Inspector Montalbano #9
As he gets older, Inspector Montalbano is plagued by existential questions. But he doesn't have much time to wax philosophical before the gruesome murder of a man - shot in the face at point-blank range with his pants down -commands his attention. Add two evasive, beautiful women as prime suspects, dirty cocaine, dead politicians, mysterious computer codes, and a series of threatening letters, and things soon get very complicated at the police headquarters in Vigata.

Sent to crimson-tide for the OzVBB.

Thanks for this one, catsalive. I’ve read the first of the series and have a couple more on the shelf. This is #9 so I think I’ll read the others first (#5 & #7).

OK, this is the fourth one I’ve now read in the series. They have all been middle of the road mysteries, not outstanding but no real duds. What makes them different is the setting and the cast.

Montalbano is an interesting character (even if a strange and irascible animal, who can be rather annoying at times). He often works at problems intuitively, which suits the fact that unlike many other police procedurals he is usually working alone.

The plot in this episode mostly revolves around which of the two women in the victim’s life is telling the truth. It was an easy read and had a satisfying ending.

Will release at the Melbourne BC meetup in Richmond.

Picked up as something for my Mum to read.