Donna Leon was named by The Times as one of the 50 Greatest Crime Writers. She is an award-winning crime novelist, celebrated for the bestselling Brunetti series. Donna has lived in Venice for thirty years and previously lived in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Iran and China, where she worked as a teacher. Donna's books have been translated into thirty-five languages and have been published around the world.Her previous novels featuring Commissario Brunetti have all been highly acclaimed; including Friends in High Places, which won the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction, Fatal Remedies, Doctored Evidence, A Sea of Troubles and Beastly Things.

"The book is written with that depth of thought about crime and humanity that characterises the best of Leon's work." -- Jane Jakeman Independent "[A] fine, atmospheric novel...Twenty-one books on, [Leon] has lost none of her delightful skill and wit." -- Mark Sanderson Evening Standard "Donna Leon's elegant and compelling crime novels enjoy great success throughout the world. On the surface, this is another entry in a reliable long-running series. But it's also an oblique addressing of some complex issues with typical intelligence and perception." -- Barry Forshaw The Good Book Guide "Beastly Things is a perfect accompaniment to a hot day and a cool glass of white wine. Superb." Crimesquad "[Leon's] books paint such an appealing portrait of modern Venetian life that they've sent droves of holidaymakers to the city." Press Association