Donna Leon's Death at La Fenice, the first novel in her beloved Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series, introduced readers to the dazzling world of Venetian opera and Italy's finest living female soprano, Flavia Petrelli--then a suspect in the poisoning of a renowned German conductor. Brunetti kept her out of prison and, in Acqua Alta, went on to save the life of her American lover. In Falling in Love, Flavia returns to Venice and Teatro La Fenice to sing the lead in Tosca, and Brunetti must come to her rescue once again.
Enthusiastic about watching his old acquaintance onstage, Brunetti and his wife, Paola, secure tickets to an early show. The production is stunning, and yellow roses rain down as Flavia receives a standing ovation. But the audience doesn't see the dozens of bouquets of roses in expensive Murano vases back in her dressing room--or the grotesquely large bouquet left at the door of her apartment when she gets home. An anonymous fan has been showering Flavia with beautiful gifts in London, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, and now Venice, and she is beginning to feel alarmed by the excessive displays of adoration. A few nights later, over dinner at Brunetti's in-laws' palazzo, Flavia confesses her growing sense of unease and wonders who her admirer could be. Brunetti promises to see what he can find out. And when a talented young Venetian singer who has caught Flavia's attention is savagely attacked, he starts to worry that Flavia's fears are justified in ways neither of them imagined. Brunetti must enter into the psyche of an obsessive and work to stay one step ahead of this mysterious admirer before Flavia, or anyone else, comes to harm.
Exquisitely atmospheric and delightfully suspenseful, Falling in Love brings readers the magic of La Fenice and the opera world Leon knows well and loves, as a star is confronted with the shadowy side of fame.
About the Author :
Donna Leon is the author of the much-loved, New York Times bestselling series of mystery novels set in Italy featuring Commissario Brunetti. She was named one of the London Times' 50 Greatest Crime Writers. The Brunetti Mysteries have won numerous awards around the world, including the CWA Silver Dagger for Fiction, and hsbr been translated into thirty-five languages.
David Colacci is an actor and director who has directed and performed in prominent theaters nationwide. His credits include roles from Shakespeare to Albee, as well as extensive work on new plays. As a narrator, he has won numerous Earphones Awards, earned Audie Award nominations, and been included in Best Audio of the Year lists by such publications as Publishers Weekly, AudioFile magazine, and Library Journal. He was a resident actor and director with the Cleveland Play House for eight years and has been artistic director of the Hope Summer Rep Theater since 1992.
Review :
"David Colacci has been the voice of the Commissario Guido Brunetti series for the past ten years. He narrates Donna Leon's twenty-fourth Brunetti mystery with the expertise of one who knows his characters well...Colacci disappears into the storytelling. He shifts swiftly and believably among the many familiar characters, allowing their quirks and mannerisms to shine through. Colacci's performance makes opera, mystery, and Falling in Love much fun."
-- "AudioFile"
"For many fans, the high points in Leon's beloved Guido Brunetti series have been the two novels featuring opera diva Flavia Petrelli...Now, finally, Flavia returns...The reappearance of Flavia gives Leon the opportunity to display her deep love of music and to construct a marvelous climactic scene between Flavia and her fan that parallels the finale of Tosca. Brava!"
-- "Booklist (starred review)"
"The audacious investigation...into the psychology of stalkers is thorough and illuminating. But for opera buffs, going backstage at Teatro La Fenice is the real treat."
-- "New York Times Book Review"
"The ever-incredible Leon's twenty-fourth stunning entry...featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti brings the series full circle, revisiting Venice's Teatro La Fenice...Another provocative addition to a fine series, certain to appeal to aficionados of profound literary mysteries."
-- "Library Journal (starred review)"
