Charlene (ATraveler) -
Helpful Score: 4
Once again a great Donna Leon book. This one introduces the Italian history in WWII where art was sold (aka stole) by/from people trying to flee the circumstances of the day and the ripple through time impact of those events and lingering greed. Odd correlation: Greed like art passes down generations.
Helpful Score: 3
Donna Leon is one of my favorite authors! The book, Willful Behavior, did not disappoint! I love the way the author weaves in aspects of Italian culture and subtly and sometimes surprisingly reveals the solution to the mystery.
This fascinating and complex story captures the reader's attention quickly. Claudia Leonardo wants to know if it is possible to get a pardon for a crime committed during World War II. That question comes to haunt Brunetti when the young woman is found dead.
Italian history that is 50+ years old comes to be part of a most unusual crime story. After the war, Italians decided 'en-mass' to forget their history of Italian collaboration with the Nazis in the exploitation of Italian Jews. This is an eye-opening look at secret machinations that drained the Italian Jews of their wealth while leaving them open to extermination by the Nazi military.
Unfortunately, the ending is just what one would expect of Italian justice (especially if you have read enough of Donna Leon's books).
Italian history that is 50+ years old comes to be part of a most unusual crime story. After the war, Italians decided 'en-mass' to forget their history of Italian collaboration with the Nazis in the exploitation of Italian Jews. This is an eye-opening look at secret machinations that drained the Italian Jews of their wealth while leaving them open to extermination by the Nazi military.
Unfortunately, the ending is just what one would expect of Italian justice (especially if you have read enough of Donna Leon's books).
