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A Beam of Light (Inspector Montalbano #19)

Andrea Camilleri,

Stephen Sartarelli (Translator)

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Oct 30, 2015 Nanosynergy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers-espionage, series, fiction, reviewed, fiction-2000-2019, 2015read, italy, translated

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Three cases are investigated in this book. The older husband of a very young wife reports that his wife has been assaulted and the bank deposit she was carrying stolen. In investigating, it appears all is not as reported and the case is more complicated. Tunisians are suspected of smuggling arms. And Montalbano's new young 'love' interest may be dealing with art thieves

Fully in mid-life crisis, ageing Inspector Montalbano meets the young, beautiful art gallery owner Marian. Once again, despite h Three cases are investigated in this book. The older husband of a very young wife reports that his wife has been assaulted and the bank deposit she was carrying stolen. In investigating, it appears all is not as reported and the case is more complicated. Tunisians are suspected of smuggling arms. And Montalbano's new young 'love' interest may be dealing with art thieves

Fully in mid-life crisis, ageing Inspector Montalbano meets the young, beautiful art gallery owner Marian. Once again, despite his long-time (over 25 years), long-distance relationship with Livia, he starts a relationship with Marian. He lies to Livia in their regular phone calls and considers ending his relationship with Livia. In his obsession over this new love interest, he finds himself forgetful and absentminded. In the meantime, Livia has gone into a depression which she claims has nothing to do with their rocky relationship. She describes it as a feeling of deep loss.

A book for fans. Would recommend those new to the series start with the first books in the series.

Mediocre addition to the series, but added a star for the moving scene about the death of Francois. Francois is the orphaned Tunisian boy who comes into their lives in The Snack Thief whom Livia wants to adopt and loved like her own son, but Montalbano refused. Perhaps, because of this refusal Montalbano muses, Francois has grown into an angry young man, broken off contact and disappeared. At age 25, neither Livia nor Montalbano knew where Francois was.

"It was he [Francois] who recognized you that day when he was hiding out in the hayloft. He was watching you through a pair of binoculars. The beam of light that had struck him square in the eyes. In confused fashion, Montalbano began to understand but refused to accept it. He couldn't move. Sposito nudged him gently towards the coffin. Be brave, he said. The inspector bent down, gripped the linen between his thumb and index finger, and pulled it out a little further. Now he could see the letters F and M intertwined. His legs began to give out; he fell to his knees. F.M.: Francois Moussa. He'd had those initials embroidered himself on six shirts he'd given to Francois as a present for his twenty-first birthday. It was the last time he'd embraced him. Would you like to see him? Sposito asked softly, whispering in his ear. No. He would rather his last contact with Francois remain the beam of light that had brought them together again for a fraction of a second." .... Through his death, Francois bound him to Livia and Livia to him even more than if they were married." ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2021 Andy Plonka rated it really liked it

Shelves: src

Montalbano always gets himself into unusual spots and this is no exception. It always amazes me how the translator can make the jokes funny in English.

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Dec 13, 2018 Sk888888 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

Apr 11, 2021 Juliana Philippa marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Mar 17, 2025 mstan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: translation, mystery, mediterranean, public-transport, hp

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