Angelica's Smile (Inspector Montalbano) Paperback – June 24, 2014

Having read all of the Montalbano series available in English, let is suffice to say that I am an avid fan. Since this is a series, I thank that it is only fair to review this novel in the context of other Montalbano novels and herein lies the trouble with this novel. The reader long accustomed to the interplay of diverse characters be they serious or comic, will find this novel lacking. Augello has been sent on leave and it is only Fazio, Livia, and Catarella who appear with any substance.Which leads me to the next difference with this novel novel and that is it is not a murder mystery but a burglary mystery. The lack of tension this crime produces, is evident throughout the novel and it only in the last third that there any hint of ominous motives. This is somewhere between a roman a clef and a study of sexual obsession, viz. Montalbano's.Montalbano's Angelica with constant allusions to Aristo's Angelica is really not believable in her actions or effects on other. Let us say that Camilleri is more concerned with the inner-torment of Montalbano than the character of Angelica. His obsession with food is only limited and perhaps the biggest fault in the novel, and it grows with each novel unfortunately is the character of his paramour Livia. After decades of quasi-cohabitation, she still seems to be the same Livia we first met and has not progressed in her understanding of Montalbano. Too much of a glaring error. No woman would act like an ingenue after so long a period, especially one that has a life and career of her own.No, this is more of a modern uptake on "Orlando Furioso" as it applies to Montalbano in a very personal sense. That is the only way that I can understand this story. His obsession with Angelica is totally physical but his reliving his 16 year-old fantasy with Andre Dore's illustrations of Angelica and the words of Ariosto show more of concern with the inner Montalbano than the story line. To be fair Montalbano does learn one truth and that is sleeping with a woman, no matter how physically attractive, is very different than loving her.Perhaps in his next novel, we will see some rational concerning the Livia-Montalbano relationship. After all, he is 60 and not 16.

This is one of the best of the movies and no wonder, this is a lovely story and as I come near to the end of the series, I am happy that I have stuck with it -- reading them all -- and made it to this.It's a good plot and the characters live up to their potential. I'm not sure Mimi is in it at all... but Fazio plays an important role.At this point I suppose the books are becoming like the comfort food that Salvo occasionally eats. They are a good want to pass a Sunday afternoon.Perhaps I am finally forgiving Montalbano a little for his obsession with age. Good grief. If not forgiven, accepted to a greater or lesser extent.Salvo is special, as are all the continuing characters. I'm sure I've written that before in an earlier review. He is full of faults and I guess either you accept them in order to accept him, or you don't.There is one strange thing. I did read this over an especially long span of time as I was busy with other things... and the very last sentence that Fazio utters (I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I will be very vague here)... I admit I totally do not understand why he utters it. Why what happens does indeed happen. I feel pretty stupid. I must've missed something, somewhere along the way.I sit here and puzzle over it... and get no where. I suppose this will just have to be one of those unsolved mysteries....

Andrea Camilleri speaks my language.Having counted down the days to the release of Camilleri's 17th book in the Inspector Montalbano series, I began to read my new e-book with complete delight! I have loved reading and re-reading the entire series, and was not disappointed with this latest offering. I can't speak Italian, but Camilleri really speaks my language! And thank the Saints for Stephen Sartarelli's brilliant translation. I enjoy the intelligence, hilarious sarcasm, smarts and wit throughout, as well as Montalbano's wonderful relationships with the other regular characters.Andrea Camilleri doesn't put a foot wrong. His writing is great. With Livia reappearing in this novel, I wonder if there is any resolution in sight for Montalbano's relationship with her - and what is it really, in the second half of the series, that allows Montalbano's repeated but short-lived attractions to other women? Especially after his incredible fidelity of the initial books.I wonder what lies ahead, but I trust in Mr Camilleri's wonderful skill - whatever happens in future works, whichever way things go, I'm sure I'll love the stories that are still to come.

Andrea Camilleri is the type of writer who has the ability to capture the sense of his characters,the street vibe, the way people speak and how they think from a depiction of a simple lunch to a complex relationship if you haven't read all of his works to date and desire to spend quality time with yourself don't wait . also there is a series that was produced in europe it's on dvd montbolo which you will really enjoy, from the speech gestures etc etc take a few minutes and enjoy yourself sit down ,have a wine or an espresso lace it with some good grappa read, fall asleep whatever , but enjoy yourself

I have two complaints about this book by one of my all-time favorite authors. First, the plot is too complicated, which probably contributes to my second disappointment. And in great mysteries the reader can start to figure out what is going on about two-thirds through the book, which, at least for me, was not the case in this one. Second, there is not as much of the great descriptions of Sicilian topography and atmosphere and the food eaten with such pleasure by Inspector Montelbano as I have been accustomed to.

While I have really enjoyed virtually all of the 18 Montalbano stories I have read to date, Angelica's Smile has sadly not lived up to my hopes and expectations. The plot is the best aspect of this story but other aspects of the novel lessened my overall enjoyment of it. Firstly, I feel too much space is given to describing virtually every meal that Montalbano eats. This struck me as unnecessary as it doesn't add anything pertinent to the plot or anything that we did not already know about Montalbano's character. Secondly, there is a lot more dialogue between Montalbano and Caterella in this novel, with Caterella's unique manner of speaking leading to many misunderstandings. But it also makes Caterella appear more of a figure of fun which spoilt my enjoyment of the plot as without Caterella's computer skills, Montalbano would be unable to do his job. Finally, Montalbano's midlife crises is on full display in this novel and I found this added a degree of melancholy to the overall ambiance of the story.Overall I feel I would have enjoyed this story more if it had been a novella that focussed entirely on the plot which I found intriguing, especially with the clever twist that appears as the story nears its conclusion. Still, while I was mildly disappointed by this story, it wasn't so bad that it will keep me from reading other novels in this wonderful series.

The inspector is feeling his age and the insecurities that go with it. Following another row with Livia, he gets involved in a seemingly insignificant burglary and during the course of the investigation meets a beautiful lady. She reminds him of an erotic fantasy from his youth and, being Montalbano, he falls into romantic thoughts, partially returned by the lady. The burglary becomes a series of crimes, quickly becoming deadly, with the lady being included in the suspects. The ending has an unexpected twist, definitely a sting in the tail.

Angelica's Smile is the usual mix of crime, food, beautiful women and warm weather. Montalbano is investigating a series of clever burglaries on the rich of Vigata and is attracted to the eponymous Angelica, one of the victims. Needless to say it all ends in heartbreak with the side effect of returning the blood to his head and allowing him to solve the crime.It is all about Montalbano in this novel as his usual cast of supporting characters, with the exception of Catarella and Fazio, are less involved and he cuts a bit of a sad figure as he lusts after the eponymous Angelica and loses the ability to see the burglaries clearly through distraction but he still manages to consume some mouthwatering dishes in some lovely scenery, all beautifully described. Series readers will know what a mercurial character he is but he seems diminished in this book as he hardly loses his temper and his verbal jousting is a bit half hearted.The plot is not overly complicated and I had a good idea of what was going on early on but this is not the point of the novel. The charm of it is in the other stuff - the location, the food, Montalbano's interactions with the other characters and the humour and whimsy which permeate it. I will also say that having read a couple of novellas in the series not translated by Mr Sartarelli it is impossible to overemphasise his contribution to making this and the other novels such great reads.I love this series and think Angelica's Smile is a great addition to it so I have no hesitation in recommending it to those with an anarchical bent.

I have been reading Montalbano since about book 3. Really enjoyed everything about them. But the last one or two have lost something and are rapidly losing me. The first disappointment was the realisation that I had already seen most of this story in the TV version even though it was listed as 'new'. The stilted, staccato dialogue and short sentences made me wonder initially whether this version had been written for children who are unable to retain information. The plot was completely implausible as was Montalbano's apparent mid-life crisis in his also implausible relationship with the named character. The ever increasing attempt to make poor Catarella into an imbecile is now tiresome. I am not sure whether it is the author or the translation but these have gone down and down. Maybe it is time for the once fascinating M to retire

Although some of the stories in the Inspector Montalbano series are more enjoyable than others, all of them are wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. The plot in 'Angelica's Smile' is less complicated than in many of the other stories, and sees Montalbano trying to find the truth behind a series of well-planned and executed burglaries of a group of rich acquaintances in the town of Vigàta. One of the victims is a beautiful lady (Angelica) who captivates Montalbano, and he finds it hard not to fall in love with her, despite the fact than she is half his age.For readers familiar with Montalbano's love of life, this a rather sad story, with the Inspector grappling with feeling old and past his prime. Fortunately there is nothing amiss with his deductive powers and Montalbano uncovers the truth in the story's dramatic and sad finale.Although this is not perhaps the best book in the series, everyone who is a fan of Camilleri will enjoy 'Angelica's Smile'.