The Girl of his Dreams is Book #17 of Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series.
A highly recommended title and series featuring the Venetian detective Commissario Guido Brunetti.
**** ( )

Una mañana lluviosa, el comisario Brunetti y el inspector Vianello responden a una llamada de emergencia informando de un cuerpo flotando cerca de unos escalones en el Gran Canal. Al agacharse para sacarlo, la muñeca de Brunetti queda atrapada en la sedosidad del cabello dorado y ve un pie pequeño: juntos, él y Vianello, sacan a una niña muerta del agua.
Pero, inconcebiblemente, nadie ha denunciado la desaparición de una niña, ni el robo de las joyas de oro que porta. Brunetti se ve envuelto en una búsqueda no sólo de la causa de su muerte, sino también de su identidad, su familia y los secretos que la gente guardará para proteger a sus hijos, ya sean inocentes o culpables.

3.5 stars. ( )

I'm not sure why the reviews of this book are so full of praise. Slow to start and with two unconnected story lines I found it very difficult to get involved or pay attention to this book in the Brunetti series. This time the social issue dealt with was gypsies so that was new. Patta remains two dimensional and Signora Elletra elusive. Vianello gets a few choice monologues but overall this book felt limp and tired. ( )

3.5 stars- not quite average but close to it.

First off it’s starts off incredibly slow, we don’t even get to the main point or plot of the book until almost halfway through. Not only that but I feel like the anger and resentment towards the Romani in this book are extremely high, almost feels as if the author feels particularly upset with them.

Also there was a side plot that had very little meaning and a very dull outcome- in fact this “mystery” was the whole first part of the book & I thought that maybe it would tie into the main mystery but it doesn’t, not even a little bit. Also there is really no ending to this book?

It’s all quite open-ended and didn’t feel very satisfying to me. Overall it did grab me in once the main point came about and I found it quite easy to finish from there but the beginning was quite a drag. ( )