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The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano Mysteries)

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Author: Andrea Camilleri
Creator: Stephen Sartarelli
Publisher: Penguin Books
Category: Book

List Price: ~~Ł13.00~~
Buy Used: Ł3.48
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Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

2 reviews
Sales Rank: 194641

Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.7

ISBN: 0143112031
Dewey Decimal Number: 853.914
EAN: 9780143112037
ASIN: 0143112031

Publication Date: April 24, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.

Also Available In:

•	Paperback - The Patience of the Spider (Wheeler Softcover)
•	Paperback - The Patience of the Spider (Montalbano 8)

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Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars

Tiny Puzzles Bother Montalbano as He Recuperates August 23, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

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.

3 out of 5 stars

I'm confused May 13, 2007
21 out of 30 found this review helpful

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. Why such an obvious plot?

2nd Gripe. Not enough about food! I love the local seafood of which most of the books have several helpings. This one hardly had two.

3rd Gripe. Montalbano is getting a little old. And recently he's been going on about it a lot more. I wish he'd settle down with Livia.