The Magus of Sicily

Discover the first mystery in your new favourite crime series set on Italy's most beautiful island: Sicily. A gripping and atmospheric page-turner, perfect for fans of Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series.------------An island of myth, legend . . . and murder?As the summer sun beats down on the ancient town of Acitrezza, a folk festival plays out in the picturesque harbour. Music, laughter and the aroma of local delicacies fill the air, and a traditional pantomime draws a crowd.For rookie journalist Nedda Leonardi, it's just another day's reporting in a calendar of unremarkable events. Until that is, the performers dive in the sparkling Ionian Sea for their finale... and emerge with a corpse. Could this be Nedda's big break?After one trick too many, Calogero Maugeri, self-styled Magus and con artist, is a wanted man. But his attempts to clean up his act and keep a low profile are thwarted when it's revealed he has a suspicious connection to the dead man pulled from the sea.A young reporter keen for a scoop and a reformed swindler desperate to clear his name... can this improbable pair solve the most unusual of murders?------------Praise for Philip Gwynne Jones:'I devoured all Philip's novels and felt transported to Venice with a new intimacy' Val McDermid'Clever and great fun' The Times'An irresistible concoction of crime and culture' Daily Mail'As delightful as a Spritz by the Rialto - a must for all Italy lovers' David Hewson'Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid' Stephen Glover'Sinister and shimmering' L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra'Vividly described' Literary Review'The lively, colourful narrative scuds along as briskly as a water taxi...you'll enjoy the ride'Italia Magazine