Publisher's Synopsis
After a hectic morning, Inspector Montalbano arrives in his office ready to find out what's troubling Vigata this week. What he discovers is unnerving. A woman on her way home from work has been held up at gunpoint, chloroformed and kidnapped, then released hours later - unharmed and with all her possessions - into the countryside. Later that day, restaurant owner Enzo tells Montalbano that his niece has recently been the victim of the same crime. Before long, a third instance has been reported. As far as Montalbano can tell, there is no link between the attacker and the victims. So what is this mystery assailant gaining from these fleeting kidnappings? Montalbano must use all his logic and intuition if he is to answer these pressing questions before the kidnapper finds his next victim...
