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Commissario Montalbano #11
The Wings of the Sphinx
Food, love, and murder-Sicilian style-in the gripping eleventh installment of The New York Times bestselling Montalbano mystery series.
Things are not going well for Inspector Salvo Montalbano. His relationship with Livia is once again on the rocks and-acutely aware of his age-he is beginning to grow weary of the endless violence he encounters. Then a young woman is found dead, her face half shot off and only a tattoo of a sphinx moth giving any hint of her identity. The tattoo links her to three similarly marked girls-all victims of the underworld sex trade-who have been rescued from the Mafia night-club circuit by a prominent Catholic charity. The problem is, Montalbano's inquiries elicit an outcry from the Church and the three other girls are all missing.
Things are not going well for Inspector Salvo Montalbano. His relationship with Livia is once again on the rocks and-acutely aware of his age-he is beginning to grow weary of the endless violence he encounters. Then a young woman is found dead, her face half shot off and only a tattoo of a sphinx moth giving any hint of her identity. The tattoo links her to three similarly marked girls-all victims of the underworld sex trade-who have been rescued from the Mafia night-club circuit by a prominent Catholic charity. The problem is, Montalbano's inquiries elicit an outcry from the Church and the three other girls are all missing.
231 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Andrea Camilleri
388 books2,291 followersAndrea Camilleri (born september 6, 1925 in Porto Empedocle) was an Italian writer. He is considered one of the greatest Italian writers of both 20th and 21st centuries.
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
October 9, 2021
#11 in Andrea Camilleri’s mystery novel series featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano, and one of the darker ones, as Salvo is grumpy about his getting older, grumpy about Sicilian political corruption, and grumpy about his long-time relationship with Livia as it seems more than ever on the rocks. This is a good book, but as I see it, it's standard fare for the series. There’s great food lovingly described cooked at Enzo's Trattoria or by Salvo’s housekeeper Adelina. And the amusing crime team antics continue as usual as a kind of counterpoint to the violence, which begins with the death of a woman who has emigrated from Russia with NOT a dragon tattoo, but a Sphinx moth tattoo. And she’s not alone, as other women from Russia also have this tattoo (And the woman is of course as in most crime novels not only dead but beautiful and nude; can it be otherwise? I have a far-fetched theory about this that probably has been written about countless times).
Not surprisingly, the women are all victims of sex trafficking in ways familiar to us now--promised a better life, taught to do "exotic" dancing, then turned to prostitution to pay back the men who house and feed them, and so on--the women, marked with the tattoos, came to Sicily rescued by an organization called Benevolence that turns out to be connected in shady, possibly corrupt ways to the mafia and maybe even the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, Camilleri is so popular at this point in Sicily that he can even take on these two powerful organizations.
Don’t get me wrong, from my three-starring. This book is good, just not surprising in any way, and it would be good if you want to raise attention to a world-wide scandal to have us get to know one of these women as a human being. But although it’s a darker book with this sense of doom over Sicily and human trafficking and Livia, it's still good.
Not surprisingly, the women are all victims of sex trafficking in ways familiar to us now--promised a better life, taught to do "exotic" dancing, then turned to prostitution to pay back the men who house and feed them, and so on--the women, marked with the tattoos, came to Sicily rescued by an organization called Benevolence that turns out to be connected in shady, possibly corrupt ways to the mafia and maybe even the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, Camilleri is so popular at this point in Sicily that he can even take on these two powerful organizations.
Don’t get me wrong, from my three-starring. This book is good, just not surprising in any way, and it would be good if you want to raise attention to a world-wide scandal to have us get to know one of these women as a human being. But although it’s a darker book with this sense of doom over Sicily and human trafficking and Livia, it's still good.
May 25, 2022
This was one of the Montalbano treasures I had missed, so I corrected that error with a satisfying read. It opens with: "Whatever happened to those early mornings when, upon awakening, for no reason, he would feel a sort of current of pure happiness running through him?"
We soon learn the latest case he is mulling over involves identifying a female corpse with a distinctive tattoo (the wings of the sphinx). The inspector and Livia have had a break, but he is not without female company.
We soon learn the latest case he is mulling over involves identifying a female corpse with a distinctive tattoo (the wings of the sphinx). The inspector and Livia have had a break, but he is not without female company.
July 15, 2011
There are several reasons that I love Andrea Camilleri's series involving Inspector Salvo Montalbani. Firstly the way in which he seems to capture the soul of contemporary life in Sicily. Secondly, the gentle humour with which excoriates the corruption and laziness of public office in his country. Thirdly the quality and intelligence of his writing. Fourthly, the simple yet engaging plots that he weaves. And finally, the wonderful characterisation that flows through the whole series; not least that of Montalbani himself and his long enduring mistress Livia. Oh, not forgetting the hilarious way in which Officer 'Cat' Catarella manages to massacre every message he receives and transmits, to the amusement and frustration of his Boss. And finally, because he was not discovered until he reached the ripe old age of 67. Agents and Publishers please take note!
In the Wings of The Sphinx Salvo's relationship with Livia appears to be on the rocks. He's also getting tired of the violence and corruption that he faces day to day. He feels that he's getting too old for the job. Then the first of the bodies turns up at an illegal dump. A young woman with a distinctive tattoo. Reinvigorated by his passion for justice - and frequent lunches of fresh fish, local produce, and wine - he sets out to solve the mystery, cut through the
smokescreens blown across his path, and regain the love of his life.
These novels may be short but what a lovely gentle read - and a perfect antidote to the indigestion we sometimes feel after a little too much crime noir!
In the Wings of The Sphinx Salvo's relationship with Livia appears to be on the rocks. He's also getting tired of the violence and corruption that he faces day to day. He feels that he's getting too old for the job. Then the first of the bodies turns up at an illegal dump. A young woman with a distinctive tattoo. Reinvigorated by his passion for justice - and frequent lunches of fresh fish, local produce, and wine - he sets out to solve the mystery, cut through the
smokescreens blown across his path, and regain the love of his life.
These novels may be short but what a lovely gentle read - and a perfect antidote to the indigestion we sometimes feel after a little too much crime noir!
June 7, 2021
Another day and another Montalban mystery in which he is at odds with his lady friend Livia and at the end of the story they are still as far away physically from each other as at the start of the story.
A naked girl is found she is murdered and has no identity so it is up to the usual suspects to find out more, Fazio is great at background in extreme detail, Mimi the ladies man, Caterella who is the running gag with him always entering with a bang and messing up names (quite sure it give the writer some wicked pleasure), Montalbano's boss who is a creature of politics (something that goes together well with the Mafia in Italy) and the cranky pathologist who dislike Montalbano as much as he likes him.
The dead girl might be a Russian victim but who is she and what is her name, she has one identifier namely a tattoo of a Butterfly specifically a Sphinx. There are others who carry a similar tatto and they cannot be fund either. It takes Montalbano's brainpower to make progress even if some in power might not think that would be in their best interest.
These novels are wickedly funny and at the same time an observation on life in Italy and Sicily, you might have issues with all the food described in a Montalbano novel, but she hanker for some Italian food having read these books.
Another swell instalment by the always excellent writer Camilleri who proves that age does not stop a talented writer.
A naked girl is found she is murdered and has no identity so it is up to the usual suspects to find out more, Fazio is great at background in extreme detail, Mimi the ladies man, Caterella who is the running gag with him always entering with a bang and messing up names (quite sure it give the writer some wicked pleasure), Montalbano's boss who is a creature of politics (something that goes together well with the Mafia in Italy) and the cranky pathologist who dislike Montalbano as much as he likes him.
The dead girl might be a Russian victim but who is she and what is her name, she has one identifier namely a tattoo of a Butterfly specifically a Sphinx. There are others who carry a similar tatto and they cannot be fund either. It takes Montalbano's brainpower to make progress even if some in power might not think that would be in their best interest.
These novels are wickedly funny and at the same time an observation on life in Italy and Sicily, you might have issues with all the food described in a Montalbano novel, but she hanker for some Italian food having read these books.
Another swell instalment by the always excellent writer Camilleri who proves that age does not stop a talented writer.
September 27, 2022
Montalbano investigates the murder of a young woman who has been shot in the face with just a striking tattoo on her shoulder to give a clue to her identity. He discovers a link to a charitable organisation which rescues girls from the nightclubs, but the three girls who may have been the victim have all gone missing and he is facing political pressure to drop the investigation. Meanwhile a local businessman appears to have been kidnapped.
Camilleri is on top form with all the things I love best in the Montalbano series - two intriguing and convincing plot lines, a great range of minor characters from the sinister to the comic, acerbic comments on the world in general and Sicily in particular, mouthwatering mentions of the local cuisine, and significant contributions from the team of Augello, Fazio and Catarella.
There’s even an appearance from Montalbano’s friend Ingrid - much more engaging than his dreary girlfriend Livia (who fortunately only appears by telephone in this novel, due to yet another crisis in their tedious relationship) - which adds some sparkle to lighten Montalbano’s rather glum mood. Very enjoyable overall.
Camilleri is on top form with all the things I love best in the Montalbano series - two intriguing and convincing plot lines, a great range of minor characters from the sinister to the comic, acerbic comments on the world in general and Sicily in particular, mouthwatering mentions of the local cuisine, and significant contributions from the team of Augello, Fazio and Catarella.
There’s even an appearance from Montalbano’s friend Ingrid - much more engaging than his dreary girlfriend Livia (who fortunately only appears by telephone in this novel, due to yet another crisis in their tedious relationship) - which adds some sparkle to lighten Montalbano’s rather glum mood. Very enjoyable overall.
February 20, 2017
I love this series and love Inspector Montalbano, not many books translate well but these ones do. A great little group of characters that have been pulled together with always some interesting crimes or murders for him to solve. Good, light, fun reading and I look forward to continuing with the next book in the series. Although I do have to say he needs to sort out his love life before it is too late! Haven't read these? Do give them a try.
January 31, 2024
Dream Sicilian team
April 19, 2018
A naked, murdered girl with gold on her hands and a four-winged tattoo on the back of her shoulder. A man whose wife can only believe that he has been kidnapped. A relationship that wearies of itself.
It feels both like the author is coming into himself and breaking out of the mold of the first nine books, and not quite there with whatever it is that he learned. He definitely didn't decide to go back to the repeated plot from the earlier books. The plot here is more exploratory, a version of the detective-follows-a-string-of-clues-through-the-labyrinth plot that you see in other mysteries, but somehow different. I'll have to see where this goes.
I continue to listen to the series on audio, which remains excellent.
It feels both like the author is coming into himself and breaking out of the mold of the first nine books, and not quite there with whatever it is that he learned. He definitely didn't decide to go back to the repeated plot from the earlier books. The plot here is more exploratory, a version of the detective-follows-a-string-of-clues-through-the-labyrinth plot that you see in other mysteries, but somehow different. I'll have to see where this goes.
I continue to listen to the series on audio, which remains excellent.
February 8, 2020
I adore the Montalbano series, but this one isn’t one of my favourites.
Opening a new Montalbano book feels like returning home. I have come to love the characters and Camilleri’s writing is incredible. The descriptions of food always make me feel so hungry!
However, I was really enjoying this book until the last couple of chapters. The end to the case seemed rushed and has actually left me feeling a little frustrated and confused. I am hoping that the next book has a case that grips me all the way through and has a plot twist before the end, as I usually expect this from the Montalbano series. I close this book feeling slightly unsatisfied, but hopeful for what is to come!
Opening a new Montalbano book feels like returning home. I have come to love the characters and Camilleri’s writing is incredible. The descriptions of food always make me feel so hungry!
However, I was really enjoying this book until the last couple of chapters. The end to the case seemed rushed and has actually left me feeling a little frustrated and confused. I am hoping that the next book has a case that grips me all the way through and has a plot twist before the end, as I usually expect this from the Montalbano series. I close this book feeling slightly unsatisfied, but hopeful for what is to come!
November 5, 2014
Nada mas abrir el libro me transporto al mundo de encanto y maravillas policiales de Salvo Montalbano. He reído, me he enfadado, seguí riendome y hasta seguí sus pensamientos como cuando leía a Sherlock hace muchos años. Señor Camilleri, hágame un favor, siga con nuestro Salvo largo y tendido porque el mundo e Italia lo necesita :)
December 11, 2022
Μια ευχάριστη ως συνήθως περιπέτεια του επιθεωρητή Μονταλμπάνο!
July 25, 2023
Il commissario Montalbano ormai si è sdoppiato e parla con se stesso: c'è il Montalbano più "saggio" che cerca di domare il Montalbano "istintivo" e vedremo che il rapporto con Livia continua ad avere alti e bassi.
Stavolta il nostro commissario si trova davanti all'omicidio di una giovane ragazza che ha uno strano tatuaggio, una sorta di farfalla/sfinge che lo porterà a conoscere altre ragazze che hanno un tatuaggio uguale. Ma gli omicidi non si fermano solo alla ragazza. Cosa ci sarà dietro queste ammazzatine?
Montalbano inizia a sentire gli acciacchi dell'età e si interroga ripetutamente sul suo rapporto con Livia, dopo i tradimenti vicendevoli che hanno avuto nel romanzo precedente (per errore ho saltato la lettura delle due "puntate precedenti", ovvero "La luna di carta" e "La vampa di agosto" ma che recupererò al più presto) e le vicende che viene a conoscere durante le sue indagini non lo aiutano a pensare in modo positivo.
Viviamo purtroppo in una società malata che riguarda tutti i campi, inclusi quelli "religiosi". Mi piace di questo commissario siciliano che privilegia sempre l'umanità, anche compiendo azioni che a livello di legge sarebbero abbastanza criticabili ma, come si suol dire, lui lo fa per salvare delle persone, o comunque per cercare la verità.
Catarella che storpia i cognomi delle persone ormai è diventato un classico, o la pazienza dei suoi collaboratori più stretti e sempre efficienti Augello e Fazio ormai sono un marchio di fabbrica delle storie di Montalbano, con le sue nuotate in mare a Marinella (in realtà siamo a Punta Secca). Il finale poi mi ha fatto sorridere, il fatto che alla fine non è riuscito a incontrarsi con la sua Livia (non aggiungo altro) fa capire tante cose, che il nostro commissario quando c'è di mezzo l'amore va in tilt!
Un altro punto a favore di questo capitolo montalbaniano è stata la scorrevolezza della storia, non riuscivo a chiudere il libro perché volevo sapere come sarebbe proseguita l'indagine nel capitolo successivo. E poi il dialetto inventato da Camilleri ormai mi è familiare, quasi musicale.
Lo consiglio anche a chi non ha ancora letto nulla sul commissario Montalbano, anche se tra i miei preferiti resta assolutamente "Il cane di terracotta".
Stavolta il nostro commissario si trova davanti all'omicidio di una giovane ragazza che ha uno strano tatuaggio, una sorta di farfalla/sfinge che lo porterà a conoscere altre ragazze che hanno un tatuaggio uguale. Ma gli omicidi non si fermano solo alla ragazza. Cosa ci sarà dietro queste ammazzatine?
Montalbano inizia a sentire gli acciacchi dell'età e si interroga ripetutamente sul suo rapporto con Livia, dopo i tradimenti vicendevoli che hanno avuto nel romanzo precedente (per errore ho saltato la lettura delle due "puntate precedenti", ovvero "La luna di carta" e "La vampa di agosto" ma che recupererò al più presto) e le vicende che viene a conoscere durante le sue indagini non lo aiutano a pensare in modo positivo.
Viviamo purtroppo in una società malata che riguarda tutti i campi, inclusi quelli "religiosi". Mi piace di questo commissario siciliano che privilegia sempre l'umanità, anche compiendo azioni che a livello di legge sarebbero abbastanza criticabili ma, come si suol dire, lui lo fa per salvare delle persone, o comunque per cercare la verità.
Catarella che storpia i cognomi delle persone ormai è diventato un classico, o la pazienza dei suoi collaboratori più stretti e sempre efficienti Augello e Fazio ormai sono un marchio di fabbrica delle storie di Montalbano, con le sue nuotate in mare a Marinella (in realtà siamo a Punta Secca). Il finale poi mi ha fatto sorridere, il fatto che alla fine non è riuscito a incontrarsi con la sua Livia (non aggiungo altro) fa capire tante cose, che il nostro commissario quando c'è di mezzo l'amore va in tilt!
Un altro punto a favore di questo capitolo montalbaniano è stata la scorrevolezza della storia, non riuscivo a chiudere il libro perché volevo sapere come sarebbe proseguita l'indagine nel capitolo successivo. E poi il dialetto inventato da Camilleri ormai mi è familiare, quasi musicale.
Lo consiglio anche a chi non ha ancora letto nulla sul commissario Montalbano, anche se tra i miei preferiti resta assolutamente "Il cane di terracotta".
June 12, 2016
Unlike so many other long-running series, Camilleri's books never pall. Here Montalbano is still struggling with getting older and his internal voices are particularly entertaining. At the same time, he and Livia are at a bit of a crossroads and Ingrid makes one of her slightly enigmatic appearances.
On the work front Fazio, Augello and the divine Catarella are all their inimitable selves, and Montalbano solves a murder that crosses all kinds of uncomfortable jurisdictions.
One of the things I love about Camilleri's writing is the way he keeps things light without being vacuous: there are always hidden depths to his characters that are merely hinted at in the books so that they never descend to being mere caricatures. And his political sense is both acute and able to identify the farcical in the serious: prompted by the list-loving Fazio, for example - "If Fazio, thought the inspector, hadn't been Sicilian but Russian in the time of the KGB, he would have had a brilliant career. Perhaps to the point of becoming prime minister, as had now become the custom there, in times of democracy."
Brilliant light reading with substance.
On the work front Fazio, Augello and the divine Catarella are all their inimitable selves, and Montalbano solves a murder that crosses all kinds of uncomfortable jurisdictions.
One of the things I love about Camilleri's writing is the way he keeps things light without being vacuous: there are always hidden depths to his characters that are merely hinted at in the books so that they never descend to being mere caricatures. And his political sense is both acute and able to identify the farcical in the serious: prompted by the list-loving Fazio, for example - "If Fazio, thought the inspector, hadn't been Sicilian but Russian in the time of the KGB, he would have had a brilliant career. Perhaps to the point of becoming prime minister, as had now become the custom there, in times of democracy."
Brilliant light reading with substance.
August 27, 2023
This is a pretty good short detective novel, as far as detective novels go. I imagine one would get more out of it if one had started with the first of the novels in this series, because then you would have more of a relationship with the main characters. But I am interested enough in Camilleri now that I would read one of his other works (not necessarily from this series though).
I enjoyed it. It is light but snappy, witty, and even sometimes reflective reading. A welcome change to some other heavier stuff I've been reading.
I enjoyed it. It is light but snappy, witty, and even sometimes reflective reading. A welcome change to some other heavier stuff I've been reading.
February 5, 2017
4* The Shape of Water (Inspector Montalbano, #1)
4* The Terra-Cotta Dog (Inspector Montalbano, #2)
3* Excursion to Tindari (Inspector Montalbano, #5)
4* The Smell of the Night (Inspector Montalbano, #6)
3* Rounding the Mark (Inspector Montalbano, #7)
4* The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano, #8)
3* The Wings of the Sphinx (Inspector Montalbano, #11)
3* Acqua in bocca (Inspector Montalbano, #16.5)
4* Treasure Hunt (Inspector Montalbano, #16)
TR The Snack Thief (Inspector Montalbano, #3)
TR Voice of the Violin (Inspector Montalbano, #4)
TR Un mese con Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.5)
TR Gli arancini di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.7)
TR La paura di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.5)
TR Storie di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.7)
TR La prima indagine di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #8.5)
TR The Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano, #9)
TR August Heat (Inspector Montalbano, #10)
TR The Track of Sand (Inspector Montalbano, #12)
TR The Potter's Field (Inspector Montalbano, #13)
TR The Age of Doubt (Inspector Montalbano, #14)
TR Racconti di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #14.5)
TR The Dance of the Seagull (Inspector Montalbano, #15)
TR Il sorriso di Angelica (Montalbano, #17)
TR Il gioco degli specchi (Montalbano, #18)
TR Una lama di luce (Montalbano, #19)
TR Una voce di notte (Montalbano, #20)
TR Un covo di vipere (Montalbano, #21)
TR La piramide di fango (Montalbano, #22)
TR La giostra degli scambi (Montalbano, #23)
4* The Terra-Cotta Dog (Inspector Montalbano, #2)
3* Excursion to Tindari (Inspector Montalbano, #5)
4* The Smell of the Night (Inspector Montalbano, #6)
3* Rounding the Mark (Inspector Montalbano, #7)
4* The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano, #8)
3* The Wings of the Sphinx (Inspector Montalbano, #11)
3* Acqua in bocca (Inspector Montalbano, #16.5)
4* Treasure Hunt (Inspector Montalbano, #16)
TR The Snack Thief (Inspector Montalbano, #3)
TR Voice of the Violin (Inspector Montalbano, #4)
TR Un mese con Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.5)
TR Gli arancini di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.7)
TR La paura di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.5)
TR Storie di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.7)
TR La prima indagine di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #8.5)
TR The Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano, #9)
TR August Heat (Inspector Montalbano, #10)
TR The Track of Sand (Inspector Montalbano, #12)
TR The Potter's Field (Inspector Montalbano, #13)
TR The Age of Doubt (Inspector Montalbano, #14)
TR Racconti di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #14.5)
TR The Dance of the Seagull (Inspector Montalbano, #15)
TR Il sorriso di Angelica (Montalbano, #17)
TR Il gioco degli specchi (Montalbano, #18)
TR Una lama di luce (Montalbano, #19)
TR Una voce di notte (Montalbano, #20)
TR Un covo di vipere (Montalbano, #21)
TR La piramide di fango (Montalbano, #22)
TR La giostra degli scambi (Montalbano, #23)
August 2, 2022
3.5*
July 2022 re-read via audiobook: I love Grover Gardner's narration but I miss translator Stephen Saratelli's footnotes, so informative about the food and culture of Sicily.
July 2022 re-read via audiobook: I love Grover Gardner's narration but I miss translator Stephen Saratelli's footnotes, so informative about the food and culture of Sicily.
December 14, 2018
I’m a big fan of the Inspector Montalbano books. This might be my favorite one...so far.
April 26, 2019
Another great story about Montalbano and his team, with a distinctive tattoo on the shoulder of the corpse of an attractive naked girl found in a rubbish tip.
November 7, 2022
Nel bene e nel male, Montalbano è noi
Ogni tanto ci vuole. Ritrovare Montalbano, e con lui i pensieri di Camilleri, e la verve e le riflessioni di questo nostro grande, anche umanamente, è un piacere. Mentre si barcamena coi suoi pochi mezzi in questa nostra società malata senza troppe speranze, consapevole ma anche saldo su quelli che ci piace definire i principi. Principi sani, da sempre in lotta per sopravvivere contro le forze della nostra meschinità, dei nostri egoismi, della nostra malvagità.
Perché Montalbano è noi. Che non riesce a far funzionare la propria vita privata, e svolge con passione la sua missione vitale. Contro i mille ostacoli legittimi e meno che la vita, l'universo povero che ci circonda, ci pone. Senza poterne fare a meno, perché ciò che siamo non può cambiare. Quella è la sua e la nostra natura, un giorno dopo l'altro, un errore dopo l'altro, a volte dopo un successo. Siamo noi Montalbano, e Andrea lo sa bene mentre ce la racconta. Lo è anche lui.
Ogni tanto ci vuole. Ritrovare Montalbano, e con lui i pensieri di Camilleri, e la verve e le riflessioni di questo nostro grande, anche umanamente, è un piacere. Mentre si barcamena coi suoi pochi mezzi in questa nostra società malata senza troppe speranze, consapevole ma anche saldo su quelli che ci piace definire i principi. Principi sani, da sempre in lotta per sopravvivere contro le forze della nostra meschinità, dei nostri egoismi, della nostra malvagità.
Perché Montalbano è noi. Che non riesce a far funzionare la propria vita privata, e svolge con passione la sua missione vitale. Contro i mille ostacoli legittimi e meno che la vita, l'universo povero che ci circonda, ci pone. Senza poterne fare a meno, perché ciò che siamo non può cambiare. Quella è la sua e la nostra natura, un giorno dopo l'altro, un errore dopo l'altro, a volte dopo un successo. Siamo noi Montalbano, e Andrea lo sa bene mentre ce la racconta. Lo è anche lui.
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March 11, 2011Il tempo passa per tutti e in questo libro sembra proprio che anche per Montalbano sia arrivato il momento di prenderne atto.
La storia naturalmente mi è piaciuta. Dico naturalmente perché Montalbano o si ama o si odia, e se lo si ama come si fa a non sorridere, a riflettere, a "santiare" con lui, qualsiasi sia l'indagine in corso? Anzi, a dirla tutta per quanto apprezzi la maestria di Camilleri nello svolgere una matassa di trama colma di indizi e di incastri perfetti poi alla fine il ricordo dei fatti mi sfugge via appena girata l'ultima pagina. Quello che invece resta con prepotenza sono le atmosfere e i personaggi di un mondo talmente ben costruito da "bastarsi", così vivido da sembrare più vero del vero. Dai, Montalbano non può non esistere sul serio, è impensabile! È talmente vivo che da qualche parte deve pur essere! E anche Catarella naturalmente!!
La storia naturalmente mi è piaciuta. Dico naturalmente perché Montalbano o si ama o si odia, e se lo si ama come si fa a non sorridere, a riflettere, a "santiare" con lui, qualsiasi sia l'indagine in corso? Anzi, a dirla tutta per quanto apprezzi la maestria di Camilleri nello svolgere una matassa di trama colma di indizi e di incastri perfetti poi alla fine il ricordo dei fatti mi sfugge via appena girata l'ultima pagina. Quello che invece resta con prepotenza sono le atmosfere e i personaggi di un mondo talmente ben costruito da "bastarsi", così vivido da sembrare più vero del vero. Dai, Montalbano non può non esistere sul serio, è impensabile! È talmente vivo che da qualche parte deve pur essere! E anche Catarella naturalmente!!
August 16, 2019
Άλλη μια εξαιρετική περιπέτεια του, αγαπημένου και καλοφαγά, επιθεωρητή Σάλβο Μονταλμπάνο! Καλογραμμένη, διασκεδαστική και έξυπνη. Δεν μπορούσα να το αφήσω από τα χέρια μου. Αν και, ομολογώ, ότι δεν μπορώ να είμαι αντικειμενική με τα βιβλία του Αντρέα Καμιλλέρι αφού η σειρά του Μονταλμπάνο είναι από τις αγαπημένες μου. Και, φυσικά, κάθε φορά που διαβάζω κάποιο θέλω να φάω μελιτζάνες με παρμεζάνα και μπαρμπούνια τηγανητά! Αν θέλετε ενδιαφεροντα αστυνομικά με ιταλική ατμόσφαιρα, καλο φαγητό και έξυπνους διαλόγους, διαβάστε κάποιο βιβλίο της σειράς. Δεν θα απογοητευτείτε.
March 13, 2013
The story is by the by - the main pleasure is the dialogue and backstory.
September 24, 2023
Superbly absurd.
February 10, 2023
Éste es el tercer libro de Montalbano/ Camilleri que leo en menos de un mes. Totalmente enganchado al universo de este peculiar comisario, y disfrutando con sus compañeros de trabajo, entendiendo y comprendiendo la difícil relación con su amante Livia y gozando de su refinado gusto por el arte y la gastronomía.
La excusa para leer con tanta intensidad a Camilleri ha sido esta vez el oscuro tráfico de jóvenes mujeres rusas a Europa, con asesinatos, dolor y mucha soledad de una sociedad cada vez más egoísta y que solamente está mirándose su ombligo.
No es la mejor historia de Montalbano, pero es un magnífico libro
La excusa para leer con tanta intensidad a Camilleri ha sido esta vez el oscuro tráfico de jóvenes mujeres rusas a Europa, con asesinatos, dolor y mucha soledad de una sociedad cada vez más egoísta y que solamente está mirándose su ombligo.
No es la mejor historia de Montalbano, pero es un magnífico libro
April 1, 2017
OK. Not outstanding. Quite easy to read, but not sure if I'll bother reading another one of his.
February 12, 2024
Przeczytałam, bo dostałam, ale nie zamierzam nadrabiać i kontynuować serii 😊
September 5, 2013
The eleventh novel in the Inspector Montalbano series, Wings of the Sphinx is another excellent entry , although definitely more serious in tone than many of Camilleri's earlier books. Events of the previous book August Heat are still fresh in his mind when Salvo is called to the scene of a murder, where a very young girl, barely only twenty, was found naked in a dump with a shotgun wound that tore her face off. The officers have only an odd tattoo on her shoulder, one that turns out to be a sphinx moth. By focusing on the tattoo, Montalbano makes the link between this victim and other girls who were all taken in by an organization called Benevolence, whose main work is keeping young immigrant women away from the streets and finding them gainful employment. While working on the murder, he also has to contend with the case of a missing businessman who, it seems, has been kidnapped. But Montalbano's investigation is stymied when it turns out that Benevolence is backed by some very powerful people with friends in very high places, and they're breathing down the commissioner's neck.
But the investigation is not all that's on Montalbano's mind. He not only has to deal with a system that's going to pot where
the police stations had no gasoline, the courts had no paper, the hospitals had no thermometers, and meanwhile the government was thinking about building a bridge over the Strait of Messina. But there was always plenty of gasoline for the useless escorts of ministers, vice ministers, undersecretaries, committee chairmen, senators, chamber deputies, regional deputies, cabinet chiefs, and underassistant briefcase carriers.......
but he also has to act as mediator between his two warring selves, Montalbano One and Montalbano Two, who "were always in disagreement." And his relationship with Livia has taken a personal toll on Salvo, as things have become pretty rocky between them. While considering the dead girl's tattoo, he comes to an insightful revelation:
"The love between him and Livia had been exactly like the flight of a sphinx moth.
At first, and for many years, it had been straight, sure, focused, and determined, capable of spanning an entire ocean.
Then, at a certain point, that splendid, straight line of flight had broken apart, zigzagging this way and that. It became...uncertain and confused."
In this novel, it seems, Montalbano is at his most morose self -- lamenting things that are wrong with the world at large, not to mention in his personal sphere of life.
But there's still enough lighthearted humor in Montalbano, his close circle of colleagues and in how he sets out to beat a system that sometimes makes no sense to keep Camilleri's faithful readers happy in this novel; not even Salvo's often gloomy outlook can override the antics of Catarella, the inspector's enjoyment of Enzo's Trattoria or the lovely meals left by Adelina in the fridge at Marinella. And on top of everything, The Wings of the Sphinx offers a very good set of crimes that need solving.
But the investigation is not all that's on Montalbano's mind. He not only has to deal with a system that's going to pot where
the police stations had no gasoline, the courts had no paper, the hospitals had no thermometers, and meanwhile the government was thinking about building a bridge over the Strait of Messina. But there was always plenty of gasoline for the useless escorts of ministers, vice ministers, undersecretaries, committee chairmen, senators, chamber deputies, regional deputies, cabinet chiefs, and underassistant briefcase carriers.......
but he also has to act as mediator between his two warring selves, Montalbano One and Montalbano Two, who "were always in disagreement." And his relationship with Livia has taken a personal toll on Salvo, as things have become pretty rocky between them. While considering the dead girl's tattoo, he comes to an insightful revelation:
"The love between him and Livia had been exactly like the flight of a sphinx moth.
At first, and for many years, it had been straight, sure, focused, and determined, capable of spanning an entire ocean.
Then, at a certain point, that splendid, straight line of flight had broken apart, zigzagging this way and that. It became...uncertain and confused."
In this novel, it seems, Montalbano is at his most morose self -- lamenting things that are wrong with the world at large, not to mention in his personal sphere of life.
But there's still enough lighthearted humor in Montalbano, his close circle of colleagues and in how he sets out to beat a system that sometimes makes no sense to keep Camilleri's faithful readers happy in this novel; not even Salvo's often gloomy outlook can override the antics of Catarella, the inspector's enjoyment of Enzo's Trattoria or the lovely meals left by Adelina in the fridge at Marinella. And on top of everything, The Wings of the Sphinx offers a very good set of crimes that need solving.
December 11, 2021
Las Alas de la Esfinge - Libro número 15 de la saga del Comisario Montalbano escrita por el genio de Andrea Camilleri, está novela fue publicada en 2006.
Aquí encontramos a Salvo bastante deprimido porque las cosas no van bien con Livia, la distancia y el tiempo los separa, a eso se suma el desliz que cometió Salvo en el anterior libro (que en Ardores de Agosto, el libro 14, nos lo dejan entrever pero que en Las Alas de la Esfinge lo aclaran) y el raro comportamiento de Livia.
En medio de esta tormenta emocional es encontrado en un vertedero el cuerpo desnudo de una mujer joven, aparentemente asesinada y con una única pista de su identidad, un tatuaje de una mariposa en el hombro.
La investigación del crimen llevará al Comisario y su equipo (Mimi, Fazio, Galluzzo, Catarella, etc) a enfrentarse a sus superiores que no quieren que investigue ya que en el medio aparece una organización benéfica de la iglesia regenteada por gente importante del gobierno.
Obviamente a Salvo le importa todo muy poco y sigue adelante con la ayuda de sus amigos.
Con el pasar de los libros se nota el envejecimiento del Comisario, se está acercando a los 60 años, nota que su cuerpo no responde como antes, su relación de tantos años con Livia se aleja, y en ocasiones no parece ser tan sagaz aunque al final siempre logra encontrar la verdad.
La saga siempre fue muy cómica, los personajes son muy graciosos y Montalbano es perfecto, honesto, bueno, obsesionado con la comida y muy inteligente... Pero los años no pasan solos, e incluso Salvo comete errores que cuestan caros, sigue habiendo comedia pero dentro del mismo paso del tiempo está el drama.
Los asesinatos y el crimen obviamente son dramas, pero Camilleri lo cuenta de forma hasta graciosa, esconde el drama entre la inoperancia del gobierno, los jefes y el estado.
El verdadero drama es que el tiempo pasa, las cosas cambian y mucho se pierde. Y Montalbano lo está descubriendo con el pasar de los libros.
Aquí encontramos a Salvo bastante deprimido porque las cosas no van bien con Livia, la distancia y el tiempo los separa, a eso se suma el desliz que cometió Salvo en el anterior libro (que en Ardores de Agosto, el libro 14, nos lo dejan entrever pero que en Las Alas de la Esfinge lo aclaran) y el raro comportamiento de Livia.
En medio de esta tormenta emocional es encontrado en un vertedero el cuerpo desnudo de una mujer joven, aparentemente asesinada y con una única pista de su identidad, un tatuaje de una mariposa en el hombro.
La investigación del crimen llevará al Comisario y su equipo (Mimi, Fazio, Galluzzo, Catarella, etc) a enfrentarse a sus superiores que no quieren que investigue ya que en el medio aparece una organización benéfica de la iglesia regenteada por gente importante del gobierno.
Obviamente a Salvo le importa todo muy poco y sigue adelante con la ayuda de sus amigos.
Con el pasar de los libros se nota el envejecimiento del Comisario, se está acercando a los 60 años, nota que su cuerpo no responde como antes, su relación de tantos años con Livia se aleja, y en ocasiones no parece ser tan sagaz aunque al final siempre logra encontrar la verdad.
La saga siempre fue muy cómica, los personajes son muy graciosos y Montalbano es perfecto, honesto, bueno, obsesionado con la comida y muy inteligente... Pero los años no pasan solos, e incluso Salvo comete errores que cuestan caros, sigue habiendo comedia pero dentro del mismo paso del tiempo está el drama.
Los asesinatos y el crimen obviamente son dramas, pero Camilleri lo cuenta de forma hasta graciosa, esconde el drama entre la inoperancia del gobierno, los jefes y el estado.
El verdadero drama es que el tiempo pasa, las cosas cambian y mucho se pierde. Y Montalbano lo está descubriendo con el pasar de los libros.
July 25, 2010
#11 Inspector Salvo Montalbano mystery
A huge favorite series, set in Italy. Police Insp. Montalbano solves intriguing crimes in spite of government and/or police corruption, incompetence, mistakes, etc. As always policeman Catarella provides the laughs with his mangled speech and phone messages that leave everyone guessing what the caller really said.
"[The phone rings at home, Montalbano answers hello:]. It's Catarella calling from the station:
"Chief, whadd I do, wake y'up?"
"No, Cat, I was awake."
"You sure 'bout that, Chief? Yer not jess sayin' 'at to be nice?"
"No, you needn't worry. What is it?"
"Chief, what else could it be if I'm callin' you foist ting in the morning?"
"Cat, do you realize that you never call to give me any good news?"
There was a pause, and then Catarella's voice became all choked up.
"Ah Chief, Chief! Whyddya say that? You wanna humilitate me? If it was up to me, I'd wake you up every single mornin with' rilly good news, like, I dunno, like you jess won tirty billions inna lattery, or like you was jess made chief o' police, or ..."
"Cat, wanna bet I know why you're calling? A dead man was found somewhere. Am I right?"
"Yes and no, Chief."
"Where am I wrong?"
"Is a dead lady, Chief." ...
"Send a car to pick me up."
"The cars're all inna garage and can't go nowheres, Chief."
"They all broke down at the same time?"
"Nossir, Chief, they's workin' all right. But the fack is there's no more money to buy gasoline. Fazio called but they tol' 'im be patient 'cause the money's onna way an'll be here in a few days, but not much ..."
The inspector cursed the saints. The police station had no gasoline, the courts had no paper, the hospitals had no thermometers, and meanwhile the government was thinking about building a bridge over the strait of Messina."
A huge favorite series, set in Italy. Police Insp. Montalbano solves intriguing crimes in spite of government and/or police corruption, incompetence, mistakes, etc. As always policeman Catarella provides the laughs with his mangled speech and phone messages that leave everyone guessing what the caller really said.
"[The phone rings at home, Montalbano answers hello:]. It's Catarella calling from the station:
"Chief, whadd I do, wake y'up?"
"No, Cat, I was awake."
"You sure 'bout that, Chief? Yer not jess sayin' 'at to be nice?"
"No, you needn't worry. What is it?"
"Chief, what else could it be if I'm callin' you foist ting in the morning?"
"Cat, do you realize that you never call to give me any good news?"
There was a pause, and then Catarella's voice became all choked up.
"Ah Chief, Chief! Whyddya say that? You wanna humilitate me? If it was up to me, I'd wake you up every single mornin with' rilly good news, like, I dunno, like you jess won tirty billions inna lattery, or like you was jess made chief o' police, or ..."
"Cat, wanna bet I know why you're calling? A dead man was found somewhere. Am I right?"
"Yes and no, Chief."
"Where am I wrong?"
"Is a dead lady, Chief." ...
"Send a car to pick me up."
"The cars're all inna garage and can't go nowheres, Chief."
"They all broke down at the same time?"
"Nossir, Chief, they's workin' all right. But the fack is there's no more money to buy gasoline. Fazio called but they tol' 'im be patient 'cause the money's onna way an'll be here in a few days, but not much ..."
The inspector cursed the saints. The police station had no gasoline, the courts had no paper, the hospitals had no thermometers, and meanwhile the government was thinking about building a bridge over the strait of Messina."
November 13, 2014
The 11th Montalbano book this is a series that I'm tragically reading out of order, behind the publication dates and sadly not often enough.
Of course fans know about the food, and the scenery, and the grumpiness of Montalbano. Combine that with the vague lunacy of the members of the rest of the police force he has to work with and there's a sense of affection about these books.
Which stands out markedly against the relationships that Montalbano has with everyone including his on/off/distant/what exactly is their relationship girlfriend Livia.
Around this investigation, which revolves largely around the difficulties in identifying the dead woman, Montalbano's relationship with Livia is off again - and this time it seems terminal.
So stand by for a lot of soul searching, and dithering about with she said / he said / or they simply said nothing because neither wanted to pick up the phone. Add to that the standard pressures from above, the side and below with Montalbano's team also supposed to be investigating the kidnapping of a local man - who everyone, but his wife, thinks has done a runner.
If you love this series, then there's really not a bad book, although there are favoured ones. Perhaps because of the heavy concentration on the relationship between Montalbano and Livia, this does bog a bit on occasion. In the same way that finishing the chocolate dessert might get a bit tricky at the end of a fabulous meal. As always, the real problem with this series is that it's impossible to read any of them and not be hungry. And somewhat disappointed that your fridge doesn't reveal the sorts of delicacies that Montalbano's does.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Of course fans know about the food, and the scenery, and the grumpiness of Montalbano. Combine that with the vague lunacy of the members of the rest of the police force he has to work with and there's a sense of affection about these books.
Which stands out markedly against the relationships that Montalbano has with everyone including his on/off/distant/what exactly is their relationship girlfriend Livia.
Around this investigation, which revolves largely around the difficulties in identifying the dead woman, Montalbano's relationship with Livia is off again - and this time it seems terminal.
So stand by for a lot of soul searching, and dithering about with she said / he said / or they simply said nothing because neither wanted to pick up the phone. Add to that the standard pressures from above, the side and below with Montalbano's team also supposed to be investigating the kidnapping of a local man - who everyone, but his wife, thinks has done a runner.
If you love this series, then there's really not a bad book, although there are favoured ones. Perhaps because of the heavy concentration on the relationship between Montalbano and Livia, this does bog a bit on occasion. In the same way that finishing the chocolate dessert might get a bit tricky at the end of a fabulous meal. As always, the real problem with this series is that it's impossible to read any of them and not be hungry. And somewhat disappointed that your fridge doesn't reveal the sorts of delicacies that Montalbano's does.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
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