A Crime Reads Pick among Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2019
The new novel in the irresistible and transporting New York Times bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series
The day gets off to a bad start for Montalbano: while trying to break up a fight on Marinella beach, he hits the wrong man and is stopped by the Carabinieri. When he finally gets to the office, the inspector learns about a strange abduction: a woman was abducted, drugged, and then released unharmed a few hours later. A few days later, the same thing happens again, but this time the woman abducted is the niece of Enzo, the owner of Montalbano’s favorite trattoria. The only link between the two events is that both women are thirty years old and work in a bank.
Alongside this investigation, Montalbano has to deal with an arson case. A shop that sells household appliances has burned down, and its owner, Marcello Di Carlo, seems to have vanished into thin air. Has he run off with his lover after a holiday in the Canary Islands? Is he fleeing from his creditors, or was he murdered by the Mafia for not paying their protection money? At first this seems like a trivial case, but a third abduction—yet again of a girl who works in a bank—and the discovery of a body bring up new questions. Whose body is it? And where has Di Carlo’s secret lover gone?
Editorial Reviews
“Another wry, amiable procedural from the prolific Camilleri, whose unflappably put-upon hero soldiers on no matter how absurd the crime or aggravating the situation.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The aging detective’s insights into the darker side of human nature allow him to cut through the red herrings as the action builds to a crisp, decisive ending…Camilleri fans are in for a treat.” —Publishers Weekly
“A sterling example of the universal appeal that has led the series to be translated into thirty-two languages…Recommend to readers looking for a sure-bet international mystery.” —Booklist
“Camilleri’s long-running Inspector Montalbano series is always a pleasure, with each new installment sure to transport readers to the cloistered, sunny, dangerous world of Sicilian crime.” —Crime Reads
“Fans of Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series will be happy that narrator Grover Gardner returns to guide them through the Sicilian policeman’s latest investigation…Gardner’s rich, expressive voice underscores Montalbano’s multifaceted personality—his dislike of paperwork, love of eating, and excellent observations—as the inspector works through the seemingly unrelated crimes. Gardner deftly handles the wisecracking dialogue of the police officers but wisely tones it down when Montalbano is working the cases. A bonus: Gardner’s portrayal of overly eager Officer Catarella is delightful.” —AudioFile