The Shape of Water

by Andrea Camilleri

This is the first book in a mystery series involving the Sicilian Inspector Montalbano.  I decided to read it after the series was recommended in the book I read recently about Sicily.

In this book, an important political figure is found dead, on the edge of a "lover's lane".  It appears that he has had a heart attack, but the Inspector wonders why a man, who generally was very discrete, would turn up in a place like that, and he is convinced there is more to it when the man's wife points out that is underwear was on backwards.  She tells the Inspector Water doesn't have an shape.... it takes the shape you give it".


The series does a great job of portraying the atmosphere in Sicily, the distrust of police, the corruption, etc.  The Inspector tries to be an honest man, when most around him seem corrupt.  Even when the corrupt are murdered he tries to solve the case.  However, he is willing to manipulate things or destroy evidence to help the underdog and the wrongfully accused.

I certainly enjoyed the story, the flavour of Sicily and the plot twist.  I will certainly read other books in the series in the future.