La forma del agua (Comisario Montalbano, 1)

On a warm Sicilian night, after a leisurely swim in the calm waters just a few meters from his seaside home, Salvo Montalbano emerges from the darkness with a clearer mind: the solution to the case is practically within reach, so it's just a matter of patience and method. And what better way to prepare than to relax beforehand with a meal prepared by Adelina, his loyal housekeeper? While this scene will be familiar to regular readers of Andrea Camilleri, newcomers deserve a brief introduction: Salvo Montalbano is forty-five years old, has a girlfriend in Genoa, and is the police commissioner of the small town of Vigàta, in Sicily, a place that, while not found on any map, is more real than life itself. A loyal friend, a lover of good food, and a firm believer that the earth has revolved and will revolve around the sun many times, Montalbano is the living embodiment of ancient Mediterranean cultures. His human qualities, combined with his unerring perspicacity, have made his creator, Andrea Camilleri, one of the most widely read authors in Europe. This time, a well-known politician and businessman is found dead, half-naked, inside his car in a working-class neighborhood rife with prostitution and drugs. Everything points to a heart attack after having sex with an unknown person. However, Inspector Montalbano isn't convinced, and armed with his natural instinct for suspicious behavior, he sets out to uncover the sexual and political conspiracy behind the apparent murder.