In 1994, the Italian writer Andrea Camilleri began a series of mysteries that feature 
Inspector Montalbano. At the age of 91, Camilleri has written 23 of these mysteries, about one a year. They are set in Sicily in the fictional towns of Vigàta (based on Camilleri’s home town of Porto Empedocle on the southwest coast) and Montelusa (based on Agrigento, which is famous for its Greek temples). After the first 5 books had gained much popularity in Italy, they were translated into English by Stephen Sartarelli. (I read them in English in part because the Italian version is laced with Sicilian dialect, which really is a distinctly different language.)
Inspector Montalbano is an engaging protagonist. He is smart, decent, and loyal to the men in his department. There is humor and human nature in his character: he can be prickly in the morning, particularly if it is an overcast day; he never misses a meal (mostly of great Sicilian seafood dishes) and insists on eating in silence to focus on the food. He has a weakness for pretty women and occasionally cheats on Livia, his fiance of many years who lives in the north and with whom he often argues on the telephone and in person.
Montalbano has his own way of investigating crime, which means he sometimes deceives 
his superiors, who regard him as a loose cannon. One of his stengths, however, is his ability to navigate through a murky world of shady connections and favors without compromising himself beyond what he can live with. The plots are set in the current world of economic, political, and social problems like immigration, drugs, and the mafia. In fact, Camilleri has said that social commentary “…was always my aim….I deliberately decided to smuggle into a detective novel a critical commentary on my times. This also allowed me to show the progression and evolution in the character of Montalbano.”
In 1999 episodes of the TV series, Il Commissario Montalbano, began. It is now in its 11th 
season. It stars Luca Zingaretti as Inspector Montalbano and is shot almost entirely in the Sicilian city of Ragusa and surrounding towns. In 2012 Rai broadcast a prequel series, Il giovane Montalbano, starring Michele Riondino.
I have never seen the TV series but I understand that the episodes are very good. I recommend the books for bedtime and airplane reading. I hope Camilleri keeps on writing…I am up to number 19 out of 23.
L'Olivo Santa Barbara 
Barbara,
Brava. Anthony and I are also avid readers of the Montalbano books and own CDs of the TV series. We love Camilleri’s Montalbano almost as much as Leon’s Brunetti. Both authors focus on the characters, current events, corruption, culture, all, of course, enfused with humanita and humor.
How are you doing in Italy? Still in Orvieto?
Sent from my iPad
Ciao Marie and Anthony, I am still in Orvieto for 3 more full days. I’m having a great time although I don’t know how much my spoken language has progressed. Can you order the Montalbano TV series through amazon or did your kids purchase them for you? I’m hesitant to look for them here as they may not play on our DVD players at home. How are you doing? When are you coming to SB?
Barbara,
Forgot to mention yet another Commissario series by Maurizio De Giovanni. In these dark Neopolitan mysteries, Commissario Ricciardi, a wealthy recluse, lives a spartan, loveless life
trying to solve crime in Naples during Mussolini’s reign. Another commentary on political corruption. You might already know of him.
OX
M
Sent from my iPad
Barbara, I am pleased to let you know that the DVD’s are available at the Santa Barbara Public library and although there are “only” 23 books, there are 28 episodes, 2 just recently released. Also, on the last release there is a wonderful interview with Andrea Camilileri. Also, the library has Young Montalbano DVD’s as well – I’m just watching episodes 7-12!
I’ve long been a fan of the Commissario and last October visited “Vigata”, the police station in Scicli and the location where his seaside home is in Punta Seca. Loved it!
Thank you, Victoria! Now I’m looking forward to coming home!
Warning! You will want to “binge” ;D Each episode is like a full length movie so have a bottle of wine handy!
I’m glad I came across this post – never heard of the writer or the books but they sound an entertaining holiday read and I love to take a book with me that belongs to the place I’m visiting… And Sicily is pencilled in for next year! I just have to find a good book on the history of the island and I’m ready to fly… 🙂