Riccardino

5 / 5. Votos: 1
Synopsis of Riccardino
Riccardino is the final novel in the thrilling, wickedly funny Inspector Montalbano Mysteries series by best-selling author Andrea Camilleri.
‘Contrary to what you think, I’m carrying out this investigation as best I can. But let’s do this: if I get stuck, if I find I can’t go forward or back, then I’ll let you know, and you can step in. And offer me a way out. You’ve gained a bit of detective work through me, haven’t you? What do you say?’
‘I’m game,’ said the Author….
When Inspector Montalbano receives an early-morning phone call it proves to be the start of a very trying day. For the caller expects Montalbano to arrive imminently at a rendezvous with some friends. But before he can reply, the caller announces himself as someone called Riccardino and hangs up.
Later that day, news comes in of a brutal slaying in broad daylight by an unknown assassin who makes his getaway on a motorbike. And when the Inspector learns of the victim’s identity – a man called Riccardino – his troubles are only just beginning. For soon, he must contend with the involvement of a local bishop and a fortune teller who reports some strange goings-on in her neighbourhood.
All roads soon lead to a local salt mine, but the case proves stubbornly intractable until Montalbano receives another unexpected call….
Synopsis of the book, by Andrea Camilleri, taken from Amazon
Riccardino Review
I don’t usually review Andrea Camilleri’s books starring Salvo Montalbano. The reason is very simple: they’re all very good (some more than others, it has to be said) and they never disappoint.
In this case, and it serves as a tribute to the author and the character, I’m reviewing it because it’s the last book in the Montalbano series. And it’s not the last one because the author has died, it’s because they decided so together. To understand this you have to read it.
Camilleri wrote the end of the series between 2005-2006 but continued to write it. Thank you, Mr. Camilleri.
He left the novel with the publisher to be published posthumously. And that’s what they’ve done. All this is explained at the end of the book, both by the author and by the Italian publishing house with which he published. I’m not going to explain it now: please read it.
The novel itself, in terms of plot and characters (though one of the regulars is missing), is as good as all the others. I would like to point out that there are some scenes and dialogues that are some of the best I’ve read in the whole series. Hilarious to the point of laughter. At least for me.
The End
When I started reading I had mixed feelings. On the one hand it was another Camilleri-Montalbano novel, on the other one, it was the last one. There wouldn’t be any more after this one. Well, this is what happened: I enjoyed it like few others. Not only because of what I mentioned before, but also because, though it was the last one, it was much more misleading than the others as it introduced elements that left me quite perplexed. Until you understand them and say: it makes sense.
I can’t say any more than this: it’s the best, and above all, it’s the most original ending to a series I’ve ever read in my entire life. Though I have to admit that it’s quite disconcerting and you wonder: is that really it? There’s no more?
Mr. Camilleri, I don’t reproach you having died, you had every right to do so and it was your time. Thank you for all the enormously good times I’ve enjoyed reading the Montalbano novels.
Bravo!
Series: Salvo Montalbano; 33
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2021
ISBN 9780143136798
Original title: Riccardino
Language: English
Format: Print
