Reviews

The Cook of the Halcyon by Andrea Camilleri

8797999's review

3.0

It was a decent read but I didn't find this up to scratch, the plot and addition of figures across the pond made it a bad direct to tv movie. Too far fetched and silly. I was loooking forward to this but it wasn't up to par for me and

*SPOILER FROM LAST BOOK*

Salvo was visiting his girlfriend Livia, who dumped him in the last book. So where does this fit in chronologically?


Just felt out of place and not the finale to the series I hoped it would be. That said I have loved this series as a whole and wish there were more to read but I look forward to returning to Vigata many times with Salvo, Mimi, Fazio and of course Catarella.

eleni3's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

liberrydude's review

3.0

A very dark and visceral installment which is out of character for the series. Is this the last one? Or are they still translating more books? The previous book left us with the impression that the relationship with Livia was done; yet in this book there’s no indication of a strained relationship. Perhaps the numbering is related to the order they are translated rather than the chronological process of the stories. Camilleri had the last book written well in advance of his death so I’m wondering when that one will appear.

Montalbano actually becomes the title. He’s really out of sorts in this one. He slaps a factory owner who behaves like an entitled jerk. The factory owner is subsequently murdered and complicit in some high scale international crime that brings the FBI to Vigata. Next thing we know Montalbano is being fired and his house is for sale. And Montalbano jumps into the fire with more of his great ideas. He’s a sixty year old man who should retire and maybe what happened on the Halcyon will force him to make that decision finally.

rita89's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

jakubp's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

andrew65's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense

4.0

hitoritabi's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

amelie5m's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

kimmer99's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

lawyergobblesbooks's review

4.0

Not my favorite but I loved the pace, the mystery and the action scenes! I don’t know how the series will wrap up... I am sad to have finished the penultimate novel since I’ve read the style of the final installment is quite unusual.

I’ll miss this world after Riccardino.