"1870s Sicily. Much to the displeasure of Vigàta's stubborn populace, the town has just been unified under the Kingdom of Italy. The regional representative from the Italian government is hell-bent on producing a mediocre opera, The Brewer of Preston, in their new municipal theater and the Vigàtese are revving up to wreak havoc on opening night"--

Barbary Coast pirates—the Saraceni—are capturing slaves and terrorizing fishing villages along the coast of Sicily. Ramage and his crew are sent to track them down before they can devastate another town.

The moody Inspector Montalbano is 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...

When a colleague extends his summer vacation, Inspector Salvo Montalbano is forced to stay in VigA ta and endure the August heat. Montalbanoas long-suffering girlfriend, Livia, joins him with a friendahusband and young son in towato keep her company during these dog days of summer. But when the boy suddenly disappears into a narrow shaft hidden under the familyas beach rental, Montalbano, in pursuit of the child, uncovers something terribly sinister....

"When prosecco-loving Auntie Poldi retired to Sicily from Germany, she never dreamt her tranquil days would be interrupted by murder. But Sicily had other plans, and Poldi found herself honor-bound to solve the disappearance of her beloved (and cute) handyman. Now, she's finally ready for some peace and quiet--interrupted by romantic encounters with handsome Chief Inspector Montana, of course--when the water supply to her neighborhood is cut off and...

Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men come to investigate, the carcass disappears, leaving only a trail in the sand. Before long, two people report missing horses - Rachele, a champion equestrian, an Lo Duca, one of the richest men in Sicily. Then Montalbano's home is broken into and is ransacked and he is certain that the crimes are linked. As he negotiates the...

"On her sixtieth birthday, Auntie Poldi retires to Sicily, intending to while away the rest of her days with good wine, a view of the sea, and few visitors. But Sicily isn't quite the tranquil island she thought it would be, and something always seems to get in the way of her relaxation. When her handsome young handyman goes missing--and is discovered murdered--she can't help but ask questions. Soon there's an investigation, a smoldering police inspector,...

Strange dealings are afoot in the Apostolic Palace - a nun leapt to her death after participating in a routine exorcism. But when a priest and a Vatican commissario turn up at her door, Poldi is shocked to hear that she's a suspect in their case. Poldi will need all the help she can get to clear her name, but her nephew has been distracted by a love affair, and her local friends seem to be avoiding her. Even Vito Montana balks when Poldi discovers...