Donna Leon Crossing CulturesI’m in the middle of a Donna Leon read-fest. The two latest books I have read by Donna Leon are timely. Leon also tackles the issue of the order of Opus Dei, the same mysterious order featured in The DaVinci Code, an order that does exist, but about which solid knowledge is murky. This is an anethema to Commissario Brunetti, and to all thinking Italians who savor the separation of church and state. Underlying all the Donna Leon books is the sweetness of daily life with Brunetti’s family, his beautiful and principled wife, his teenaged children, the food they eat, the family discussions they have, the flowers he brings home and the strength of the connection they have with one another.