secrets that those chests contain are also pretty compelling. Donna Leon. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. The ending of the book--and by that I mean the final paragraph or two --struck me as completely unbelievable. I don't know why I keep doing this, I really don't. From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history, and greed. First Sentence: Caterina Pelligrini closed the door behind her and leaned her back and then her head against it. Darn! As a Venetian novel, Donna Leon has already done better in the creation of atmosphere. Much space is devoted to the main character's historical research and the resulting hypotheses, which are only marginally relevant to the eventual (unexciting) outcome, but which are cleverly developed as the pieces of the puzzle are gathered by painstaking searches in libraries and through privileged contacts. A sad procession of missed opportunities to write an interesting and genuinely intriguing novel. The Jewels of Paradise (eBook) : Leon, Donna : The New York Times-bestselling author of the Commissario Guido Brunetti series takes readers beyond the Venice police force in her first standalone novel. Like Leon, Caterina is a scholar as well as a fan of Baroque opera. The Jewels of Paradise (eBook) : Leon, Donna : The New York Times–bestselling author of the Commissario Guido Brunetti series takes readers beyond the Venice police force in her first standalone novel. This particular book is written to accompany the CD "Mission" by Cecilia Bartolli, what a good idea! With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first stand-alone novel. I cannot imagine what induced Donna Leon to write this long winded and meandering novel, The Jewels of Paradise, except perhaps boredom with her highly successful series featuring Venetian detective, Guido Brunetti. " If so, I do sincerely hope she's succeeded there. The plot in Jewels of Paradise was slow, which is not something I usually complain about, and the depiction of the life of a researcher so lacked appeal, life, color, excitement that it struck me as repellent. She's not succeeded with me. The Jewels of Paradise - Ebook written by Donna Leon. Previous page of related Sponsored Products. These characters remained mostly a mystery to me and I did not care about them! I would have liked to have known before purchase that this was not a Brunetti story. So why has she presented us with this mishmash of meaningless (and sometimes downright boring) narrative? Occasionally the researcher breaks off for 'two sandwiches and a glass of water ... a panino and a glass of water', a family meal and a couple of possibly romantic dinner dates with the lawyer. Ms Leon is clearly well-read and erudite - and perhaps she was reaching out to a different audience from those of us who've come to love the Brunetti books. Donna Leon (born September 29, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. There is an attempt at romance which falls flat, non. With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first stand-alone novel. Experience a new state of serenity and indulge in world-class services at Jewel Paradise Cove. The climax and wrap up of the story did not infuse this reader with the slightest interest. Manchester, however, is no Venice. I feel as though I'm in a history class that I just have no interest. With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first standalone novel. The Jewels of Paradise. Darn! So I was pleased when recently I was checking the library database to determine if there is a new Brunetti novel when I spotted The Jewels of Paradise, a stand-alone published in 2012. I just love Brunetti, his family, the secretary, his coworkers (even his ridiculous, pompous superiors) and sometimes even the evildoers. From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history, and greed. Though I had not read a book by this author before, I can tell she knows how to write. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. What triumphs is intellect at the service of such respect and admiration of a life discovered 300 years gone. According to a book review by the UK Independent, the composer in the book referred to as Steffani, is based on a little known Italian composer Agostino Steffano whom Leon apparently has researched extensively. The Jewels of Paradise is as much a tale about a young woman wising up and learning to fight more effectively for her own happiness as it is a mystery…Commissario Brunetti is allowed to take a vacation once in a while, but only if his replacements are as wry and erudite as Caterina. Difficult read and clever karma exercise! Nor does the novel offer much of a discovery of Steffani's music other than in manuscript form. I have some left to look forward to reading. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. The Pas de Deux: A Lora Weaver Mystery (Lora Weaver Mystery Series Book 2). Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she's had to leave home to pursue her career elsewhere, mostly abroad. It was the first novel I've read by this author and probably will be the last. The history involved in explaining his. I'm a great fan of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mysteries and I'm reading my way through them slowly as I don't want to face the day when there are no more of them. To me, the plots in the Brunetti series are very much secondary to the characters and to what I learn about Venice. The references to baroque opera seemed quite natural to me and were interesting rather than annoying. The Jewels of Paradise [a Novel] (Book) : Leon, Donna : Donna Leon has won heaps of critical praise and legions of fans for her best-selling mystery series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. With The Jewels of Paradise, Leon takes readers beyond the world of the Venetian Questura in her first stand-alone novel. Interesting book. It went no where throughout the whole book, only to have an amusing ending 5 minutes at the end of the story. 9 likes. The history involved in explaining his life and the complicated court relationships, marital and extramarital, tended to make my eyes glaze over, but after much repetition the main plot sank into my brain. Please try again. Donna Leon has won heaps of critical praise and legions of fans for her best-selling mystery series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. Had it been written by an author I didn’t know, I would have given up on in after the first few chapters. About The Author Donna Leon is the author of the international best-selling Commissario Guido Brunetti series. As a Venetian novel, Donna Leon has already done better in the creation of atmosphere. I was not disappointed. I hate to say this, really, because Ms. Leon has entertained me, albeit some thin plots, for a many a read. And as subtle as Donna Leon can be in her mystery novels with the discoveries and thoughtful realizations of Guido Brunetti and his wife, she hones that subtleness in the characters of this story. "Commissario Brunetti is allowed to take a vacation once in a while, but only if his replacements are as wry and erudite as Caterina." Despite the fact that I didn't pay a farthing for this novel I will endeavor to review it with baldfaced honesty. As I have so often said lately, I received this book as part of the GoodReads FirstReads program. Unfortunately Caterina's research got a lot more attention than its contemporary Venetian setting, but thanks to Leon's interweaving of the two, I managed to keep going to the end. There were some glimpses of what the author is capable of in the letters between the main character and her sister. Or do they branch out under another name and hope the book will stand on its own and gain them a following? As I have so often said lately, I received this book as part of the GoodReads FirstReads program. Donna Leon traded Commisario Guido Brunetti for Dottoressa Caterina Pellegrini. In this novel we are treated to an interesting mystery about the inheritance left by an obscure Baroque musician. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she's had … My error, not checking before purchasing that this book didn't include my favorite Italian sleuth, Detective or in Italian, Commissario Brunetti mystery. This story, its characters, and its counterpoint in theme are sublime. . The plot in Jewels of Paradis. Don't let me spoil the suspense and surprise by revealing what and where are the Jewels of Paradise. Thirty-something musicologist Caterina Pellegrini is head-hunted from the University of Manchester and returns to Venice to research the papers sealed in two trunks belonging to eighteenth century Baroque composer, Bishop Agostino Steffani, by two of his descendants. Donna Leon writes good mystery books about Italian policemen in action in Venice. It's a gentle cerebral mystery", I stole this quote from someone else, though I have to say that it was very much on the gentle side, barely a mystery, more of a tale about researching Baroque music. 0319ML From a masterful writer, The Jewels of Paradise is a superb novel, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history and greed. Definitely not up to Donna Leon's standards. “Commissario Brunetti is allowed to take a vacation once in a while, but only if his replacements are as wry and erudite as Caterina.” We have a mysterious pair of cousins and their mysterious chests, their mysterious lawyer, a mysterious composer/bishop, etc., etc, We also have some of the ingredients that add interest to the Brunetti novels: references to close family, use of friends to help with access to information, and a little about Venetian life. I could see no solution to the problems until the last few pages, although I guessed that there was more to the Jewels of Paradise than I realised. It is a little on the dry side with lots of historical detail. Even Venice seemed less interesting than usual. The protagonist, Caterina Pellegrini, a native Venetian, returns home for an employment. Trace Elements: A Comissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, Unto Us a Son Is Given: A Comissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, The First Faux Pas: A Lora Weaver Mystery (Lora Weaver Mystery Series Book 1), The Last Nazi: a WW2 spy conspiracy thriller (A Joe Johnson Thriller, Book 1), The Joe Johnson Thriller Series: Books 1-3: (The Joe Johnson Thriller Series Boxset 1). His papers are contained in two trunks which are being fought over by two cousins, both of whom are trying to lay claim to whatever "treasure" is in the trunks. We’d love your help. As a thriller, the story is not very thrilling. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. The Jewels of Paradise Book Description: From the bestselling author of the Brunetti crime series comes The Jewels of Paradise, a gripping tale of intrigue, music, history and greed and Donna Leon's first stand-alone novel. Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she's had to leave home to pursue her career elsewhere, mostly abroad. As it happens many times when writers of series novels and characters strike out to write a stand-alone, their fans are disappointed. Caterina is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she’s had to leave home to pursue her career. Educational... sorta... without being terribly entertaining. THE JEWELS OF PARADISE. Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she's had to leave home to pursue her career elsewhere, mostly abroad. I've always thought it must be difficult for established authors famous for a particular series character or genre, to break out of the mould and write something different. I just didn't get this woman. &“Commissario Brunetti is allowed to take a vacation once in a while, but only if his replacements are as wry and erudite as Caterina.&” —The Washington Post &“Fascinating . With a doctorate in baroque opera from Vienna, she lands in Manchester, England. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. It was the first novel I've read by this author and probably will be the last. I should have purchased a travel book. The job is an unusual one. Please try your request again later. Donna Leon, an author I enjoyed for a long time. With a doctorate in baroque opera from Vienna, she lands in Manchester, England. This is Ms. Leon’s first standalone novel after a long series of mysteries featuring Commissario Brunetti. Caterina Pellegrini is a native Venetian, and like so many of them, she’s had to leave home to pursue her career. Fascinating. I discovered I'd got half-way through the book without noticing. And as subtle as Donna Leon can be in her mystery novels with the discoveries and thoughtful realizations of Guido Brunetti and his wife, she hones that subtleness in the characters of this story. What can be more crude than the degrading disregard and insensitivity of Stievani and Scapinelli to their ancestor Agostino Steffani's life of struggle and musical genius. Welcome back. When Caterina gets word of a position back home, she jumps at the opportunity. Because he went to the university that was run by the founder of Opus Dei (stick with me, it's about to get dumber) so he's some kind of Catholic fanatic, and he thinks the trunks contain religious relics. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages that interest you. For example, what careful researcher would be found eating chocolates in a library and not just once? Internationally praised for her Commissario Guido Brunetti series, Donna Leon’s first standalone novel features a widely different but equally compelling sleuth, Caterina Pellegrini. World-Class services at Jewel Paradise Cove promises relaxation and rejuvenation with 225 rooms and butler-serviced suites! 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