With their dark sophistication and dry humor, Andrea Camilleri’s classic crime novels continue to win more and more fans in America. The latest installment of the popular mystery series finds the moody Inspector Montalbano further beset by the existential questions that have been plaguing him of late. But he doesn’t have much time to wax philosophical before the gruesome murder of a man—shot at point-blank range in the face with his pants down—commands his attention. Add two evasive, beautiful women as prime suspects, some dirty cocaine, mysterious computer codes, and a series of threatening letters, and things soon get very complicated at the police headquarters in Vigàta.
Download and start listening now!
"I love this series and the latest book wasn't a disappointment. This is an Italian mystery series, so it's translated, but it is done very well (as far as I can tell). Set in Sicily, the hardest thing about reading this book is trying to understand the bureaucracy of law enforcement in that country. The main character is an Inspector that is slightly arrogant, but always means well even if he's a pain in the ass. The characters are great and the mysteries always interesting. A fun read."
— Ella (4 out of 5 stars)
“Here [Montalbano] is increasingly worried by intimations of dementia and death, which give a satisfyingly melancholic tinge to another of Andrea Camilleri’s faultlessly witty treats.”
— Telegraph (London)“Montalbano’s colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores—even the contents of his fridge—are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today.”
— Guardian (London)“Humor…leavens the noirish story line, and the solution to the central puzzle is both psychologically plausible and intellectually satisfying. The crisp prose is a pleasure to read, and a last-minute twist a testament to the author’s artistry.”
— Publishers Weekly“While the murder is solved after some deft twists, the inspector himself calls for further attention, and fans will welcome Camilleri’s tenth.”
— Library Journal“Solutions are found, of course, but resolution proves elusive as Montalbano muses on our myriad human frailties and how they so often lead to calamity. A must.”
— Booklist“Two seductive suspects battle for the allegiance and libido of a weary detective…Another solid Sicilian noir from the ironic pen of Camilleri.”
— Kirkus Reviews" A light read, reminded me of the Donna Leon series set in Venice. "
— Debbie, 2/20/2014" Decent detective novel. Another enjoyable Montelbano mystery, not too taxing. "
— Maria, 2/13/2014" 2.5 stars - This was a good story, although the translation felt clunky at times. The mystery took some time to unravel, but when it did, it was a satisfying conclusion. The characters were okay, but seeing as this is the 9th book in the series, I have definitely missed out on their full development in the earlier books. The author seems to have put in some of his own irascible personality/charm into the dialogue, and that makes it fun. "
— JulieLaLa, 1/31/2014" Engaging story of an aging police detective investigating a crime in Sicily. It was a fun contrast from the usual police procedurals taking place in the US. "
— Rachelle, 1/30/2014" I loved this book. In all the books so far there have been a naked corpse. All the same I still enjoyed this book "
— Anton, 1/19/2014" I'm an inspector Montalbano fan. Camilleri reminds me how refreshing Italian authors can be. "
— Ray, 1/14/2014" A surprisingly fun, fast-paced Italian mystery novel. Camilleri's protangonist, Inspector Montalbano, is an unlikely charming character. I randomly picked this up at the library; it was an enjoyable, fast read. "
— Richael, 1/8/2014" A beautiful woman reports her brother missing, who is found murdered with his junk hanging out. Inspector Montalbano has to find out if the murder was love or business-related, and his usual dogged determination makes him dig deeper and deeper to find the surprising truth. "
— Skip, 12/28/2013" This is the first book I've read by this author. I received the book from Mystery Morgue for review and really enjoyed the book. A lot of humor and a good mystery. "
— Patricia, 12/14/2013" One of his funniest ever. Oh, and great crime story as usual. "
— Lisa, 12/1/2013" I have read it in Italian. "
— Andrea, 10/25/2013" Very close to Channel 20's Inspector Montalbano - but did add some things the the show didn't have. Montalbano's inner dialogs are very funny. "
— Cynthia, 9/20/2013" This series is new to me, and I like it a lot. Some humor, good plot, good characters. Perfect for listening. "
— Kathy, 6/11/2013" In Sicily with Inspector Montalbano in my palm, and read in a single sitting, absolute bliss. "
— Gracia, 12/7/2012" I think this is the best one so far for Inspector Montalbano. Brilliant plot with this one that kept me guessing right until the end. "
— Nicki, 11/5/2012" This detective sure eats alot.... "
— Ms., 9/6/2012" I've liked just about everyone of Camilleri's books that I have read. This is a particularly intricate puzzle and the true solution is given by one of the suspects, rathere than Inspector Montalbano himself. It was a very satisfying read. "
— Pat, 8/15/2012" CLOSED MONDAYS "
— Tony, 7/22/2012" I don't think the writing is great and I nearly put it down without finishing, but I found I wanted to know how the story (which is a mystery) ended. It's a kinda fun candy read. Quick. "
— Trillian1117, 7/6/2012" Enjoy Camillari but did find this one a bit strange. No longer do I have Italian cuisine left by housekeeper, what happened to earlier girlfriend - I seem to have missed a book! Some old characters remain and this was reassuring "
— Helen, 7/3/2011" Yes.<br/>Great food, fun mystery and murder.. Another good read.<br/>Why haven't we seen this series on our TV's?<br/> "
— Joe, 6/23/2011" Decent detective novel. Another enjoyable Montelbano mystery, not too taxing. "
— Maria, 2/20/2011" Love this series - again I don't know if it is the translation or the reader - listening to these are really a treat. Serious topics but the byplay of secondary characters and Inspectors idiosyncrasies make these books so enjoyable. "
— Ruth, 1/29/2011" I'm an inspector Montalbano fan. Camilleri reminds me how refreshing Italian authors can be. "
— Ray, 1/24/2011" Un altro romanzo con protagonista Montalbano, questo è un giallo più classico del precedente. "
— Roberto, 8/4/2010" A light read, reminded me of the Donna Leon series set in Venice. "
— Debbie, 3/3/2010" A solid but unexceptional entry in an extremely enjoyable series. <br/> <br/>Good focus on Montalbano here, not as much on the supporting cast. The plot is just so-so. Catarella, as always, is a treat. "
— Michael, 11/9/2009" In Sicily with Inspector Montalbano in my palm, and read in a single sitting, absolute bliss. "
— Gracia, 9/13/2009" A surprisingly fun, fast-paced Italian mystery novel. Camilleri's protangonist, Inspector Montalbano, is an unlikely charming character. I randomly picked this up at the library; it was an enjoyable, fast read. "
— Richael, 8/1/2009Andrea Camilleri (1925–2019) wrote the internationally bestselling Inspector Montalbano mysteries as well as historical novels. His books have been made into television shows in Italy and translated into thirty-two languages. His thirteenth Montalbano novel, The Potter’s Field, won the Crime Writers’ Association International Dagger Award and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.