Time Out
'Stave off the winter chill by venturing temporarily to sicily with the lastest Andrea Camilleri mystery'
Good Book Guide
'As ever with this series, the sharply drawn characters combine with an ingenious plot'
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Patience of the Spider opens as Inspector Salvo Montalbano is recovering from injuries sustained in his previous adventure, the brilliant Rounding the Mark. Indeed, this novel opens a matter of hours afterwards as Salvo, recuperates under the ministrations of his partner Livia and undergoes flashbacks to time in hospital. That is all cut abruptly short, though, when a local girl is kidnapped and Salvo is called on to the case, though only on the sidelines, not as the investigator in charge. The kidnapping is a real puzzle: it's well-known that the girl's family cannot possibly pay the ransom, and the behaviour of the kidnappers makes little sense to Montalbano. However, with a bit of dogged investigation and after a few revealing discoveries, he eventually gets to the truth...
The Patience of the Spider is not the best Montalbano by quite a long shot. However, that is saying little, as it's still a hugely entertaining, amusing read. Montalbano himself is on fine crotchety, manipulative, intuitively brilliant form. The writing is as funny and lightly sarcastic as ever also. However, the plot here has a lot less meat on its bones than previous outings. Indeed, there's little more to the book than then simple synopsis presented above. It's direct and focused, but it feels thin and underdeveloped. And not only that, but it's quite obvious what's going on from about halfway through the book, and the reader is rather surprised that Montalbano doesn't cotton on to what's going on immediately. It's enjoyable, yes, but would be served well by bring a bit more complex.
That said, however, it says a lot about the qualities of Camilleri's hugely enjoyable writing style (it's full of sly fun and reads immensely quickly - possibly thanks to the simplicity of the plot!) that the book is still 100% worth reading. Even with the mystery so easy to puzzle out (and Camilleri himself seems to subconsciously agree on this point, giving as he does only two pages to solve it in), the book is still a fun treat to read. I recommend it, as I do all his books, but it's not the most well-rounded of the series, and certainly is a pale sister compared to the brilliance of last year's Rounding the Mark.
The Patience of the Spider is not the best Montalbano by quite a long shot. However, that is saying little, as it's still a hugely entertaining, amusing read. Montalbano himself is on fine crotchety, manipulative, intuitively brilliant form. The writing is as funny and lightly sarcastic as ever also. However, the plot here has a lot less meat on its bones than previous outings. Indeed, there's little more to the book than then simple synopsis presented above. It's direct and focused, but it feels thin and underdeveloped. And not only that, but it's quite obvious what's going on from about halfway through the book, and the reader is rather surprised that Montalbano doesn't cotton on to what's going on immediately. It's enjoyable, yes, but would be served well by bring a bit more complex.
That said, however, it says a lot about the qualities of Camilleri's hugely enjoyable writing style (it's full of sly fun and reads immensely quickly - possibly thanks to the simplicity of the plot!) that the book is still 100% worth reading. Even with the mystery so easy to puzzle out (and Camilleri himself seems to subconsciously agree on this point, giving as he does only two pages to solve it in), the book is still a fun treat to read. I recommend it, as I do all his books, but it's not the most well-rounded of the series, and certainly is a pale sister compared to the brilliance of last year's Rounding the Mark.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Inspector Montalbano was wounded in Rounding the Mark, and The Patience of the Spider begins with Montalbano being on leave to recuperate. Livia has even returned to his side to take care of his, banishing the ministrations of his housekeeper and marvelous cook, Adelina Cirrincio. Montalbano is concerned that the doctors will find out that he has a heart condition, but that doesn't happen. Except for occasional love-making (which Livia isn't anxious for), Montalbano is leading a circumscribed life . . . even eating healthy, low-calorie foods. Bah!
Naturally, it is a relief when Montalbano is called temporarily back to duty as a kidnapping overwhelms the local force. But the case is not to be his; a colleague comes from a place where kidnappings are common events.
The kidnapped woman, Susanna Mistretta, is a pretty young university student . . . and her family doesn't have any money. Everyone fears the worst, that this is a sexual crime rather than extortion. And initially, there's no news from the kidnappers.
That set of circumstances seems strange to Montalbano. As he investigates, more little things bother him. Why is her motorbike facing in the wrong direction? Where is her helmet? As time passes, the little things seem to suggest of shadow of something else. What could it be?
But it's annoying to work on the case, because Livia alternately berates him for not doing enough . . . and for not telling her about every little development.
Will the young woman be saved? Will she get back in time to say good-bye to her dying mother? Your heart will be wrung as you consider those elements.
The story lacks the usual Montalbano zest for several reasons. He isn't able to indulge his gourmet and gourmand tendencies so the food side of the story is thin. The kidnapping's complications also reveal themselves in a very transparent fashion. I think you'll figure out the puzzle pretty early in the book. Montalbano also has fewer humorous interludes with the other members of the police. The energy, humor, and suspense are just at a low ebb. It's a pleasant mystery, but it's one that won't kick yourself if you don't read it.
The indirect development of the character of the kidnapped woman is quite well done. That was obviously the writing challenge that appealed to Mr. Camilleri as he wrote this book.
Naturally, it is a relief when Montalbano is called temporarily back to duty as a kidnapping overwhelms the local force. But the case is not to be his; a colleague comes from a place where kidnappings are common events.
The kidnapped woman, Susanna Mistretta, is a pretty young university student . . . and her family doesn't have any money. Everyone fears the worst, that this is a sexual crime rather than extortion. And initially, there's no news from the kidnappers.
That set of circumstances seems strange to Montalbano. As he investigates, more little things bother him. Why is her motorbike facing in the wrong direction? Where is her helmet? As time passes, the little things seem to suggest of shadow of something else. What could it be?
But it's annoying to work on the case, because Livia alternately berates him for not doing enough . . . and for not telling her about every little development.
Will the young woman be saved? Will she get back in time to say good-bye to her dying mother? Your heart will be wrung as you consider those elements.
The story lacks the usual Montalbano zest for several reasons. He isn't able to indulge his gourmet and gourmand tendencies so the food side of the story is thin. The kidnapping's complications also reveal themselves in a very transparent fashion. I think you'll figure out the puzzle pretty early in the book. Montalbano also has fewer humorous interludes with the other members of the police. The energy, humor, and suspense are just at a low ebb. It's a pleasant mystery, but it's one that won't kick yourself if you don't read it.
The indirect development of the character of the kidnapped woman is quite well done. That was obviously the writing challenge that appealed to Mr. Camilleri as he wrote this book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I love the Montalbano series and have read most of them. I was really eager to start this one, and it starts well. Montalbano is recovering from an injury sustained in the line of duty which also causes him to worry about his mortality and question his abilities as a cop. He is called in to assist on the sidelines with a complex kidnap case involving a young and beautiful girl and senses that all is not as it should be.
The things that were great about this book were the setting, the sights and sounds of Sicily; The fact that we get to know more about Montalbano's complicated relationship with his girlfriend Livia and of course Montalbano himself. The thing that let it down was the case, which I had guessed the outcome for fairly early on. I'm not saying I'm a mastermind or anything, I just thing that if you're used to the way things play out in the Montalbano novels this one might not be quite up to par for you.
Having said that it's still a great read and well worth having.
The things that were great about this book were the setting, the sights and sounds of Sicily; The fact that we get to know more about Montalbano's complicated relationship with his girlfriend Livia and of course Montalbano himself. The thing that let it down was the case, which I had guessed the outcome for fairly early on. I'm not saying I'm a mastermind or anything, I just thing that if you're used to the way things play out in the Montalbano novels this one might not be quite up to par for you.
Having said that it's still a great read and well worth having.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Keeps you guessing
This is a good read the story keeps you guessing to the end. But there are clues if you look for them. Paints an intriguing picture of Scicilian life. Read more
Published 23 days ago by David W.
Maigret in Sicily
More than the other books in this series one sees the influence of Simenon's Inspector Maigret. Even Livia seems rather subdued and like the French inspector's wife. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rf And Tm Walters
Great plot
A thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing read, which is what one expects every time from Mr Camilleri. Plots are always well structured and Inspector Salvo Montalbano is a thoroughly... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Concise
wonderful addition to series
It's a good book not a great one. It has all the usual characteristics of a montalbano story. Sicily , food , the internal machinations of the higher echelons of the police dept... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by A. Browne
Another great Montalbano book.
I love the character of Montalbano, funny and likable. This series of detective stories is very entertaining and conjure up a wonderful picture of a detective who loves life, his... Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by M. Compton
Enjoyable read
I enjoy detective fiction ranging from the jokey-style of Simon Brett to the gritty realism of Ian Rankin or Peter Robinson. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2009 by Bluebell
A good read, and typically Italian
This is the first Camilleri book I've read. Having run out of Michael Dibdin and Donna Leon books, I was looking for a new fix of Italian detective fiction and this caught my... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2009 by Greg Lovett
Captivating
The Patience of the Spider is about kidnapping. But it isn't just a female university student who is held captive. So are we, the readers. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2008 by Jon Chambers
Not the best visit to Vigata but still enjoyable
I love the Montalbano series but this is the weakest of the lot. The plot is paper thin and just silly. Read more
Published on 10 July 2008 by A. King
I'm confused
1st Gripe. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I guessed what was going on about half way through. I'm not sure if that's intentional. But I'm not happy about it. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2008 by Miran Ali
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