When stalwart Spanish soldier Don Jose meets the stunningly beautiful Carmen, he becomes instantly obsessed with the mysterious gypsy woman. After discovering she has cheated on him with his Lieutenant, Jose kills the officer during a brawl and flees the city. Forced to become a bandit, Jose partners with Carmen's villainous husband Garcia to rob a stagecoach and prove his love for the seductive femme fatale.

Detective Salvo Montalbano solves crimes in Vigata with his always loyal, and sometimes effective, police squad.

Detective Montalbano investigates several murders.