Book Review: The Terra-Cotta Dog

Reviewed By: Sandi - RAM

The Terra-Cotta Dog     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Andrea Camilleri
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Inspector Montalbano # 2
March 2003; Penguin USA, 208 pp.

Translator: Stephen Sartarelli

Andrea Camilleri's second Inspector Montalbano mystery is "The Terra-Cotta Dog." He is lead to a grotto that is filled with an arsenal of weapons. But the true story is the cave behind the initial one, hidden behind a stone wall. A terra-cotta dog, a jug, a bowl of coins and two intertwined, decomposed corpses set as if staged became an obsession for the inspector. He began to search for who it was who had been murdered then left in the cave, and then if that could be determined, could he find who murdered them?

Inspector Montalbano turns to every expert resource he can find, and must research back to 1942 to come even close to solve this intrigue. But he finds himself in danger, so is the search even worth it?

"The Terra-Cotta Dog" is another marvelous literary trip to Sicily. In this second novel, we have a closer look into Inspector Montalbano's personal life, and his relationship with Livia. Also, he continues to be gruff, but humorous about himself. He is like a dog with a bone when he gets a hold of something, he won't let go until he solves it. This can be a good trait, but also a bad one when someone wants something else from him.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Terra-Cotta Dog" and look forward to the Inspector in his next novel, "The Snack Thief."

Sandi - RAM

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