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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 853.914
EAN num: 9780143036203
ISBN number: 0143036203
Label: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 240
Printing Date: November 29, 2005
Publishing house: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Sale Popularity Level: 36856
Studio: Penguin (Non-Classics)
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The number of Inspector Montalbano fans will continue to grow with this ingenious new novel featuring the earthy and urbane Sicilian detective. Half the retirees in Vig`ata have invested their savings with a financial wizard who has disappeared, along with their money. As Montalbano investigates this labyrinthine financial scam, he finds himself at a serious disadvantage: a hostile superior has shut him out of the case, he’s on the outs with his lover Livia, and his cherished Sicily is turning so ruthless and vulgar that Montalbano wonders if any part of it is worth saving. Drenched with atmosphere, crackling with wit, The Smell of the Night is Camilleri at his most addictive.
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Rated by buyers 
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The Smell of the Night is the only one of the very first six books to lack a decent mystery. Inspector Montalbano is as amusing as ever as he trashes an uninhabited villa, challenges a tease, deals with the remnants of incompetent laundering, desperately searches for new places to dine, tries to show he isn't really middle-aged, and solves a crime he isn't supposed to go near. There's the usual byplay at the station as Catarella mangles words and Fazio tries to inveigle Montalbano to sign stacks of paperwork for hours. In between, there are delicious meals and quiet interludes to think things over.
The book's plot involves a missing financier, Emanuele Gargano, who appears to have been running a Ponzi scheme (paying out large returns to early investors by using the money deposited by new investors). When the payment date occurs, the financier is nowhere to be found. One of his staff members, Giacomo Pellegrino, is also gone. But the dedicated middle-aged teller, Mariastella Cosentino, still mans the office . . . despite threats from angered depositors. Another assistant, the attractive Michela Manganaro, is licking her wounds after not having been paid for two months. But she can dish the dirt, and Montalbano gets some helpful clues.
On the serious side, headquarters has learned about the adoption Montalbano had arranged after another case, and Montalbano has to cover his tracks. As he does, he finds some good and not-so-good news. In addition, Mimi is getting close to marriage . . . but cold feet are also setting in. Will his nerve hold?
Will Montalbano's relationship with Livia survive some prevarications on the part of each?
If you are a devoted fan of the series, be sure to read the book. It contains some nice character development. But don't expect much of a mystery. After all, how hard can it be to solve a Ponzi scheme case with a missing financier? There has to be a money trail . . . and that can be turned into a physical trail.
Enjoy a pleasant taste if Sicily!
Rated by buyers 
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I enjoy the t.v. series made in Italy and available here in Code 4 DVD, so much that I must have my Montalbano fix often. I read the novels that are so popular here and in Italy, and listen to the audio CD's like this one, Smell of the Night, which should have been titled: Scent of the Night because Vigata is on the sea and the fragrances of sea, salt, olive blossoms and basil, can become intoxicating. This episode is great because someone has dared to cut down an ancient olive tree where Salvo Montalbano goes to brood and to receive comfort, this make our volatile Chief Inspector very "pazzo!". Plus, Salvo has such an acute brain,he knows to get into his old wet suit, and go diving in dark waters to solve the puzzle; then gloats that he is still in good shape until he bends down to pick up something afterwards, and ouch! His constant battle with evading marriage with the patient and beautiful Milano resident, Livia, is always delightful and Salvo's love for Sicilian food makes me long to go there and try some of those dishes that are described so well. the other regulars are wonderful including the long-suffering Livai, Fazio, the loyal right hand man, Mimi, the skirt chaser, and Catarella, who has to the 4th of the 3 Stooges. The women are wonderful and either hags or voluptuous beauties. Italian drama always has comedy, and Sicilian is Italian cubed. For example, a sign of affection can be a smack on the back of the head. As for this CD Audio, if you can get past the stentorian voice of the narrator, which I did after fussing for awhile, you'll find that the character, Salvo Montalbano, will leave you wanting to walk beside him again and again. The novels are all available in English, the DVD's come with English titles, but alas there are only two other novels by Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Salvo Montalbano available on audio CD's. The Shape of Water, and The Terra Cotta Dog.
Rated by buyers -
This was a fun read but almost gauze thin. There's something to be said for that. At least there's no pretentiouness like Mankell. But one of Montalbano's assistant's dialog could have been delivered by Chico Marx.
Rated by buyers -
"...the series is richer than ever, less smooth but with more bite, less Sangiovese and more Barolo. Bill Ott" So writes Mr. Ott. But if he is sequencing in parallel, he needs to reverse his wines: It is barolo which is smooth and sangiovese which has the bite, sometimes a mean bite. He should drink more. Oh, by the way, I have ordered this book, but haven't read this one yet, all the others but not yet this one. Forced to rate what I have not yet read, I gave it five stars based on past performance; I don't think Camilleri can write a bad book; the very first five without exception have been fun to read. While drinking half a bottle of sangiovese of an evening, or barolo if you can afford it.
Rated by buyers -
It was all happening at the general management's office down town in Vigàta, `King Midas Associates'. Mariastella Cosentino was sitting behind the cashier's window as usual, three policeman Mimi Augello, Fazio and Galluzzo were performing a kind of ballet depending on which way the pistol was pointing at them, Inspector Montalbano kept his eye on the assailant who was making everybody nervous. The old man himself was in his eighties had advance Parkinson's, the pistol was shaking so badly in his hands someone was bound to end up shot, he was clearly destressed all this guy wanted was his money.
Emanuele Gargano belonged to the short-lived breed of businessman fast climber and ready for the scrap heap age fifty. This man was a Financial miracle worker and had given Vigàta the economic reawakening it needed, he had set up offices and with his charismatic charm enticed people to invest their life savings and pensions, for a couple of years now his firm had shown a high profit turn over, word spread and more invested, for the people of this town it was about making money as quickly as possible, then as fast as Emanuele Gargano had breezed into town he had suddenly disappeared and all the people's Vigàta savings with him.
Montalbano had promised the old man he would get his money back and that's not all he would search everywhere for this Emanuele Gargano and bring him to justice but as complications begin to increase so does Montalbano's personal and professional king size headache.
Andrea Camilleri has written a wonderful Montalbano mystery series, what I love about this series would be the characterisations and language, the usage of dialogue in conversation it's all been kept real it's got Sharp wit and ironic comedy, the sly comments on Italian life and culture keeps things interesting and amusing. Montalbano is a fantastic leading character his middle aged, melancholy vein, recites certain favourite authors lines in moments of doubt, clearly well read. His ability of untangling his cases with certain logic and gets to the truth by not feeling afraid to explore all areas even into obsession and his wonderful passion for great flavoured food is just endless.
This Sixth novel is fantastic like all the others, I love all the characters just picking a couple out, Mimi Augello is great at being second in command, very ambitious with a real comical side as a dedicated womaniser, especially since his trying to pass himself off to Montalbano as excellent marriage material, Montalbano never believing this but remains the good boss sits silently and listens while Mimi relays his justifications. Another character who brings a smile to my face is Catarella (Cat) in charge of telephone calls his got wonderful dialogue it has me in stitches, he really tries so hard, Montalbano knows his got an angel on his team.
All Montalbano mysteries start in comedy but end in horror and melodrama but it done with lots of human interest in every plot, it's highly recommended from me and the whole series deserves to be read from the beginning.
A special mention to poet Stephen Sartarelli who has translated each book smoothly and clearly, managing to keep its humour through out and for the very informative notes given at the back on wording. Thank You.
Additional Notes: UK addition under the title, The Scent of the Night.
A.Bowhill
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