RICCARDINO Inspector Montalbano, Book 28

Grover Gardner creates a wonderful narration for the final episode of Andrea Camilieri's bestselling Inspector Montalbano series. In a metafictional twist, the novel plunges Montalbano and author Camilieri into the heart of the its action. In the morning's wee hours, an irritated Montalbano answers a wrong number call from someone called Riccardino. Soon, he gets another call about a murder. The victim is the earlier caller. Gardner deftly slips between "the author" whose books have made Montalbano a famous TV detective and Montalbano himself. Gardner gives the assortment of familiar minor characters identifiable voices and personalities. Written when Camilieri was in his 80s but held back until after his death at 95, this is a deliciously convoluted mystery, which Gardner laces with gravitas and humor. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2021]