The Snack Thief

Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano isn't my absolute fave Italian (well, he's Sicilian) cop series --I prefer David Hewson's Nic Costa (who, yay! has a new one out). However, the books are good enough I keep coming back. Part has to do w/Grover Gardner's narrations; I think he's the best reader there is. Montalbano is billed as having a dry sense of humor, but sometimes he just comes off as a jerk --maybe it's the translation? Still, they're worth listening to. *sorta spoiler alert* He gained some depth in this one by finally taking his rather inexplicable relationship with Olivia a bit further....tho not til the end of the book, & we don't see how things work out.

Dont get me wrong, I could see how this could be a good narrator in other situations but these books take place in italy. This narrator does voices that sound more like Steve Buscemi. I feel like im listening to an american gangster film. He also reads very quickly (like hes rushing to be done not just that he reads fast) and puts no pause between different characters speaking, and it makes them blend together.

I should have listened to the sample more. Its my fault but it really gets irritating. Ill be more careful next time. I recommend the Donna Leon mysteries for someone wanting a listen with a more Italian feel, that narrator isn't perfect (who is) but you can at least get lost in the story and he gives a real warmth to the characters. You get very attached to the characters as he reads them and dont miss a word because he reads clearly.

This Andrea Camilleri series is lovely and I only wish I could stand listening to them.

I really love these quirky little books by Andrea Camilleri. His protagonist, Salvo Montobano (forgive spelling, I have onlly listened to his books) is the kind of funny, flawed character I love. Then he surrounds Salvo with a cast of hilarious characters, some of whom he loves and some of whom he hates.

The exceptional narrator, Grover Gardner, really makes these books with his reading. He actually acts them out, including the normal little pauses, sighs, gasps, etc. of a real conversation. Don't expect italian accets, however, the only character who gets that treatment is Salvo's long-suffering housekeeper.

I started with this book, because the title intrigued me, but I quickly listened to all in the series and now wait with baited breath for the next.

The intricacy of the story and the development of the characters. The players are human, vulnerable, funny.

Inspector Montalbano is tough and gruff and sensitive. How can you ask for anything more in the main character. He has great friends and colleagues who take him for what he is.

Cat.. - the guy who answers the phone at the station. He is, of course, a bit of a caricature, but is done so well by the reader.

This books took me from laughter to tears. The story is so human, which makes it both touching and pathetic at different times. I'm continuing reading the series.

I love Sicily (and Sicilian food) and detective stories. For the food, this is a great book; for Sicily as a place, eh, not really (I felt no real flavor of Sicilian towns here--especially the ones I've been to and loved); for the Sicilians, fun and real (as one would expect). The main character's somewhat unattractive personality is well done and engaging. The narration was OK, but could have used longer pauses for changes of scene and speaker and more varied voice inflections for changes of character. The plot was also OK, only OK. Reading a new author often leads me to get a second book by the same author. I think one was enough here.