I picked this up because a fair number of other LibraryThing members have enjoyed it but, I have to say, it didn't work for me.

The locale (Sicily) was exotic and interesting but that's about it for positive aspects.

I found the story awkward and choppy—it simply didn't flow along, one scene leading to another in a graceful fashion. Everything, from the events of the story to the thoughts of the characters, seemed to strike jarringly, sometimes out of the blue, sometimes just awkwardly. More importantly, I did not find the characters enjoyable. They were emotionally flat and somewhat lifeless. I left the book knowing little about Montalbano and caring less.

Finally, I found the language a bit of a distraction. Originally, I thought this was the fault of the translator. However, after reading an essay on the difficulties of translating Camilleri's style, I fault the author. In a plot-driven book, unless the story line deliberately has the protagonist as an outsider, I don't want to feel like a foreigner looking in; I want to feel that these are people I might know. However, the people in this story did not come across like they were speaking colloquially. It sounds like it was the author's choice to do this, but it didn't work for me.

I doubt I'll pick up another in this series. For mysteries set in Italy, I much prefer Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti stories. ( )

Silvio Luparello has been biding his time, maneuvering, waiting to make his move into the political big time; and just days after he finds success, two garbage men find his body in the 'Pasture', a dump come open air brothel. Seated in his BMW, his pants around his ankles, the verdict is death by natural causes. It looks to be an open and shut case - a sexual encounter resulting in massive heart failure. But for Inspector Salvo Montalbano things just don't add up. Facing pressure to close the case, Montalbano finds the window he needs to solve the crime.

For me the success of a mystery series lies in the characterization and a sense of place. In my eyes Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse has always epitomized this harmonious marriage of elements. Now, the crown goes to Andrea Camilleri. Set in the fictional Sicilian town of Vigata, Montalbano moves through a world dominated by politics and the mafia, amongst rich and engaging characters that capture the spectrum and essence of Sicilian society, rejoicing in the Sicilian passion for good food and good wine. And Camilleri writes with such wit and humour it's hard not to be swept along in the story almost in spite of the mystery!

This book has my highest recommendation. Action junkies look elsewhere. Thinkers and Italianophiles please apply. ( )

This was a delightful story, with an intelligent hero, and entirely believable events. The cast of characters had me roaring with laughter at times--reminiscent of my italian uncles sitting around my Nona's kitchen table debating how many nits in a nat. A great short read with a good plot, and a little surprise twist at the end ( )

This was my first introduction to Inspector Montalbano, and I have to say I loved this book. Camilleri's writing style is very warm and his characters are very much alive (or dead as the case may be!) because of his descriptive prose. It was an intelligent and funny novel and the ending provided a bit of a surprise to me - although looking back, all the clues pointed to the perpetrator.

I will certainly be looking out for more of these books in the future. ( )

I love this series. The atmosphere, the outspokeness of the characters, the food, the scenery, and so on. Try to catch the Italian television series made from these books starring Luca Zingaretti. ( )