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Rounding the Mark: An Inspector Montalbano Mystery Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,145 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The earthy and urbane Sicilian detective Inspector Montalbano casts his spell on more and more fans with each new mystery from Andrea Camilleri.
While swimming along the Sicilian shore, Inspector Montalbano discovers a corpse. His pursuit of the cause of death intersects with the inquiry into a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a young boy who may have been victimized by human traffickers. The buying and selling of immigrant children, for slave labor, sex, and as a source of illegal organ transplants, is part of the evil underside of the opening of Europe's borders. That, combined with frustration with his department's repressive handling of security for the G8 summit in Genoa and the corruption among his superiors and the politicians behind them, makes setting anything right seem like an exercise in futility. Montalbano alternates between despair and steely resolve, and when he realizes that he may have inadvertently aided the boy's victimizers, his internal turmoil intensifies.
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"While this story was not very involved - quite a unique writing style - with the set up, it certainly gets its points across regarding human trafficking and the horrid people that practice it. This time, while Montalbano is on a "float" in the sea by his house, he finds a body that appears to have been a floater for quite some time. Through a quick autopsy, a chance midnight interaction with a group of refugees, and some questions of identity of the corpse, Montalbano regroups with Ingrid and the core group of his men and they work to put a dent in an organized crime group working in the area. While the human trafficking is a serious topic, there are several points in this story where I was laughing out loud - I just love how the characters of Augello, Fazio and Catarella meld in the story. . .this series is an acquired taste and I can understand why some wouldn't like it but it is indeed fun to read."
— Shannon (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Camilleri’s gripping seventh Inspector Montalbano mystery successfully integrates serious political themes with a hero reminiscent of Colin Dexter’s beloved Inspector Morse…Despite Camilleri’s hard look at modern-day slavery and child abuse, he maintains Montalbano’s gallows humor, making this far from a run-of-the-mill police procedural.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Having narrated several of the Inspector Montalbano mysteries, Grover Gardner is thoroughly comfortable in the persona of the feisty middle-aged Sicilian detective. Here Montalbano considers retiring, goes for a relaxing swim, and comes face-to-face with a corpse. He’s also dealing with possible child trafficking in his jurisdiction. Though his Italian is impeccable, Gardner elects to define the characters through their personalities rather than give them Sicilian accents. He’s particularly adept at bringing out Montalbano’s humorous side as well as his frustration with the pervasive corruption he sees. Add a strong-willed mistress and an office full of independent fellow police, and you have a fast-moving and affecting audio story.”
— AudioFile -
“Unlike other authors who dramatize both the ugly racism and unfathomable evil that too often accompany an immigrant’s journey, Camilleri masterfully mixes tragedy and comedy by showing us Montalbano’s laughably human foibles and excesses, from his continuing hunger for a good meal and his bumbling efforts to sustain a romantic relationship through his compassionate if often misguided attempts to deal with his subordinates. Ordinary life goes on, even in the face of extraordinary horror.”
— Booklist -
“A worthy addition to a smart, entertaining series.”
— Library Journal
Rounding the Mark Listener Reviews
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" What's not to like about this cranky, sensitive, Sicilian police investigator and his love of good food. Camilleri and his translator are great reads. "
— Cherie, 2/4/2014 -
" Rounding the Mark is one of the Inspector Montalbano Mysteries by Andrea Camilleri which capture intensely the flavour, atmosphere and culture of Sicily. There is something about Italian mysteries that I need to dwell on further some day...filled with intriguing characters, great food and drink, a distinct take on life and steeped in a backdrop of conspiracy. This novel which deals with the traffic of children, illegal immigration and the corruption of police and politicians alternates between marvelous vignettes of the police at work and Montalbano in life. Montalbano is a truly conflicted individual who wrestles with justice, loyalty, emotion and the idea of a life well lived. "
— Peter, 1/29/2014 -
" A decent mystery, but lacking the wry humor that sets the series apart. "
— Jessica, 1/22/2014 -
" Camillieri's books are translated from Italian and they seem to lose something along the way. Chapters are short so it makes for an easy read but sometimes it's hard to stay involved with the character. "
— Rachel, 1/8/2014 -
" I love the Montalbano series, beautifully written and translated! "
— Carmen, 1/2/2014 -
" I wasn't really thrilled with the characters of style in this mystery. Appartantly it has been made into a very popular tv series in Italy, but I must say I prefer Brunetti and his Venice to Montobano and his Scisily. "
— Sandy, 12/7/2013 -
" Montalbino's go-it-alone antics are too silly to be believed. "
— pjreads, 10/15/2013 -
" I'm a big fan of this series and the I love that food is incorporated into the book. "
— Donna, 8/6/2013 -
" This whole series is fun and quick with some more sober issues. "
— Ruth, 5/13/2013 -
" Nick and I read this together on the Kindle as we were camping. (We evolved a system. It's possible.) We laughed so. This is a funny, endearing novel. Just right for a camping trip. "
— Mary, 3/17/2013 -
" I'm a big mystery reader, and Andrea Camilleri is a wonderful find. The translation is flawless, and the book was both funny and heartrending. Don't read it when your hungry, however. The descriptions of meals had me ready to jump on a plane and head for Sicily. "
— Melinda, 1/12/2013 -
" Less humorous than the first book I read by this author but then again the subject matter of trafficing children was anything but funny. "
— Jody, 9/13/2012 -
" Yet again, another great Montalbano "
— Anton, 4/16/2012 -
" Yet another fast-paced exciting Camilleri novel featuring the aging Salvo Montalbano and the usual cast. Fun. "
— Mikee, 7/18/2011 -
" Andrea Camilleri's inspector Montalbano is a great new find in the foreign mysteries translated into English. I've also read one translated into French (Un Ete Ardent or August Heat in English). Interesting view on Italy. "
— Tara, 2/10/2011 -
" This whole series is fun and quick with some more sober issues. "
— Ruth, 1/23/2011 -
" I wasn't really thrilled with the characters of style in this mystery. Appartantly it has been made into a very popular tv series in Italy, but I must say I prefer Brunetti and his Venice to Montobano and his Scisily. <br/> <br/> "
— Sandy, 9/19/2010 -
" So so Italian mystery. Might be better if you start the series at the beginning and develop an affection for Inspector Montelbano and his cohorts. In this one, the Inspector tries to solve a mystery concerning a dead body, a small immagrant boy, and some secretive provate beach colonies. "
— Lynn, 5/11/2010 -
" I'm a big mystery reader, and Andrea Camilleri is a wonderful find. The translation is flawless, and the book was both funny and heartrending. Don't read it when your hungry, however. The descriptions of meals had me ready to jump on a plane and head for Sicily. "
— Melinda, 4/13/2010 -
" I'm a big fan of this series and the I love that food is incorporated into the book. "
— Donna, 3/3/2010 -
" All camilleri novels are interesting. This one is just fine. Nothing special to say about it, except that if you like the other Montalbano mysteries - a philosophical Sicilian detective with a taste for good food and an abhorrence of capricious authority - you'll like this. "
— Mk100, 1/4/2010 -
" Another great work by Camilleri focusing this time on such a current and all-concerning issue as human trafficking. "
— ana, 11/29/2009 -
" What's not to like about this cranky, sensitive, Sicilian police investigator and his love of good food. Camilleri and his translator are great reads. "
— Cherie, 9/14/2009
About Andrea Camilleri
Andrea Camilleri (1925–2019) wrote the internationally bestselling Inspector Montalbano mysteries as well as historical novels. His books have been made into television shows in Italy and translated into thirty-two languages. His thirteenth Montalbano novel, The Potter’s Field, won the Crime Writers’ Association International Dagger Award and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
About Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.