Inspector Montalbano author died in Rome hospital on 17 July.

Andrea Camilleri, one of Italy's most acclaimed authors, died in Rome on 17 July at the age of 93.

Best known as the author of the Inspector Montalbano detective series of novels, Camilleri died in Rome's S. Spirito hospital where he had been since suffering a cardiac arrest one month ago.

Camilleri spent much of his life working as a theatre director, screenwriter and teacher, becoming a best-selling author at the age of 60.

Although he penned more than 100 books, the Sicilian writer will be remebered best for the Inspector Montalbano novels which have been translated into 32 languages and form the basis for a popular television series shown in Italy as well as in Australia, Germany, France, Spain, the UK and the US.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella paid tribute to the writer by saying: "Andrea Camilleri leaves a vacuum in Italian culture and inside those who loved reading his stories and were attracted to the characters formed by his creativity".

Camilleri's funeral will reportedly take place on 18 July but it will be completely private - according to his wishes - and the location of his grave will not be made public until after his burial.

Photo ANSA