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The Shape of Water: An Inspector Montalbano Novel 1
The Shape of Water: An Inspector Montalbano Novel 1 | Andrea Camilleri
27 posts | 37 read | 23 to read
The Shape of Water is the first in Andrea Camilleri's wry, brilliantly compelling Sicilian crime series, featuring Inspector Montalbano. The goats of Vigta once grazed on the trash-strewn site still known as the Pasture. Now local enterprise of a different sort flourishes: drug dealers and prostitutes of every flavour. But their discreet trade is upset when two employees of the Splendour Refuse Collection Company discover the body of engineer Silvio Luparello, one of the local movers and shakers, apparently deceased in flagrante at the Pasture. The coroner's verdict is death from natural causes - refreshingly unusual for Sicily. But Inspector Salvo Montalbano, as honest as he is streetwise and as scathing to fools and villains as he is compassionate to their victims, is not ready to close the case - even though he's being pressured by Vigta's police chief, judge, and bishop. Picking his way through a labyrinth of high-comedy corruption, delicious meals, vendetta firepower, and carefully planted false clues, Montalbano can be relied on, whatever the cost, to get to the heart of the matter. The Shape of Water is followed by the second in this phenomenal series, The Terracotta Dog. PRAISE FOR THE SERIES "A magnificent series of novels" Sunday Times "There's a deliciously playful quality to the mysteries Andrea Camilleri writes about a lusty Sicilian police detective named Salvo Montalbano." New York Times Book Review "Camilleri as crafty and charming a writer as his protagonist is an investigator." The Washington Post "The books are full of sharp, precise characterizations and with subplots that make Montalbano endearingly human ... Like the antipasti that Montalbano contentedly consumes, the stories are light and easily consumed, leaving one eager for the next course." New York Journal of Books "This series is distinguished by Camilleri's remarkable feel for tragicomedy, expertly mixing light and dark in the course of producing novels that are both comforting and disturbing." Booklist
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EadieB
Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Pickpick

#TheShapeOfWater #AndreaCamilleri #BookSpinBingo #WinterReadathon

The Shape of Water is the first in Andrea Camilleri's wry, brilliantly compelling Sicilian crime series, featuring Inspector Montalbano. The novel is set in the Sicialian town of Vigata, the body of engineer Silvio Luparello is found at the Pasture, a trash filled empty place populated only by whores and drug dealers.

Finish any other book - 15 pts
Angel - 5 pts

Total - 40 pts

EadieB The coroner‘s verdict is that he died from natural causes that Salvo immediately discounts. The plot begins to unravel and I am quickly reading until the very end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, The Terracotta Dog. Andrea Camilleri writes with humor that creates a funny police procedural. If you love humor with mystery then you would love these books. 2y
DieAReader Sounds like you‘re in the mood for a binge😉🤓📚Great job!🎄 2y
EadieB @DieAReader Trying to read a book a day! 2y
See All 11 Comments
Tonton The Terracotta Dog is great! 2y
Andrew65 @EadieB You always amaze me how you are able to consistently keep up a book a day. @dieareader Many excellent books ahead of you in this series. Well done. 🎄🎄🎄 2y
EadieB @Andrew65 I have to finish my 200 book goal for the year. Don't know if I'll make but I'm going to try! 2y
Andrew65 @EadieB How many are you up to? (edited) 2y
EadieB @Andrew65 I've read 177 so I have 23 more to do. 2y
Andrew65 @EadieB I‘m sure you‘ll get there, you‘re like me when you have a target you go all out to achieve it. 2y
EadieB @Andrew65 I'm going to just keep plugging along. 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
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EadieB
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!

1. I am on 171 of 200 for the year. I think I can make 200 by 12/31 with the pace I am working at. I have finished my #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin books every month.

2. I‘m looking forward to reading Andrea Camilleri‘s series in December.

Can you play? @Elizabeth2 @DarkMina @JessClark78 @DrexEdit @Mollyanna @julesG @CMB @Tera66

julesG Thanks for the tag! 3y
TheSpineView 171 is a lot of books! Congrats on that and Thanks for playing! 🤩📖 3y
EadieB @TheSpineView You‘re welcome! @julesG 3y
39 likes3 comments
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Andrew65
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Pickpick

4th book finished during #20in4 Readathon

A re-read of the first book in the Brilliant Inspector Montalbano Series for #NetGalley. A real treat to revisit the start of one of my favourite series, but also shows how the series had developed over the years as the other characters, who were only a minor part of this book, have been developed.

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Mollyanna
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Pickpick

This is definitely a #blameitonlitsy read. I saw a lot of love for the Insp. Montalbano series, specifically on audio. I enjoyed the first book and plan on continuing the series. Montalbano is a great character and I enjoyed the view of Sicily.

This was my 3rd finish for #NutsinMay and another book for #seriesread2021

TheSpineView Way to go!👍📖 4y
Mollyanna @TheSpineView Thanks 😊 4y
Andrew65 Love these! 4y
Andrew65 Fantastic 👏👏👏🙌🍾🥂👍🥂🥳😊 Thanks for playing along. 4y
Mollyanna @Andrew65 I thought you were one of the ones that raves about the Montalbano books. Thanks for being such a wonderful host. 4y
16 likes5 comments
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CarolynM
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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#20series20days The Montalbano series

Inspector Montalbano is a policeman on the Italian island of Sicily. He solves murders while being in a constant state of war with his senior officers, other law enforcement officials, his girlfriend (who loves in Genoa), members of his team, & (from time to time) himself. The character dominates the books supported by Sicilian food, scenery & culture leaving the mysteries as the least important component👇

CarolynM There are more books, theses are the ones that came immediately to hand. 4y
LeahBergen And another I‘ve not read! 4y
Ruthiella Yup, you did it again! New to me. 😁 4y
See All 7 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm Ooooh I‘ve seen these around and I like their artsy covers. Not read them. 4y
TrishB Seen, but not read! 4y
Centique These covers are amazing too! 4y
Andrew65 I‘ve read them all and love the series, good entertaining quirky reads. @LeahBergen @Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm @TrishB @Centique 4y
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BookishMe
Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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A twitter buddy had introduced me to this series set in #Italy
Her blog post -
https://ishitasood.com/inspector-montalbano-books-in-order/

(picture taken when libraries were open, once upon a time - sigh)

gradcat A fabulous series...there are quite a few of us on Litsy who love these books, namely @Andrew65 + @Crazeedi + @EadieB ...so glad you‘re reading them, too. ♥️♥️ 5y
BookishMe @gradcat 👋🏽 👋🏽 👋🏽👋🏽 to fans of Montalbano 5y
CarolynM I love this series. I still have a couple left to read. So sad there won't be any more. 5y
See All 18 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm @CarolynM @gradcat should the series be read in order? 5y
CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm It's not essential, but I think it probably helps. In my opinion the early ones were more consistently good than the later ones (although the last few I've read have been back to form), and Inspector Montalbano went through a stage of acting rather strangely that I think would have put me off if I'd started there. 5y
BookishMe @CarolynM no more after the latest book released in March? 5y
erzascarletbookgasm @BookishMe I thought I have the first few books but now I can‘t find them 😆 5y
BookishMe @erzascarletbookgasm oops! Hope they reappear sometime soon 😉😉 5y
CarolynM I meant no more being written. I think there were 3 that hadn't been published in English when Andrea Camilleri died last year, so that's one published in March and then just 2 more. 5y
BookishMe @CarolynM thank you for clarifying. I am sure fans were in great despair following his demise 😔😔 5y
EadieB @gradcat I have the whole series but haven't started them yet. Only watched one on TV when @Crazeedi told me they were on. Can't remember the station but I'm sure she can fill us in. (edited) 5y
Crazeedi @erzascarletbookgasm I think it helps to read in order, you see his life moving forward 5y
Crazeedi @CarolynM yes there are a couple more to be translated 5y
Crazeedi @BookishMe @EadieB @CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm @gradcat the series is in Italian with English subtitles on Mhztv, I've watched 20 or so, there are 39 I think. And they do not go in order with the books. The first one is not his first book. But they are still very good. Because Montalbano is my very favorite series of all time, thanks to @Andrew65 . I am transported to Sicily every book or show! 5y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi This is a wonderful series, totally love them. @gradcat (edited) 5y
gradcat @BookishMe The consensus seems to be to read them in order, and I agree with that...it just flows a bit better that way and you will realize a progression (in age) of the characters. ♥️ 5y
gradcat @EadieB Oh, I didn‘t realize that you weren‘t reading them, too. Sorry! But hey, what are you waiting for? 😂 5y
55 likes18 comments
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Crazeedi
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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I'm in 7th heaven! I just found out today that Mhz TV is streaming shows for free till end of April. And all 35 episodes of my absolute favorite series is one of them! Its filmed in Sicily, in Italian, with English subtitles. I may not be reading a whole lot, cause I want to see before they aren't free! Check out the website, you might find something to watch for free too!

kspenmoll OhI would love to see this series! Have to check... 5y
Addison_Reads Yay! I hope you can binge watch them all before the free period is up. 5y
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Crazeedi
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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#FridayFunFact @MrBook @MyBookSwapClub
I am in love with the tagged book and series by Andrea Camilleri. I am transported to Vigata, Sicily when I'm listening/reading this series. I never want the series to end, but sadly the author passed away, so eventually it will

ljuliel Yes, but you can always go back , reread and revisit ! 5y
MrBook Awww 😁☺️🤗🤗🤗 5y
Crazeedi @ljuliel that's true, even though I rarely reread, I know I will with this series 5y
Michellekidwell I can completely relate! 5y
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Tove_Reads
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Since you people rave about Camilleri a lot, I decided to borrow it. Will pick it up a bit later at the library. Donna Leon has to wait until I get back from my travels. Been meaning to read her for years.

Crazeedi Oh I am so jealous that you get to read for the first time, you will come to love these characters. I read these as audiobooks, since that the only way I found them to borrow. And it was an awesome ride! I listened up to number 17, and they dont have any more, so I'm ordering the rest as books! Enjoy, and I'm excited to hear your thoughts 5y
Crazeedi And also they get better and better!! 5y
Andrew65 I‘m also envious, welcome to a great series. 😊 5y
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Tove_Reads @andrew65 How long does it take for you to read a Camilleri? 5y
Andrew65 You‘re in for a delight and as said they only get better. 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads They are quick reads, most of them in around 4 hours. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 Yeah, looked at it and I think I‘ll do it in 2 hours. 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads You must be a very quick reader. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 about 100 pages/h 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads About double my rate, depending on book ranges from 40 - 60 pages but usually at least 50 - 55 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 That‘s what I remember. This book looks like 90 min to me. 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads You amaze me! 😊 5y
33 likes12 comments
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Crazeedi
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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@TheSpineView #SeriesRead
4 ⭐ I really enjoyed the first book of this series. I listened to it on audio from overdrive, I may have missed some details trying to get used to the voice, the Italian words etc. Montalbano investigates the case of a high ranking man found dead in his car which was found in the area used by the local drug addicts, prostitutes etc. A good introduction to the supporting characters too

TheSpineView 😊 5y
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Crazeedi
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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@Andrew65 I've taken a recommendation from you. The only books on overdrive are audiobooks so I've started the series listening to the first one. I'm more than halfway and am totally enjoying. I may go online and look for used books to continue series, meantime I've downloaded audiobook of the 2nd and 3rd one. Thanks Andrew for turning me on to this author!

Andrew65 And I think the series only gets better after the first few. In the last few minutes I‘ve just finished book 23 so plenty to keep you entertained. 5y
mhillis I‘ve only read this one in the series! Think I might have to continue it after seeing @Andrew65 posts!! Looking forward to your review @Crazeedi (edited) 5y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 I'm glad theres 23, since I'm at the end of several other series I've been reading ! 5y
See All 8 Comments
Crazeedi @mhillis I'll definitely post! 5y
Andrew65 @mhillis 😂 You could say I‘m a fan! 5y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 @mhillis I love series, when each book develops the story of the characters more. Donna Leon's series with Commisario Brunetti is awesome too. I devoured them 5y
kspenmoll I have only read this first one & really enjoyed his character. 5y
Crazeedi @kspenmoll I've borrowed the second one that's audio too, liking it so far! 5y
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gradcat
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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...for all of you who have read and loved Inspector Montalbano...RIP Andrea Camilleri. You will be missed.

(Photo courtesy L.A. Times)

cassareada 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 5y
gradcat @cassiopia I know! I‘m sorry to be the one to post it, but I saw it and remembered that several folks read him. Very sad when we lose a good writer. 😭 5y
cassareada @gradcat during my undergraduate, I read The Snack Thief for one of my classes related to food studies. So devastating. 5y
See All 8 Comments
gradcat @cassiopia I‘ve read that one! I love his books, but I haven‘t read all of them. Did you see the television treatment? I think it was Public Broadcasting, or maybe the BBC.... 5y
Andrew65 Never seen the tv series, but totally love the books. Really sad there will be no more books other than those in the pipeline. One due to be published in September. 😢😭 RIP Andrea and thanks. 😊 (edited) 5y
cassareada @gradcat no, I didn't see it. Was it good? 5y
gradcat @cassiopia It was good! I saw them first, then went to the books. The books are definitely better, though. 5y
gradcat @Andrew65 Thanks for the info—I didn‘t know there was another one coming out, so I very much appreciate your comment. You came to mind immediately when I saw this article, hence the tag. 5y
56 likes8 comments
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Ncostell
Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Pickpick

This is the first in the Inspector Montalbano mystery series, translated from Italian. Camilleri brings the gritty yet beautiful setting of a seaside town in Sicily to life. There were notes in the back that gave a little more background on the different types of law enforcement and political factions within Italy which would have been helpful if I‘d discovered them before finishing the book. I‘d like to read more of the series for sure.

marleed Oh good for you for sticking with it! I was not in the right head space for this book I guess and DNF. 6y
Ncostell @marleed. It was definitely a bit darker than I expected and I think that some parts were a little clunky either due to the translation or my ignorance of the politics involved. The notes at the end gave me more insight but I wish they were added as footnotes so that I could have incorporated that information as I was reading the book. 6y
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BethFishReads
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Pickpick

Listened to this first in series on recommendation of @SuziQoregon and because Grover Gardner is narrator. I‘m hooked. I liked the characters, the food refs, & the Italian setting. 🎧 Gardner‘s dialogue, accents, and good pacing made this a recommended listen. @Dogearedcopy

SuziQoregon YAY!!! 7y
Dogearedcopy ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
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Cathythoughts
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Oh Littens , perfect day ! Went for lunch with my daughter & then we went to see The Shape of Water & then a glass of 🍷.
Loved the movie.
I‘ve seen : 3 Billboards

The Phantom Thread
Molly‘s Game
The Shape of Water

Do I have to choose ??
Ok , I will :

🎥🎥🎥

❤️1. The Phantom Thread
❤️2.Three Billboards
❤️3.Mollys Game
❤️4. The Shape of Water

I find with all the reading The Cinema is such a different & brilliant experience 👇🏻

Cathythoughts 👇🏻I tag all who want to name their favorite movie 🎥 7y
Alfoster Oh, I‘m dying to see this one too! 7y
Cathythoughts @Alfoster it‘s very good 👍🏻👍🏻❤️ 7y
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kspenmoll
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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#bookhaul #cupidgoespostal #bookishshopping #coffeeandsoup ☕️🥣
Left my book club book in car - excuse to buy myself a book. Came to B&N for books etc. for my cupid match. Scored at half- price, remainder tables. A little soup & coffee then off for candy & wrapping paper. Hope to have box in mail by Wednesday, latest. ❤️💜💕

LeahBergen This sounds like a wonderful day! 7y
LauraBeth Well this looks like a lovely afternoon! 7y
Bambolina_81 I love Andrea Camilleri. I hope you enjoy Montalbano! 7y
See All 6 Comments
kspenmoll @LeahBergen @LauraBeth It was especially cause it was last minute decision to take a day for me😍 7y
kspenmoll @Bambolina_81 Thanks! #blameitonLitsy! Excited to delve into this world. 7y
BookBabe Yum! 7y
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mhillis
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Congratulations @Librarybelle 🎉🎉
I wanted to share these mysteries that I read this year! Aunty Lee‘s Delights is a cozy mystery by an author from Singapore. The Shape of Water is a mystery set in Sicily and translated from Italian. Both are the first of a series and include descriptions of food!
#thankful40k #mystery #singapore #italy

Librarybelle Thank you! Nice choices! 7y
mhillis @Librarybelle Thanks! Congrats again!! 7y
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Minervasbutler
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
Pickpick


The first in Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series of detective novels set in Sicily, and my first too. It's a fun read -the protagonist is engaging and simpatico and the portrayal of a deeply corrupt society is handled lightly yet with insight. I did find the translation a bit odd, the characters are only lightly sketched and it all seemed a bit inconsequential. I suspect this series is a grower.

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Bookies
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
Mehso-so

I had high expectations for this book. Some of my customers raved about it, so I finally read it. I thought it was OK. That‘s it. Maybe I missed something. I heard it was funny. I smiled a couple times. I heard it had compelling characters. I didn‘t really find them compelling. I thought it would be immersed in Italian culture. There was some, but it wasn‘t as immersive as, say, the No. 1 Ladies‘ Detective Agency series. So-so is accurate for me.

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Cosyreader
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Omg these are amazing! I haven't read any of the Inspector Montelbano books yet and I'm going to Italy in a couple of weeks so that will be perfect to take with me! The scarf is gorgeous and I'll be taking the bag with me everywhere! And tea from M&S! Woo thank you so much @Bambolina_81 for my lovely presents and @cobwebmoth for organising this 😊
#letsgetcozy

Bambolina_81 I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it because I find them really funny. They may make you hungry though 😂 There are loads in the series if you do want to read more and the TV series is spot on too. I hope you have a great time on your holidays. Whereabouts are you going? 7y
Cosyreader @Bambolina_81 haha they sound great! I'm going on a coach tour so a few places 😊 can't remember all of them but I know I'm going to Rome, Venice, Verona, Pisa and Florence 😁 7y
drokka I'd never heard of that series *adds it to list* 7y
68 likes3 comments
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diovival
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Cinfhen Indeed 💙🤘🏼🥇 8y
23 likes1 comment
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Bambolina_81
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#whodunnitwednesday I'm a huge crime fiction fan but I absolutely adore Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano. They have the right mix of intrigue and humour and you cannot help but fall for Montalbano 😍

JazzFeathers Have you ever seen the tv series? Absolitely brilliant 😍 8y
Bambolina_81 @JazzFeathers Oh yes...Hubba Hubba​ 😋 8y
Andrew65 Crime fiction is also one of my favourite genres and also love Montalbano! 8y
See All 6 Comments
Bambolina_81 @Andrew65 I love how food plays such a big part in the stories 😊 8y
Andrew65 @Bambolina_81 Agree a massive part and swimming in the sea! 8y
Cathythoughts I also have this , the shape of water , on my kindle. Must read soon too. 8y
45 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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DebinHawaii
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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Day 6 #JuneBookBugs #ashapeinthetitle A book with the word 'shape' in the title and some with different shapes (circles, heart, diamond, stars, arrow) from my #read and #TBR stacks. 🔵🔶💙⭐️📚

Bambolina_81 I adore Camilleri! That's a great pick 😁 8y
MemoirsForMe Wow! You've got all the shapes covered. 😊👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻 8y
Andrew65 I also love this series! 8y
80 likes3 comments
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Andrew65

#scenesfromanitalianrestaurant There are always many scenes in Italian Restaurants in the Inspector Montalbano Series, he definitely talks about eating and food a lot! I love the Inspector Montalbano Series and they translate very well.

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andrew61
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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#scenesfromanitalianrestaurant #rockinmay
I dug this out from a book that was full of food references.

Andrew65 We seem to have chosen the same book for this tag. 😊 8y
andrew61 @Andrew65 i have one of those 2 books in 1 volumes Andrew but have yet to read the second even though I enjoyed this story. Now I've found it i think i will read on, it sounds like you enjyd the series. 8y
Andrew65 I do, think I've read about 12 in the series, they are always quick entertaining reads. Love the central group of characters. @andrew61 (edited) 8y
Cinfhen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
13 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
Pickpick

This is actually the first book in the series, but it is the ninth one I've read. It was interesting how they introduced Montalbano and having read the others I can see how the group of characters have been developed. A good introduction to the series with a very intriguing mystery, and an interesting outcome at the end of the book. One of my favourite series.

Tracey_19 Still ROOing I see ;-) 8y
Andrew65 This is most definitely a series I have ROOed as have read them as I could get hold of them. Although getting close to ordered now, once I read books 7 and 9 I will have read the first 11 and do have a copy of book 7. :) 8y
3 likes2 comments
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MamaGina
The Shape of Water | Andrea Camilleri
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I understand the 20th in this series has just been published ... Boy, I'm late to this party!

HardcoverHearts I just finished this! I thought it would be more of a cozy mystery than it was. But I did like it, as I am a big fan of reading mysteries in translation. I hope you enjoy it! 8y
MamaGina @HardcoverHearts I'm definitely enjoying, have loved these types of police procedurals since first reading Ed McBain's 87th precinct series as a teenager. The Italian setting is a bonus! 8y
11 likes2 comments