Montalbano is recuperating from a gunshot wound and feeling his own mortality when he gets an early morning call telling him that a girl has gone missing, apparently kidnapped. Yeah, he's still supposed to be on sick leave, but, well, it's his station, and besides, left to his own devices, "Catarella was capable of triggering a nuclear war with a simple purse-snatching." The higher authorities aren't exactly eagerly embracing his return - he's never been known for showing great respect for authority, on top of other maverick ways - but they really need him, and figure it's safe enough with Montalbano firmly put in his place in a secondary role, and another inspector actually in charge of the case.

Catarella's presence notwithstanding, there's less of a bravura comic opera feeling to this book than some of the prior ones. There are still some great bits, such as when Montalbano goes to interview someone and finds himself desperately caught in the tentacles of a groupie, who follows him religiously in the news and is practically squealing with delight just to be near him, much less actually interviewed by him. But he's also still working through the introspection around advancing years, views the world around him with his usual mixture of cynicism and idealism, and uncovers disturbing things around the girl's disappearance that will force him to make some decisions that will affect his own future.

This is a worthy entry in a fabulous series, full of atmosphere, fascinating people and relationships, wonderful food, humor, and solid, if idiosyncratic, detective work. The smoothly evocative writing makes for a fast read - a tribute to both the original author and his translator. Tough to believe this is a translation. Montalbano makes an incredibly appealing protagonist, because of his flaws rather than in spite of them. Highly recommended.