Addictive Sicilian Mystery Series

The Wings of the Sphinx is eleventh in a series of cleverly plotted and deeply satisfying mystery novels by the Italian writer Andrea Camilleri. Each one stands alone so don't worry about reading them in order.

In the paralyzing heat of Sicily, we follow the beleaguered Inspector Montalbano, as he solves crimes with the help of, among others, his young Inspectors Mimi and Augello, his long suffering girlfriend, Livia and his friend, Zito, the left-wing news announcer for the Free Channel. The lightly comic interplay between them is a highly addictive form of comfort food. Here's a typical exchange:

"...he returned to his office and called the commissioner.
    'Montalbano here. Your orders, sir.'
    'Don't make me laugh!'
    'Why, what did I do?'
    'You said: "Your orders, sir!"'
    'So? What was I supposed to say?'
    'It's not what you say that matters it's what you do. I give the orders, you can be sure of that, but I can't--I don't dare--imagine what you do with them.'
    'Mr. Commissioner, sir, I would never allow myself to do what you think I do with them!'

If you love the Venice mysteries of Donna Leon, you will love Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano Mysteries. But be warned, you won't be able to read just one.