Review

This is the 10th book in the Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri, and the latest to be translated to English by Stephen Sartarelli. In this installment, Montalbano is stuck in Vigata in August, suffering from the oppressive heat. His girlfriend Livia has come to visit, bringing her friend and her friend’s husband and young son. When the young son goes missing, Montalbano finds him, along with a hidden corpse. Livia leaves in a huff (something she seems to do on a regular basis), and Montalbano investigates the murder, leading him, as always, into the world of politics and the mafia in Sicily.

This is a rather more subdued book than usual - maybe that’s a reflection of the oppressive heat, or maybe it is because Montalbano is feeling his age and is becoming worried about his fading strength. In any case, this is an excellent and entertaining read.

The translation is once again outstanding - of the many foreign-language mysteries I’ve read, these are the best translated.

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