Murder, Mafia and Montalbano Magic
Few writers build a world as richly rooted in place as Richard Walmsley does in his crime novels set across Italy. If you’ve ever wandered the streets of a southern Italian village and wondered what secrets lie behind the shutters—or imagined a commissario with equal parts instinct, patience, and grit—then you’re already on the path into Richard’s fiction.
Speaking with him again felt like reconnecting with a favourite character. Charming, unassuming and endlessly insightful, Richard remains the literary grandfather you want to sit with on a sunlit Italian terrace—espresso in hand, murder mystery on the page.
From English Teacher to Novelist
Richard’s writing life began in 2001, when he moved to Puglia to teach English. The slow Mediterranean mornings and languid academic schedules left space for a new pursuit: storytelling. His first attempt—a memoir—was quickly vetoed by his Italian girlfriend at the time. “Throw it away,” she told him, before suggesting, quite seriously, that he try his hand at thrillers instead.
What began as a reluctant experiment turned into an entire series. That same woman became the inspiration for Rosaria, a recurring heroine, and Richard soon realised he had found his genre. He’s now written nine novels, many of them centred around a fictional commissario operating in the shadow of real-world Italian corruption and charm.
The Commissario and the Mafia
At the heart of Richard’s novels is Commissario Pepe Stancato—a character loosely inspired by a real-life police officer Richard once knew. The books follow Pepe as he navigates crime, corruption, and bureaucracy with understated humour and unmistakable resolve. He’s intelligent, determined, and gloriously human—often found dodging calls from his meddlesome mamma while quietly piecing together a homicide case.
Mafia presence runs like a subterranean current throughout the series. Richard writes about it not as cliché, but as lived reality—corruption that creeps into the corners of daily life. Whether it’s whispered warnings, burned-down kiosks, or protection payments passed in broad daylight, the mafia lingers in his stories with the subtle menace of something always nearby but never fully seen.
The Sleeping Beauty and Other Favourites
For readers discovering Richard’s work for the first time, The Case of the Sleeping Beauty is a recommended place to begin. The title refers not to a fairy tale, but to the silhouette of a woman formed by the Apennine mountains behind Pescara. Set during the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, the book intertwines local tragedy with fictional investigation. It’s both poignant and page-turning—and one of his most widely read.
Readers from Australia to the United States have reached out, often asking how to get hold of more of his books. Despite the self-publishing model, Richard’s novels have travelled widely, thanks to word of mouth, social media, and a loyal international following.
Humour Among the Headlines
What makes the books stand out—beyond their taut plotting and immersive Italian atmosphere—is the humour. Richard’s writing brims with wit and subtle comedy. From Pepe’s ever-patient phone calls with his mother to the casual absurdity of village life, the stories feel both sharp and affectionately grounded.
In one memorable scene, Pepe explains to his mother that he’s too busy to call because he’s searching for a pianist’s missing finger—before hanging up and muttering, “She believed it.” It’s these moments of dry humour that elevate the books from procedural to personal.
Writing Late, Writing Well
Richard began his fiction career at the age of 69—coincidentally, the same age Andrea Camilleri was when he started writing the Montalbano series. Like Camilleri, Richard uses his fiction not only to entertain, but to explore a country he knows intimately and loves deeply.
His books carry the complexity of Italy with honesty: the paradox of warmth and corruption, sunshine and shadows, opera and organised crime. Readers who enjoy Inspector Montalbano, or the sharp detective dramas of Morse or Foyle, will find much to appreciate in Richard’s novels.
Real Places, Real Inspiration
Research for Richard is rooted in experience. He walks the streets he writes about, speaks to professors and locals, and pulls characters from life. His novel Leonardo’s Trouble with Molecules—a thriller based on nanotechnology—was informed by hours spent with a professor at the University of Lecce.
Whether it’s a crumbling village chapel or a family-run trattoria, his settings are never imagined. They’re lived, observed, and lovingly detailed. Readers often find themselves booking trips to Abruzzo, tracing the footsteps of his characters and dining where Pepe dines.
Richard has crafted a fictional Italy that feels utterly real—complete with sharp humour, unsolved crimes, and characters who feel like old friends. His work reminds us that it’s never too late to begin again, never too late to turn memory into story, and never too late to fall in love with the beauty—and danger—of life under the Italian sun.
As the Commissario might say, “C’è sempre un’altra verità.” There’s always another truth. And Richard Walmsley will be there, notebook in hand, to uncover it.
Publishing Independently, Reaching Globally
Though his books are self-published, Richard’s success speaks volumes. The covers—designed by his granddaughter—carry charm and individuality. Sales are consistent, reviews are glowing, and demand is growing for audio versions. One reader recently devoured all nine novels in just ten days.
Richard remains open to the idea of traditional publishing, particularly for the wider reach and the possibility of television adaptation. But for now, he enjoys the freedom of self-publishing—especially the creative control over titles, artwork, and character direction.
Where to Begin, Where to Buy
New readers can start with The Case of the Sleeping Beauty, or try The Vanishing Physicist, which has proved especially popular in the United States. His books are available on Amazon (.co.uk and .com), and also via his website:
There you’ll find links to order both Kindle and paperback editions, plus updates on new releases and short stories.
