Best Stephen Sartarelli Audiobooks

Stephen Sartarelli is the translator who gave English-language readers one of crime fiction's great pleasures: Andrea Camilleri's Commissario Montalbano. Sartarelli's translations don't just convert Italian to English — they preserve the sun-drenched, sardonic texture of Camilleri's Sicily, the bureaucratic absurdity, the food-obsessed rhythms, the casual melancholy of a detective who'd rather be eating than solving murders. The result reads like something written in English from the start. From The Shape of Water to The Potter's Field, the Montalbano series has a wry, unhurried voice that Sartarelli renders with remarkable consistency across dozens of novels. Readers who love procedurals with genuine regional atmosphere — where place is as much a character as the detective — will find Sartarelli's work essential. He's the invisible hand behind one of translated crime fiction's most beloved franchises.

Where to Start with Stephen Sartarelli

Best entry point → The Shape of Water
What fans keep coming back to → The Terra-Cotta Dog
Highest rated by listeners → Rounding the Mark (Commissario Montalbano #7)

18 audiobooks in collection

★ 3.96 avg ABR rating

Mystery

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Best Stephen Sartarelli Audiobooks

1

Rounding the Mark

Commissario Montalbano • Book 7

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.11 ABR Score (7.6K ratings)

★ 4.09 Goodreads (7.4K) ★ 4.57 Audible (257)

5h 55m listening time • Released 2010

Two unconnected deaths lead Sicilian Inspector Montalbano into human trafficking networks that test his moral limits.

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Two unconnected deaths lead Sicilian Inspector Montalbano into human trafficking networks that test his moral limits.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
2

Excursion to Tindari

Commissario Montalbano • Book 5

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.10 ABR Score (9.4K ratings)

★ 4.06 Goodreads (9.1K) ★ 4.55 Audible (291)

6h 29m listening time • Released 2009

Montalbano investigates a triple murder connecting a slain playboy to two elderly victims who vanished en route to ancient Tindari. Grover Gardner captures the inspector's wit and Sicily's sun-soaked atmosphere.

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Montalbano investigates a triple murder connecting a slain playboy to two elderly victims who vanished en route to ancient Tindari. Grover Gardner captures the inspector's wit and Sicily's sun-soaked atmosphere.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
3

The Patience of the Spider

Commissario Montalbano • Book 8

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.05 ABR Score (7.5K ratings)

★ 4.04 Goodreads (7.2K) ★ 4.53 Audible (236)

5h 41m listening time • Released 2010

Inspector Montalbano faces his most personal challenge yet—aging—while investigating a kidnapping case that tests both his detective skills and endurance.

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Inspector Montalbano faces his most personal challenge yet—aging—while investigating a kidnapping case that tests both his detective skills and endurance.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
4

The Potter's Field

Commissario Montalbano • Book 13

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.05 ABR Score (6.0K ratings)

★ 4.1 Goodreads (5.7K) ★ 4.5 Audible (232)

6h 4m listening time • Released 2011

Inspector Montalbano investigates a body dismembered into 30 pieces and left in a potter's field, evoking biblical symbolism while dealing with his increasingly difficult deputy Augello.

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Inspector Montalbano investigates a body dismembered into 30 pieces and left in a potter's field, evoking biblical symbolism while dealing with his increasingly difficult deputy Augello.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
5

August Heat

Commissario Montalbano • Book 10

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.04 ABR Score (7.4K ratings)

★ 4.01 Goodreads (7.2K) ★ 4.55 Audible (212)

5h 42m listening time • Released 2010

Sicily's sweltering summer provides the backdrop as Montalbano's beach vacation turns dangerous when a child disappears into a hidden underground shaft.

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Sicily's sweltering summer provides the backdrop as Montalbano's beach vacation turns dangerous when a child disappears into a hidden underground shaft.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
6

The Snack Thief

Commissario Montalbano • Book 3

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.03 ABR Score (11.4K ratings)

★ 4.07 Goodreads (11.1K) ★ 4.41 Audible (322)

6h 11m listening time • Released 2007

An elevator stabbing and a fishing boat machine-gunning off Sicily's coast seem unconnected until Montalbano uncovers government corruption and international intrigue in Camilleri's atmospheric mystery.

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An elevator stabbing and a fishing boat machine-gunning off Sicily's coast seem unconnected until Montalbano uncovers government corruption and international intrigue in Camilleri's atmospheric mystery.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
7

The Pyramid of Mud

Commissario Montalbano • Book 22

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 4.00 ABR Score (4.0K ratings)

★ 3.97 Goodreads (3.8K) ★ 4.6 Audible (168)

5h 54m listening time • Released 2018

Inspector Montalbano returns to solve another Sicilian mystery in Andrea Camilleri's addictive series, where Grover Gardner's familiar voice guides us through every magical, oxygen-blast twist.

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Inspector Montalbano returns to solve another Sicilian mystery in Andrea Camilleri's addictive series, where Grover Gardner's familiar voice guides us through every magical, oxygen-blast twist.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
8

The Dance of the Seagull

Commissario Montalbano • Book 15

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.99 ABR Score (5.3K ratings)

★ 3.98 Goodreads (5.1K) ★ 4.51 Audible (193)

5h 40m listening time • Released 2013

Montalbano witnesses a seagull's death dance before discovering his trusted deputy Fazio has vanished — Gardner's familiar voice guides us through Camilleri's signature Sicilian atmosphere.

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Montalbano witnesses a seagull's death dance before discovering his trusted deputy Fazio has vanished — Gardner's familiar voice guides us through Camilleri's signature Sicilian atmosphere.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
9

The Smell of the Night

Commissario Montalbano • Book 6

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.98 ABR Score (8.2K ratings)

★ 4.03 Goodreads (7.9K) ★ 4.39 Audible (283)

4h 59m listening time • Released 2006

Half of Sicily's retirees lose their savings to a vanished financial schemer, and Montalbano must navigate both the labyrinthine fraud and his hostile superiors. Grover Gardner's narration captures the inspector's wit and frustration.

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Half of Sicily's retirees lose their savings to a vanished financial schemer, and Montalbano must navigate both the labyrinthine fraud and his hostile superiors. Grover Gardner's narration captures the inspector's wit and frustration.

Start Listening → Get the Book →

Start Listening → Get the Book →
10

Game of Mirrors

Commissario Montalbano • Book 18

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.98 ABR Score (4.2K ratings)

★ 3.97 Goodreads (4.0K) ★ 4.54 Audible (178)

5h 34m listening time • Released 2015

Two bombs outside empty warehouses plus a seductive woman trying to distract Montalbano — someone's playing games with Italy's favorite detective in this eighteenth mystery.

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Two bombs outside empty warehouses plus a seductive woman trying to distract Montalbano — someone's playing games with Italy's favorite detective in this eighteenth mystery.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
11

The Track of Sand

Commissario Montalbano • Book 12

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.97 ABR Score (5.2K ratings)

★ 3.93 Goodreads (5.0K) ★ 4.52 Audible (195)

5h 26m listening time • Released 2010

Someone dumps a bludgeoned horse outside Montalbano's home, then the carcass vanishes, leaving only sand tracks and questions in this typically atmospheric Sicilian mystery.

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Someone dumps a bludgeoned horse outside Montalbano's home, then the carcass vanishes, leaving only sand tracks and questions in this typically atmospheric Sicilian mystery.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
12

The Age of Doubt

Commissario Montalbano • Book 14

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.95 ABR Score (5.5K ratings)

★ 3.95 Goodreads (5.3K) ★ 4.46 Audible (200)

5h 22m listening time • Released 2012

After a violent storm, Inspector Montalbano discovers a woman's body and a mysterious boat, launching another labyrinthine investigation. Grover Gardner's narration honors Camilleri's distinctive Sicilian atmosphere and Montalbano's contemplative detective work.

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After a violent storm, Inspector Montalbano discovers a woman's body and a mysterious boat, launching another labyrinthine investigation. Grover Gardner's narration honors Camilleri's distinctive Sicilian atmosphere and Montalbano's contemplative detective work.

Start Listening → Get the Book →

Start Listening → Get the Book →
13

The Wings of the Sphinx

Commissario Montalbano • Book 11

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.95 ABR Score (5.8K ratings)

★ 3.95 Goodreads (5.6K) ★ 4.44 Audible (204)

5h 26m listening time • Released 2009

Montalbano faces mortality while investigating a woman found with half her face shot away. Grover Gardner captures the inspector's world-weariness perfectly.

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Montalbano faces mortality while investigating a woman found with half her face shot away. Grover Gardner captures the inspector's world-weariness perfectly.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
14

A Nest of Vipers

Commissario Montalbano • Book 21

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.94 ABR Score (4.2K ratings)

★ 3.89 Goodreads (4.0K) ★ 4.53 Audible (165)

5h 43m listening time • Released 2017

Wealthy accountant Cosimo Barletta's death opens a can of worms involving mistresses and family secrets. Another satisfying Montalbano mystery for series fans.

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Wealthy accountant Cosimo Barletta's death opens a can of worms involving mistresses and family secrets. Another satisfying Montalbano mystery for series fans.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
15

Angelica's Smile

Commissario Montalbano • Book 17

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.89 ABR Score (4.2K ratings)

★ 3.85 Goodreads (4.1K) ★ 4.44 Audible (186)

5h 26m listening time • Released 2014

Montalbano investigates a puzzling rash of burglaries in seventeenth installment comfort food. Grover Gardner's narration feels like settling in with an old friend for another Sicilian mystery.

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Montalbano investigates a puzzling rash of burglaries in seventeenth installment comfort food. Grover Gardner's narration feels like settling in with an old friend for another Sicilian mystery.

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Start Listening → Get the Book →
16

The Paper Moon

Commissario Montalbano • Book 9

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.88 ABR Score (7.3K ratings)

★ 4.02 Goodreads (7.0K) ★ 4.24 Audible (263)

5h 41m listening time • Released 2010

Inspector Montalbano grapples with existential questions while solving his latest Sicilian mystery. Grover Gardner captures Camilleri's signature blend of philosophical reflection and dry Mediterranean humor across this compact investigation.

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Inspector Montalbano grapples with existential questions while solving his latest Sicilian mystery. Grover Gardner captures Camilleri's signature blend of philosophical reflection and dry Mediterranean humor across this compact investigation.

Start Listening → Get the Book →

Start Listening → Get the Book →
17

The Terra-Cotta Dog

Commissario Montalbano • Book 2

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.83 ABR Score (14.9K ratings)

★ 3.95 Goodreads (14.5K) ★ 4.17 Audible (458)

7h 27m listening time • Released 2007

Inspector Montalbano discovers two lovers dead for fifty years in a secret cave, watched over by a terra-cotta dog. Sicily's sun-soaked atmosphere and the inspector's obsessive personality drive this Mediterranean mystery.

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Inspector Montalbano discovers two lovers dead for fifty years in a secret cave, watched over by a terra-cotta dog. Sicily's sun-soaked atmosphere and the inspector's obsessive personality drive this Mediterranean mystery.

Start Listening → Get the Book →

Start Listening → Get the Book →
18

The Shape of Water

Commissario Montalbano • Book 1

by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli

Narrated by Grover Gardner

★ 3.58 ABR Score (27.2K ratings)

★ 3.74 Goodreads (26.5K) ★ 3.95 Audible (704)

4h 4m listening time • Released 2007

Sicilian Inspector Montalbano investigates murders on a former dump turned red-light district. Gardner captures Camilleri's wry humor and the sun-baked atmosphere of Vigàta perfectly.

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Sicilian Inspector Montalbano investigates murders on a former dump turned red-light district. Gardner captures Camilleri's wry humor and the sun-baked atmosphere of Vigàta perfectly.

Start Listening → Get the Book →

Start Listening → Get the Book →