Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories

Book excerpt: "One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers" The Mirror Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories is a brilliant collection of short stories, personally chosen by Andrea Camilleri, which follows Inspector Montalbano from his very first case in Vigàta, in which he stumbles upon a young girl lurking outside a courthouse with a pistol in her handbag. When she is taken in for questioning and won't utter a single word, Montalbano must find another way to learn who she is trying to kill, and why . . . Other cases include a missing woman who has run away from the love of her life; an old married couple who appear to be rehearsing their suicides; and a crime so dark there's only one person the inspector can call for help. With twists and turns aplenty, these stories have all the wit, mystery and culinary gusto that Camilleri's fans have come to love him for. PRAISE FOR THE INSPECTOR MONTALBANO SERIES "Breathes out the sense of place and the sense of humour that fills the air of Sicily" Donna Leon "A remarkable series . . . irresistible" Independent "A magnificent series of novels" Sunday Times "For sunny views, explosive characters and a snappy plot constructed with great farcical ingenuity, the writer you want is Andrea Camilleri" New York Times