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Commissario Montalbano #12
The Track of Sand
Who would dare break into the home of the famous Inspector Montalbano?
Inspector Salvatore Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men come to investigate, the carcass disappears, leaving only a trail in the sand. Before long, two people report missing horses—Rachele, a champion equestrian, and Lo Duca, one of the richest men in Sicily. Then Montalbano’s home is broken into and ransacked and he is certain that the crimes are linked. As he negotiates the glittering underworld of legitimate horseracing and the Mafia's connection to it, the scrupulous and melancholy Montalbano is aided by his unorthodox methods, melancholy self-reflection, and love of good food.
Inspector Salvatore Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men come to investigate, the carcass disappears, leaving only a trail in the sand. Before long, two people report missing horses—Rachele, a champion equestrian, and Lo Duca, one of the richest men in Sicily. Then Montalbano’s home is broken into and ransacked and he is certain that the crimes are linked. As he negotiates the glittering underworld of legitimate horseracing and the Mafia's connection to it, the scrupulous and melancholy Montalbano is aided by his unorthodox methods, melancholy self-reflection, and love of good food.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
191 people are currently reading
1268 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Camilleri
427 books2,451 followersAndrea Camilleri was an Italian writer. He is considered one of the greatest Italian writers of both 20th and 21st centuries.
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
February 22, 2015
Rating: 3.9* of five
The Publisher Says: Inspector Salvatore Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men came to investigate, the carcass has disappeared, leaving only a trail in the sand. Then his home is ransacked and the inspector is certain that the crimes are linked. As he negotiates both the glittering underworld of horseracing and the Mafia's connection to it, Montalbano is aided by his illiterate housekeeper, Adelina, and a Proustian memory of linguate fritte. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be charmed by Montalbano's blend of unorthodox methods, melancholy self-reflection, and love of good food.
My Review: This is book 12 in the apparently immortal Camilleri's Montalbano series. Unlike many late books in other series, Montalbano is fresh and exciting. The plots are from Camilleri's toolkit, providing no sense of novelty. This is far from being a drawback, since Camilleri has such a full bag. Still and all, some new directions would be welcome.
I'll confess right here and now that horse racing bores me just a tiny bit less than cricket. I can maintain consciousness at a horse race. Cricket not so much. Camilleri's storytelling prowess make up for a lot of uninterest for me. And then we have the scrumdiddilyumptious menus. All fish, all gloriously nummy. Enzo, the new chef in the series after the the elderly man and his sister (I think) whose trattoria was Montalbano's previous altar for worshiping Poseidon's gifts, makes sure this incredibly loyal and very hungry regular customer gets only the freshest, the best, and the most carefully loved delicacies. The Sicilian diet is fish-heavy, as one would expect from an island culture. Spoiled for choice, Montalbano favors a few fishes that the US doesn't venerate (eg, mullet) and which the series has inspired me to search out (eg, mullet).
As always, Montalbano is having troubles with Livia, the most masochistic woman in Italy and the Inspector's ladyfriend for...well, forever it would seem. Nothing ever goes quite right for these starcrossed superannuated Romeo and Juliet. It's one of the charms of the series, at least for a while. Spacing out one's reads of the books prevents burnout on that plotline.
As always, Camilleri provides the reader with a full and satisfying resolution to the story's central puzzle. But this tale earned less than four stars from me because so much of the story felt like a lot of to-ing and fro-ing for too little reward. But even a ~meh~ Camilleri book is better than most other writers at their "peak."
Long live Camilleri! Long live Montalbano!
The Publisher Says: Inspector Salvatore Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men came to investigate, the carcass has disappeared, leaving only a trail in the sand. Then his home is ransacked and the inspector is certain that the crimes are linked. As he negotiates both the glittering underworld of horseracing and the Mafia's connection to it, Montalbano is aided by his illiterate housekeeper, Adelina, and a Proustian memory of linguate fritte. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be charmed by Montalbano's blend of unorthodox methods, melancholy self-reflection, and love of good food.
My Review: This is book 12 in the apparently immortal Camilleri's Montalbano series. Unlike many late books in other series, Montalbano is fresh and exciting. The plots are from Camilleri's toolkit, providing no sense of novelty. This is far from being a drawback, since Camilleri has such a full bag. Still and all, some new directions would be welcome.
I'll confess right here and now that horse racing bores me just a tiny bit less than cricket. I can maintain consciousness at a horse race. Cricket not so much. Camilleri's storytelling prowess make up for a lot of uninterest for me. And then we have the scrumdiddilyumptious menus. All fish, all gloriously nummy. Enzo, the new chef in the series after the the elderly man and his sister (I think) whose trattoria was Montalbano's previous altar for worshiping Poseidon's gifts, makes sure this incredibly loyal and very hungry regular customer gets only the freshest, the best, and the most carefully loved delicacies. The Sicilian diet is fish-heavy, as one would expect from an island culture. Spoiled for choice, Montalbano favors a few fishes that the US doesn't venerate (eg, mullet) and which the series has inspired me to search out (eg, mullet).
As always, Montalbano is having troubles with Livia, the most masochistic woman in Italy and the Inspector's ladyfriend for...well, forever it would seem. Nothing ever goes quite right for these starcrossed superannuated Romeo and Juliet. It's one of the charms of the series, at least for a while. Spacing out one's reads of the books prevents burnout on that plotline.
As always, Camilleri provides the reader with a full and satisfying resolution to the story's central puzzle. But this tale earned less than four stars from me because so much of the story felt like a lot of to-ing and fro-ing for too little reward. But even a ~meh~ Camilleri book is better than most other writers at their "peak."
Long live Camilleri! Long live Montalbano!
October 15, 2021
I think of this book in two ways: 1) it is yet another kind of standard-fare volume in Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Salvo Montalbano series, and 2) that is part of his continuing love letter to Sicily. The story is kinda blah, though it begins with Salvo dreaming of a half horse/half woman and then awakening to a dead horse in his yard. The tale leads to two missing horses, one we know is dead, mafia involvement and corruption, and I have already forgotten about the resolution a day after I finished it (this is why as I age I write Goodreads reviews, to help me recall all of the books I read).
The love letter to Sicily involves great food and wine, as usual, and beautiful women. One of these women is connected to one of the horses, and is a great distraction to Salvo in his attempt to solve the crime and to maintain his tenuous relationship to Livia. At 56, Salvo is nw boring in his lack of commitment to her. Early on, the battles with Livia are fun and funny, and now it feels like we are spinning our wheels on this issue.
One other theme is Salvo's (somewhat light-hearted?) despair about aging. When the younger Mimi gets glasses, he is sort of distraught, as he realizes he has needed them for a long time. Eh, not that interesting. In many of these mystery series aging is a theme. Inspector Armand Gamache (Louse Penny, Quebec) is aging gracefully; Harry Hole (Jo Nesbo, Oslo) is aging painfully, as his body is badly damaged from the work, Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie) doesn't age at all for decades, and Salvo is aging grumpily.
The love letter to Sicily involves great food and wine, as usual, and beautiful women. One of these women is connected to one of the horses, and is a great distraction to Salvo in his attempt to solve the crime and to maintain his tenuous relationship to Livia. At 56, Salvo is nw boring in his lack of commitment to her. Early on, the battles with Livia are fun and funny, and now it feels like we are spinning our wheels on this issue.
One other theme is Salvo's (somewhat light-hearted?) despair about aging. When the younger Mimi gets glasses, he is sort of distraught, as he realizes he has needed them for a long time. Eh, not that interesting. In many of these mystery series aging is a theme. Inspector Armand Gamache (Louse Penny, Quebec) is aging gracefully; Harry Hole (Jo Nesbo, Oslo) is aging painfully, as his body is badly damaged from the work, Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie) doesn't age at all for decades, and Salvo is aging grumpily.
October 22, 2019
Come si fa a tradurre Camilleri? Per soddisfare la curiosità, ho letto La pista di sabbia in inglese. La traduzione è prevedibilmente appiattita su un registro che potrei definire scorrevole o anonimo. Catarella sproloquia come sempre ma nella traduzione è irrimediabilmente fuori contesto: tutti gli altri si esprimono in un linguaggio piano ed educato, tanto che non si capisce che origine abbiano i suoi buffi vocalizzi.
Per il resto, ci ho trovato il solito Montalbano. Ma credo di averlo ritrovato più nella mia immaginazione che nel libro. Del resto sono al 12-esimo romanzo della serie e Montalbano è un'entità ormai così ben delineata da non temere nessun confronto col gemello inglese.
Bene, adesso si ritorna al Camillerese, senza rimpianti.
Per il resto, ci ho trovato il solito Montalbano. Ma credo di averlo ritrovato più nella mia immaginazione che nel libro. Del resto sono al 12-esimo romanzo della serie e Montalbano è un'entità ormai così ben delineata da non temere nessun confronto col gemello inglese.
Bene, adesso si ritorna al Camillerese, senza rimpianti.
August 13, 2016
By the twelfth book in this series, there's really not much new to say. Each slim volume is a perfect example of the translator's art, and each gives the reader a slice of Sicily in all its beauty, its ugliness, its humor, its despair, and-- last but not least-- its glorious food.
Montalbano's methods may be unorthodox, but he's a master of piecing things together and of evading his nitwit superiors so he can get the job done. He's got the perfect team to work with, and if it ever get dull, everyone in the station can rely on Catarella to liven things up. We also get to watch the inspector making a purchase in a local bookstore, a scene which every book (and crime fiction) lover will enjoy reading.
A recurring theme in these Montalbano books is his hatred of aging. In previous books, his whining about his advancing years got on my nerves a bit, but his complaints have mellowed, and I endure them and smile as I would with a friend. In The Track of Sand, Montalbano is dead set against wearing glasses, and Camilleri describes his brush with a mesmerizing woman so beautifully and tenderly that I could actually understand why a man might sometimes think of being unfaithful.
Camilleri is a master of the concise mystery that packs a punch. Like all the others in this series, The Track of Sand is filled with humor, delicious food, wonderful characters, and an interesting investigation. (Although I knew where Montalbano should be looking before he did, I still enjoyed watching his progress.) Each book is a delectable slice of Sicily, and I savor them all.
Montalbano's methods may be unorthodox, but he's a master of piecing things together and of evading his nitwit superiors so he can get the job done. He's got the perfect team to work with, and if it ever get dull, everyone in the station can rely on Catarella to liven things up. We also get to watch the inspector making a purchase in a local bookstore, a scene which every book (and crime fiction) lover will enjoy reading.
A recurring theme in these Montalbano books is his hatred of aging. In previous books, his whining about his advancing years got on my nerves a bit, but his complaints have mellowed, and I endure them and smile as I would with a friend. In The Track of Sand, Montalbano is dead set against wearing glasses, and Camilleri describes his brush with a mesmerizing woman so beautifully and tenderly that I could actually understand why a man might sometimes think of being unfaithful.
Camilleri is a master of the concise mystery that packs a punch. Like all the others in this series, The Track of Sand is filled with humor, delicious food, wonderful characters, and an interesting investigation. (Although I knew where Montalbano should be looking before he did, I still enjoyed watching his progress.) Each book is a delectable slice of Sicily, and I savor them all.
March 4, 2025
Odd story. My first Inspector Montalbano. He wakes up and finds a dead horse on the beach outside his house that has been beaten to death. He calls his men to the location and while they have coffee at his house the horse carcass disappears.
There is a lot of humor but I don’t like the way the Inspector treats his men as in belittling and insulting them. There is a lot of food snobbery and by the quantities of alcohol he drinks I would call him a functioning alcoholic.
The apparent owner of the dead horse seduces him and his manhood is very threatened. In the end the horse was not killed but stolen to race illegal races by her friend who was being blackmailed by the mafia. There are a few red herrings and the usual trope of a Commissioner he argue.
I did like the descriptions of the food though so might read a few more.
There is a lot of humor but I don’t like the way the Inspector treats his men as in belittling and insulting them. There is a lot of food snobbery and by the quantities of alcohol he drinks I would call him a functioning alcoholic.
The apparent owner of the dead horse seduces him and his manhood is very threatened. In the end the horse was not killed but stolen to race illegal races by her friend who was being blackmailed by the mafia. There are a few red herrings and the usual trope of a Commissioner he argue.
I did like the descriptions of the food though so might read a few more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2015
This was a real non-event of a book. Inspector Montalbano wakes one morning to find a horse beaten to death on the beach outside his home. He spends three hundred pages occasionally investigating illegal horse racing rings, having clandestine trysts in stables and having his home ransacked by burglars, but mainly eating fish courses and admiring picturesque views.
I was given this for my monthly book group, never having read Andrea Camilleri before, and I can't say I ever will again. As the twelfth in a series, there's a lot of assumed knowledge at play. None of the supporting characters are ever really introduced, and they all act and speak like terrible charicatures. Perhaps it's a translation issue, but the way their Italian dialect is written seems like a horrible parody. Our hero Montalbano doesn't seem like a particularly nice chap - he casually cheats on his girlfriend, then later feels sad about it for all of half a page. The ending is utterly bizarre, and look, I'm sure this makes a lovely television series with some spectacular scenery, but it's written like a very lazy script outline and there's just absolutely no substance to it. The whole thing only took about four hours to read, but I couldn't recommend it.
I was given this for my monthly book group, never having read Andrea Camilleri before, and I can't say I ever will again. As the twelfth in a series, there's a lot of assumed knowledge at play. None of the supporting characters are ever really introduced, and they all act and speak like terrible charicatures. Perhaps it's a translation issue, but the way their Italian dialect is written seems like a horrible parody. Our hero Montalbano doesn't seem like a particularly nice chap - he casually cheats on his girlfriend, then later feels sad about it for all of half a page. The ending is utterly bizarre, and look, I'm sure this makes a lovely television series with some spectacular scenery, but it's written like a very lazy script outline and there's just absolutely no substance to it. The whole thing only took about four hours to read, but I couldn't recommend it.
January 31, 2011
I think Camilleri gets better as he and his character ages. Some of the chapters in this outing are quite astute dissections of local social mores and classes delivered with an almost Dickensian verve.
The plot is complicated big time. But who reads Camilleri for the plot? In fact, there is more experimental writing in this novel that previous ones -- more creative means deployed to delve into the thinking of Inspector Salvo Montalbano.
Theres' also a lot of poignancy in this novel -- a rich open hearted sympathy for the humans who inhabit the Vigata world . In that context, Camilleri tackles the question of gender with more consideration than his earlier Montalbano novels and weaves this quest into a POV study of the process of ageing as Salvo deals with his own mortal limitations.
The plot is complicated big time. But who reads Camilleri for the plot? In fact, there is more experimental writing in this novel that previous ones -- more creative means deployed to delve into the thinking of Inspector Salvo Montalbano.
Theres' also a lot of poignancy in this novel -- a rich open hearted sympathy for the humans who inhabit the Vigata world . In that context, Camilleri tackles the question of gender with more consideration than his earlier Montalbano novels and weaves this quest into a POV study of the process of ageing as Salvo deals with his own mortal limitations.
July 17, 2025
Stavolta il nostro commissario siciliano si ritrova davanti casa un cavallo defunto: il tempo di andare a chiamare i suoi stretti collaboratori e il cavallo sparisce nel nulla! Per quale motivo è stato ucciso? E perché qualcuno non vuole che vengano fatte ulteriori indagini su di esso? Il nostro Montalbano se la dovrà vedere col fenomeno (ancora oggi presente) delle corse clandestine e con problemi alla vista che lo faranno innervosire perché ripensa al fatto che anche lui, pian piano, sta invecchiando. Ma per fortuna c'è Adelina che cucina piatti straordinari e l'appetito a Salvo non manca mai.
Ritroviamo un Montalbano più riflessivo e sempre più lontano dalla sua Livia, la quale non scende nemmeno a trovarlo e che a lui, forse, piace questo distacco che si sta creando sempre di più. Un Montalbano che vuole dimostrare di essere ancora vigoroso, piacente, tanto è vero che non si lascia scappare la piccola storia d'amore con l'amica di Ingrid, proprietaria del cavallo. E, in questa vicenda, sarà determinante l'aiuto della sua governante e cuoca Adelina.
Ritroviamo un Montalbano più riflessivo e sempre più lontano dalla sua Livia, la quale non scende nemmeno a trovarlo e che a lui, forse, piace questo distacco che si sta creando sempre di più. Un Montalbano che vuole dimostrare di essere ancora vigoroso, piacente, tanto è vero che non si lascia scappare la piccola storia d'amore con l'amica di Ingrid, proprietaria del cavallo. E, in questa vicenda, sarà determinante l'aiuto della sua governante e cuoca Adelina.
February 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this installment in the Inspector Montalbano series. The storyline centering around the death of a horse tugged at my heart strings.
I love the usual characters and descriptions of food/Italian scenery that enters all of the books in the series. I struggled to put this book down, and often found it on my mind.
I haven’t before considered how excellent the translations of these books are, but Stephen Sartarelli does such an incredible job.
I love the usual characters and descriptions of food/Italian scenery that enters all of the books in the series. I struggled to put this book down, and often found it on my mind.
I haven’t before considered how excellent the translations of these books are, but Stephen Sartarelli does such an incredible job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
Diciamo che il dodicesimo volume è come il figlio che palesemente non è il preferito, ma gli si vuole bene comunque.
July 26, 2019
Le mie oasi nel cammino
Quando c'è un momento di stanca o quando voglio ritrovare un amico, cerco volentieri il mio Montalbano. Che non ringiovanisce, ammette di aver bisogno di occhiali, continua a non capire e ad ammirare le donne belle e intelligenti e si avvicina a mondi nuovi. Stavolta quello dell'ippica.
E mi ritrovo a sghignazzare sempre più sonoramente alle parole di Camilleri quasi ciniche e comprensive della nostra umanità, a godere nel capire naturalmente le parole in siciliano e visitare insieme la valle dei templi, e scorrere gli splendidi menù mai visti a base di pesce.
Io non so come fa, ma con Camilleri andare oltre il giallo è garantito e mi fa superare una personale piccola avversione al genere. Anche grazie ai finali brillanti, e all'occhio attento alla nostra società e ai percorsi di un uomo che conta le proprie rughe dell'animo sempre più numerose.
Quando c'è un momento di stanca o quando voglio ritrovare un amico, cerco volentieri il mio Montalbano. Che non ringiovanisce, ammette di aver bisogno di occhiali, continua a non capire e ad ammirare le donne belle e intelligenti e si avvicina a mondi nuovi. Stavolta quello dell'ippica.
E mi ritrovo a sghignazzare sempre più sonoramente alle parole di Camilleri quasi ciniche e comprensive della nostra umanità, a godere nel capire naturalmente le parole in siciliano e visitare insieme la valle dei templi, e scorrere gli splendidi menù mai visti a base di pesce.
Io non so come fa, ma con Camilleri andare oltre il giallo è garantito e mi fa superare una personale piccola avversione al genere. Anche grazie ai finali brillanti, e all'occhio attento alla nostra società e ai percorsi di un uomo che conta le proprie rughe dell'animo sempre più numerose.
August 29, 2016
Vengo leyendo las novelas del detective Montalbano desde el 2007, y con esta llegué a la #16.
Debe ser el autor que más he leído, lo que me llevó a encariñarme con los personajes y seguir la evolución de los mismos.
Este libro en particular, no avanza mucho en la historia de Salvo y su entorno y el caso policial no es tan elaborado, aunque tiene sus vueltas de tuercas.
Desde mi punto de vista, los primeros 6 o 7 libros son realmente muy buenos, pero de ahí y hasta lo que he leído siento una especie de estancamiento. No debe ser fácil mantener un nivel de escritura y creatividad luego de tanto tiempo con los mismos personajes.
Igualmente, celebro cada libro de la saga y estoy contento de tener más libros de él que me están esperando en mis estantes.
Debe ser el autor que más he leído, lo que me llevó a encariñarme con los personajes y seguir la evolución de los mismos.
Este libro en particular, no avanza mucho en la historia de Salvo y su entorno y el caso policial no es tan elaborado, aunque tiene sus vueltas de tuercas.
Desde mi punto de vista, los primeros 6 o 7 libros son realmente muy buenos, pero de ahí y hasta lo que he leído siento una especie de estancamiento. No debe ser fácil mantener un nivel de escritura y creatividad luego de tanto tiempo con los mismos personajes.
Igualmente, celebro cada libro de la saga y estoy contento de tener más libros de él que me están esperando en mis estantes.
December 1, 2020
De nuevo os hablo de otra de las novelas de la serie del Comisario Montalbano, del gran maestro ya fallecido Andrea Camilleri. Leer estas novelas es disfrutar de unas horas con unas tramas policiales interesantes. Y aunque los personajes principales sean siempre los mismos, los vemos evolucionar a través de la lectura de la serie en orden de publicación.
Esta es una novela muy entretenida, y en muchas ocasiones, hilarante, pues a Montalbano le vemos en situaciones no habituales y en las que se encuentra fuera de lugar 😄
Si queréis pasar un buen rato, ya sabéis, Camilleri y Montalbano. 😉
Esta es una novela muy entretenida, y en muchas ocasiones, hilarante, pues a Montalbano le vemos en situaciones no habituales y en las que se encuentra fuera de lugar 😄
Si queréis pasar un buen rato, ya sabéis, Camilleri y Montalbano. 😉
October 27, 2016
Another wonderful entry in the Montalbano series! For those with weak stomachs, beware that there is a heart wrenching scene of animal abuse at the beginning but it is short and not too graphic.
April 7, 2024
El comisario Montalbano descubre el cadáver de un caballo que yace sobre la arena de la playa de delante de su casa. Se trata de un magnífico purasangre que ha sufrido una muerte brutal con golpes dados con barras de acero. La rabia y la indignación crecen en él y pretende llegar a la resolución del caso como si del asesinato de un ser humano fuese.
No ha sido para mí la mejor aventura de Montalbano, pero aparecen todos los personajes y lugares que hacen que quiera volver a leer a Camirelli cada cierto tiempo, puesto que los tomo como algo cercano a mí: el policía de portería Catarrella, el médico forense Pasquale, sus compañeros Fazio y Augello, su novia Livia aunque no aparezca mucho en este libro, su amiga Ingrid...
En el libro aparecen dos escenas que para mí han sido hilarantes por la manera cómo son redactadas como cuando acude a la carrera de caballos organizada por un millonario y las situaciones tan surrealistas que se dan desde que el comisario Montalbano llega a lo que no es más que una fiesta de millonarios con la excusa de una carrera de caballos. Me acordé mucho por diversas similitudes de los libros Lo mejor que le puede pasar a un cruasán de Pablo Tusset o La Aventura del tocador de señoras de Eduardo Mendoza. El siguiente tema con el que me reí es la resistencia casi infantil que Salvo opone al paso inexorable del tiempo en forma de presbicia con su negativa a pasar un chequeo de su vista. Siempre de alguna manera u otra están presentes en Montalbano el paso del tiempo y su antipatía hacia los millonarios.
Nota: 6
No ha sido para mí la mejor aventura de Montalbano, pero aparecen todos los personajes y lugares que hacen que quiera volver a leer a Camirelli cada cierto tiempo, puesto que los tomo como algo cercano a mí: el policía de portería Catarrella, el médico forense Pasquale, sus compañeros Fazio y Augello, su novia Livia aunque no aparezca mucho en este libro, su amiga Ingrid...
En el libro aparecen dos escenas que para mí han sido hilarantes por la manera cómo son redactadas como cuando acude a la carrera de caballos organizada por un millonario y las situaciones tan surrealistas que se dan desde que el comisario Montalbano llega a lo que no es más que una fiesta de millonarios con la excusa de una carrera de caballos. Me acordé mucho por diversas similitudes de los libros Lo mejor que le puede pasar a un cruasán de Pablo Tusset o La Aventura del tocador de señoras de Eduardo Mendoza. El siguiente tema con el que me reí es la resistencia casi infantil que Salvo opone al paso inexorable del tiempo en forma de presbicia con su negativa a pasar un chequeo de su vista. Siempre de alguna manera u otra están presentes en Montalbano el paso del tiempo y su antipatía hacia los millonarios.
Nota: 6
September 13, 2024
Definitely the worst one of the series, crime story wise
October 4, 2015
Book #12 in the Inspector Montalbano series
“The Track of Sand” is my first experience reading Camilleri and his well-known series. Having done so at this point was so smooth it felt I knew the protagonist for a long time and I easily picked the essence of who he was right from the start. Although this novel stands on its own two feet I am sure having read the previous installments would have been an asset.
The story opens with the brutal killing of a horse just off Inspector Montalbano’s veranda. The horse belongs to a stunning equestrian and thus starts the complicated relationship between Rachelle and the Inspector.
This is a complex whodunit plot set in a fictional Sicilian town where the protagonist, an Inspector of police is the character study in this story. We find a lot of local colours and many interesting players especially the seductive temptress and wealthy jockey. The narrative keeps the rapid pace of the investigative path with a few entertaining side trips and meals here and there.
Although the story is relatively short and is quite enjoyable read with a flavour of a Godfather movie peppered with intriguing passages and all the essential dialogue. There are also humorous moments, references to local issues, politics and culture. The plot may be convoluted but the creative chicanery and tweaking of the law provided a dramatic and satisfying development.
This may be my first book but will not be my last.
“The Track of Sand” is my first experience reading Camilleri and his well-known series. Having done so at this point was so smooth it felt I knew the protagonist for a long time and I easily picked the essence of who he was right from the start. Although this novel stands on its own two feet I am sure having read the previous installments would have been an asset.
The story opens with the brutal killing of a horse just off Inspector Montalbano’s veranda. The horse belongs to a stunning equestrian and thus starts the complicated relationship between Rachelle and the Inspector.
This is a complex whodunit plot set in a fictional Sicilian town where the protagonist, an Inspector of police is the character study in this story. We find a lot of local colours and many interesting players especially the seductive temptress and wealthy jockey. The narrative keeps the rapid pace of the investigative path with a few entertaining side trips and meals here and there.
Although the story is relatively short and is quite enjoyable read with a flavour of a Godfather movie peppered with intriguing passages and all the essential dialogue. There are also humorous moments, references to local issues, politics and culture. The plot may be convoluted but the creative chicanery and tweaking of the law provided a dramatic and satisfying development.
This may be my first book but will not be my last.
May 24, 2020
Este libro me ha dejado una sensación rara, pues no se a ciencia cierta si su halo de inocencia, simpleza y torpeza son intencionales.
Una novela de detectives italiana con muchos guiños a la tradición detectivesca inglesa, pero adaptando muy bien los personajes y el escenario a los pueblos italianos, el protagonista principal es Montalbano, que no se si porque es el libro 12, no cuentan mucho de su personalidad o forma de ser, únicamente que tiene una relación a distancia con una joven, y que se acuesta casi por obligación con la que se lo pida.
La historia empieza con un caballo asesinado que fue encontrado por Montalbano a las puertas de su propia casa, al ser movido profundamente por la saña evidente que muestra el cuerpo del animal, se pone a investigar, lo cual se nota muy ilógico pues esta investigación consume tiempo y recursos policiacos, sin que haya sido autorizada.
Por otro lado la resolución se anticipa a mitad del libro, lo cual lo hace predecible y no es muy halagador que el lector sea más perspicaz que el mismo detective.
Aún con todos estos defectos disfrute el ritmo y las cosas que pasan durante el libro, sobre todo una cena benéfica donde aunque es pura gente aristocrática y de dinero, sus comportamientos son mezquinos y todo es de un humor delicioso como se describe.
Una novela de detectives italiana con muchos guiños a la tradición detectivesca inglesa, pero adaptando muy bien los personajes y el escenario a los pueblos italianos, el protagonista principal es Montalbano, que no se si porque es el libro 12, no cuentan mucho de su personalidad o forma de ser, únicamente que tiene una relación a distancia con una joven, y que se acuesta casi por obligación con la que se lo pida.
La historia empieza con un caballo asesinado que fue encontrado por Montalbano a las puertas de su propia casa, al ser movido profundamente por la saña evidente que muestra el cuerpo del animal, se pone a investigar, lo cual se nota muy ilógico pues esta investigación consume tiempo y recursos policiacos, sin que haya sido autorizada.
Por otro lado la resolución se anticipa a mitad del libro, lo cual lo hace predecible y no es muy halagador que el lector sea más perspicaz que el mismo detective.
Aún con todos estos defectos disfrute el ritmo y las cosas que pasan durante el libro, sobre todo una cena benéfica donde aunque es pura gente aristocrática y de dinero, sus comportamientos son mezquinos y todo es de un humor delicioso como se describe.
June 17, 2012
Inspector Montalbano awakens to find a dead horse on the beach in back of his home, which is removed while he awaits assistance. A champrion racehorse belonging to a beautiful woman and another horse were reported stolen in another district, but Salvo is so disturbed by the violence done to the animal that he investigates. After his home is invaded twice and almost burned down, he concludes it is related to an upcoming mafia trial in which he is a key witness. His dogged determination and love of food prevail although he does once again stray from Livia.
September 15, 2019
Another Excellent Adventure.
Reading humorous murder mysteries may be an acquired taste but the best authors manage to find to balance mystery and humor. Adrian McKinty and Cahm McDonnell use Irish black humor to balance the two. Mr. Camilleri's approach is different but just as engrossing. His novels smoothly weave the two together seamlessly.
Reading humorous murder mysteries may be an acquired taste but the best authors manage to find to balance mystery and humor. Adrian McKinty and Cahm McDonnell use Irish black humor to balance the two. Mr. Camilleri's approach is different but just as engrossing. His novels smoothly weave the two together seamlessly.
February 1, 2021
Este libro de Montalbano tiene algo especial. Se centra en la rabia creada por el asesinato sin escrúpulos de un animal y le da la misma importancia que a cualquier otro asesinato. Un placer saber que para Montalbano tenga la misma consideración y sienta el mismo desprecio por quien lo hace. El resto de la historia, es mejor leerla por uno mismo.
July 22, 2012
As always, a fine outing by a writer who makes you want to visit Sicily. I'm distressed about the reading glasses though...
March 3, 2020
4,5 estrellas
February 28, 2022
Me encantan las historias de Moltalbano, pero la verdad es que este ha sido el único de sus libros con el que no me ha atrapado.
February 11, 2020
The best thing I like about this book is the pretty cover with the pretty colors and if course the horse. It was the horse that attracted me to this book, as I had never heard of the author or the particular inspector before.
As for the actual story and plot, I found them ok, average. I managed to guess several things about the plot with ease (which is saying something as I had never even heard of Inspector Montalbano before). I also found it a bit dull and some of the characters were weird. A few acted in an annoying manner to their co-workers and I have no idea why. And I didn't really like that. It's as if one police officer was harassing the other and then was acting stupid. maybe it was supposed to be funny but I didn't find it funny at all.. the book was putting me to sleep but I pushed through and finished it. The last few pages contained a bit of excitement and I did find the end satisfying.
The plot revolves around an inspector and a dead race horse he finds killed in front of his house on a beach. So yes, the story revolves around race horses. He has to find out who killed the horse and why.
As for the actual story and plot, I found them ok, average. I managed to guess several things about the plot with ease (which is saying something as I had never even heard of Inspector Montalbano before). I also found it a bit dull and some of the characters were weird. A few acted in an annoying manner to their co-workers and I have no idea why. And I didn't really like that. It's as if one police officer was harassing the other and then was acting stupid. maybe it was supposed to be funny but I didn't find it funny at all.. the book was putting me to sleep but I pushed through and finished it. The last few pages contained a bit of excitement and I did find the end satisfying.
The plot revolves around an inspector and a dead race horse he finds killed in front of his house on a beach. So yes, the story revolves around race horses. He has to find out who killed the horse and why.
January 9, 2020
I should just copy and paste my reviews of the Montalbano series. Each new book is as good as the last. This time Salvo must figure out why there was a dead horse outside his house and where did it go? What reason was there for kidnapping this horse and how is this new lady, Racheale connected. Salvo has his hands full and is also starting to come to grips with the fact that he is aging. Love this down to earth Inspector and I especially love Catterella. Looking forward to my next installment of this series.
July 14, 2023
Five stars to this wonderful Montalbano, especially because Salvo is angsting over his age, his relationships with women and his own self-worth. A peppy plot with trademark Camilleri twists - just the right number of well-placed red herrings - and a dramatic resolution which wraps up many plot issues except, except his relationship with Livia. Salvo is particularly vulnerable and sensual in this one, but Camilleri keeps us focused on "the usual suspects".. A winning combination of procedural and personal.
December 10, 2017
Ogni due o tre libri ritorno sempre al mio caro amico Montalbano e oramai sono già arrivata al dodicesimo capitolo di questa bellissima saga, forse la più bella insieme a quella di Sherlock Holmes.
Questa volta Montalbano si trova a svelare un mistero tra sogno e realtà, nel frattempo sta' invecchiando e inizia a vederne i primi risultati. Anche in questo romanzo ci sarà una donna chiave, bellissima, misteriosa insieme alla amica e compagna di bevute Ingrid.
Questa volta Montalbano si trova a svelare un mistero tra sogno e realtà, nel frattempo sta' invecchiando e inizia a vederne i primi risultati. Anche in questo romanzo ci sarà una donna chiave, bellissima, misteriosa insieme alla amica e compagna di bevute Ingrid.
December 16, 2017
I love these Inspector Montalbano books. Camilleri's descriptions are so good that I can actually picture the scenes as if I am watching a movie. The inspector is quite a character! An enjoyable read that takes place in Sicily.
April 26, 2025
i expected it would be good (which it is) but not that it would be quite so funny. i had briefly considered trying to read these in Italian until i learned of the....particularities of the language. Quadruppani provides an interesting introduction explaining the challenges he faced as translator and the choices he made. i can't judge it's fidelity to the original but it's definitely very readable.
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