THE OVERNIGHT KIDNAPPER Inspector Montalbano, Book 23

Fans of Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series will be happy that narrator Grover Gardner returns to guide them through the Sicilian policeman's latest investigation. Montalbano is tasked with the strange case of two women who were kidnapped but then quickly let go unharmed. Meanwhile, another abducted woman is found injured, and there's an arson, a possible Mafia hit, and a missing person. Gardner's rich, expressive voice underscores Montalbano's multifaceted personality--his dislike of paperwork, love of eating, and excellent observations--as the inspector works through the seemingly unrelated crimes. Gardner deftly handles the wisecracking dialogue of the police officers but wisely tones it down when Montalbano is working the cases. A bonus: Gardner's portrayal of overly eager Officer Catarella is delightful. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2019]