Murder at St. Winifred’s Academy follows Alberta and her family as they solve a murder of a once-famous star that occurs during the course of their community theatre production. Full of family antics, Italian references, red herrings, and drama, this book is a quick read that’ll have readers chuckling as the drama unfolds.

Entertaining cast of characters that kept me guessing til the end. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them as well. I will be looking for more y this author.
I enjoy a cozy mystery that keeps my attention throughout the book and this one has.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting mystery and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend.

This is book 4 in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone but you would miss some of the details of all the reoccurring characters. Set in North Jersey it has your heavy Italian generational family traditions. Alberta is thrilled that screen legend Missy Michaels is going to be the star of their local theater production, Arsenic and Old Lace. When she is murdered, Jinx has Alberta join the cast to help reveal the murderer. Some good family recipes included and a very enjoyable read. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was my first time reading anything from this author and I enjoyed it. this is a entertaining cozy mystery series with a fun cast of characters.

I liked the mystery being focused around a play and, what a surprise, there are parts for most of the usual series characters (even though the play only has about 7-8 characters if I remember it well enough) including Nola and her boyfriend. So, not only is the setting and what occurs interesting, it's reasonable for everyone to show up. There were some nice twists.

Again, the Italian added nothing for me, besides the series characters basically taking over the play, including the acting roles with no experience, there was other unbelievable bits (like illegally finding evidence and the police chief accepting it). There was also a lot of personal stuff, including yet more about Alberta and her daughter's issues especially in the beginning. Towards the middle to end the mystery action really ramped up.

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

Princess Fuzzypants here: You always know there will be high jinks when Alberta and her Ferraro Family of amateur sleuths are around. Everyone is delighted when a favourite childhood movie star has agreed to play the lead in a local production of Arsenic and Old Lace.. Excitement turns to sorrow and consternation when the star is murdered in her dressing room before rehearsals have started. Since all of Alberta’s family and friends have invested emotionally in the project, in spite of her sad story of a childhood trauma on stage, she gamely agrees to take over the part. The show must go on but a murderer must be found, even more so when a second body is discovered. Someone is desperate to get away with murder.

Alberta’s close family and circle are completely opposite of what Missy, the star, experienced. Alberta and her friends find that the tightly knit Italian family is not the norm for all- leading to some very good suspects. As is often the case, the obvious is anything but. So as they rush to put on the play, they also must sort through all the lies and secrets that are rife. Good thing Alberta has such a good working relationship with Vinny, her childhood friend, who also is the detective in charge of the case. He has learned to trust her instincts. She is quite intuitive.

The mystery is only half the fun of this series. Alberta and her sister, granddaughter and sister-in-law are a powerful team. In spite of the banter, they are as dedicated to each other as they are to the truth. It’s always an entertaining read.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Murder at St. Winifred's Academy by J. D. Griffo is the 5th book in Ferrara Family Mystery series, and another great addition. Alberta is excited that one of her favorite actresses, Missy Michaels, from the 50's is staring in Arsenic and Old Lace. Unfortunately when Missy is found dead, Albert and her granddaughter Jinx, are on the case. This book had so many twists and turns, I couldn't put it down. I found this book very interesting, and full of colorful characters. Not only is there a good mystery, the plot and characters are well developed. I strongly recommend this book, and am looking forward to reading their next adventure. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

J.D. Griffo's Murder at St. Winifred's Academy is another fun cozy in the Ferrara Family Mystery series! Aunt Helen is thrilled to be playing opposite former child star Missy Michaels in the Tranquility Players production of Arsenic & Old Lace, but when Missy is found dead in her dressing room holding a bottle of arsenic, Alberta, Jinx, Joyce, and the rest of the gang must rush to discover who killed her on the eve of her return to the limelight - after all, the show must go on! A+++

This series is always good cozy fun with a interesting well crafted sleuth. I enjoy this series with such fun full of life charcters as this Italian family. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

This is the fifth book in the 'Ferrara Family Detective Agency' series featuring Alberta Scaglione as our protagnist and her granddaughter, Jinx. They are part of their funny very involved Italian family that are a charming part of this series. The family also has a ex nun and a wall street executive that add to the fun. The charcters are hysterical in this series and all so well done they add to the series.

The plot and sleuth are very well crafted to the series. The sleuth kept me guessing as clues abound and danger lurks for our protagnist. I loved this next in series . I highly recommend this series for all who love cozies with a touch of humor and family fun.

This was a fun installment in a great cozy mystery series. I love that it features a multi-generational Italian-American family. The characters are fleshed out and so much fun. The mystery was well-paced, and I loved the plot twists.

The Ferrara extended family, of amateur sleuths, has their hands full when trouble strikes the local production of Arsenic and Old Lace. The play turns deadly when aging movie star, Missy Michaels, is murdered before she can utter one line of the script. Alberta, Helen, Joyce and Jinx must find out who killed Missy before more any more murders occur. Break a leg never had a more sinister meaning!

What a fun mystery! The Ferrara family - Alberta, Helen, Joyce and Jinx are all top notch amateur sleuths. It's entertaining to see how they use their strengths to solve crimes. Though Alberta is the main character, each supporting character is well written and could have their own series. There is a hint of romance however, the mystery is not overshadowed. There's mystery, family, friendship and humor in this book and I always look forward to visiting Tranquility, New Jersey!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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The thread of Italian phrases and cultural references was very appealing to me since it recalled memories of my own upbringing. But others might find this annoying or a distraction from the story. The ending was particularly good with the possibility of several guilty people. The unraveling of the motive was excellent.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderAtSt.Winifred’sAcademy for advanced digital copy.

This is the fifth book in the 'Ferrara Family Detective Agency' series featuring a multi-generational Italian-American sleuthing duo Alberta Scaglione and her twenty-odd-year-old reporter granddaughter, Jinx, and it was really enjoyable! Also part of the family is Helen and Joyce. Helen is Alberta's ex-nun sister, and Joyce is their ex-sister-in-law and a former Wall Street executive. Together they are a nobody's fool. The characters are all well crafted by the author J D Griffo, with each one being very individual and having their own distinctive personalities and flaws.

There are several good clues as to the identity of the perpetrator, but also some great red herrings to throw the reader off the scent. The plot is well thought-out and the author's style continues to impress me. With scores of laugh-out-loud moments and superb interaction between the Ferrara family, I would definitely recommend Murder at St. Winifred’s Academy to other cozy readers. This was a five-star read for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Love this series! This book is an excellent addition and is the 5th in it. The characters are fun and the Italian is delightful! A fun read that is entertaining. Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. This new entry in the series was excellent. Once again, Alberta and "her crew" investigate a murder where nothing and nobody are quite what they seem to be. The mystery is nicely weaved, and as we learn more, it seems like many people had both motive and opportunity to commit the murder. Alberta is a wonderful main character, I like her more with each new book in the series. The recurring characters add to the charm of the series, as they are over-the-top, quirky and so relatable. Also, the ending sets the table for the next book and I just can't wait to read it.

Let the fun begin with the latest mystery to be tackled by the Ferrara Family - Alberta, Helen and Joyce (all senior sleuths) with Jinx, Alberta's granddaughter. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. They are also a very funny Sicilian family who are very good at catching killers.
The local theater troupe is putting on Arsenic and Old Lace and the lead is being played by a 1950's actress, Missy Michaels. Before the curtain rises for the first rehearsal poor Missy is found dead. Suicide? or murder? Alberta says murder and ends up taking over the dead actresses role. All the better to do some sleuthing. Will Alberta, Helen, Joyce and Jinx catch the killer before more actors get the hook? It all makes for a wonderful satisfying mystery full of twists, turns, red herrings and lots of family interaction and humor.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This series is highly enjoyable and a lot of fun to read but the parts spoken in Italian always make me cringe as I keep on reading the most bizzarre turn of phrases and some very huge grammar error (Ok this is my pet peeves).
Going back to reviewing the book it's as funny and engrossing as the previous.
Alberta/Helen and Joy are a great trio of senior sleuth, well thought and likable. There's plenty of humor and a story full of twists and turns.
It's a sort of love letter to theatre and the plot is well thought and kept me guessing.
I laughed a lot and love the humor.
I can't wait to read the next installment hoping that the Italian parts will be better.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Murder Rears Its’ Head...
The fifth in the Ferrara Family series of mysteries and a murder mystery is being staged at the Academy but it’s not long before a real life murder rears its’ ugly head and Alberta just has to get involved. Entertaining cosy mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters. The storyline is engaging and fun and character relationships often endearing. Enjoyable reading.

Alberta and the rest of the Ferrara family are thrilled when former star Missy Michaels (she was a big deal 60 years ago) agrees to star in the Tranquillity Players production of Arsenic and Old Lace- except she doesn't make it to even the first performance before she's murdered! I'm not usually a fan of amateur theatrical cozies but I do enjoy this series so I was happy that the family dynamics (and boy are there dynamics) continue to be forward. Alberta, her granddaughter Jinx, her sister Helen (who was a nun) , and her former sister-in-law Joyce investigate and discover things they' might wish they didn't know about Missy. It's classic but there are some nice twists. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This will be fine as a standalone and new readers will find themselves, like me, looking forward to the next one!