"The Day of the Owl" is a novel by Italian author Leonardo Sciascia, published in 1961. The story revolves around the investigation of a murder in a small Sicilian town, where the local mafia, known as Cosa Nostra, exerts significant influence. The narrative explores themes of power, corruption, and the struggle for justice in a society dominated by fear. The protagonist, Captain Bellodi, is a police officer from the mainland who seeks to uncover the truth behind the crime. As he delves deeper, he faces resistance from both the local community and the mafia, highlighting the challenges of confronting organized crime in Italy.