The Snack Thief

Rating:
Summary: That's Amore'
Review: Andrea Camilleri is one fine author that you've got to read. Yes, he's Italian, and yes, his books have a definite Italian prose but the writing is so intriguing how can you resist? Much like the Inspector Montalbano enjoys his good food and wine, you'll find yourself savoring each and every page. In this, his 3rd book about life in Sicily and Inspector Montalbano, we are presented with the mysterious death of an older gentleman in an elevator, and the murder of a Tunisian sailor off the coast on a fishing boat, and a series of snack robberies, which are seemingly unrelated, but later find out to be seriously connected. Of course there is the usual banter between the inspector and his collegues and his girlfriend, Livia, and the usual surprising personality of the good inspector, and often genuinely humorous situations. His first book, "The Shape of Water", which I read was at first a little difficult to follow; ie; names and names of places in Sicily and too the way it's written, not American english or English english, but different. But his stories are so interesting that after a few pages it really doesn't matter that it's different, in fact it makes reading them that much more entertaining because they are different. His descriptions of places and peoples are right on spot. In Snack Thief you'll be amazed and entertained by the manner in which Inspector Montalbano goes about solving the crimes but too how he manipulates the press, and his superiors and other higher ups in the government. Montalbano who isn't perfect has faults and some striking traits that makes him very real and makes Camilleri's novels that much more interesting. There's really no one to compare Camilleri to, he's in a class all by himself. If you're looking for something a little different, or just something intriguing, then read Snack Thief. Trust me, you won't stop here, you'll read all of Camilleri's books, finding yourself like me; spellbound.

Rating:
Summary: That's Amore'
Review: Andrea Camilleri is one fine author that you've got to read. Yes, he's Italian, and yes, his books have a definite Italian prose but the writing is so intriguing how can you resist? Much like the Inspector Montalbano enjoys his good food and wine, you'll find yourself savoring each and every page. In this, his 3rd book about life in Sicily and Inspector Montalbano, we are presented with the mysterious death of an older gentleman in an elevator, and the murder of a Tunisian sailor off the coast on a fishing boat, and a series of snack robberies, which are seemingly unrelated, but later find out to be seriously connected. Of course there is the usual banter between the inspector and his collegues and his girlfriend, Livia, and the usual surprising personality of the good inspector, and often genuinely humorous situations. His first book, "The Shape of Water", which I read was at first a little difficult to follow; ie; names and names of places in Sicily and too the way it's written, not American english or English english, but different. But his stories are so interesting that after a few pages it really doesn't matter that it's different, in fact it makes reading them that much more entertaining because they are different. His descriptions of places and peoples are right on spot. In Snack Thief you'll be amazed and entertained by the manner in which Inspector Montalbano goes about solving the crimes but too how he manipulates the press, and his superiors and other higher ups in the government. Montalbano who isn't perfect has faults and some striking traits that makes him very real and makes Camilleri's novels that much more interesting. There's really no one to compare Camilleri to, he's in a class all by himself. If you're looking for something a little different, or just something intriguing, then read Snack Thief. Trust me, you won't stop here, you'll read all of Camilleri's books, finding yourself like me; spellbound.

Rating:
Summary: strong police procedural
Review: At about the same time a Tunisian patrol boat kills a worker on an Italian fishing trawler, an unknown assailant stabs to death a retiree, Mr. Lapecora, in the elevator of his apartment building. Montalbano is assigned the local homicide while his Lady Macbeth-like ambitious superior Mimi Augello takes "public" charge of the international incident.

Montalbano seeks Mr. Lapecora's house cleaner, Karima, who supplements her income with prostitution and the lady's son. When the Inspector catches up to the lad, he begins to understand the elevator homicide and it's surprisingly link to the trawler killing. Though warned to stay out of the Tunisian murder by both sides of the law and others, Montalbano digs deep into cases filled with government corruption packed tighter than a can of sardines.

Even though this is a translation from the original Italian, fans of police procedurals will appreciate this tight sans Mafia Sicilian mystery. The story line never slows down as the hero investigates one crime that takes him to the second murder and much more. Montalbano is a delightful protagonist who sub-genre readers will want to follow. Hopefully more of Andrea Camilleri's novels are translated into English rather quickly or many Anglo-speaking fans will learn Italian rather soon.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Montalbano does not rest
Review: First, a Tunisian patrol boat shoots at a local fishing trawler and kills one person. Next, retired Mr. Lapecora is killed in the elevator of his apartment house. One the list of suspects are his gorgeous cleaning lady and her son.

Do the two incidents connect? Of course they do. And Inspector Montalbano figures it all out. As usual, he is down to earth and easy going and, in a way, he gives us a tour of his beloved island. One is tempted to pack up and go there. What a delightful book that leaves you smiling and with nary a bad thought.

Rating:
Summary: Another complicated world
Review: If multiculturalism is not a dirty word to you, and you are from an English speaking background, then this book might be of interest. You can soak up the ambience of other societies, in the format of a fictional narrative. As contrasted perhaps to reading a dry sociology text.

The backdrop of the book is complicated. Set in Sicily, it depicts the interleaving of Italian, Arab and French cultures. The plotline has these intricately entangled, due to geography and history. Plus, there are allusions to the different Italian regions and the concomitant stereotypes. For example, the hero is Sicilian, but his girlfriend is Ligurian. At one point, he contrasts their backgrounds in a brief remark. An Italian would catch these immediately, based on her background. But for me, and possibly for you too, these remain opaque.

An analogy might be familiar to you. Think of the various British regional demotics: The dour Scot, the garrulous, overfriendly Cockney, the bloody minded Yorkshireman. Please understand that I do not say these are at all correct, or that I agree with them. But if you are British or American, these should be known to you. Well, something similar is going on in this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Best in a great series
Review: Inspector Montalbano has two cases competing for his attention. In one, an Italian fishing boat was fired upon by a Tunisian gunboat, killing a fisherman. In the second, a retired man was found murdered in his apartment elevator. As Montalbano investigates (without missing a single meal), he discovers a bizarre connection between the deaths--a connection that includes the ever-present official corruption Sicily suffers from and that ties into all of Montalbano's hidden issues.

With his usual style (apparently bumbling but barely hiding a sharp wit), Montalbano is able to 'solve' the mysteries. But knowing the answer and bringing some sort of justice are very different things. Montalbano has to dig deep into his bag of tricks to pull out a solution that satisfies his own peculiar sense of morality. Worse, from his perspective, it isn't only himself involved. A little boy and Montalbano's longtime lover, Livia are also at risk.

Author Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series combines humor, solid sleuthing; a wonderful view of small town life in Sicily that is alien but fascinating to most of its readers, and charming to everyone; with compelling social commentary. Although the setting is in Italy, the issues that Montalbano faces are universal.

I have enjoyed the entire Inspector Montalbano series but so far, THE SNACK THIEF is the most powerful of a very strong series. Well done, Andrea Camilleri.

Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as a vacation
Review: It's so hard to get away these days -- between terrorist alerts and high costs of travel and vacation days being used to visit families, reading a book like The Snack Thief is a like taking a mini-vacation. Camilleri's village is fictitious, but his Inspector Montalbo is true to life. He also likes to read international crime thrillers, savors fine food, and has a laughably volatile temper that can be aroused even if the day is windy. There are episodes in this book that are truly hilarious, some that are horrific, and several that are sad. A good mix. And we're always anxious to see what has been left for his dinner in the refrigerator. Like the Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency series, this series in its entirety presents a portrait of an unforgettable way of life in a specific place with a person I'd like to spend some time with.

Rating:
Summary: Yum!
Review: The best, I think, of the series. I literally laughed out loud at some points, because Montalbano is such a great and quirky character. He's wonderful in so many ways -- from his foul mouth to his love of fine food to his ability to see smells in color. This book is a feast for the senses, delicious in all ways. It's just as good as The Terra Cota Dog and better, I think, than The Shape Of Water. One of the things I like most about this book is how Montalbano retains his hard edges but becomes softer and more sensitive because of the "snack thief" and his effect on the inspector. My advice: read Camilleri rather than Dona Leon, who cannot and does not capture the beauty and wonder of Italy the way Camilleri does, and whose mysteries aren't as interesting as Camelleri's. The latter's writing is so spare and so wonderful; he gets to the heart of the matter without seeming to try at all. Despite this simplicity, Italy comes alive with all its colors and smells and beauty. I love this author and can't wait to read the next book.

Rating:
Summary: The Mystery of the Tunisian Housekeeper
Review: The is hugely popular (in Europe anyway) Inspector Montalbano series continues, with this installment following The Shape of Water and The Terra-Cotta Dog. The presence of Tunisian immigrants in Sicily is mined for mystery by Camilleri, as the stabbing of a retired businessman and the shooting of a Tunisian crewman on a fishing boat soon merge to one very tangled web. At the heart of it all is a missing housecleaner/prostitute names Karima and her son. As might be expected, there's some corruption just below the surface and Montalbano pursues justice with the quiet, dogged persistence and lengthy lunch breaks of his earlier two adventures. The intrigue is perhaps a little less intriguing than in the previous books, but there's more going on in Montalbano's private life to make up for it. Girlfriend Livia puts in a long appearance making the Inspector edgier and nastier than usual. It's roughly on par with the previous two books, but being the third book in the series, doesn't seem quite as fresh. As usual, the translation by Stephen Sartarelli is top notch.

Rating:
Summary: Inspector Montalbano Rides Again
Review: The main character of this book, Inspector Montalbano, is getting familiar like an old friend. His personality quirks and love of food only get more entertaining with each book rather than tiresome. This character carries the book.

Of course, there is a mystery. Like Terra Cotta Dog, there are actually two mysteries the good inspector solves. One - a seemingly straightforward murder - is obvious and he solves it almost as an afterthought. The other - involving government intrigue - is much deeper and difficult to solve. Camilleri coordinates and intertwines the two story lines marvelously.

The writing is consistently good, the mysteries interesting and you can not help but like Inspector Montalbano. This is a winning combination. This is billed as a series of Inspector Montalbano mysteries. However it is not essential to have read the preceding books. This book is recommended for an enjoyable mystery romp through Sicily.