Why a Booktrail?
2000s: This book is the first mystery in the Montalbano series and one which is particularly nice to visit for real!
The Shape of Water (Montalbano 1)
What you need to know before your trail
A local politician is found dead in his car in a seedy neighborhood – an area known for brothels and the like. As he is found naked, it certainly looks as if he died in the middle of something.
Inspector Montalbano’ however is not so sure. He is convinced there is a lot more to this than meets the eye -so he launches a full investigation…
Travel Guide
Sicily is the destination of choice here as the Montalbano series is set in the fictional town of Vigata by the sea in the Montelusa jurisdiction. Fictional maybe but its a well known secret that the author’s hometown – Porto Empedocle is the inspired location.
For another flavour of Sicily and Italy – the names read like an ice cream menu of tasty flavours of the region – Montaperto, Cusumano, Gullotta, Pecorilla, Cuffaro, Luparello, and of course Inspector Salvo Montalbano himself.
Montalbano is the kind of detective that is a bit of a loner and who just want to get to the bottom of things. He likes women and food although probably the order changes regularly
This is an extremely well paced and evocative murder mystery and one which delves into the underbelly of Sicilian society and the mafia. The world of brothels and drugs are portrayed in the grim light of day but it is Montalbano’s work that is the most satisfying to get into.
An Italian Columbo? where the man is not as he first appears? A calm exterior suggesting a lack of knowledge? He’s a good character and he takes us on a tour of his beloved home town.
Where Next?
