The Potter’s Field

The Potter’s Field (2008/2011) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli

This might be one of my favorite mysteries in this series.

A dismembered body is found in clay fields, the face beaten so as to hinder identification.

A beautiful woman comes to the station, to report that she believes her husband may be missing.

Mimi is being a complete jerk to everyone at the station, and no one knows why, but he eventually gives Montalbano an ultimatum.

While Montalbano himself is becoming convinced he’s old–perhaps even too old to do his job.

All these elements speak speak of one thing: betrayal.

First, there’s a marvelous Catarella scene at the start of the book. Note: It’s pouring rain.

“Take my raincoat.”
“Nah, Chief, I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Cuz a raincoat’s civilln ‘n’ I’m in uniform.”
“But who’s gonna see you here?”
“Chief, a uniform’s always a uniform.”

I love that exchange, because it says so much about Catarella, and why, despite everything else, Montalbano lives (perhaps even loves! (but in a deeply manly and fatherly way)) him.

And there’s (as always) a lovely exchange between Montalbano and Pasquano.

“I had to piece the body back together, my friend. It had been dismembered, remember?”
“I do,” Montalbano replied, grinning.
“You find that amusing?”
“No, I find the verb you use amusing.”
“Dismember? You don’t like the rhyme with ‘remember’? Try to remember the man you dismembered…”

I wonder if that was easy to translate, or had to be finagled to get it to come across in English.

There’s also a fascinating and disturbing passage about the semiology of the Mafia–how they would leave a body to communicate a message.

But as I said, the mystery in this story is one of my favorites. And it’s also fascinating to see how–despite everything–Montalbano does absolutely everything he can to cover for Mimi.

The story also has (of course) arguments between Livia and Montalbano, and many many meals. Most of which I would really like to try.
Rating: 9/10

Published by Penguin

 
 

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