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bookwrm526's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
amelie5m's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.0
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I had read The Potter's Field in print, rather than listening to the audio. It's rare that I say that, most audiobooks I've listened to have been well dones, and in general I enjoy listening to mysteries; this one was just a little tough. I don't know why exactly, maybe there was just too much dialogue for an audio, a little too difficult to keep the speakers straight. Or maybe the voices of Inspector Salvo Montalbano and the other characters were not how I heard them in my head when I read the first in the series, The Shape of Water.
The Potter's Field is, at heart, a book about betrayal disguised as a mystery. An unidentified corpse is found in a clay field, the potters field. The body has been hacked into thirty pieces and placed in a black plastic bag. Salvo is reminded of the passage in Matthew 27 after Judas betrayed Jesus. From that point, they all seem to be walking in the Potter's Field, betrayals, both public and private, of friends, family, and lovers pile up. Salvo has to find his way through all the entangled threads to the truth without destroying the life of anyone he cares about.
The translation felt like it may have been a little clunky at times, but once again I think that would have been easier to overlook in print than it is in audio.
The Potter's Field is, at heart, a book about betrayal disguised as a mystery. An unidentified corpse is found in a clay field, the potters field. The body has been hacked into thirty pieces and placed in a black plastic bag. Salvo is reminded of the passage in Matthew 27 after Judas betrayed Jesus. From that point, they all seem to be walking in the Potter's Field, betrayals, both public and private, of friends, family, and lovers pile up. Salvo has to find his way through all the entangled threads to the truth without destroying the life of anyone he cares about.
The translation felt like it may have been a little clunky at times, but once again I think that would have been easier to overlook in print than it is in audio.
drifterontherun's review against another edition
4.0
These books keep getting better and better! 'The Potter's Field,' maybe the best Camilleri so far, is also the most meaningful. There is so much going on here and themes of betrayal, seduction, and manipulation bleed from every page. While this is possible to read as a stand-alone novel, it certainly helps to have some previous knowledge of the characters. But overall, highly, highly recommended!
fallchicken's review against another edition
4.0
Is Montalbano getting too old for the job? Nah. Complex mystery, difficult personal relationships, all worked out by our hero.
eatonaly's review against another edition
3.0
So, during my lunch break a few days ago, I went to the Harold Washington Library downtown (can I use "downtown" and "the Loop" interchangeably? Not sure yet...) over my lunch break. I had a few books to return, and I wanted to get the One Book, One Chicago book, The Warmth of Other Suns. Basically, this is like a citywide book club, so Chicago is going to host a ton of events related to this book; I figured I'd better read it.
While down in the Popular Library area, another book caught my eye. Why not! I grabbed it. It was The Potter's Field by Andrea Camilleri, translated from its original Italian.
The book is about Inspector Montalbano, who is alerted to a dead body that is found in a bag in the titular potter's field, all chopped into pieces. Crazy Mafia stuff, am I right? Embarrassingly, I found the book a little hard to follow because all of the names felt so foreign and Italian to me (yes, saying that makes me feel stupid), even though they were so different, so I didn't get too attached to any of the characters.
However, the mystery unfolded well, and as someone yearning for some travel, I really loved the descriptions of Italian countryside and food - yum! I'd say maybe I should try reading some more Montalbano mysteries, especially earlier ones, so I can get acquainted with the characters.
While down in the Popular Library area, another book caught my eye. Why not! I grabbed it. It was The Potter's Field by Andrea Camilleri, translated from its original Italian.
The book is about Inspector Montalbano, who is alerted to a dead body that is found in a bag in the titular potter's field, all chopped into pieces. Crazy Mafia stuff, am I right? Embarrassingly, I found the book a little hard to follow because all of the names felt so foreign and Italian to me (yes, saying that makes me feel stupid), even though they were so different, so I didn't get too attached to any of the characters.
However, the mystery unfolded well, and as someone yearning for some travel, I really loved the descriptions of Italian countryside and food - yum! I'd say maybe I should try reading some more Montalbano mysteries, especially earlier ones, so I can get acquainted with the characters.
zahirahz's review against another edition
3.0
Less action more mind games. I don’t know if it’s the norm for this series but I’m not a fan. The setting is also generic. Nothing unique in my opinion.
kimmer99's review against another edition
3.0
Typical Montalbano though I must say, I figured this one out pretty early on. Still I like these quick, easy mysteries.
madanburg's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite Inspector Montalbano yet. That guy totally cracks me up, and the murder investigation was interesting and wide-ranging. Plus the interpersonal stuff at the police station is so much fun to dive into.
I have to say, Camilleri is about the only writer whose dream sequences interest and engage me. I keep trying to figure out how he does it - I think it's because Montalbano's voice is so very wry and he discounts the whole thing as quickly as he can, even when a part of him knows he can't.
I have to say, Camilleri is about the only writer whose dream sequences interest and engage me. I keep trying to figure out how he does it - I think it's because Montalbano's voice is so very wry and he discounts the whole thing as quickly as he can, even when a part of him knows he can't.