Ep 2. The Voice of the Violin (English subtitled)

In Detective Montalbano season 1 episode 2, titled "The Voice of the Violin," the small, fictional town of Vigata, Sicily becomes the backdrop for a murder investigation. Inspector Montalbano, the protagonist of the series, is called to the scene of a crime in the early hours of the morning. He and his team of detectives find the body of a middle-aged woman lying on the beach, with a gunshot wound to her head.

Montalbano soon finds out that the victim is Maria Lombardo, a well-known local dressmaker. Mrs. Lombardo was a kind and generous woman, loved by all who knew her. Montalbano discovers that she had no enemies and that her death was particularly brutal. He is also perplexed by the presence of a vintage violin lying next to the body. Could the instrument hold clues to the identity of the killer?

As Montalbano delves deeper into the case, he uncovers some shocking secrets about the victim's personal life. The dressmaker, it seems, had a bit of a shady past, and had been involved in an extramarital affair with a wealthy local businessman. Her husband was aware of the affair, but he did not seem to be the type to seek revenge. Instead, he had put all his marital grievances behind him. The businessman, on the other hand, denies any involvement in the murder, but Montalbano can't shake off the suspicion that he is lying.

The investigation leads Montalbano to numerous other suspects, including the victim's assistant Bruno and a young girl named Michela, who was witnessed leaving the beach with the violin. Montalbano also receives a letter, purportedly from the killer, claiming that the woman had to "pay for her sins." This sends Montalbano spiraling into a confused mess, as he wonders how deep the rabbit hole really goes.

The story takes some interesting twists and turns, as the investigation grows increasingly complicated. Montalbano is faced with several obstacles along the way, including internal conflict with his superiors and a lack of co-operation from some of the people in town. Despite these setbacks, he doggedly pursues the truth and ultimately uncovers the killer's identity.

All in all, "The Voice of the Violin" is a gripping episode that is sure to captivate Montalbano fans. The storyline is intricate, with a number of red herrings and unexpected twists thrown in for good measure. The characters are fleshed out well and demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of Sicilian society. The scenery is also stunning, with beautiful shots of the beach and the surrounding countryside. All of these elements come together to create a show that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.