The Shape of Water
by Andrea Camilleri (Sellerio, 1994); trans. Stephen Sartarelli
audiobook read by Mark Meadows (Macmillan, 2017)
Camilleri plunges the reader into a murder mystery predicated on the intricacies of Sicilian politics and social power dynamics. While the protagonist (Inspector Montalbano) and setting prove ripe for TV adaptation, the investigation in written form rather pales in comparison, retrospectively judged.
Inspector Montalbano, Season 3
(Rai 2, 2001) [Italian, subtitled]
![TV poster: “Inspector Montalbano, Season 3” (Rai 2, 2001) [Italian, subtitled]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Montalbano-03.jpg)
Two feature-length episodes. The stories of Season 3 feel more accessible, the murder investigations more cohesive (though still reflective of Sicilian cultural quirks and Montalbano’s distinctive ‘lone wolf with minions’ approach). Luca Zingaretti goes from strength to strength in the titular role.
Inspector Montalbano, Season 2
(Rai 2, 2000) [Italian, subtitled]
![TV poster: “Inspector Montalbano, Season 2” (Rai 2, 2000) [Italian, subtitled]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Montalbano-02.jpg)
Piersanti’s soundtrack continues to overplay its hand but the humour is pulled back, resting mostly with Catarella and in Montalbano’s more subtle delivery. The two feature-length investigations make the most of their Sicilian setting and characters. Pleasingly, Montalbano’s victories are somewhat pyrrhic.
Inspector Montalbano, Season 1
(Rai 2, 1999) [Italian, subtitled]
![TV poster: “Inspector Montalbano, Season 1” (Rai 2, 1999) [Italian, subtitled]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Montalbano-01.jpg)
Two feature-length investigations. The first wobbles a bit in establishing tone—the early characters are hammed-up, Franco Piersanti’s soundtrack bludgeons the viewer with comedic overtures before allowing for more serious developments—but Montalbano is well established by the end of the second.