The Magus of Sicily

Sicily #1

by Philip Gwynne Jones

Discover the first mystery in your new favourite crime series set on Italy's most beautiful island: Sicily. A gripping and atmospheric page-turner, perfect for fans of Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series.

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An island of myth, legend . . . and murder?

As the summer sun beats down on the ancient town of Acitrezza, a folk festival plays out in the picturesque harbour. Music, laughter and the aroma of local delicacies fill the air, and a traditional pantomime draws a crowd.

For rookie journalist Nedda Leonardi, it's just another day's reporting in a calendar of unremarkable events. Until that is, the performers dive in the sparkling Ionian Sea for their finale... and emerge with a corpse. Could this be Nedda's big break?

After one trick too many, Calogero Maugeri, self-styled Magus and con artist, is a wanted man. But his attempts to clean up his act and keep a low profile are thwarted when it's revealed he has a suspicious connection to the dead man pulled from the sea.

A young reporter keen for a scoop and a reformed swindler desperate to clear his name... can this improbable pair solve the most unusual of murders?

Genres: Mystery, Crime

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Val Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a new series of books by Philip Gwynne Jones. I was really excited to read this as Philip has become one of my favourite authors, following reading his series around Nathan Sutherland based in Venice.

This book really interested me and as usual with his books, the location and his descriptions are fantastic with a great murder that needs to be solved. This book is based in Acireale, Sicily The main characters of book are Nedda, a young junior reporter at the local newspaper and Calogero Maugeri.

A great start to a new series and i cant wait to read more...

A big thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Philip Gwynne Jones' Venetian adventures of Nathan Sutherland, it was a great surprise to see a new series of stories was to be written set In Sicily..

The Magus of Sicily is the introductory story featuring a new crime solving duo. Nedda Leonardi is a newly inducted journalist working on a local newspaper- reviewing pasticceria and the delights of baked goods when she has ambitions to follow in the family footsteps of investigative news reporting.

At a local festival a body is found on the beach- an accident- Nedda is not so sure and she finds herself entering into the world of fortune tellers, illusionists and sleight of hand. Here she meets, the enigmatic Calogero Maugeri otherwise known as the Magus.

Blackmail, murder and intrigue abound. The two characters are drawn together to clear Calogero's name of crime and give Nedda her first big scoop.

Full of Philip Gwynne Jones' trademark dry wit and observations; regional food and drinks abound and a good crime story/caper.

The first of a new series is never easy following a successful series- but The Magus of Sicily gets off to a good start. Light-hearted in some sense ( not cosy!) but a good escapist crime read. Four stars are given probably a realist 3.75 for a new book series as the characters and the region will grow in familiarity and enjoyment.

Thank you Mr Gwynne Jones for bringing summer sun to my reading.

Thank you to the Little, Brown Book Group for an advance copy

[Suzanne Dunaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete change from the Venice books, almost like another author's writing, but how perfect for a writer to have so many voices. Me Jones is the master of character. I read all books as if I were there and among the characters, but Mr Jone's settings pull me more than many others. I have tasty tidbits at Venice bars with so many unforgettable characters, I smell the smells and feel the fogs of Venice and had lovely and lively moments with Angelo and Nedda, whilst hoping beyond hope she would see the light....uh, oh, don't want to sy more for readers.....

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as his PGJ’s ‘Venice’ series, but perhaps because the geography of the books is lost on me having never visited Sicily myself.

A definite homage to the Montalbano books set on the island, with frequent mentions and the Sicilian language glossary provided too.

[Eyejaybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my most serendipitous discoveries of new writers was of Philip Gwynne Jones, whose series of novels featuring Nathan Sutherland, Honorary British Consul in Venice I came across by chance in Daunt Books a few years ago. Nathan is a highly empathetic character – notable for his love of 1980s rock music and as owner (or at least keeper) of the ill-tempered Gramsci. one of my favourite literary cats – and the plots of the novels are engaging, with the added bonus of their setting in Venice.

This book marks a departure, being set in Sicily and following Nedda, an aspiring young journalist who is struggling to be taken seriously and years to be given the opportunity to do some proper reporting rather than filing stories on local weddings or the opening of new shops. The Magus of the title is a jaded conjurer, who has fallen on rather hard times. He is still giving shows, but much of his time now is spent in warning the citizenry of the perils of fraudulent mediums, who seem to abound in Southern Italy. They are brought together when a corpse intrudes upon a traditional local seaside ceremony. The dead man turns out to have been another conjuror and medium.

The story rattles along most enjoyably, and this time the author treats us to beautiful Sicilian settings, markedly different from, but no less enticing than, their Venetian counterparts from the earlier novels. I inferred from the ‘Acknowledgements’ at the end of the book that this will be the start of a new series, and that Philip Gwynne Jones will be alternating between this and the Sutherland stories as we go forward, which is good news indeed.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The highlight of the local festival is a pageant by the local fishermen but this turns to shock when a dead body is found in the water. For journalist Nedda, this could be her big break, a chance to move away from reviewing local bakeries, and follow her mother's footsteps into serious writing. For Calogero, it is a worry as he is trying to lie low after conning one person too many and now there is a link to dead man.
Gwynne Jones is a solid writer of interesting thrillers, usually set in Venice, and here he is starting a new series on the island of Sicily. It's a decent enough storyline but what comes through most strongly is the love for the island and peoples of Sicily. There is no obsession with organised crime but a respect for local tradition and history, the descriptions are wonderful.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand new series set in Sicily. Philip Gwynne Jones's Venice series is one of my favourites, so this book had a lot to live up to.
As is usually the case with a new series, the story started off slowly and it took a while for the characters to settle in. By about half way, I was totally hooked. This book has the same cosy humour and entertaining character dynamics that feature in the Venice series. Gwynne Jones does a great job of bringing Sicily to life. This was a really enjoyable and entertaining read and I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters in future.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking good Sicilian mystery

A wonderful tale of intrigue with masterfully woven local historical and present day elements, and intrigung characters. Phillip brings Sicily to life like he does for Venice. As has become my norm with his books I read it in one go. Loved it. Will we are more of Nedda ? I really hope so.

[Alun Roderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the first in a series to come.
As with his Nathan Sutherland series of books, Philip Gwynne Jones’ build characters with depth, allowing time for their stories to build. This doesn’t slow the narrative but adds another layer.
I look forward to reading the next books in the series to come.

[Leibniz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on this book from the very first page! I had been expecting something like his Venice books: A dense plot filled with pedantic details about the island. I expected a bit of heavy reading, but at least I would learn something about Sicily. I was genuinely shocked and delighted to read the whimsical start. No spoilers here, but you will enjoy this book. A++

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I have to visit Sicily

I love PGJ's series set in Venice so I had to try the first in his new series set in Sicily. He always has great characters and believable dialogue with twisty plots. I don't know Sicily but assume he captures the sense of place I enjoy from the Nathan Sutherland books. My problem was that I was still hearing them as Brits rather than Italians.

[Corinne Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but not as much as the Venetian series. I have been to Sicily but not to the area around Catania (except the airport on leaving) I think I didn't warm to the characters as much as Nathan, his ladies, his friends and acquaintances. Even Nedda was a little simplistic. Maybe I'll be more enthusiastic with the next one

[Maureen Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this novel it didn't grip me as much as the Venice series which I loved and felt I’d really got to know the characters. Perhaps I need to read another in
The Magus series to connect with characters and the Sicilian background.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical, I found it slow to capture me but as the story developed, it cast a spell kn me and I lo ed the book.
The characters are strong, the plot keeps you on you toes and it is just an excellent read.

[E. Oyediran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Move from Venice

Still a good yarn but I still miss Venice and the agoraphobic cat. Im sure Nedda and Angelo would grow on me.

[Barry Fulton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The culture of Sicily is well described, but the story feels like a short story stretched into a novel.

[Kate Holloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice depiction of Sicily
good to have a female detective

[Mrs Christine Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

love his books

Another great read from Philip Gwynn Jones. I’ve read all the Venice books Wonderfully executed. So cleverly written and enjoyable.

[Mikki Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure what to make of this one. Maybe fine as a standalone but not as interesting as the authors Venice books.

[steve t stillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

great characters and good story

You had me at Sicily, a mention of Montalbano, Mt. Etna and con men. Worth your time enjoying the characters and the hot Sicilian sun.

[A J HOOPER · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nedda and Calogero. Canoli and tarot.

[Verity Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just returned from a Sicilian holiday, I was keen to return to the sunshine in book form, so I grabbed the chance to try the first book in a new murder mystery series.

The novel's themes of illusion, deception, and uncovering hidden truths make it both a gripping mystery and a meditation on the masks we wear. Jones masterfully incorporates the world of stage magic, where nothing is as it seems, into the story’s larger narrative. The idea that what appears in front of us may be far from the truth mirrors the characters’ own struggles with identity and the past.

For fans of Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano, The Magus of Sicily offers a fresh, fast-paced entry into the world of Sicilian crime fiction. With a compelling mystery, unforgettable characters, and an immersive sense of place, this is a series that promises to captivate readers and keep them coming back for more. If this first book is any indication, Jones has created a series that will quickly become a must-read for lovers of atmospheric crime fiction.