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Commissario Montalbano #5
Excursion to Tindari
Inspector Montalbano investigates between the imaginary Vigàta and Tindari, the promontory overlooking the sea "with the small, mysterious Greek theater and the beach in the shape of a hand with pink fingers". A triple murder has occurred - a young Don Juan who lived beyond his apparent means, two elderly pensioners buried in their home who suddenly decide to take a trip to Tindari. They are connected, it seems, only by a condominium. But Montalbano has a curse, he can read the signs that come from the very ancient that lives in the very modern continent of Sicily: he is helped by an old twisted olive tree, his team, the Swedish Ingrid, a book by Conrad, and an Unnamed without repentance.
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
353 people are currently reading
1954 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Camilleri
471 books2,428 followersAndrea Camilleri 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 515 reviews
August 25, 2021
So in entry five in this Sicilian mystery series by Andrea Camilleri, Nenè Sanfilippo is found shot in the head at his door, and then an elderly couple, the Griffos, are reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari. After this they have to interview people, including lots of motormouth older people who had been on the excursion, and mostly laughs ensue for a while. The hijinks involve as well, the bumbling folks Inspector Montalbano has working for him, Fazio, Mimi Augello, Catarella (who is referred to as Agent Oh oh!), and we love the interactions between Salvo and Livia, his fiancee. Some funny scenes come from the dead Don Juan Sanfilippo’s self-made porn tapes, as the team need to view them for potential evidence. But Salvo can’t do it because porn is so boring, he always falls asleep.
Then things turn serious as Montalbano talks to Don Balduccio Sinagra, the head of one of the two major crime families. And then we see Salvo’s empathy as he finds the older couple, dead, holding hands. And he's tormented and anguished as he solves the crime. And the ending is surprising and even moving after all the laughs. This book balances mafia brutality with laughs and food and a little raciness.
Here’s a bit of an exchange where Montalbano, who quotes Pirandello and other literature in these books, reflects on the writing of mysteries as literature:
“When you retire you could start writing novels.”
“I would definitely write mysteries. But it’s not worth the trouble.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because certain critics and professors, or would-be critics and professors, consider mystery novels a minor genre. And, in fact, in histories of literature they’re never even mentioned.”
“What the hell do you care? Do you want to enter literary history alongside Dante and Manzoni?”
“I’d die of shame.”
“So just write them and be content with that.”
Then things turn serious as Montalbano talks to Don Balduccio Sinagra, the head of one of the two major crime families. And then we see Salvo’s empathy as he finds the older couple, dead, holding hands. And he's tormented and anguished as he solves the crime. And the ending is surprising and even moving after all the laughs. This book balances mafia brutality with laughs and food and a little raciness.
Here’s a bit of an exchange where Montalbano, who quotes Pirandello and other literature in these books, reflects on the writing of mysteries as literature:
“When you retire you could start writing novels.”
“I would definitely write mysteries. But it’s not worth the trouble.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because certain critics and professors, or would-be critics and professors, consider mystery novels a minor genre. And, in fact, in histories of literature they’re never even mentioned.”
“What the hell do you care? Do you want to enter literary history alongside Dante and Manzoni?”
“I’d die of shame.”
“So just write them and be content with that.”
July 26, 2019
Ma come si fa a non amare Montalbano?*
«Montalbano sono. Dovrei dire pronto, ma non lo dico. Sinceramente, non mi sento pronto».
All'altro capo ci fu un lungo silenzio. Poi arrivò il suono del telefono abbassato.
(...)
Tornò mestamente verso casa e già da una decina di metri di distanza sentì lo squillo del telefono. L'unica era accettare le cose come stavano. E, tanto per principiare, rispondere a quella chiamata.
Era Fazio.
«Levami una curiosità. Sei stato tu a telefonarmi un quarto d'ora fa?».
«Nonsi, dottore. Fu Catarella. Ma disse che lei non era pronto. Allora ho lasciato passare tanticchia di tempo e ho richiamato io. Pronto si sente ora, dottore?».
*Macari Fazio, Catarella, Augello...!
«Montalbano sono. Dovrei dire pronto, ma non lo dico. Sinceramente, non mi sento pronto».
All'altro capo ci fu un lungo silenzio. Poi arrivò il suono del telefono abbassato.
(...)
Tornò mestamente verso casa e già da una decina di metri di distanza sentì lo squillo del telefono. L'unica era accettare le cose come stavano. E, tanto per principiare, rispondere a quella chiamata.
Era Fazio.
«Levami una curiosità. Sei stato tu a telefonarmi un quarto d'ora fa?».
«Nonsi, dottore. Fu Catarella. Ma disse che lei non era pronto. Allora ho lasciato passare tanticchia di tempo e ho richiamato io. Pronto si sente ora, dottore?».
*Macari Fazio, Catarella, Augello...!
September 2, 2017
" Stânca plângerii. Nu, nu greșea s-o numească așa, pentru că acolo plânsese de-adevăratelea- un plâns eliberator- în ziua în care fusese anunțat că bătrânul său tată trăgea să moară. Și iată că acum se întorcea acolo, din cauza unui alt sfârșit anunțat-un sfârșit pentru care nu avea să verse lacrimi, însă care-i provoca o profundă durere. Da, un sfârșit, nu exagera cu nimic numindu-l așa."
" Prin muruiala vâscoasă de pe pardoseală se întrezăreau brațul drept al femeii și cel stâng al soțului ei. Țepene, întinse pe lângă corp, se atingeau. Montalbano se aplecă și mai mult, strângându-l din ce în ce mai puternic de braț pe Mimi. În clipa aceea, le văzu mâinile: degetele mâinii ei drepte rămăseseră împreunate cu cele ale mâinii lui stângi. Muriseră ținându-se de mână."
" Prin muruiala vâscoasă de pe pardoseală se întrezăreau brațul drept al femeii și cel stâng al soțului ei. Țepene, întinse pe lângă corp, se atingeau. Montalbano se aplecă și mai mult, strângându-l din ce în ce mai puternic de braț pe Mimi. În clipa aceea, le văzu mâinile: degetele mâinii ei drepte rămăseseră împreunate cu cele ale mâinii lui stângi. Muriseră ținându-se de mână."
May 27, 2017
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: Following the long-running success he has enjoyed on bestseller lists in Europe, Inspector Salvo Montalbano is now winning over American readers and critics alike as “one of the most engaging protagonists in detective fiction” (USA Today). Now, in Excursion to Tindari, Andrea Camilleri’s savvy and darkly comic take on Sicilian life leads Montalbano into his most bone-chilling case yet.In two seemingly unrelated crimes, a young Don Juan is found murdered and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari. As Montalbano works to solve both cases, he stumbles onto Sicily’s ghastly “new age” of brutal and anonymous criminality.
My Review: Fifth of Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series set in fictional Vigata, Sicily, this outing sees Montalbano and his team dealing with a homicide, a double disappearance, and a bad case of lovin' you for the Inspector and his chief henchman as their respective relationships head into perilous waters. That is as nothing, though, compared to the murder of a too-wealthy twenty-year-old computer whiz who is in so far over his head that teasing out the whys and wherefores of his death leads Montalbano directly to the pinnacle of the Mafia food chain, and the resolution of the double disappearance...actually a double homicide...and the end of particularly vile, despicable, reprehensible, inexcusable business. For good? Probably not. For better, yes.
Camilleri doesn't disappoint in this outing for the hapless Mimí Augello, the surprisingly astute Catarella, and the Inspector himself. A web spins around Vigata (modeled after Porto Empedocle, Camilleri's home, which has actually added "Vigata" to its name to capitalize on the tourists following Montalbano around!) that seems at first to mean one thing, then another, then when you're SURE it means ANOTHER thing, *bam* there it is, the real source of all the trouble...and this time it was one I so totally never saw coming that I reeled backwards in shock, just like in the old cartoons. (Never mind that I was comfortably recumbent in the bed, don't be a spoilsport, the image works.)
Montalbano's highly imperfect character...too fond of his food yet never gets fat, treats Livia with what can charitably be called a highly trusting light maintenance, is so jealous of Augello's gal-pal in Pavia (like being from Massachusetts to a Texan) that he sets out with malice aforethought to get poor Mimí to forget her by introducing him to a witness in the double disappearance case, who just happens to be tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and a major foodie who has no family outside Vigata...which ploy works like a champ, may I add...grows deeper in this entry, and in some surprising ways. Upstanding yet spiteful, insubordinate yet deftly political, Montalbano makes each twist and every turn just that much more fun to take with Camilleri.
These are hugely popular books in the rest of the world, and the TV series is huge in Europe, and they are like all fueled by the same basic engine: Real drama comes from inside complex characters, their different facets all whirling chaotically to create the energy to drive the story. Well, yes.
Now will SOMEONE please translate Camilleri's non-Montalbano novel "Noah's Umbrella"?!? I *have* to know what it's about!
The Publisher Says: Following the long-running success he has enjoyed on bestseller lists in Europe, Inspector Salvo Montalbano is now winning over American readers and critics alike as “one of the most engaging protagonists in detective fiction” (USA Today). Now, in Excursion to Tindari, Andrea Camilleri’s savvy and darkly comic take on Sicilian life leads Montalbano into his most bone-chilling case yet.In two seemingly unrelated crimes, a young Don Juan is found murdered and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari. As Montalbano works to solve both cases, he stumbles onto Sicily’s ghastly “new age” of brutal and anonymous criminality.
My Review: Fifth of Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series set in fictional Vigata, Sicily, this outing sees Montalbano and his team dealing with a homicide, a double disappearance, and a bad case of lovin' you for the Inspector and his chief henchman as their respective relationships head into perilous waters. That is as nothing, though, compared to the murder of a too-wealthy twenty-year-old computer whiz who is in so far over his head that teasing out the whys and wherefores of his death leads Montalbano directly to the pinnacle of the Mafia food chain, and the resolution of the double disappearance...actually a double homicide...and the end of particularly vile, despicable, reprehensible, inexcusable business. For good? Probably not. For better, yes.
Camilleri doesn't disappoint in this outing for the hapless Mimí Augello, the surprisingly astute Catarella, and the Inspector himself. A web spins around Vigata (modeled after Porto Empedocle, Camilleri's home, which has actually added "Vigata" to its name to capitalize on the tourists following Montalbano around!) that seems at first to mean one thing, then another, then when you're SURE it means ANOTHER thing, *bam* there it is, the real source of all the trouble...and this time it was one I so totally never saw coming that I reeled backwards in shock, just like in the old cartoons. (Never mind that I was comfortably recumbent in the bed, don't be a spoilsport, the image works.)
Montalbano's highly imperfect character...too fond of his food yet never gets fat, treats Livia with what can charitably be called a highly trusting light maintenance, is so jealous of Augello's gal-pal in Pavia (like being from Massachusetts to a Texan) that he sets out with malice aforethought to get poor Mimí to forget her by introducing him to a witness in the double disappearance case, who just happens to be tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and a major foodie who has no family outside Vigata...which ploy works like a champ, may I add...grows deeper in this entry, and in some surprising ways. Upstanding yet spiteful, insubordinate yet deftly political, Montalbano makes each twist and every turn just that much more fun to take with Camilleri.
These are hugely popular books in the rest of the world, and the TV series is huge in Europe, and they are like all fueled by the same basic engine: Real drama comes from inside complex characters, their different facets all whirling chaotically to create the energy to drive the story. Well, yes.
Now will SOMEONE please translate Camilleri's non-Montalbano novel "Noah's Umbrella"?!? I *have* to know what it's about!
July 9, 2025
It is more than interesting how a septuagenarian author like Mr. Camilleri is able to find a new and savvy style and to create, from almost nothing, an Italian cult hero.
As usual, the plot isn't the finest possible, but the atmosphere, the characters, the language, the touch of humor, all of them melted together make quite a pleasant reading.
As usual, the plot isn't the finest possible, but the atmosphere, the characters, the language, the touch of humor, all of them melted together make quite a pleasant reading.
September 5, 2025
Вече се бях притеснил, че комисар Монталбано никога няма да се сблъска със зловещата организация, имаща често по-голямо влияние върху живота на сицилианците, отколкото властта на държавата.
Но се оказа, че мафията си е там и не само това, ами и еволюира, като се разпростира в нови, все така гнусни дела.
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
Но се оказа, че мафията си е там и не само това, ами и еволюира, като се разпростира в нови, все така гнусни дела.
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
June 11, 2020
Il nostro commissario siciliano stavolta dovrà indagare su ben tre omicidi: un giovane don Giovanni e una coppia di coniugi che non uscivano mai di casa partiti per una gita a Tindari. Tutti e tre abitavano nello stesso condominio: solo una incredibile coincidenza?
Montalbano, in questo romanzo, sta affrontando la cosiddetta crisi di mezza età: quasi cinquantenne si ritrova a riflettere sul suo rapporto con Livia e gli piomberà sulla testa un caso di sparizione di due coniugi che erano andati a una di quelle gite dove ti vendono padelle e pentole e un brutale omicidio sul portone di casa di un giovane. Mentre si ritrova a riflettere sui due casi (apparentemente slegati fra loro) riesce a trovare forse la futura moglie a Mimì e si ritroverà, suo malgrado, immischiato in un brutto giro di Mafia.
Camilleri nei primi romanzi di Montalbano continua a piacermi: ha sempre uno stile direi magico, che riesce a farti amare la terra sicula, ti fa odorare il mare (non a caso ogni volta che leggo una storia di Montalbano mi viene voglia di tuffarmici!), il cibo (quasi sempre a base di pesce fresco appena pescato e mangiato dalla nostra trattoria di fiducia, da Calogero!) e ti fa riflettere sulla fragilità della nostra umanità: non importa che tu sia un uomo di legge o un mafioso, ognuno di noi può sempre sbagliare. Bellissime le scene in cui il commissario, per riflettere e staccare dal lavoro, si arrampica su di un albero secolare e lì si addormenta, oppure si isola su uno scoglio a due passi dal faro e osserva il mare azzurro. La trama ti appassiona, non vedi l'ora di scoprire chi ha commesso i delitti e perché ma, a un certo punto, ti lasci quasi abbandonare alla storia, dimenticando quasi quello che sta succedendo. Montalbano sembra perdersi in questo spazio in cui vive, dimenticando spesso la sua Livia (arrabbiata perché non lo chiama spesso e se lo fa è per chiedergli qualcosa) e buttandosi a mare a farsi una nuotata ristoratrice. E poi la sua squadra funziona alla perfezione: Catarella che fa delle figuracce col suo linguaggio particolare ma è generoso e di cuore, Mimì che gli sta sempre accanto nonostante le sue sfuriate, e Fazio diligente e preciso. Alla fine del romanzo il nostro commissario sembra quasi stare per superare quel limite che non si dovrebbe superare, ma per fortuna i suoi colleghi gli sono accanto e ritorna in se stesso. L'orrore che scoprirà può distruggere anche un buon uomo come il Nostro!
Beh, se non ci sei stato, a Tindari devi andare!
Montalbano, in questo romanzo, sta affrontando la cosiddetta crisi di mezza età: quasi cinquantenne si ritrova a riflettere sul suo rapporto con Livia e gli piomberà sulla testa un caso di sparizione di due coniugi che erano andati a una di quelle gite dove ti vendono padelle e pentole e un brutale omicidio sul portone di casa di un giovane. Mentre si ritrova a riflettere sui due casi (apparentemente slegati fra loro) riesce a trovare forse la futura moglie a Mimì e si ritroverà, suo malgrado, immischiato in un brutto giro di Mafia.
Camilleri nei primi romanzi di Montalbano continua a piacermi: ha sempre uno stile direi magico, che riesce a farti amare la terra sicula, ti fa odorare il mare (non a caso ogni volta che leggo una storia di Montalbano mi viene voglia di tuffarmici!), il cibo (quasi sempre a base di pesce fresco appena pescato e mangiato dalla nostra trattoria di fiducia, da Calogero!) e ti fa riflettere sulla fragilità della nostra umanità: non importa che tu sia un uomo di legge o un mafioso, ognuno di noi può sempre sbagliare. Bellissime le scene in cui il commissario, per riflettere e staccare dal lavoro, si arrampica su di un albero secolare e lì si addormenta, oppure si isola su uno scoglio a due passi dal faro e osserva il mare azzurro. La trama ti appassiona, non vedi l'ora di scoprire chi ha commesso i delitti e perché ma, a un certo punto, ti lasci quasi abbandonare alla storia, dimenticando quasi quello che sta succedendo. Montalbano sembra perdersi in questo spazio in cui vive, dimenticando spesso la sua Livia (arrabbiata perché non lo chiama spesso e se lo fa è per chiedergli qualcosa) e buttandosi a mare a farsi una nuotata ristoratrice. E poi la sua squadra funziona alla perfezione: Catarella che fa delle figuracce col suo linguaggio particolare ma è generoso e di cuore, Mimì che gli sta sempre accanto nonostante le sue sfuriate, e Fazio diligente e preciso. Alla fine del romanzo il nostro commissario sembra quasi stare per superare quel limite che non si dovrebbe superare, ma per fortuna i suoi colleghi gli sono accanto e ritorna in se stesso. L'orrore che scoprirà può distruggere anche un buon uomo come il Nostro!
Beh, se non ci sei stato, a Tindari devi andare!
September 14, 2011
“Excursion to Tindari” is the 5th book in the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. And it’s every bit as good as the previous four books. It seems that most of the series books that I read have strong, likeable, morally-rewarding men as their main character. Montalbano is no exception to this rule. He may come across as gruff and brusque but this is a wall of deception. And behind this wall is a man who cuts corners and steps outside of the boundaries of the law only when matters are small and lead to a bigger action of justice.
Jacket notes: “A young Don Juan is found murdered in front of his apartment building early one morning, and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari--two seemingly unrelated cases for Inspector Montalbano to solve amid the daily complications of life at Vigáta police headquarters. But when Montalbano discovers that the couple and the murdered young man lived in the same building, his investigation stumbles onto Sicily's brutal "New Mafia", which leads him down a path more evil and far-reaching than any he has been down before.”
The mystery in this book is one that leads down multiple roads. Twists and turns there may be, but Montalbano finds solutions while lying underneath an old olive tree...quite literally. I like the way Camilleri allows all of his characters to grow and develop a bit more in each book in the series. It only makes me keep coming back for more.
Jacket notes: “A young Don Juan is found murdered in front of his apartment building early one morning, and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari--two seemingly unrelated cases for Inspector Montalbano to solve amid the daily complications of life at Vigáta police headquarters. But when Montalbano discovers that the couple and the murdered young man lived in the same building, his investigation stumbles onto Sicily's brutal "New Mafia", which leads him down a path more evil and far-reaching than any he has been down before.”
The mystery in this book is one that leads down multiple roads. Twists and turns there may be, but Montalbano finds solutions while lying underneath an old olive tree...quite literally. I like the way Camilleri allows all of his characters to grow and develop a bit more in each book in the series. It only makes me keep coming back for more.
September 14, 2021
Novela policiaca muy divertida al más puro estilo Montalbano.
La trama está bien hilada, los personajes son rotundos en su humanidad.
Resultado casi magnífico, solamente he encontrado un par de detalles que podrían haberse mejorado:
1.- La red criminal internacional me parece un poco cogida con alfileres. Algo exagerada, ya que todo eso que narra se hacía seguramente de forma más aséptica.
2.- Uno de los manijeros de Montalbano ya había leído la novela y debería haberlo alertado del contenido.
Por lo demás, todo bien resuelto: ambientación, personajes, pulso de la historia, estilo,...
Curioso que el autor se quejase en el texto de lo siguiente:
"Subieron al coche y se alejaron de aquel lugar. —Fantasía no te falta, desde luego —comentó Mim�� tras haber repasado la reconstrucción del comisario—. Cuando te jubiles, podrías dedicarte a escribir novelas. —Escribiría novelas de misterio, con toda seguridad. Y no merece la pena. —¿Por qué lo dices? —Ciertos críticos y catedráticos, o aspirantes a serlo, consideran las novelas de misterio un género menor hasta el punto de que en las historias de la literatura ni siquiera se las menciona. —Y a ti, ¿qué carajo te importa? ¿Quieres entrar en la historia de la literatura con Dante y Manzoni? —Me daría vergüenza. —Pues entonces, escríbelas y basta."
Supongo que es un pecado venial de falsa modestia, pues Camilleri debía ser plenamente consciente de su genialidad.
Muy recomendable.
La trama está bien hilada, los personajes son rotundos en su humanidad.
Resultado casi magnífico, solamente he encontrado un par de detalles que podrían haberse mejorado:
1.- La red criminal internacional me parece un poco cogida con alfileres. Algo exagerada, ya que todo eso que narra se hacía seguramente de forma más aséptica.
2.- Uno de los manijeros de Montalbano ya había leído la novela y debería haberlo alertado del contenido.
Por lo demás, todo bien resuelto: ambientación, personajes, pulso de la historia, estilo,...
Curioso que el autor se quejase en el texto de lo siguiente:
"Subieron al coche y se alejaron de aquel lugar. —Fantasía no te falta, desde luego —comentó Mim�� tras haber repasado la reconstrucción del comisario—. Cuando te jubiles, podrías dedicarte a escribir novelas. —Escribiría novelas de misterio, con toda seguridad. Y no merece la pena. —¿Por qué lo dices? —Ciertos críticos y catedráticos, o aspirantes a serlo, consideran las novelas de misterio un género menor hasta el punto de que en las historias de la literatura ni siquiera se las menciona. —Y a ti, ¿qué carajo te importa? ¿Quieres entrar en la historia de la literatura con Dante y Manzoni? —Me daría vergüenza. —Pues entonces, escríbelas y basta."
Supongo que es un pecado venial de falsa modestia, pues Camilleri debía ser plenamente consciente de su genialidad.
Muy recomendable.
July 10, 2022
Montalbano es calma, sabiduría y reflexión, hombre de pequeños placeres. Eso sí, su día va a depender del tiempo con el que se haya levantado y de lo que vaya a comer si lo hace en silencio. Vive en una casa con terraza frente al mar cuyo entorno siempre está cambiando. La luz, el mar… incluso él.
Este es el número 7 de la serie de Salamandra de bolsillo: 🌳En La excursión a Tindari desaparece un matrimonio que no era amigo de nadie (ya es raro que quisiesen ir de excursión…) y asesinan a un joven en un portal: ¿podría estar relacionado?. Salvo está más nostálgico de lo normal, Mimì más romántico y Catarella igual de genial.
Puedo tener 5 libros pendientes para leer, ¡que en algún momento el cuerpo me pide Camilleri!
Este es el número 7 de la serie de Salamandra de bolsillo: 🌳En La excursión a Tindari desaparece un matrimonio que no era amigo de nadie (ya es raro que quisiesen ir de excursión…) y asesinan a un joven en un portal: ¿podría estar relacionado?. Salvo está más nostálgico de lo normal, Mimì más romántico y Catarella igual de genial.
Puedo tener 5 libros pendientes para leer, ¡que en algún momento el cuerpo me pide Camilleri!
August 3, 2024
A complex murder mystery and lots of funny moments from Montalbano's wit and interactions with his colleagues!
September 5, 2013
Excursion to Tindari is a puzzler that will intrigue both fans of Camilleri and mystery readers in general. A phone call lands Montalbano in the middle of the case of the dead man at Via Cavour 44. Just one bullet in the middle of the forehead killed young Emanuele 'Nenè' Sanfilippo, and since the captain of the Flying Squad and his second in command were laid up (one with dysentery after a visit to Beirut and the other in the hospital in New York after a mugging), Montalbano is told that the case is his. While he's just getting started on that case, a man shows up at the Vigàta station to ask for help with his missing parents, Mr. and Mrs. Griffo, and permission to break down the door of their apartment. Montalbano puts Gallo on the case until he finds out that the missing parents lived in the same apartment building as the dead Sanfilippo, then decides to handle it himself. After a spot on the television news regarding their disappearance brings forth several witnesses, the police discover that the Griffos were last seen on a bus tour to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tindari. After that, they might has well have dropped off the face of the Earth. Salvo just knows intuitively that the two cases must be connected -- but how? As he's delving into both investigations, he receives a call that he can't refuse: Don Balduccio Sinagra, the head of one of the two major crime families, wants him to stop by for a visit. And, on the personal front, Mimi Augello has just informed Montalbano that he's met a woman and is planning on marrying her, and Montalbano realizes he may be losing a good officer and a good friend. Mimi also informs him that the Commissioner, Bonetti-Alderighi, is happy about Mimi's plans, saying that it was "high time that the band of Mafiosi at Vigàta Police...started to break up." And of course, let's not forget Livia, who is still depressed over events from book four, Voice of the Violin. But his keen detective work, some subterfuge, and the amazing, mouth-watering Italian dishes he loves help to see him through once more.
One of the funniest scenes in this series thus far is in this book -- in which Montalbano is at 'Nenè' Sanfilippo's apartment late one night reviewing some of the dead man's videocassettes. Camilleri's great sense of humor and timing are delightfully captured in English by Sartarelli the translator. The author also manages to drive home the point that although the Mafia's presence is everywhere, the game is changing and there's a new challenge to the police and indeed to the old ways -- the younger generation of Mafioso have become ruthless, unwilling to sit down and come to some agreement, preferring to solve their issues with knee-jerk violence. The core mysteries are enticing and well plotted, with very plausible and ingenious solutions. Camilleri also continues his well-defined sense of place that runs through the prior installments of this series, augmented by the richness of personalities and food found in the area.
All of the books in this series are intelligent and very well-written novels, and with each book the characters become more real. I suggest that anyone considering this series start at the beginning -- your reading experience will be greatly enhanced as you follow Montalbano and his team at the Vigàta station in the order the books were written.
One of the funniest scenes in this series thus far is in this book -- in which Montalbano is at 'Nenè' Sanfilippo's apartment late one night reviewing some of the dead man's videocassettes. Camilleri's great sense of humor and timing are delightfully captured in English by Sartarelli the translator. The author also manages to drive home the point that although the Mafia's presence is everywhere, the game is changing and there's a new challenge to the police and indeed to the old ways -- the younger generation of Mafioso have become ruthless, unwilling to sit down and come to some agreement, preferring to solve their issues with knee-jerk violence. The core mysteries are enticing and well plotted, with very plausible and ingenious solutions. Camilleri also continues his well-defined sense of place that runs through the prior installments of this series, augmented by the richness of personalities and food found in the area.
All of the books in this series are intelligent and very well-written novels, and with each book the characters become more real. I suggest that anyone considering this series start at the beginning -- your reading experience will be greatly enhanced as you follow Montalbano and his team at the Vigàta station in the order the books were written.
October 2, 2018
Montalbano's suspicions are aroused when a man is murdered outside an apartment building and an older couple who don't get out much residing in the building later turn up dead. Readers learn of rivalry between a "new mafia" and the established mob leaders. The women involved with Montalbano and Mimi figure into the story in minor ways. Food is always discussed although I found fewer occasions to salivate than in some installments. Although it is a solid installment, it was not a favorite. Grover Gardner did an excellent job narrating, as usual.
July 14, 2019
Tasty fare. My proper review is here: https://patricksherriff.com/2019/07/1...
January 10, 2024
Quando si vuole andare sul sicuro bisogna scegliere Camilleri e il suo caro Montalbano.
November 30, 2020
Ogni tanto mi piace fare una puntatina tra i libri del commissario Montalbano: è un po' come rivedere un vecchio amico con cui vai a farti una birretta dopo molto tempo.
Soprattutto mi piace pescare tra i primi volumi della serie, perché ritrovo una freschezza e una leggerezza che, secondo me, si è un po' persa alla fine, negli ultimi romanzi.
La gita a Tindari, poi, mi ha fatto sorridere più volte, perché vi ho ritrovato le "origini" di alcuni personaggi cui, con il tempo, mi ero un po' assuefatta, dimenticando di domandarmi da dove venissero fuori. Mi ha sorpreso soprattutto (e piacevolmente) Beba, quella che poi sarà la moglie rompiscatole di Augello. Qui è veramente interessante e divertente! E poi Catarella, che ormai è un habitué per i lettori, ma che in questo libro viene fuori per la prima volta, dimostrando che può essere anche altro, oltre alla macchietta che dà colore al commissariato.
L'indagine, poi, mi ha appassionata. Non era affatto scontata.
4 stelle, e non perché Camilleri non sia bravo, ma solo per un mio metro di giudizio personale: le 5 stelle sono solo per i capolavori e per i libri che mi sconvolgono ;)
Soprattutto mi piace pescare tra i primi volumi della serie, perché ritrovo una freschezza e una leggerezza che, secondo me, si è un po' persa alla fine, negli ultimi romanzi.
La gita a Tindari, poi, mi ha fatto sorridere più volte, perché vi ho ritrovato le "origini" di alcuni personaggi cui, con il tempo, mi ero un po' assuefatta, dimenticando di domandarmi da dove venissero fuori. Mi ha sorpreso soprattutto (e piacevolmente) Beba, quella che poi sarà la moglie rompiscatole di Augello. Qui è veramente interessante e divertente! E poi Catarella, che ormai è un habitué per i lettori, ma che in questo libro viene fuori per la prima volta, dimostrando che può essere anche altro, oltre alla macchietta che dà colore al commissariato.
L'indagine, poi, mi ha appassionata. Non era affatto scontata.
4 stelle, e non perché Camilleri non sia bravo, ma solo per un mio metro di giudizio personale: le 5 stelle sono solo per i capolavori e per i libri che mi sconvolgono ;)
January 23, 2022
Oltre ad essere un bel giallo è anche un libro spesso molto divertente, grazie alla consueta ironia del suo notissimo autore. Curiosamente, in tempi non sospetti, si cita Delta e Omicron. Il che, trattandosi di un libro del 2000 fa balzare dalla poltrona e gridare alla profezia. Non ultimo il fatto che l'autore conclude scrivendo che "tutto di questo libro, nomi, cognomi... è inventato... Se qualche coincidenza c'è, essa è dovuta al fatto che la mia fantasia è limitata". Roba che se lo stai leggendo di notte, puoi dire addio al sonno.
July 27, 2017
Колко много може да ви разкрие една стара сарацинска маслина, ще ви разкаже Салво Монталбано, покатерил се на клоните й да търси просветление относно връзката между едно убийство и едно изчезване.
How much an old Saracen olive tree can reveal, you'll be told by Salvo Montalbano who is looking for the connection between a murder and a disappearance.
How much an old Saracen olive tree can reveal, you'll be told by Salvo Montalbano who is looking for the connection between a murder and a disappearance.
October 6, 2019
This is the 5th book in the Montalbano series, and so far, I think it may be my favourite.
Andrea Camilleri writes easily and beautifully as always. The ending of this book had me in complete shock. I was not expecting the explanation. Camilleri ties the books plot together in a fascinatingly original way. I highly recommend this to anyone. I’m looking forward to starting book number 6.
Andrea Camilleri writes easily and beautifully as always. The ending of this book had me in complete shock. I was not expecting the explanation. Camilleri ties the books plot together in a fascinatingly original way. I highly recommend this to anyone. I’m looking forward to starting book number 6.
September 13, 2017
Another fine Montalbano story. Audiobook version is excellent.
February 22, 2021
l-am descoperit pe camilleri acum cativa ani. trebuie sa fac o marturisire. sunt fan al literaturii politiste. imi place modul in care este descrisa actiunea, expunerea faptelor, logica cu care sunt urnarite pistele, intrigile. stiu ca, de obicei. multa lume strimba din nas. ca nu ar fi literatura, ca este de duzina, insa pentru mine este fix literatura escapista care ma intriga. ma amuza sau ma tine cu inima strinsa in cautarea adevaruluu. si este cel mai bun intermezzo intre romane clasice sau moderne care exploreaza natura umana, cruda si fara menajamente.
revenind la camilleri m-a amuzat felul de a scrie. modul in care si-a construit personajele, felul in vorbesc, intriga. este o lectura usoara, dar placuta, amuzanta si incitanta.
nici acest roman nu face exceptie, comisarul montalbano fiind la inaltime inca o data.
revenind la camilleri m-a amuzat felul de a scrie. modul in care si-a construit personajele, felul in vorbesc, intriga. este o lectura usoara, dar placuta, amuzanta si incitanta.
nici acest roman nu face exceptie, comisarul montalbano fiind la inaltime inca o data.
June 14, 2024
La excursión a Tindari – Septimo libro de las aventuras del comisario Montalbano.
Publicado en el año 2000 y escrito por el genio italiano Andrea Camilleri, en esta ocasión es una novela un poco más corta de lo habitual, pero que sigue dando todo lo que Camilleri nos tiene acostumbrados.
Un joven que es muy poco social con sus vecinos y casi desconocido en la ciudad es asesinado a la puerta de entrada de su departamento, esto hace que el comisario Montalbano tenga que investigar que pasó.
Al mismo tiempo que se encarga de esta investigación llega otra, esta gira entorno a la desaparición de un matrimonio de ancianos, muy antisociales y de los cuales lo último que se sabe es que hicieron una excursión a una ciudad cercana llamada Tindari pero nunca regresaron a su casa.
Cómo siempre lo mejor del libro no es el crimen en sí, sino el pueblo, las relaciones entre los personajes y la cultura Italiana. Las locuras de Catarella, los arrebatos románticos de Mimi, entre otras cosas.
La primera vez que lo leí el final se me hizo un poco entreverado, entendible pero entreverado, y si se quiere la historia la sentí un poco básica, el crimen no me había parecido muy interesante.
En esta segunda lectura lo disfrute más, me compenetre mejor con los crímenes pero de todas formas la sentí como la historia mas floja de Montalbano, por momentos la vi como apresurada. Esto no quiere decir que es mala, solo que no es la mejor.
Me hubiera gustado que se desarrollará un poco más la historia central del comisario, pero eso es un gusto personal. De todas formas se empieza a hablar de la edad y el impacto que genera en el comisario y en su carrera.
En líneas generales me gustó mucho pero tal vez de la saga, hasta ahora, es el que menos me gusto.
Publicado en el año 2000 y escrito por el genio italiano Andrea Camilleri, en esta ocasión es una novela un poco más corta de lo habitual, pero que sigue dando todo lo que Camilleri nos tiene acostumbrados.
Un joven que es muy poco social con sus vecinos y casi desconocido en la ciudad es asesinado a la puerta de entrada de su departamento, esto hace que el comisario Montalbano tenga que investigar que pasó.
Al mismo tiempo que se encarga de esta investigación llega otra, esta gira entorno a la desaparición de un matrimonio de ancianos, muy antisociales y de los cuales lo último que se sabe es que hicieron una excursión a una ciudad cercana llamada Tindari pero nunca regresaron a su casa.
Cómo siempre lo mejor del libro no es el crimen en sí, sino el pueblo, las relaciones entre los personajes y la cultura Italiana. Las locuras de Catarella, los arrebatos románticos de Mimi, entre otras cosas.
La primera vez que lo leí el final se me hizo un poco entreverado, entendible pero entreverado, y si se quiere la historia la sentí un poco básica, el crimen no me había parecido muy interesante.
En esta segunda lectura lo disfrute más, me compenetre mejor con los crímenes pero de todas formas la sentí como la historia mas floja de Montalbano, por momentos la vi como apresurada. Esto no quiere decir que es mala, solo que no es la mejor.
Me hubiera gustado que se desarrollará un poco más la historia central del comisario, pero eso es un gusto personal. De todas formas se empieza a hablar de la edad y el impacto que genera en el comisario y en su carrera.
En líneas generales me gustó mucho pero tal vez de la saga, hasta ahora, es el que menos me gusto.
August 11, 2017
The fifth in the Montalbano series, and our hero has a missing elderly couple and a shooting murder to deal with. Clever and subtle as usual, Montalbano uses his tight team to good effect as he steps through a complex investigation. Gently comic in parts, the Montalbano books are really a good read
December 2, 2024
I buoni libri sono come le medicine e, senza dubbio, in questo caso il detto potrebbe essere "Un Montalbano la settimana leva il medico di torno". Ma essere ingordi è pericoloso, perché poi finisce subito.
E quindi bisogna gustarsi i Montalbano, accompagnare Salvo, Fazio, Mimì e Catarella nelle loro indagini, con parsimonia. Perché la capacità descrittiva di Camilleri è splendida, la sua passione per il mare, la cucina e i riferimenti letterari un regalo che si incastona in ogni pagina.
Era tanto che un libro non mi catturava così profondamente, tanto da non ascoltare gli altri per la foga di volerlo finire.
Quanta gioia accompagnare il commissario sul suo ulivo secolare e seguire il filo dei suoi ragionamenti. Una felicità senza fine.
E quindi bisogna gustarsi i Montalbano, accompagnare Salvo, Fazio, Mimì e Catarella nelle loro indagini, con parsimonia. Perché la capacità descrittiva di Camilleri è splendida, la sua passione per il mare, la cucina e i riferimenti letterari un regalo che si incastona in ogni pagina.
Era tanto che un libro non mi catturava così profondamente, tanto da non ascoltare gli altri per la foga di volerlo finire.
Quanta gioia accompagnare il commissario sul suo ulivo secolare e seguire il filo dei suoi ragionamenti. Una felicità senza fine.
September 20, 2020
I selected this book from my bookshelf as the next read - the intention being that since, space is a premium in my tiny flat in London, I would need to relinquish this book to the charity shop after reading. A necessity to make room for it’s weightier literary brothers, sisters and cousins; books that I would want to keep and perhaps revisit, classic books, prize winning master pieces, cleverly orchestrated books with use of language or narrative devices leaving me breathless. How did this book even end up on my bookshelf? A gift? An ‘acquisition’ from one of my sister’s bookshelves?
Enter Inspector Montalbano and by pg10 I am won over “The inspector walked up beside Dr Pasquano, who was crouching over the victim’s head.
‘Well?’ He asked.
‘Not well at all,’ the doctor replied. And he went on, even more rudely than Montalbano, ‘Do I really need to explain what happened? They shot him once. Bull’s eye, in the middle of the forehead.....’”
And so by the finish, I find myself unwilling to part with this witty, delightful and darkly comic book.
‘When you retire you could start writing novels.’
‘I would definitely write mysteries. But it’s not worth the trouble.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Because certain critics and professors,or would-be critics and professors, consider mystery novels a minor genre. And, in fact, in histories of literature they’re never even mentioned.’
‘What the hell do you care? Do you want to enter literary history alongside Dante and Manzoni?’
‘I’d die of shame.’
‘So just write them and be content with that.’
Friendship, banter and love spill out onto the pages in abundance against a beautiful Sicilian backdrop and a passion for Italian food - this is real life.
Enter Inspector Montalbano and by pg10 I am won over “The inspector walked up beside Dr Pasquano, who was crouching over the victim’s head.
‘Well?’ He asked.
‘Not well at all,’ the doctor replied. And he went on, even more rudely than Montalbano, ‘Do I really need to explain what happened? They shot him once. Bull’s eye, in the middle of the forehead.....’”
And so by the finish, I find myself unwilling to part with this witty, delightful and darkly comic book.
‘When you retire you could start writing novels.’
‘I would definitely write mysteries. But it’s not worth the trouble.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Because certain critics and professors,or would-be critics and professors, consider mystery novels a minor genre. And, in fact, in histories of literature they’re never even mentioned.’
‘What the hell do you care? Do you want to enter literary history alongside Dante and Manzoni?’
‘I’d die of shame.’
‘So just write them and be content with that.’
Friendship, banter and love spill out onto the pages in abundance against a beautiful Sicilian backdrop and a passion for Italian food - this is real life.
August 25, 2015
I read Andrea Camilleri’s Excursion to Tindari on my holiday this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I discovered that it was actually the fifth in the Inspector Montalbano series, but to be honest, although I intend to read the books in order from now on, I don’t think it made a whole lot of difference to either my understanding or appreciation. Whilst ostensibly part of a police procedural series, it boasts a richly comic cast of regular characters. The writing is very witty and manages to conjure up before the reader the sights, smells, tastes and quirkiness of Sicilian life. The plot, obviously an essential part of any crime thriller, was satisfying too and wasn’t sacrificed for the sake of the book’s humorous tendencies. I chuckled a lot as I read this and if you’re in the market for a police thriller series, light but well-written, I can highly recommend it.
July 26, 2017
I always thought that people reading and starting to giggle was a little funny, and yet there I was on the train unable to contain myself. My favourite moments from this one include: Montalbano's lamentation over the socialists who sold out to become millionaires, his reaction to his friends betrayal, the food, the women, the moral struggles, life in Sicily. On to the next.
February 10, 2020
Il mio primo libro di Camilleri, letto vergognosamente in ritardo. I molteplici personaggi, l'azione, gli scorci di una Vigata immaginaria ma viva, momenti di riflessione del commissario descritti con un linguaggio ormai diventato iconico. Con un po' di attenzione si sente perfino il rumore del mare.
July 17, 2015
Loved the characters, the wit, the sheer enjoyment of reading this book, and what's more, gave me a powerful impulse to book next year's holiday in Italy!
March 5, 2016
Uvijek srcu dragi Montalbano!
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