"Colorful characters brilliantly portrayed"
The intricacy of the story and the development of the characters. The players are human, vulnerable, funny.
Inspector Montalbano is tough and gruff and sensitive. How can you ask for anything more in the main character. He has great friends and colleagues who take him for what he is.
Cat.. - the guy who answers the phone at the station. He is, of course, a bit of a caricature, but is done so well by the reader.
This books took me from laughter to tears. The story is so human, which makes it both touching and pathetic at different times. I'm continuing reading the series.