Andrea Camilleri was an Italian author and screenwriter, best known for his detective novels featuring the character Inspector Montalbano. Born on September 6, 1925, in Porto Empedocle, Sicily, he began his career in the theater and television before turning to writing. His first Montalbano novel, The Shape of Water, was published in 1994 and quickly gained popularity. Camilleri's works are celebrated for their rich descriptions of Sicilian culture and landscapes, as well as their engaging plots. He wrote over 30 novels in the Montalbano series, which have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into a successful television series. Camilleri passed away on July 17, 2019.