THE TREASURE HUNT is
the latest in the Inspector Montalbano series and opens with a
dramatic set piece which sees Salvo shinning up a fireman's ladder to
break into a apartment to prevent an elderly pair of devout siblings
from shooting people. The apartment is quite disturbing with a
roomful of crucifixes and a much repaired blow-up doll in the
brother's room.
Matters then calm down
in Vigata, - with the exception of a mysterious second blow-up doll
being found - there is very little crime, a reason for which is
suggested by Catarella and reported to Montalbano by Fazio:
“He says that the
robbers, the local ones, who rob the homes of working poor or snatch
women's purses, are ashamed.”
“Of what?”
“Of their big-time
colleagues. The CEOs who drive their companies to bankruptcy after
making off with people's savings, the banks who are always finding a
way to screw their customers, the big companies that steal public
funds. Whereas they, the petty thieves who have to do with ten euros
or a broken TV or a computer that doesn't work...they feel ashamed
and don't feel like stealing anymore.”
But then Salvo receives
an anonymous note pushed under his door, a riddle, a “treasure
hunt”. More notes follow and Salvo solves them and visits nearby
places. In addition Salvo's long-time friend Ingrid sends a student
Salvo's way as the boy wants to see how Salvo's mind works when he
solves a case, so Salvo gives him the notes. The treasure hunt keeps
Salvo busy until a proper crime occurs: a young woman is kidnapped.
