Montalbano is called to a supermarket from which 16,728 euros has been stolen, the previous day’s sales. The police are skeptical since there was no forced entry and the money had been kept in a desk which was easily forced. The inspector leaves the manager, Guido Borsellino, to explain to the owners what has happened.
That evening the inspector is called back to the supermarket for Borsellino has been found hanging in his office. The apparent suicide was clumsily done but the pathologist is reticent about calling the death murder.
Subsequently, a young man, Giovanni Strangio, who is the son of the provincial president, advises Montalbano that his girlfriend is dead in their apartment. Having already had a run in with the young man, Montalbano, is unusually careful about the investigation.
Both murders have more than a whiff of Mafia connections.
Every day Montalbano feels his age. His digestion is unsettled over the large meals, focused on seafood and pasta, that he loves to consume. He blows up when a lawyer suggests they are men of a “certain age”.
Now that I am 71 his preoccupation with being 58 makes me smile. There are many good years after 58.
The resolution involved clever deductions and actions. While Montalbano has a modest regard for rules he does live in Sicily where many disregard the law.
Montalbano’s challenges with electronic devices are staggering. The 21st Century is not a comfortable place for him.
The book moves smoothly. While a good book I thought The Shape of Water a better book.
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I've always liked this series, Bill. I like Montalbano's almost philosophical way of thinking, and there's the right amount of wit to keep the story leavened without taking away from the seriousness of some of the crimes. Especially impressive was how long the series lasted.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I appreciate wit as well. I could not see reading the whole series so I jumped forward from the first in the series.
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