Montalbano's pretty amusing to follow around, even when - as now - he's dealing with intimations of his own mortality. He's forgetting things... at least he thinks he is... he wakes up to thoughts of his dying day... and he's made brain-dead careless mistakes on his current case. Engaging as he is on his own, (although I suspect I'd greatly enjoy him as a friend, but not as a husband or even SO), a big part of the fun lies in depictions of the characters around him and his interactions with them. The Paper Moon doesn't have as strong a comic opera feel as some of the books, but humor even underlies cynicism about bosses and politicians. While there are always the precinct regulars to keep things (definitely including the inspector's temper) boiling - such as Cat, who is usually depicted as a bit of B movie deese and dose dumb comic relief, but is also shown here as the surprising department computer expert, having dramatic fits while password hacking.

Signorina Michela Pardo's refusal to take no for an answer eventually leads to the discovery of a murder victim, caught literally with his pants down. This, despite doubts about his actually having had sex, may be the most straightforward aspect of the whole situation. Is this about drugs... women... money... other buried secrets? There's evidence for all of them, and just as little surety about who is responsible. Montalbo's investigation is nicely seasoned with personal concerns, such as a luncheon table thought that he's too rapidly approaching an age where he'll be content to take his pleasure from women merely by being at the same table, sitting and eating with them.

This is a book and a series to eat up with all the appreciative gusto Salvo Montalbano gives his favorite meals. An intense sense of place is combined with a solid puzzle, all brought to life through vivid storytelling and characterization. While you'll probably enjoy some of it more if you've come to know the regulars through reading the series in order, you can definitely enjoy this book as a standalone or starting point before going back and gobbling up the rest. Recommended.