A man who shows up at other people's funerals mourning their deaths is found is found brutally murdered in the street. His death seems totally inexplicable, until the disappearance of a woman linked to his former employer gives Montalbano his first lead. Meanwhile, Livia has come to stay at Marinella, but her behaviour is erratic and Salvo starts to suspect that something may be wrong.

A fire at a local hotel which resulted in a man's death is suspected to have been caused by arson, while police receive an anonymous letter warning of the impending murder of a married woman at the hands of her jealous husband. Meanwhile, there is much excitement at Vigata's police station, as Salvo and Livia start to prepare for their wedding. Deputy Inspector Mimi' Auguello is especially eager to be picked as Salvo's wedding witness, but Salvo may well have other plans.

A retired doctor is found murdered in his own home. Salvo seeks the advice of bank manager Stella Parenti while investigating the robbery of some 60 security boxes at a small local bank. Stella makes no secret of being taken with him and asks him out. Has Montalbano found a way to eclipse his melancholy thoughts of Livia?

A Milanese barmaid who had been living in Vigata goes missing, and the investigation must navigate the many speculations about her promiscuous life. Salvo requests a transfer to Genoa so that he can be closer to Livia, but it's clear that the prospect of leaving his beloved Sicily is a tough one. Meanwhile, he divides his time between trying to find the missing girl and investigating a bout of unusual burglaries, in which the victims report the theft of bafflingly small amounts of money.

A young woman has been found dead in what appears to have been a tragic car accident. Despite Augello's readiness to accept the easy conclusion, Montalbano remains convinced that the inconsistencies of the case need unpicking further. As he contemplates a new life away from his beloved Sicily and prepares to hand his role over to his deputy, will our most Sicilian of inspectors manage to extricate himself from Vigata?