Donna Leon (/ˈliːɒn/;[1] born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.

The novels are written in English, and have been translated into many foreign languages, although – at Leon's request – not into Italian, as she formerly lived there, still visits monthly, and prefers not to have recognition in the country.

[2] Donna Leon was born on September 28, 1942[3] in Montclair, New Jersey,[4] to Roman Catholic parents, who had strong leanings to the Democratic party.

The Guardian reports: "Leon was teaching in Iran while attempting to complete a PhD about Jane Austen when the revolution of 1978-79 interrupted her studies and her life.

The ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.