Great mystery series you may have missed

Twenty-one books to date and still going strong, Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti series, set in Venice, entertains both as mysteries and as a guide to Venice and Italian society. Of the latest, Library Journal says "Leon's 21st Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery begins with the discovery of a corpse in one of Venice's canals. The victim had been stabbed and suffered from a disfiguring disease, and Brunetti feels that he has seen this man before. As the investigation progresses, Brunetti is forced to follow leads in the unfamiliar territory of the Italian mainland, for that is where the dead man, eventually identified as a veterinarian, lived and worked. Brunetti must navigate among powerful families and corporate interests to unravel the dark motives behind this murder. Followers of the series and lovers of Venice will appreciate Leon's fascinating details of life in this unique city; she also includes some pointed asides about the current European financial crisis and its origins. This is a strong series entry, but newcomers should probably start earlier in the series to familiarize themselves with recurring characters." I agree! Start at the beginning and you're in for an extended treat. -Randy