August Heat

I love Andrea Camilleri's mysteries. In this particular book his writing gives such a succulent taste of Sicilia (actually, all his mysteries do); it is an irrisitble part of the story--I could "feel" the heat of August as I read along. Inspector Montalbano is a complex character, always facing moral dilemmas--I want to meet this man!!!

This book is one of the best in Italian mysteries and draws you into the place where it takes place. Its almost like a travel book in descriptions of the food. The author Andrea Camilleri can't write fast enough for me.

I think this is the eighth Inspector Montalbano book -- at least it's the eighth one I've read -- and I loved it. The ending was superb. It made sense and it was full of the right kind of ending emotions: revenge, anger, love, lost love -- the works. I think Mr. Camilleri has gotten better with age. The plot seemed clearer to me than some of the other Montalbano stories and with the Italian names to remember a bit of clarity sometimes helps.

This is a series which just keeps getting better with each installment. If you liked any of the earlier Montalbano cases August Heat will entertain and raise temperatures. Highly recommended.

I anxiously await the appearance of every Camilleri novel. Why must the publisher and translator work so slowly? I pounced on August Heat on the publication date, and savored it like those the wonderful Sicilian dishes Inspector Montalbano's housekeeper leaves in his refrigerator. This is a perfect book. Lots of nice plotting, starting with a cursed house. Lots of irresponsible breaks from detection, while Montalbano enjoys a multi-course lunch or takes a long swim. There's trouble with women, too, which is always fun with an aging detective. It's over all too soon. We can only hope the translator is at work on the next one.