Excursion to Tindari

This is the fourth Montalbano mystery I've read and the character is definitely growing on me, as is the writing. Perhaps the excellent translator, Stephen Sartarelli, has grown more confident, but the translation of this volume is looser, more colloquial, and faster paced than earlier novels.

As usual, the novel blends a sense of place (Vigata in Sicily) with the temperamental detective, Inspector Montalbano. This time, he undertakes to understand why an elder couple who never associated with anyone went missing when they unexpectedly took a bus tour to Tindari. Was there a connection to the murder of a young man, an obvious hit job?

Along the way, Andrea Camilleri's trademark wit shows through. Between the hilarious switchboard show more operator Catarella and the love troubles of Montalbano's deputy Mimi, Montalbano manages his way through the bureaucracy of the Italian state and the clutches of the Mafia.

Entertaining and well written. Take a trip to Sicily with Inspector Montalbano! show less

The Book Report: Fifth of Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series set in fictional Vigata, Sicily, this outing sees Montalbano and his team dealing with a homicide, a double disappearance, and a bad case of lovin' you for the Inspector and his chief henchman as their respective relationships head into perilous waters. That is as nothing, though, compared to the murder of a too-wealthy twenty-year-old computer whiz who is in so far over his head that teasing out the whys and wherefores of his death leads Montalbano directly to the pinnacle of the Mafia food chain, and the resolution of the double disappearance...actually a double homicide...and the end of particularly vile, despicable, reprehensible, inexcusable business. For good? show more Probably not. For better, yes.

My Review: Camilleri doesn't disappoint in this outing for the hapless Mimi Augello, the surprisingly astute Catarella, and the Inspector himself. A web spins around Vigata (modeled after Porto Empedocle, Camilleri's home, which has actually added "Vigata" to its name to capitalize on the tourists following Montalbano around!) that seems at first to mean one thing, then another, then when you're SURE it means ANOTHER thing, *bam* there it is, the real source of all the trouble...and this time it was one I so totally never saw coming that I reeled backwards in shock, just like in the old cartoons. (Never mind that I was comfortably recumbent in the bed, don't be a spoilsport, the image works.)

Montalbano's highly imperfect character...too fond of his food yet never gets fat, treats Livia with what can charitably be called a highly trusting light maintenance, is so jealous of Augello's gal-pal in Pavia (like being from Massachusetts to a Texan) that he sets out with malice aforethought to get poor Mimi to forget her by introducing him to a witness in the double disappearance case, who just happens to be tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and a major foodie who has no family outside Vigata...which ploy works like a champ, may I add...grows deeper in this entry, and in some surprising ways. Upstanding yet spiteful, insubordinate yet deftly political, Montalbano makes each twist and every turn just that much more fun to take with Camilleri.

These are hugely popular books in the rest of the world, and the TV series is huge in Europe, and they are like all fueled by the same basic engine: Real drama comes from inside complex characters, their different facets all whirling chaotically to create the energy to drive the story. Well, yes.

Now will SOMEONE please translate Camilleri's non-Montalbano novel "Noah's Umbrella"?!? I *have* to know what it's about! show less

Inspector Montalbano and his colleagues are investigating the murder of a young man in front of his apartment building when a man shows up asking them to investigate his parents’ disappearance. Coincidentally, the missing couple live in the same apartment building as the murdered man. There is no apparent connection between the murder victim and the missing couple, but the timing is suspicious.

Montalbano’s sarcasm can be laugh-out-loud funny, but his self-absorption makes him seem like someone I would avoid in real life. I much prefer Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti as a character, but I have a feeling that Montalbano is probably the more realistic character of the two.

Montalbano number 5. In this excursion, our Inspector parses out the connection between two seemingly unrelated mysteries---the death of a young man never at a loss for female companionship, and the disappearance of a reclusive elderly couple who lived in the same apartment building. The food is as enticing as ever, although Salvo has some trouble enjoying it as he begins to understand the utterly evil enterprise his investigation brings to light. There is a brilliant slap-stick skit embedded in this novel, as Montalbano attempts to break into a locked building by slamming into the door with his shoulder, and then shooting at the padlock, American cop-fashion. I couldn't help thinking of Dick Van Dyke, as Rob Petrie, trying to rescue show more his wife from a locked hotel bathroom.
December 2012 show less

In this fifth outing of the Inspector Montalbano series, the Inspector is investigating the murder of a young man at the doorway of his apartment building and the disappearance of an elderly couple, who happen to live in the same apartment building as the first victim. The elderly couple appear to have gone missing while on a tourist excursion to the ancient site of Tindari and while this incident seems unrelated to the other murder, Montalbano has concerns that they could be connected. He and his crew painstakingly put the pieces together and uncover an evil conspiracy that involves not only prominent citizens but also the mafia.

As with all Montalbano stories the reader must hold on tight and go with the twists and turns that the show more author takes you on. The use of sardonic humor along with the Inspectors internal musings and dishes of Sicilian food that are guaranteed to make the mouth water make these books a joy to read. The author captures the essence of Sicily in these farcical, witty and intriguing books. show less

How delightfully funny this book is! Even more than the preceding ones, it made me laugh as well as puzzle. The slapstick was amost worthy of Clouseau, the puzzle intricate, the characters delicious. A zillion stars

Fifth in the Italian police procedural series set in Sicily and featuring Salvo Montalbano, epitome of the grumpy inspector. But you gotta love the guy despite his less-than-sweet disposition. In this episode, Montalbano and crew are investigating two crimes—the disappearance of a reserved, quiet elderly couple, reported missing by their son, and the murder of a young twenty-something man with no visible means of support, yet who manages to live in relative style. Drug money? Or something else? And as he lives in the same apartment building as the elderly couple, is there some connection between them despite all evidence to the contrary? I absolutely love this series and hope the author keeps writing them for a long, long time. show more Montalbano is a complex character and the supporting cast is also well-fleshed and interesting. Catarella’s goofy speech never fails to make me laugh, and I think I want to marry Montalbano’s mostly-absent housekeeper, who prepares the most mouth-watering meals for him! LOL Anyway, another stellar entry in a wonderful series. show less