Montalbano’s First Case and Other Stories

The Inspector Montalbano, Book 0.5

By: Andrea Camilleri

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the New York Times best-selling Inspector Montalbano mystery series come 21 short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers and listeners in 19 popular novels. In Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected 21 short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young Deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigàta, to "Montalbano Says No", in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this volume is an essential addition to any fan's collection and a wonderful way to introduce listeners to the internationally best-selling series.

©1998, 1999, 2002, 2008 Mondadori Libri SpA, Milano. Translation © 2016 by Stephen Sartarelli (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Interesting Stories

This was my first introduction to the inspector, and I really enjoyed the stories. Was put off with the bad language, though.

Not Just Good Mysteries; Good Stories

There is something so natural and easy about these stories—and about the other Montalbano collection I’m familiar with, Death at Sea—that they must have involved far more labor on the part of their author than their style and tone suggest. There’s a touch of Elmore Leonard’s hard-earned effortlessness here; or it may be the other way around. All I know is, unlike some other mysteries I’ve listened to, I didn’t find myself anxiously docketing clues and suspects, times when and motives for. In their easy-going southern Italian way, these stories simply happen. Per Camilerri's comments in his introduction, I enjoyed them first and foremost as stories about people and places. The crime was an added attraction.

Grover Gardener again hands in his usual superb performance. Some have caviled at his assignment of accents, but somehow that doesn’t bother me. As with his performances of Ross Macdonald’s Lew Archer novels, his matter-of-fact tone is the perfect vehicle for these simple, subtle stories.

A collection indeed

Like all collections a bit spotty. Some good, some excellent, all in their way Montalbano.

How could you not love Inspector Montalbano?

How could you not like Inspector Salvo Montalbano? With his wit, brains, reserve, flaws, impatience, guile and love of eating, he personifies seaside Sicily in all its beauty and imperfections. This collection of short stories brings to life Montalbano’s contacts with collection of characters that include the criminals, victims, friends, acquaintances and fellow police officers who give a delightful account of Camilleri’s Sicilian world. How could one not laugh when, in the midst of one story, Montalbano calls Camilleri to chastise him on the foolishness of the plot? The longer stories are the best, including the Montalbano’s first case. The excellent lyrical translation by Stephen Satarelli is a wonder. He is able to give us context with some excellent English expressions such as sticky wicket, chickened out and the three little pigs. There are some themes that do seem to occur too often. There are three stories in a row with suicides and later one attempted suicide and anther successful one. Some of the stories are so short that one yearns for context or perhaps a better description of the characters. And the Inspector does seem to have way too many chance encounters, many at night or very early in the day, with people who end up becoming the recent murderer of some acquaintance. But these are minor quibbles. This book is infinitely entertaining.

Enjoying Backstory

Some entertaining shorts and short shorts, along with the 1st case. Mostly curious, riveting, resulting in smiles from me.

Well worth listening to.

A very interesting assortment of short stories, with multiple themes. If you like Montalbano, don't miss it!

Delightful and varied collection

A great rounding out of the oeuvre (if I can use that word) - some brief, some playful, some like a thought not fully fleshed out but all interesting and certainly enjoyable. I read this as I near the end of the series, in pre-mourning, as it were - so glad to have this to read!

Good police work?

These stories are intricate. I had a hard time at first listening to the monotone voice. I adjusted the speed to 1.1x and it helped. I wonder if any real policemen go to all the trouble to find out what really happens as this detective does in this book. I like how the author drives your imagination along not revealing but hinting the path the detective is going. Will definitely try his other books. Reading the auntie poldie stories first helped with details about the people and locations in sicily.

Montalbano é un’uomo Italiano.

Love Camileri’s stories and Sartarelli’s translations. I didn’t understand that Caterella’s jerky speech was a way to indicate the Sicilian accent until I listened to the audiobook. I will miss the new books from both these guys. Glad I have one more to look forward to. Mr Gardner on this one has excellent Italian pronunciation
Complementi!

Another gem

Another gem from Andrea Camilleri with the usual excellent narration from Grover Gardner. I was sad when it ended.