Although she is a fabulous cook and enjoys her own food best, Alberta Scaglione occasionally visits Veronica’s Diner. On one such occasion, Teri Jo is her waitress during the breakfast rush and seems stressed out. After Alberta finishes her breakfast, Teri Jo comes to her table with what Alberta expects is the check, but actually has a knife that has been plunged into her back and Alberta finds she has been murdered. Murder at Veronica’s Diner is the fourth installment in the Ferraro Family series featuring Italian American sleuths who work together to solve this mystery.

Griffo is a good storyteller, and the story will keep readers on the edge. The characters are well-developed, and the novel has plenty of ups and downs. There is some suspense also, which builds during the novel. As is typical of most cozy mysteries, there is no blatant sex, violence, or profanity, which makes this novel perfect for younger readers. Seasoned cozy aficionados will like this series, too and will find that the ending is a surprise, since there are several murder suspects and circumstantial evidence pointing to them all.

Cozies are usually quick reads, and this one is no exception. It’s fun, though, and will be enjoyable for all types of mystery readers. While this book isn’t destined to be a classic, it is enjoyable and will be enjoyed by most readers. As with any good culinary mystery, Griffo has included recipes from the diner that appear to be easy and sound like something most of us would like to prepare.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This book is just plain fun. I love when a cozy can make me laugh. There are delightful characters and I enjoyed the setting. The only problem.... it made me hungry.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I loved the settings I wish the diner was real but felt the mystery was too easy to solve.

I have loved this series from the start and the latest installment doesn't disappoint. The characters are so much fun, the story keeps you guessing (and laughing), and the author even includes a few fun recipes.

Granted, this cozy is about 68 pages longer than the average cozy, but I don't think that why I thought it would never end. On the plus side, the author packs in plenty of detail, on the negative side, it makes the story drag even though a lot of it is about the suspects and mystery.

This is the first book I've read in the series, so I am not completely wrapped up in the Ferrara world. There's enough backstory provided I understand how the ladies work as a team so I wasn't feeling lost. I just didn't care about any of them, the various components the author brought in could have been intriguing, but with all the other elements was just too much.

Other things like the police chief #1 doing active on scene investigating #2 telling the Ferrara team to get cracking at solving the case (!!) were very unrealistic, even if Alberta was his childhood babysitter.

I understand why the author dropped Italian in here and there, but it, also, was too much. Some of it wasn't translated either. I have a degree in Spanish which required 2 years of Italian, so I'm better off than most of the readers probably, but it was too much having it at the top of every chapter and in the text. Too much food talk as well.

I have the next book in the series and will give it a try in case this is a one off miss for me.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Another entertaining and engrossing story in this beloved series.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, the solid mystery kept me guessing and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the next story, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

J.D. Griffo is a talented writer. In his latest addition to the “Ferrara Family Mystery” series, Murder at Veronica’s Diner, his talent shines through. The characters are filled with charm, loud voices, and Italian family nuances you don’t get unless you are a member of the group.

This story revolves around the murder of a waitress, Teri Jo, in a crowded diner. Yet none of the diner patrons saw the murder take place or the killer. It seems almost impossible that no one saw anything, including Alberta and crew. This group of older ladies and Alberta’s young granddaughter are just as shocked as everyone else. The police have no clues, and the Ferrara family dives in to uncover a killer.

The characters in this story are easy to like. But at times, it can be difficult to tell who is who. If readers have not read any of the other additions to this series, they will be confused. I suggest that you don’t start this series with this book. To understand the characters and keep them straight, readers need to go back and start from the beginning. This book shows how a real family interacts with love, humor, and food. It’s filled with interesting tidbits, including the headlines for each chapter in Italian.

There is plenty of action in Murder at Veronica’s Diner; readers are taken on an adventure throughout the story. The evidence of the killer’s identity is sprinkled throughout, but this story isn’t so much about who the killer is, as this is obvious from the beginning, but it is more about what the motive is and who all is involved. Of course, in the end, Alberta, Helen, Joyce, and Jinx figure everything out and capture the murderer. My only complaint about this book was that solving the killer’s identity took all of ten minutes. I enjoyed the overall feel of this intriguing Italian family, their escapades, and I highly recommend the series and the recipes in the back.

When the murder of a waitress serving the Ferrara family occurs they feel compelled to solve the crime. I love the nick name given to the elder ladies who help with the sleuthing, The Senior Scooby gang. This mystery has ties to the mob as well as a second restaurant.

The relationship of the family are well thought out and constructed. It is like visiting with ones own family members. I enjoy the fact that the characters are multigenerational as well.

It is a quick read. This story also resolves why Helen left the church. It adds to her character development in my opinion.

This is a stand alone story. One does not need to have read the previous novels to enjoy this one, I recommend this book as well as the series to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read.

I loved traveling along with Alberta and Jinx on their murder investigation. This family is such fun with well developed and realistic characters. The mystery was good with many clues and suspects, and I loved the wit and humor.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first Ferrara family mystery and it will certainly not be my last! I adored stepping into life with this gregarious Italian family complete with lots of wonderful Italian language peppered throughout. If you are looking for a cozy mystery that starts with a bang and takes you on a quest to solve a murder, this is the one for you. Although, I plan to read the first books in this series, I felt the characters were sufficiently developed and the connections were clearly described for the reader to catch up as a stand alone story. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this advanced copy for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This is the 4th book in this family amateur detectives series, and I have not read the preceding books. However, I feel this book can stand well on its own, although there are ongoing story lines with some of the characters, and there are some big reveals in this book.
I particularly enjoyed the fact the the main protagonists were mainly more mature characters, but this wasn’t a stately plod through a quiet village kind of mystery- it was quite action packed and particularly the final scene involving a plane and no obvious pilot was pretty nail biting stuff. There is also a whiff of a romance, which again is refreshing to see in older characters.
I enjoyed this mystery, although the use of Italian did stop me in my tracks at times- it did help to really set the background but I hadn’t a clue as to what it meant most of the time. Would still recommend though.

This is book 4 in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. The cast of characters is involved and you might want to read the previous books to get familiar. Set in a good Italian neighborhood in Tranquility, New Jersey, The multi-generational family keeps busy helping the police and solving crimes in the neighborhood. This story revolves around fake passports and some background fir Alberta and her sisters. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really loved this book in a new to my series. Tha characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end

After the waitress at Veronica’s Diner collapses to the floor with a knife in her back in the crowded diner. The Ferrara Family deceive Agency had found the next case after meeting with Veronica’s owner they realized they had two mysteries to solve. Who killed Terri Jo Linbruck and why was Veronica Andrews a liar? Or we’re Alberta and Jinx imagining things in order to speed up their investigation? Grandmother and granddaughter needed a reality check. There were no fingerprints on the murder weapon and the butcher knife according to the chief. The knife was a common brand we checked the inventory and nothing was missing. Plus the knife wasn’t commercial grade, just a plain old butcher knife. Since no cameras around the diner they couldn’t rely on videotape to fill in the blanks. More than half the diners didn’t know the victim’s name and the rest only knew her on a superficial level. Even though Teri Jo lived in town for quite a while she hadn’t made any friends. The chief Vinny knew he couldn’t stop the ladies from doing what they’re going to do but asked if they could all work together and share clues and information. Terri Jo gave the ladies a box to deliver before she was murdered. So they were going to deliver it carrying out her last wish. Upon delivering the box they were able to get some clues as to who Terri Jo was and how she came to town and why. Very enjoyable story as the ladies follow the clues.

The four intergenerational members of the Ferrara Family Detective Agency -- as their unofficial sleuthing club is known -- are enjoying a nice breakfast at local institution Veronica’s Diner, when their waitress Teri Jo approaches their table. Nothing out of the ordinary, despite Teri Jo having asked them earlier to deliver a package she didn’t have time to send herself, until Teri Jo abruptly falls to the floor, a knife lodged in her back.

That pretty much ends breakfast for everyone in the diner, as emergency services are called and the various Ferrara women do their best to comfort the dying Teri Jo. The owner-manager Veronica Andrews is understandably distraught, but something she later says about her late employee doesn’t quite jive with what the Ferraras know of her. After they try to deliver Teri Jo’s package, only to be told in no uncertain terms “no, thank you” by another clearly scared woman, the Ferrara Family Detective Agency realizes it has a brand new case on its hands.

Comprised of elderly heiress Alberta; her sister, former nun Helen; their financier-turned-artist sister-in-law Joyce, and Alberta’s granddaughter, the up-and-coming journalist Jinx, the unofficial detective agency is a force to be reckoned with, having already gotten to the bottom of several twisty murders. In order to solve the case of Teri Jo’s shocking death, however, they’ll have to rely on all their many and diverse resources, in a journey that will take them to places as vastly different from their tranquil New Jersey home as Texas and Riker’s Island. But most of all, they’ll have to rely on the strong family bond that sustains them through thick and thin, as they find themselves facing down at least one ruthless killer in their pursuit of the truth.

This was another delightful installment of the Ferrara Family Detective Agency series. Aside from exploring a tangled plot of intrigue and murder involving Teri Jo and her mysterious family, Murder At Veronica’s Diner explores our main characters’ own secrets and innermost feelings. Perhaps most excitingly, we finally find out why Helen decided to leave holy orders. Series fans definitely shouldn’t miss out on this latest novel, as J. D. Griffo continues to go from strength to strength with these books.

As always, there were recipes included, with gluten-free and vegetarian options as well! Of the four listed here, I decided to try out this one, lightly edited for space:

QUOTE
Helen's Favorite Jersey-Style Disco Fries

2 pounds seasoned crinkle fries--from a package
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Brown gravy
Parsley

For the gravy
3 cups beef stock
1 small shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup flour (Use gluten-free flour if someone like Jinx is sharing your food with you.)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Sea salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 425°.

Spread the fries in one single layer on a large parchment-lined baking sheet.

Cook the fries according to the package instructions, but remember sometimes those instructions are wrong, so keep an eye on the fries and take them out when they're golden and crispy.

While the fries are cooking, make the gravy.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the shallot and garlic

Season with sea salt and pepper.

Cook until the shallot and garlic are softened and then sprinkle in the flour and cook for another 3 minutes.

Whisk in the beef stock, but keep stirring to avoid lumps.

Add the Worcestershire sauce.

Bring the gravy to a boil and simmer 5-7 minutes until thickened.

When the fries are done, take them out of the oven and sprinkle them with the shredded mozz. Put the tray back into the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Pour the warm gravy on top and <i>buon appetito!</i>
END QUOTE

I served this as a side for a holiday dinner and it was a huge hit with my family! This is easily one of the best and simplest gravy recipes I’ve ever made, with such a delicious result. I love pouring gravy over fries and cheese, and with a gravy this excellent, the entire dish was a surefire success, satisfying even my picky eaters. I’m definitely adding this recipe to my repertoire of quick, easy and delicious potato sides that taste like I spent far more time in the kitchen than I actually did.

And that’s all for this year, loyal readers! We’re taking a break for the rest of the holidays and look forward to seeing you again in the new year, as we travel to the coldest part of the country to sort out deaths and disappearances while getting started with some healthy eating, if that’s a resolution for some of you. Do join me!

3.5 Stars

Alberta Ferrarra Scaglione accompanies her sister Helen to Veronica’s Diner located in their hometown of Tranquility, New Jersey. Helen has become friends with one of the waitresses there, Teri Jo Linbruck. The frazzled waitress asks Helen to do a favor for her and deliver a box for her. It seems like a simple request, but before Teri Jo can explain any further, Teri Jo collapses to the floor of the diner with a knife in her back. Alberta, Helen, Alberta’s sister-in-law Joyce, and Alberta’s granddaughter Jinx decide to conduct their own investigation, whether their friend Vinny, the local police chief, likes it or not.

This book is the fourth Ferrara Family Mysteries, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t know all of the details about the characters, but the author does a good job of summarizing the most important about the main characters. As in the other books in the series, the best part of the book is the loving relationship between Alberta, her sister, sister-in-law, and granddaughter. Alberta and Helena are proud of their Italian-American heritage and Italian sayings are sprinkled throughout the book. Most are translated into English. All of the chapter headings are also in Italian giving the book an authentic Italian flair. Alberta is proud of her cooking, too, and there are a few recipes at the end of the book.

I love the way Alberta and her family work together to research potential suspects and gather clues. Alberta is observant and clever and missed her calling as a professional detective. However, I don’t like that they keep those facts from Vinny, sometimes slowing the overall investigation or putting lives in danger. I was able to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together right along with the Ferrara women. However, the plot got complicated with lots of side players so I was not able to guess the identity of the killer. There are a couple of slow spots in the middle of the book and Alberta’s scheme to confirm her theory about who the murderer starts out silly and gets very dramatic, but gets results. Overall, this is an entertaining mystery with a loving family at the heart of the story.

~ Christine

Murder at Veronica's Diner is the fourth in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. This is the first one I have read but was able to get current quickly..
This is a easy to read Cozy with likeable characters, a great setting, romance, family, and humor. There are plenty twists and turns that have you guessing to the end.
Warning, you may start craving diner food.
I was given an ARC by the Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.

It was a quick, fun, light read and I enjoyed the writing style and the characters. I would recommend it to others.

This book is the fourth in the Ferrara Family Mysteries. I enjoy this charming series and the wonderful charcters. I have read the series and highly recommend the entire series to cozy readers. This book can be read as a stand alone. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

This next in series has our protagonist Jinx involved in a murder with a dose of humor, lots of mayhem and help from her close family and friends. The relationships in this series are done so perfectly that all the charcters are not just likable they all contribute to the sleuthing,. The sleuth of this next in series was fun to read as a group effort to solve. with red herrings and suspects abound. The fun addition of the delicious Italian food and receipes are absolutely mouth watering . I love this series and look forward to the next in series.

I fell for this delightful series with the first book - Murder on Memory Lake. Meeting Alberta, her sister Helen (an ex-nun) Joyce, her sister-in-law and Alberta's granddaughter, Jinx. These ladies are a force to be reckoned with. Alberta, Helen and Joyce are of a certain age (seniors) and Jinx is in her twenties. Together they make up the Ferrara Family Detective Agency and the chemistry between them is perfect and very funny.
Here we are with book four and the family is out for breakfast at Veronica's Diner. Alberta is a bit unsettled by a dream the previous night and her sister Helen is trying to find out what's bugging her. Before she can uncover the facts Joyce and Jinx arrive and breakfast conversation gets underway. Alberta ordered Eggs Benedict for all of them but little did they imagine that a side of homicide was included. Their waitress collapses at their table with a butcher knife in her back. The Ferrara Family Detective Agency has a new case. Before she was murdered, their waitress, Teri Jo, gave them a package and said she didn't have time to run this errand and would they do it for her. Now they have plenty of reasons to investigate. It was clear to Alberta that Teri Jo was afraid of something. Enough to get her killed.
The book can be read as a stand alone as the background is explained without being too much information dragging the story down. Each of the ladies is a well developed character and their interactions are very believable. The mystery is solid with several red herrings and the author plays fair with the clues. Still, I guessed wrong. Full of family warmth and a lot of humor, this is an Italian family I would love to know. I already have book five on my TBR list. Murder at St. Winifred's Academy will be published May 25, 2021.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.