A series of burglaries takes place at the houses of wealthy Vigata residents. One of the victims is a beguiling young bank manager called Angelica, to whom Salvo finds he is soon attracted. As the investigation progresses, Montalbano starts to suspect that the burglaries might be a cover for something rather more sinister.
A bomb goes off outside an empty store-room in a quiet Vigata street. Montalbano commences his investigation, but is soon disorientated by a series of disparate events, including the acquaintance of an attractive and mysterious woman.
A supermarket controlled by the Mafia is robbed, setting off a chain of events in which the Mafia's political links start to transpire.
A woman is attacked and robbed on her way home late at night, but the case leaves Montalbano wondering whether there isn't more to the story.