The Cook of the Halcyon
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- Create Date：2021-07-01 09:51:07
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Andrea Camilleri
- ISBN：1529053358
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Reviews
Rhonda
，
I've certainly complained in the past that all the books in this series are pretty much the same with the food， housekeeper， police colleagues and the toxic relationship with Livia。 Here， I can't believe that our hero goes undercover on a boat！ I was quite surprised， and it did seem very much out of character。 I also couldn't believe how easily our hero accepted he was part of some international operation without much （any） evidence。 It made more sense when I read that it was originally written I've certainly complained in the past that all the books in this series are pretty much the same with the food， housekeeper， police colleagues and the toxic relationship with Livia。 Here， I can't believe that our hero goes undercover on a boat！ I was quite surprised， and it did seem very much out of character。 I also couldn't believe how easily our hero accepted he was part of some international operation without much （any） evidence。 It made more sense when I read that it was originally written as a possible film script。 。。。more
Themis Papandreou
，
Έχω διαβάσει όλη την σειρά του Μονταλμπάνο。 20 χρόνια τώρα τα βιβλία του Καμιλέρι είναι η καλύτερη αστυνομική σειρά που μου κάνει παρέα。 Αυτό το βιβλιο - όπως γράφει και ο συγγραφέας στην σημείωση- είναι διαφορετικό。 Είναι ένα από τα καλύτερα του。 Έφυγε μέσα σε 24ωρες， είναι πολύ δύσκολο να το αφήσεις από τα χέρια σου。 Από την άλλη， γνωρίζοντας ότι είναι το προτελευταίο της σειράς， σου μένει μια μικρή πίκρα στο τέλος。 Όλα καπως ξεκινούν και καπως τελειώνουν。
EchoWolf
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Another entertaining Montalbano mystery， the 27th and penultimate novel in the series。It will be a sad day for me， when I have read the 28th and last Montalbano novel in October 2021， because these books have been special to me for all these years now - a sad day it will be indeed， that the maestro writer has gone。Andrea Camelleri has made our lives richer for him being here， and he will be missed - RIP。As he stated， this book was actually written over 10 years ago as a film script that never go Another entertaining Montalbano mystery， the 27th and penultimate novel in the series。It will be a sad day for me， when I have read the 28th and last Montalbano novel in October 2021， because these books have been special to me for all these years now - a sad day it will be indeed， that the maestro writer has gone。Andrea Camelleri has made our lives richer for him being here， and he will be missed - RIP。As he stated， this book was actually written over 10 years ago as a film script that never got produced， so he decided to turn it into a Montalbano book。 It shows elements of this in part， and is perhaps not as strong as a regular Montalbano novel， but never-the-less enjoyable。Montalbano and Fazio get themselves into all kinds of trouble attempting to thwart an international gambling ring onboard of a boat， where montalbano impersonates the boat's （The Halcyon） chef， and Fazio the waiter。One book to go， and then we are done。 。。。more
Les Wilson
，
I cannot understand any negative reviews of this book。 Although it is short I found it interesting from start to finish。 Perhaps a little strange at the end but didn’t take anything away from the book。
Linda
，
Salvo saves the dayThey both went above and beyond and even cooked to bring justice to the case。 Liked the change of venue too！
Giorgia Imbriani
，
Eravamo in attesa di sviluppi， e Camilleri se ne esce con questa sceneggiatura abortita e risuscitata。 E passi la delusione – ma almeno ne valesse la pena。 Incongruente， noioso， lontanissimo dal “nostro” Montalbano。 Peccato。
Susan
，
An author's note mentions that this book was originally conceived as a screenplay， and the bones do show through at times。 The suicide of a fired factory worker brings the contemptible owner of the factory to Inspector Montalbano's attention， as does a beautiful escort， who complains of a purse snatching。 Soon Montalbano is in the midst of a political frame-up that seems to lead to his expulsion from his job。 But things are not always as they seem， and soon he is consulting with an Italian-Ameri An author's note mentions that this book was originally conceived as a screenplay， and the bones do show through at times。 The suicide of a fired factory worker brings the contemptible owner of the factory to Inspector Montalbano's attention， as does a beautiful escort， who complains of a purse snatching。 Soon Montalbano is in the midst of a political frame-up that seems to lead to his expulsion from his job。 But things are not always as they seem， and soon he is consulting with an Italian-American FBI agent。 To say more would be to give the plot away。 This has more thriller components than Camilleri's usual， but it's nice to revisit old friends。 。。。more
Greg Masters
，
The latest， and 28th， entry in the Inspector Montalbano series has most of the pleasures of previous books in the series – the inspector's dogged determination to correct affronts to civility， tasty meals prepared by his housekeeper， keeping his geographically distant girlfriend at an emotional distance， humor and trust with his allies on the force – but the unfolding of the narrative is choppy。 Not his best but still a delight to read。 The latest， and 28th， entry in the Inspector Montalbano series has most of the pleasures of previous books in the series – the inspector's dogged determination to correct affronts to civility， tasty meals prepared by his housekeeper， keeping his geographically distant girlfriend at an emotional distance， humor and trust with his allies on the force – but the unfolding of the narrative is choppy。 Not his best but still a delight to read。 。。。more
Sharron
，
The fact that this story was originally a never produced screen play says it all。 If I didn’t like the character of Montalbano as much as I do， I would not have finished this book。
Alexia Athanassiadou
，
καταπληκτικο。 ειδικα προς το τελος ειναι απιστευτο。
Joe Kosarek
，
So disappointing。
Alan Teder
，
A Flashback for MontalbanoReview of the Penguin Books paperback （March 2021） English language translation of the Italian language original Il cuoco dell'Alcyon （2019） Andrea Camilleri （1925-2019） left us hanging at the end of The Sicilian Method （orig。 2018/trans。 2020） with what seemed like an uncharacteristic walk into the sunset for his Inspector Montalbano character。 Early reports of books #27 The Cook of the Halcyon and #28 Riccardino said that they were recycled works written years earlier A Flashback for MontalbanoReview of the Penguin Books paperback （March 2021） English language translation of the Italian language original Il cuoco dell'Alcyon （2019） Andrea Camilleri （1925-2019） left us hanging at the end of The Sicilian Method （orig。 2018/trans。 2020） with what seemed like an uncharacteristic walk into the sunset for his Inspector Montalbano character。 Early reports of books #27 The Cook of the Halcyon and #28 Riccardino said that they were recycled works written years earlier。 Now that we have #27 in hand and can also read the English language synopsis for Riccardino （expected publication of the English translation September 21， 2021） we know all。 Riccardino is indeed the final planned book of the Montalbano saga， although originally written in 2005 and updated prior to the author's death。 The Cook of the Halcyon is both a flashback and a sidestep as explained in the Author's Note: This story was conceived about ten years ago， not as a novel but as a script for an Italian and American film co-production。 When the plans for collaboration fell through， I used the screenplay， with a few variants， for a new Montalbano book， and I suppose that， for better or for worse， the nonliterary origins of the work show through in the telling。 Indeed， Montalbano is turned into not only an action hero， he also becomes a chef under the tutelage of his housekeeper Adelina and favourite trattorio owner Enzo in order to infiltrate the lair of the baddies in this adaptation。 So it is definitely not our usual Montalbano here， but any visit with the cantankerous police inspector of Vigàta， Sicily is a welcome one。The rest of the regular Montalbano cast make their standard appearances， girlfriend Livia; policemen Mimi， Fazio and Catarella; and of course Adelina and Enzo with recipes for basic dishes such as spaghetti agio e olio （Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil）。Trivia and LinksAlcyone or Halcyone （Greek Mythology）: Mythical origin of the term Halcyon Days， a time of peace and respite from storms。halcyon （adjective）: 1。 denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful。halcyon （noun）: 1。 a tropical Asian and African kingfisher with brightly colored plumage。2。 a mythical bird said by ancient writers to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice， charming the wind and waves into calm。 。。。more
Helen
，
I'm just going to pretend that The Safety Net was the last book in the series。 I'm just going to pretend that The Safety Net was the last book in the series。 。。。more
Cic il ciclista stanco
，
Che scrivere？ Erano molti anni che non leggevo un libro con Montalbano， mentre ho visto （più volte） tutti gli episodi della fiction。 L'uso integrale del dialetto siciliano me ne ha reso difficoltosa la lettura e i personaggi mi sono sembrati un po' lontani dalla loro rappresentazione televisiva。 Ne è risultato un senso di estraniamento che non mi ha fatto apprezzare e godere della lettura。 Che scrivere？ Erano molti anni che non leggevo un libro con Montalbano， mentre ho visto （più volte） tutti gli episodi della fiction。 L'uso integrale del dialetto siciliano me ne ha reso difficoltosa la lettura e i personaggi mi sono sembrati un po' lontani dalla loro rappresentazione televisiva。 Ne è risultato un senso di estraniamento che non mi ha fatto apprezzare e godere della lettura。 。。。more
Ellen
，
I have read all of the Inspector Montalbano books and generally like them。 That said， this one was originally meant to be a film script， and was a little off the beaten track for these novels。 It has all the usual characters and situations， including descriptions of Italian culinary specialties （which make my mouth water）， but the heightened drama of the plot somehow did not fit。 That said， I will read with pleasure any new translations of Camilleri's work。 And by the way， the translator， a poet I have read all of the Inspector Montalbano books and generally like them。 That said， this one was originally meant to be a film script， and was a little off the beaten track for these novels。 It has all the usual characters and situations， including descriptions of Italian culinary specialties （which make my mouth water）， but the heightened drama of the plot somehow did not fit。 That said， I will read with pleasure any new translations of Camilleri's work。 And by the way， the translator， a poet in his own right， is brilliant！ 。。。more
Bertha
，
Inspector Montalbano is fired， and then goes undercover to pursue crime as movers and shakers meet on a yacht in international waters。 In an end note the author apologies for the quality， explaining the original was to be a screenplay。 Anyone who has been following this series will find enough to enjoy here。 Those new to Camilleri’s Sicilian books should begin reading earlier titles first。
L
，
Not my favorite but I loved the pace， the mystery and the action scenes！ I don’t know how the series will wrap up。。。 I am sad to have finished the penultimate novel since I’ve read the style of the final installment is quite unusual。 I’ll miss this world after Riccardino。
Christos Giannakenas
，
Μια ακόμη ευχάριστη， σχεδόν καλοκαιρινή περιπέτεια του Σάλβο Μονταλμπάνο。 Μια ιστορία αβεβαιότητας που δεν μπορεί παρά να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον αμείωτο。
Sunhawk
，
Tempting to say "just another wonderful Montalbano story。" I blew through it in an easy day。 Maybe a little less substantial and intricate than earlier works， and that may be because it was adapted -- salvaged -- from a failed screen project。 Too bad; it would have made a great movie。 The Sicilian flavor is very notable。I understand this is the second to the last Montalbano。 Too bad！ Tempting to say "just another wonderful Montalbano story。" I blew through it in an easy day。 Maybe a little less substantial and intricate than earlier works， and that may be because it was adapted -- salvaged -- from a failed screen project。 Too bad; it would have made a great movie。 The Sicilian flavor is very notable。I understand this is the second to the last Montalbano。 Too bad！ 。。。more
Kirby Ducote
，
Most interesting as usual！Camilleriri does it again。 Humour and suspense combined to make for another interesting read！ Looking forward for the Sept。 book。
Pat Z
，
Always a good endingIt is a pure escape to read about the adventures of Inspector Montalbano and his team。 They are like-able characters with their foibles。 As always， the inspector figures it all out in record time。 The stories are not complex， just quick enjoyable reads。
Josh Hamacher
，
I never really figured out what was going on here。 The entire book felt like a bad action movie - which was explained， at the end， by the author admitting that it was based on a script he had written for a proposed project that never came to fruition。
Sienna
，
O no， this is the penultimate book of Montalbano！ I'm pleased to see that there is one more， left by Camilleri to be published after his death。 Originally a screenplay， this story is a bit wild but definitely wonderful！（It only took me this long to read because my kindle loan failed & I had to wait for the real book to arrive。） O no， this is the penultimate book of Montalbano！ I'm pleased to see that there is one more， left by Camilleri to be published after his death。 Originally a screenplay， this story is a bit wild but definitely wonderful！（It only took me this long to read because my kindle loan failed & I had to wait for the real book to arrive。） 。。。more
Arrel
，
A mysterious ship， the Halcyon， periodically comes into port and takes on lots of culinary supplies， but never any passengers - what's going on。 A couple of murders catches Montalbano's attention and he ends up disguised as the （pretty competent） cook on this ship。 Lots of intrigue to get him on that ship - does he manage to break up a multi-national drug dealing conference？It's an entertaining and bittersweet read to find out， and I recommend you do that。 After all， this is the penultimate myst A mysterious ship， the Halcyon， periodically comes into port and takes on lots of culinary supplies， but never any passengers - what's going on。 A couple of murders catches Montalbano's attention and he ends up disguised as the （pretty competent） cook on this ship。 Lots of intrigue to get him on that ship - does he manage to break up a multi-national drug dealing conference？It's an entertaining and bittersweet read to find out， and I recommend you do that。 After all， this is the penultimate mystery from the now deceased Andrea Camilleri - only the final work， stored in his editor's desk until his passing， remains to be published。 Enjoy it while you can， then I guess we start at the beginning of his works， fondly remembering his imagination， writing skills， and lovable characters。 。。。more
Liz Fedor
，
Maybe 2。5。 Not up to par with his other books。
Helen Pakpahan
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I've always liked the Montelbano series - where the crime is usually solved incidentially to some delicious Sicilian food and the action is primarily an argument with the commissioner。 This book starts very slowly - Montelbano on leave and then thunders into an unexplained action movie （boat heist） in partnership with FBI。 But there are so many plot holes。。。Who were the passengers; who was steering the boat; why are the FBI involved; why all the business of breaking up Vigatta police team and di I've always liked the Montelbano series - where the crime is usually solved incidentially to some delicious Sicilian food and the action is primarily an argument with the commissioner。 This book starts very slowly - Montelbano on leave and then thunders into an unexplained action movie （boat heist） in partnership with FBI。 But there are so many plot holes。。。Who were the passengers; who was steering the boat; why are the FBI involved; why all the business of breaking up Vigatta police team and discrediting Montelbano in the press？ I just dont think it makes sense and it feels like a rushed job to convert story concept into a Montelbano。。。 definitely one only for real fans and if youve read every other one first。 。。。more
Carnac
，
Voto di affetto （che probabilmente non merita） per il penultimo libro di Montalbano che leggerò。
Phredric
，
This is strangely action packed， and a bit at odds with the previous books， but Camilleri explains that it’s based on a script for a movie he did a while back。 It’s still a pleasure to spend time with Montalbano and in Vigata。 Lots of food in this one， more than usual and Montalbano cooks！
Mary L。 Stearns
，
Great idea of Montalbano， but entirely unbelievable in execution w appearance changes， etc。 Also more graphic violence than usual。 Needs reworking！
Elysse AKA EILIS Heller
，
I enjoyed this inspector Montalbano book the most， and I liked all of them！
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Cook of the Halcyon
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Cook of the Halcyon&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft