The Potter's Field : An Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli.

The Potter’s Field is the thirteenth book in Camilleri’s mystery series and sure to please friends of the Inspector Montalbano TV series (also available through our catalog). More than just mysteries, Camilleri’s books feature strong, finely developed characters, a wry sense of humor, fascinating plot twists and a backdrop of Sicilian culture and cuisine.

In The Potter’s Field, Inspector Montalbano is feeling his age and is diffident about his abilities, yet he’s still quite able to work a crime scene, manipulate both police officers and annoying newsmen, and puzzle through cryptic Mafia messages to find the killers.

One of my favorite characters in this book is Dolores Alfano, the femme fatale who mesmerizes every man who sees her. “Montalbano was spellbound as he listened to her. She had a bedroom voice. There was no other way to define it. She might say only ‘hello,’ and immediately one imagined rumpled blankets, pillows on the floor, and sweat-dampened sheets smelling of cinnamon….” Alfano charms and obfuscates, but she proves to be no match for Montalbano.

Camilleri enjoys, nay, revels in language. For example, Montalbano’s argument with his superior officer ends this way: “‘Ah, I feel so insulted and humiliated! You’re accusing me of an act – no, indeed, a crime that if true, would warrant severe punishment! As if I were a common idiot or gambler!’… The inspector inwardly congratulated himself. He had managed to utter a statement using only titles of novels by Dostoyevsky.” Wait, what? Ok, now I see it: Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and Gambler. Nice touch, Camilleri.

Will I read another Camilleri mystery? You betcha, but I think I will go back to the beginning, The Shape of Water. As much as I enjoyed The Potter’s Field, I’d like to start on the first page in this ongoing series—that way I can get a more complete introduction to Montalbano, his lieutenants Mimi and Fazio,  the comic fool, Catarella, and their Sicilian police department. It would be fun to see the inspector at his youngest and most confident as well.

Highly recommended in either book or DVD format.

Reviewed by Anne Shirako, Reference Librarian, Ukiah, 463-4493,  01/13