From the New York Times bestselling author of The Potter's Field, winner of the Crime Writers' Association's International Dagger Award and longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize
With their dark sophistication and dry humor, Andrea Camilleri's hugely popular Sicilian crime novels continue to win more and more fans in America. The day after a storm, Inspector Montalbano encounters a strange woman who expresses interest in a certain yacht scheduled to dock that afternoon. Not long after she's gone, the yacht's crew reports finding a disfigured corpse. Also at anchor is a luxury vessel with a somewhat shady crew. Both boats will have to stay in Vigàta until the investigation is over and, based on information from the woman, Montalbano begins to think the occupants of the yacht might know more about the man's death than they're letting on.
The Age of Doubt (Inspector Montalbano)
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Praise for Andrea Camilleri:
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“There’s a deliciously playful quality to the mysteries Andrea Camilleri writes about a lusty Sicilian police detective named Salvo Montalbano.” –New York Times Book Review
“The books are full of sharp, precise characterizations and with subplots that make Montalbano endearingly human… Like the antipasti that Montalbano contentedly consumes, the stories are light and easily consumed, leaving one eager for the next course.”—New York Journal of Books
“This series is distinguished by Camilleri’s remarkable feel for tragicomedy, expertly mixing light and dark in the course of producing novels that are both comforting and disturbing.” –Booklist
“The novels of Andrea Camilleri breathe out the sense of place, the sense of humor, and the sense of despair that fills the air of Sicily.”—Donna Leon
“Hailing from the land of Umberto Eco and La Cosa Nostra, Montalbano can discuss a pointy-headed book like Western Attitudes Towards Death as unflinchingly as he can pore over crime-scene snuff photos. He throws together an extemporaneous lunch…as gracefully as he dodges advances from attractive women.”—Los Angeles Times
“In Sicily, where people do things as they please, Inspector Montalbano is a bona fide folk hero.” –The New York Times Book Review
“Camilleri as crafty and charming a writer as his protagonist is an investigator.” –The Washington Post
“Montalbano is a delightful creation, an honest man on Sicily’s mean streets.” –USA Today
“Camilleri can do a character’s whole backstory in half a paragraph.” –The New Yorker
“…the humor and humanity of Montalbano make him an equally winning lead character.” –Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano mystery series, bestsellers in Italy and Germany, has been adapted for Italian television and translated into German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Japanese, Dutch, and Swedish. He lives in Rome.
Stephen Sartarelli lives in upstate New York.
Stephen Sartarelli lives in upstate New York.
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More About the Author
Andrea Camilleri is the author of the spectacularly successful Montalbano mystery series and many other novels set in nineteenth-century Sicily. His Montalbano novels have been made into an Italian TV series.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Inspector Mondtalbano is fifty-nine, and alternately miserable and elated. He`s fallen in love with a younger woman, and Laura is seductive and elusive by turns. This yields some high comedy. His brain is so turned, that he starts embracing his subordinates instead of yelling at them, shocking both them and us. This is not the Montalbano we know!
But he does have a case in hand, and it's as important to him as Laura. Two murders take place in the harbor. Montalbano's investigation is both methodical and inspired.
But for me the crimes and mysteries afloat are less interesting than Montalbano's behavior. We watch him tell his bureaucratic bosses some of the biggest, most shameful lies of his career. We see him perform a heroic, athletic rescue that would be amazing even for a young man. And we share his joy in numerous heavenly Sicilian dishes, and feel his pain over a meal that's overcooked, flavorless and over-salted.
Montalbano's staff add hugely to the fun, as usual. Catarella garbles names delightfully whenever he answers the phone. And Montalbano sends Mimi off to seduce a major suspect, and learn her secrets - the nymphomaniac owner of a certain suspicious yacht in the harbor. Mimi's haggard condition after these information-pumping sessions is hilarious.
Andrea Camilleri has a rare comic genius. I laughed my way through The Age of Doubt. But it's also a poignant love story, like nothing I've encountered before in the Montalbano novels. I loved every minute of this book, and never stopped marveling at the craft and charm of the writing.
The atmosphere is also wonderful. The sea is a strong, brooding presence - it washes out roads in a storm, setting the scene for Montalbano's loss of his emotional bearings. And it aids and abets illicit passion and crime.
But he does have a case in hand, and it's as important to him as Laura. Two murders take place in the harbor. Montalbano's investigation is both methodical and inspired.
But for me the crimes and mysteries afloat are less interesting than Montalbano's behavior. We watch him tell his bureaucratic bosses some of the biggest, most shameful lies of his career. We see him perform a heroic, athletic rescue that would be amazing even for a young man. And we share his joy in numerous heavenly Sicilian dishes, and feel his pain over a meal that's overcooked, flavorless and over-salted.
Montalbano's staff add hugely to the fun, as usual. Catarella garbles names delightfully whenever he answers the phone. And Montalbano sends Mimi off to seduce a major suspect, and learn her secrets - the nymphomaniac owner of a certain suspicious yacht in the harbor. Mimi's haggard condition after these information-pumping sessions is hilarious.
Andrea Camilleri has a rare comic genius. I laughed my way through The Age of Doubt. But it's also a poignant love story, like nothing I've encountered before in the Montalbano novels. I loved every minute of this book, and never stopped marveling at the craft and charm of the writing.
The atmosphere is also wonderful. The sea is a strong, brooding presence - it washes out roads in a storm, setting the scene for Montalbano's loss of his emotional bearings. And it aids and abets illicit passion and crime.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Salvo discovers that passion for mullet is safer than passion for a younger woman - 3+
June 7, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The Age of Doubt" finds the redoubtable Inspector Montalbano increasingly preoccupied with the aging process. Into his pondering of the cycle of life drops a murder case connected to two luxury yachts that have turned up in Vigata's small harbor. The subsequent investigation leads to the Inspector's meeting of a stunningly beautiful young harbor official. Salvo is poleaxed with love by the encounter and much of the rest of the story is taken up by his struggles to cope with the uncomfortable infatuation. His legendary focus on police business suffers; his relationship with long-time girlfriend Livia becomes seriously at risk; and he is pushed into a manic binge on seafood at the local trattoria.
"The Age..." has some of the usual great moments that come with the Montalbano series, including a slam bang ending, but for me, the love crisis that is the center of this episode was a bit too drawn out and led to some events that were out of character for the Inspector and for the series. Still, a midlife crisis arguably makes even the most rational and responsible people do improbable and irrational things, so maybe even the Inspector....
In sum, a good read, if not the best book in this very high standard series.
"The Age..." has some of the usual great moments that come with the Montalbano series, including a slam bang ending, but for me, the love crisis that is the center of this episode was a bit too drawn out and led to some events that were out of character for the Inspector and for the series. Still, a midlife crisis arguably makes even the most rational and responsible people do improbable and irrational things, so maybe even the Inspector....
In sum, a good read, if not the best book in this very high standard series.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By jwalcott
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Have been waiting anxiously for the release of this segment of the Inspector Montalbano series. While they are certainly somewhat formulaic, that is half of the pleasure. Salvo Montalbano retains his own sense of right and justice while battling self-doubt coupled with his fears of aging. As always he thwarts authority, but because of his prowess, his superiors grudgingly have to lengthen his leash.
I must say his long relationship with Livia seems to be running its course, but then, that has been a constant throughout all of the books. Again, he is attracted to another woman, but the outcome remains in doubt, ergo the title. Montalbano eats, drinks, and smokes with relish, his few pleasures in a solitary life. Cannot wait for the next installment. Have read that Camilleri has written the final installment some time ago, so he continues to taunt and tease his fans. Sicily remains yet another protagonist in this gritty series.
I must say his long relationship with Livia seems to be running its course, but then, that has been a constant throughout all of the books. Again, he is attracted to another woman, but the outcome remains in doubt, ergo the title. Montalbano eats, drinks, and smokes with relish, his few pleasures in a solitary life. Cannot wait for the next installment. Have read that Camilleri has written the final installment some time ago, so he continues to taunt and tease his fans. Sicily remains yet another protagonist in this gritty series.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Camillieri age of doubt
Once again I wished Camillieri would write more and more Inspector Montalbano treasures
His characters are my acquaintances
How is Catarella so clever with computers and... Read more
His characters are my acquaintances
How is Catarella so clever with computers and... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Nathalie K. Browne
5.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyed all his books
I have read all Andrea Camillerii books and enjoyed them all. Can'r wait until a new book is released here.
Published 29 days ago by judy
5.0 out of 5 stars
More of the same, happily
If you're already into Montalbano, it's more of the same. But that's fine. The usual twists, quirks, Sicilian recipes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by sandyintt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Charming
The cultural aspect of the novel was delightful. The actual mystery was not that great in my opinion. So so.
Published 1 month ago by Dorothy B. Cleaves
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true Italian genius
Yet again another fab read from the great Andrea Camilleri. I have read every novel in the Montalbano series and have adored them all and this one is no exception. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Amazon Queen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funniest
This is the funniest of all the Camillieri books making me laugh out loud, yet also the most tragic..Montalbano even looses his appetite!
Published 2 months ago by Nancy
5.0 out of 5 stars
How can you not love Salvo Montalbano?
The boys from Sicilty are at it again. Nothing is clear until the Inspecter says it's clear. As tortured as he is inside, he keeps his little seaside Vigata safe.
Published 2 months ago by D. Darrow
5.0 out of 5 stars
A+ to Another Book in the Inspector Montalbano Series
Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano again hits the spot. Whether solving a murder, questioning his own relationships, or wondering about the effect life has on himself or those... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Marguerite E. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
An irresistible series
This series really has everything : wonderful characters, luscious food, beautiful scenery, humour and, by no means the least consideration, a murder mystery tying all these... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Clive A. H. Still
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ditto Montalbano!
When I read a Montalbano mystery, I can feel the heat of a Mediterranean summer and taste Sicilian seafood. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mimi's pen
