Book Review: The Snack Thief

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

The Snack Thief     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Andrea Camilleri
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Inspector Montalbano # 3

The title character of this novel is a young boy, left with no one to care for him when his mother is abducted. He accosts children approaching their respective schoolyards and grabs the food their mothers have packed for lunch and snacks.

Inspector Montalbano is drawn into the boy's situation as he investigates a mysterious pair of deaths. A local resident has been found in the elevator of his apartment building, stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife. And a local fishing boat was approached by a second craft while at sea, and one of the persons on board killed in a burst of gunfire.

Montalbano investigates the business office of the man who died in the elevator, and with the help of a neighbor, learns about mysterious comings and goings at the office as well as the presence of a beautiful young woman ostensibly hired to "clean" although her services seem to be far more earthy than dusting and mopping.

The death on the fishing boat involves Tunisian terrorists, and Montalbano barely survives an ambush. All the incidents are related to one another, and there is fearful danger from every corner as the truth gradually unfolds.

In addition to continued admiration for Montalbano's palate, we also learn of his soft compassionate heart as he participates in long term planning for the young boy's safe future.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM