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Excursion to Tindari
(Commissario Montalbano #5)
by
A young Don Juan is found murdered in front of his apartment - and, at the same time, an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari. But as Inspector Montalbano discovers, these two seemingly unrelated cases lead him down a path more evil and far-reaching than he has been down before.
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Paperback, 313 pages
Published
July 1st 2006
by Picador
(first published 2000)
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Start your review of Excursion to Tindari (Commissario Montalbano, #5)

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 ...more
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 ...more

“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
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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
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Tasty fare. My proper review is here: https://patricksherriff.com/2019/07/1...
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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 ca
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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
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Dec 30, 2012
Shonna Froebel
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
translations
I started reading this series a few years ago and then got away from them, but recently decided to seek them out again, continuing where I left off. This is the fifth book in the series featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano out of Vigàta, Sicily. Montalbano struggles against corruption, government bureaucracy and the mafia. His team provides many interesting characters, as do the non-police members of his circle.
In this mystery, a young man is discovered murdered at his front door. Shortly therea ...more
In this mystery, a young man is discovered murdered at his front door. Shortly therea ...more

Aug 07, 2015
M.J. Johnson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to M.J. by:
wife
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 conjur
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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.
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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!
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These are always entertaining and I'd love to see them turned into a TV show. As long as they actually use Italian actors.
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Let’s see – intuitive detective (check), three or four different and simultaneous crimes merge (check), additional plot stories involving the detective’s personal life and co-workers (check), humor (and cussing, check), loving food references (check), issues with clueless bosses (check). Yes, this meets the criteria for a Montalbano book. I found this one a bit too coincidental for my liking, but I also found the non-mystery stories, the stories on the side, to be more interesting – I am startin
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Inspector Montalbano is one smart dude who can outwit the bad guys and manoeuvre his team to produce the required results. There is humour, the Mafia, engaging characters, and the Sicilian landscape and availability of fresh fish that makes me want to live in the place.
I enjoyed this more than the others in this series.
I enjoyed this more than the others in this series.

Another witty stunner from Camilleri, with Montalbano investigating murders seemingly unconnected, but actually intimately intertwined. The cadre of reoccurring characters and the idiosyncrasies of each is what I love best about these little gems; and the Sicilian landscape always plays a major role in the plot. 5 biggies!

Fifth in the Italian police procedural series set in Sicily and featuring Salvo Montalbano, epitome of the grumpy inspector. But you gotta love the guy despite his less-than-sweet disposition. In this episode, Montalbano and crew are investigating two crimes—the disappearance of a reserved, quiet elderly couple, reported missing by their son, and the murder of a young twenty-something man with no visible means of support, yet who manages to live in relative style. Drug money? Or something else?
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How great to take a trip to Sicily after so many years --- to smell the salt water, to peek into the fridge with Salvo Montalbano to see what Adelina left to eat, to hear that combative, rough Italian that friends and family speak to each other. And how nice to meet old characters like Fazio, Mimi' Augello, Catarella, and Ingrid and to hear Livia on the phone again. Excellent just for the interactions. The plot practically takes second place. Can't wait to make my own pappalozzo!
I think the tran ...more
I think the tran ...more

Excursion to Tindari is OK for plot: a guy is shot in front of his apartment and an elderly couple disappears. Read this for the food, the humor, and for Salvo’s arguments with Livia. The phone conversations and confrontations between them are intense. I wouldn’t want to make Livia mad at me. You'll also meet the sexy Ingrid. You can feel the attraction between her and Salvo, but you know that she wouldn't respect him if he tried something. Food is their sublimation, I guess. The novel showcases
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Jan 02, 2012
Kat
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
borrowed,
winter-challenge
Couldn't stop reading it! There was mystery, fun, art and passion in this book. I love Montalbano stories, and Andrea Camilleri's writing!
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Perhaps 3½ stars.
I enjoyed this 5th book in the Inspector Montalbano series. In particular, I like seeing how he navigates between the local Mafioso and his incompetant & hostile boss.
I enjoyed this 5th book in the Inspector Montalbano series. In particular, I like seeing how he navigates between the local Mafioso and his incompetant & hostile boss.

Just found this series, picked up at "Friends of Library" sale - just want to say thnk you. This is what I love about real books - impromptu finds! Love this series
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Fabulous writer and translator! I laugh out loud and Camilleri amazes me. Excellent way to pass easter.

I think I'll be more comfortable with this series once I've read a couple more, although I was beginning to get the hang of the characters by the time I finished this. There were several good laughs although the first death was quite brutal and the disappearance of the elderly couple was quite mystifying and you could understand the son's worrying about them not answering the phone. The inspector is another one of these intuitive officers who inevitably get in trouble with their superiors. An ad
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I enjoy the Inspector Montalbano books for their evocation of Sicily and their humour. Montalbano is a likeable character and, while the pace is slow, the plots are usually satisfying. Although they are a gentle read, they do include some horrific crimes. This one, for most of its length about the murder of a young man, and the apparently unconnected murders of two elderly neighbours, is no exception. When the true motive behind the crimes is revealed, it's unexpected as well as gruesome - but i
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Many threads to follow. An elderly couple take a bus tour but disappear from the bus at some point. No one is quite sure when. Respected people appear to be involved in the making of "adult" films. A husband enters while his wife is conducting an affair with a young fellow and doesn't seem to be too upset about it. A mobster's grandson is slain.
In some way, Inspector Montalbano brings all these threads together and resolves the case. ...more
In some way, Inspector Montalbano brings all these threads together and resolves the case. ...more

As usual, the plot gallops along, while skillfully capturing the atmosphere of Sicily. In this book, much more than in others I have read, Camilleri puts himself for a while in the shoes and the hearts of two of the victims, and this empathetic approach conveys very clearly the horror and pathos of the deaths. I found that the exposition of whodunnit and whydunnit at the end was nuanced, and probably need another quick skim through to look out for it as it emerges: which is the reason I haven't
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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.
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Andrea 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.
Fr ...more
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.
Fr ...more
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“From the pit of his stomach a violent spasm of nausea rose up and seized his throat. He ran to the bathroom, barely able to stand, knelt down in front of the toilet and started to vomit. He vomited the whiskey he'd just drunk, vomited what he'd eaten that day as well as what he'd eaten the day before, and the day before that, and he felt, with his sweaty head now entirely inside the toilet bowl and a sharp pain in his side, as if he were endlessly vomiting up the entire time of his life on earth, going all the way back to the pap he was given as a baby, and when, at last, he'd expelled his own mother's milk, he kept vomiting poison bitterness, bile, pure hatred.”
—
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“«La fede è una gran cosa!» esalò patre Crucillà.
«Se non t'addorme, ti riposa» completò Montalbano.”
—
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«Se non t'addorme, ti riposa» completò Montalbano.”