The Potter's Field

August 22, 2011
Camilleri’s clever 13th Inspector Montalbano mystery (after 2010’s The Track of Sand) opens with the discovery of an unidentified body, cut into 30 pieces, in a remote field near the Sicilian town of Vigàta, known for soil rich with potter’s clay. Montalbano, who has a knack for finding gallows humor in even the most grotesque situations, believes the hacked-up body signifies the 30 pieces of silver Judas was paid for his betrayal. Later, Dolores Alfano, a stunning woman whose skin has “the faint scent of cinnamon,” reports that her husband, a sailor with ties to a local mobster, is missing. That Mimi Augello, one of Mantalbano’s most trusted inspectors, is in a permanent rage complicates matters. As usual, Montalbano wants to wrap up both cases quickly so he can get back to his real work—sleeping, eating, drinking, and dealing with his long-distance girlfriend, Livia.

Starred review from March 1, 2012

In this 13th book featuring Sicilian detective inspector Montalbano, a body has been found chopped into 30 pieces and dumped in a field. While the detective and his team pursue the mystery of the victim's identification and murder, a beautiful, sultry woman asks Montalbano to find her missing husband. The two cases soon are linked and further complicated by the possible involvement of one his investigators. Filled with Camilleri's usual humor and irreverence, this story will delight more than just his fans. Prolific reader (more than 700 titles to his credit) Grover Gardner has narrated every English translation of this mystery series, and he continues to be the perfect voice for the irascible Montalbano. VERDICT Recommended for all public libraries that collect crime fiction. [The Penguin pb, published in September, was a New York Times best seller.--Ed.]--Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

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