ANGELICA'S SMILE Inspector Montalbano, Book 17

Narrator Grover Gardner is simply wonderful as Inspector Montalbano embarks on another complicated criminal investigation. Gardner’s voice contains that mysterious element we think of as “star quality,” which makes listeners sit up and take notice. As the aging Sicilian police inspector deals with a series of burglaries of wealthy homes, it becomes clear that the break-ins are being committed by a group of professional thieves. As if dealing with the burglaries, murder, suicide, eccentric sidekicks, and his fiery, unpredictable lover weren’t enough, Montalbano finds himself falling in love with the most recent burglary victim, drop-dead gorgeous Angelica Cosulich. While Gardner’s use of an Italian accent sometimes stretches credibility, his overall performance enhances Stephen Sartarelli’s excellent translation of this cleverly plotted mystery. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]