Monday, August 15, 2016

The Age of Doubt by Andrea Camilleri


First Line: He had just fallen asleep after a night worse than almost any other in his life, when a thunderclap as loud as a cannon blast fired two inches from his ear startled him awake.

That thunderclap heralded a ferocious storm. Unfortunately Montalbano didn't know the road to work had collapsed before he left his house the next morning. Stuck in terrible traffic jam, he manages to save a plain young woman who was trying to meet someone arriving on a yacht that day. Not long after she leaves, Montalbano discovers that the very same yacht has just reported finding a disfigured corpse. Also at the dock is a luxury vessel with a questionable crew. Everyone's going to have to stay put until Montalbano's investigation is over, but never fear: this veteran police officer is a magician at putting strange clues together in such a way that they lead straight to the bad guys.

The Age of Doubt is one of Andrea Camilleri's most enjoyable mysteries featuring the irascible Inspector Salvo Montalbano. Someone successfully cons him which simultaneously alarms and amuses him. He has a tough time identifying the dead man brought in on the yacht. And a good mind for geography is needed to piece together what those two vessels are doing in the harbor at Vigáta. It's all enough to make Montalbano doubt his abilities-- especially when he starts speaking in clichés.

The book also has Camilleri's trademark humor that can easily have me laughing out loud, as in scenes when Montalbano is desperately trying to get something done and no one cooperates. One can never say enough about Stephen Sartarelli's superb translations of these books, and the food? When's the next plane to Sicily-- I'm starving! There was only one small blighted spot in The Age of Doubt concerning something that is expected of Montalbano's married detective, but it's not about to spoil my enjoyment of wonderful series. Long live Salvo Montabano!
      

The Age of Doubt by Andrea Camilleri
Translated from the Italian by Stephen Sartarelli.
ISBN: 9780143120926
Penguin Books © 2012
Paperback, 274 pages

Police Procedural, #14 Inspector Montalbano mystery 
Rating: B+
Source: Paperback Swap


4 comments:

  1. I couldn't agree more about the series, Cathy! It's consistently one of my top-rated series. As you say, there is the wit. But there also solid mysteries. And good characters. And that setting! And the food...

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    1. So very many things to recommend this series!

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  2. Yes. I love this series, too. All of Montalbano's quirks and his team's eccentricities add to the fun.

    And, I, too, am often laughing out loud. So is Sarterelli when he's translating,as I've read.

    I don't specifically remember this book, but I've read nearly all of those translated into English and enjoyed them.

    I love the part in one book where Montalbano meets the actor playing him, and where he mentions he reads mysteries by his own author!

    And as I'm reading these books, I want to run out to the nearest Italian restaurant and get pasta and pesce.

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    1. I think I remember that part about meeting the actor and the mention of Camilleri, Kathy. Just don't ask me which book it's in!

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