- O Inferno é na Terra (2002)
- Morte, Tráfico e Corrupção (2007)
- Crime em Família: O crime (2018)
- Crime em Família: O julgamento (2019)
- Crime em Família: O veredito (2020)
- O Madre Tereza (2021)
- Dois Caminhos (2024)
- A Cor que nos Separa (2025)
- Event: 53rd Santa Maria Book Fair
- Patron: Daniel Tonetto
- Dates: August 7–22, 2026
- Venue: Praça Saldanha Marinho, Downtown Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- O Inferno é na Terra (2002)
- Morte, Tráfico e Corrupção (2007)
- Crime em Família: O crime (2018)
- Crime em Família: O julgamento (2019)
- Crime em Família: O veredito (2020)
- O Madre Tereza (2021)
- Dois Caminhos (2024)
- A Cor que nos Separa (2025)
- Event: 53rd Santa Maria Book Fair
- Patron: Daniel Tonetto
- Dates: August 7–22, 2026
- Venue: Praça Saldanha Marinho, Downtown Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Event Info
Brazilian bestselling author Daniel Tonetto takes a historic role as patron of the 53rd Santa Maria Book Fair, set for August 2026.
Lawyer, university professor, and writer Daniel Tonetto has been officially named patron of the 53rd Santa Maria Book Fair, one of the most important literary events in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fair runs from August 7 to 22 at Praça Saldanha Marinho, in the heart of the city.
One of the Youngest Patrons in the Fair’s History
At 46, Tonetto is among the youngest writers ever appointed to this role, traditionally reserved for authors with decades of recognized work. His selection comes at a peak moment in his career, driven by consistent literary output, a strong academic presence, and over twenty years of practice as a criminal defense attorney.
His deep ties to the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul — especially to Santa Maria — also played a key role in the decision, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to honoring authors with genuine local roots.
Being chosen as patron of the Santa Maria Book Fair is an immense honor. It moves me deeply, because I believe literature has the power to transform lives, and Santa Maria, as a true city of culture, honors books and everything that makes us more human.
Daniel Tonetto, writer and patron of the 53rd Santa Maria Book Fair
Bestsellers That Crossed Borders
Tonetto has earned national and international recognition with two standout recent titles. Dois Caminhos (Two Paths, 2024) broke sales records and was launched across Europe. His latest novel, A Cor que nos Separa (The Color That Divides Us, 2025), reached the top of Brazil’s bestseller lists and ranked alongside both Brazilian and international authors.
Set in rural Rio Grande do Sul and told through multiple timelines, A Cor que nos Separa weaves together memory, belonging, and human conflict across generations. The novel’s reach quickly expanded beyond Brazil, strengthening his presence in international publishing circuits.
Tonetto has had titles published and distributed in Spain, France, and Portugal. Though his writing is rooted in a regional context, it speaks to universal themes — a quality that has established him as one of Brazil’s most rising contemporary voices abroad.
Law, Education, and Literature Intertwined
Alongside his literary career, Tonetto has worked for over two decades as a criminal defense lawyer, participating in hundreds of jury trials. That courtroom experience feeds directly into his fiction, shaping narratives rich in ethical tension, moral dilemma, and psychological depth. As a university professor for more than 20 years, he also brings a sustained commitment to critical education — a dimension that ties naturally to the symbolic role of book fair patron.
He is a member of the Academia Santa-Mariense de Letras, the Academia de Artes e Letras de São Sepé, and the Academia de Letras da Região Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.
Daniel is a highly respected professional, recognized across Brazil for his literary career, with books sold in other countries as well. We are thrilled that he accepted the invitation to be the centerpiece of the 53rd Book Fair.
Rodrigo Decimo, Mayor of Santa Maria
Daniel Tonetto’s Fiction Works
Event Info