EXCURSION TO TINDARI

Italian author Andrea Camilleri manages to leaven a dark mystery involving gruesome crimes with a light touch afforded by humorous situations and an engaging cast, featuring cynical but lovable Inspector Montalbano. This is not narrator Grover Gardner's first Sicilian Inspector Montalbano mystery, and that familiarity with the author's style and the characters' personalities is especially evident in his comfortable and believable presentation of the irascible middle-aged detective. Gardner catches both Montalbano's quiet musings as he examines his life and his crude outbursts when he’s under pressure. In successfully meeting the challenges of a translation with a multidimensional cast, multiple plot lines, and a generous sprinkling of earthy language, Grover Gardner demonstrates why he’s an AUDIOFILE Golden Voice. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2009]