The Waters of Eternal Youth (Commissario Brunetti Book 25)

The twenty-fifth Commissario Brunetti mystery begins when a wealthy Venetian aristocrat asks Brunetti to investigate an attempted drowning from fifteen years earlier that left her granddaughter with severe brain damage. Though uncertain about the case, Brunetti agrees out of curiosity and sympathy, particularly because the woman is his mother-in-law's best friend. Brunetti becomes absorbed in the investigation, drawn into the story of a woman trapped in permanent childhood. The novel weaves together this central mystery with details of contemporary Venetian life, including historical preservation efforts, housing issues, and immigration. As Brunetti pursues what may or may not be a case, the narrative explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the complexities of life in Venice.