Saturday, October 15, 2016

The Snack Thief by Andrea Camilleri

This is the third book I've read in this series, and I've read them out of order.
First, I read The Shape of Water, which I loved.  It had plenty of local color and satire.  Then I read the Voice of the Violin, and was a little disappointed by what I viewed as a more conventional mystery.  I couldn't help noticing, however, what an odd jumble of characteristics Inspector Montalbano had - loved classical music, was clearly an avid connoisseur of fine cuisine, but also seemed to be intolerant, impatient, rude, judgmental and impulsive.  Well!

Now that I've seen the Italian TV show I know that the gourmet Montalbano has flat abs and couture clothes as well as the tastes of a gourmet.  Who knew?

I loved the Snack Thief, however, because while it was partly about how we live today in that there was a subplot about illegal immigration, it was also about how we would like to live in that Livia, Inspector Montalbano's long-time love, finds great joy in caring for an orphan.

Livia and I must be sisters under the skin, because I always find I enjoy a mystery more if there's a subplot involving an orphan in peril.  

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