The Wings of the Sphinx – Andreas Camilleri
Not the best Salvo Montalbano mystery because the mystery plot is a little superficial, the reveal feels rushed, and the characterization is less psychologically astute than usual. But the 11th of this thirty-book series is undoubtedly worth reading, with the lush evocation of Sicily and the short chapters driven by brisk rhythm and tempo. With scenes seamlessly woven together, the action is so easy to take in that the book feels shorter than it really is.
The story begins in a tragic way when a murdered young woman whose face was devastated by a bullet is found naked in a landfill. She has traces of gold leaf on her body and the tattoo of a sphinx moth on her left shoulder. Montalbano manages to follow the trail that will involve three other girls with the same moth tattoo. He will discover the culprit and the reasons for the murder even though his investigation is always at risk of being hindered by influencers at the top.
The comic subplot concerns Mr. Picarella, a man who probably stages his own kidnapping but whose wife insists the police are not taking the case seriously enough. Montalbano’s subordinates, Fazio and Augello, are skeptical because no ransom demand has been received. They are vindicated when a rich guy visits the station.
...Francesco Di Noto. Decked out in Armani, top-of-the -line loafers worn without socks, Rolex, shirt open to a golden crucifix suffocating in a forest of unkempt, rampant black hair.
He was surely the idiot tooling around in the Ferrari. But the inspector wanted confirmation.
"My compliments on your beautiful car."
"Thanks. It's a 360 Modena. I've also got a Porsche Carrera."
Double cretin with fireworks.
Di Noto produces a photo of Picarella partying in a nightclub in Havana. Mrs. Picarella later calmly rejects this evidence and gets Montalbano in dutch with his pompous superior Bonetti-Alderighi. The scene of them pressing each other’s buttons is, as usual, hilarious.
As usual, the main attraction is the hero Montalbano, an ordinary middle-aged man aging ungracefully, subject to dark moods and flying off the handle not to mention poorly managing his long-distance relationship with his GF Livia. It’s enjoyable to sit down with out on the veranda of his house in Marinella and enjoy Sicilian cuisine home-cooked by his housekeeper Adelina. In rigorous silence, mind you, so as to enjoy the food better.
Camilleri captures and maintains readerly interest not only with the stubborn, ironic and penetrating character of Montalbano. The supporting cast includes the pragmatic and meticulous character of Fazio, with the compliant yet daring character of Augello, and the strong-willed character of Livia. A brilliant comic creation is the naive and sincere character of Catarella who maddens Montalbano by never getting people’s names correct and writing indecipherable telephone numbers.
Some scenes are really comic, such as when Montalbano pretends
to be an anti-mafia investigator in an amazing two-chapter interrogation. The
only cautions are that this book feels too short and the savvy reader will see
where the story is heading. But we don’t read Montalbano novels for the story or
the reveal but for Camilleri's mastery in narrating a story with perfect seams
and atmosphere and characters of a world so clearly realized.
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