Death in Sardinia takes place in Florence in 1965. The book starts out with a visit to the hospital, where Inspector Bordelli is visiting a dear old colleague. Sergeant Oreste Baragli, who at sixty is only five years Bordelli’s senior, is dying of stomach cancer. Bordelli offers his friendship to Baragli, playing cards, asking him of his family, and filling him in on the latest news. When Baragli asks for updates from the police station, we are introduced to Pietrino Piras, another colleague of Bordelli’s. Piras was shot three times in the leg during a routine car check turned shoot-out, and was consequently living with his parents in Sardinia, Sicily. Pira’s father, Gavino fought in World War Two, alongside Bordelli. It is in this scene, the
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Bordelli tries to apply this principle of fairness to his everyday interactions. As such, we get a look into his personality, and Italian culture. For instance, Bordelli maintains friendships with a number of criminals. His lady friend, Rosa, is a retired prostitute who smokes marijuana. His friend Bato is the man that Bordelli asked to pick the lock on Badalmenti’s front door. He is one of Bordelli’s closest friends, and the person who cooks Christmas dinner for everyone. Lastly, we are introduced to a 23 year old man named Damìn towards the end of the story. Damìn was almost arrested when he was caught stealing a car that he planned to use to pay his rent. Instead of arresting Damìn, Bordelli drops the charges, tersely warns the young man that this is the last time he will help him, and works to set up a means of employment for Damìn. Through these interactions we learn that Inspector Bordelli always works to apply the principles of fairness and understanding to every situation, but realizes the letter of the law is not always the best solution. “A policeman must do his duty to the best of his ability ... But above anything else, he must be fair ..." (Vicchi, 170) These relationships set the stage for his ultimate decision, to not arrest Odoardo for the murder of Tortuccio
Bordelli tries to apply this principle of fairness to his everyday interactions. As such, we get a look into his personality, and Italian culture. For instance, Bordelli maintains friendships with a number of criminals. His lady friend, Rosa, is a retired prostitute who smokes marijuana. His friend Bato is the man that Bordelli asked to pick the lock on Badalmenti’s front door. He is one of Bordelli’s closest friends, and the person who cooks Christmas dinner for everyone. Lastly, we are introduced to a 23 year old man named Damìn towards the end of the story. Damìn was almost arrested when he was caught stealing a car that he planned to use to pay his rent. Instead of arresting Damìn, Bordelli drops the charges, tersely warns the young man that this is the last time he will help him, and works to set up a means of employment for Damìn. Through these interactions we learn that Inspector Bordelli always works to apply the principles of fairness and understanding to every situation, but realizes the letter of the law is not always the best solution. “A policeman must do his duty to the best of his ability ... But above anything else, he must be fair ..." (Vicchi, 170) These relationships set the stage for his ultimate decision, to not arrest Odoardo for the murder of Tortuccio