2,5/5 stars
CAWPILE-score: 5.00
I requested this book, because I love cozy mysteries. Unfortunately, I didn't checked it before, but it is a sequel.
Quickly, I purchased the first book, but I didn't loved that, so after that I skipped the other sequels and jump to this book. If I just read that one first, I wouldn't request this one. And unfortunately, this was worst than the first one.
I really like cozy mysteries and the Sicilian setting sounded very good, but the truth I just can't handle older MCs. They are just annoying. I didn't love the writing, too. And the case wasn't interesting too, but this one was worst than the first one.

This series is 100% definitely not for me. I tried the first one, I tried the 4th one. I re-read my review for the first one and agree with everything I said then. It all still holds true. I really don't think this story within story format. It works sometimes (Kingkiller Chronicle) but not here. It's too hard to figure out when you're in the story and when things are happening at present. Meh. Done with this series forever!

Format: audiobook
Author: Mario Giordano ~ Title: Auntie Poldi and The Lost Madonna ~ Narrator: Matt Addis
Content: 3.5 stars ~ Narration: 4.5 stars

First, I should write: this is not a typical book that I would read. But I gave it a try in an audiobook form anyway. So my rating won't be the same as if I would regularly read this kind of genre.

Auntie Poldi and The Lost Madonna is the fourth book in a series, but you don't have to read previous books to enjoy this one. The main focus is on an improbable sleuth aunt Poldi. A lot of things in a plot aren't too probable to really happen. But still, it is a nice cozy mystery. You get a feel of Italy with mentions of music, cars, places, words, and swearing.

As mentioned, it is not a book that I would normally pick up. But despite that, I enjoyed this audiobook. And I can clearly see what fans can see in it.

The narration made it better for me. It was excellent, except for one remark: I would prefer if Italian characters wouldn't have a British accent. Even though this audiobook is more than 10 hours long, it is still quite a quick listen.

If you are looking for a lightweight beach read that will make you laugh and you like mysteries, then this is a book/audiobook for you.

Thanks to the publisher Recorded Books for the ARC and the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

This was the first Auntie Poldi book that I've read/heard. The summaries have always intrigued me and I was attracted to the title character's quirkiness, as well as the setting in Sicily. There is a great mix of humor, mystery, and family drama. The characters are very realistically portrayed and the plot keeps one's attention. The one thing I did not like was the narration. Nearly everyone, especially the male characters, seems to have a British accent, even though the main narrator (Poldi's nephew) is supposed to be German. This made it much less authentic and I would have much preferred to hear Italian, German and Sicilian accents. If I'd reviewed this as an e-book instead of an audiobook, I'd have probably given it 5 stars. But the narration really detracted from the charm of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I love Auntie Poldi and all of her adventures! I’ve enjoyed this series and already can’t wait for the next one to be released.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Not my cup of tea. really wanted to like this and perhaps if i read the first books i would like it more but super weird.

This was such a fun and enjoyable read. Auntie Poldi was such a fun character and I enjoyed the whole experience. Mystery novels are usually very grim and severe but Auntie Poldi made it so exciting and hilarious. I totally adore her.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest opinion.

#NetGalley #AuntiePoldiAndTheLostMadonna

Sicilian senior citizen out-adventures everyone in this funny Vatican-inspired story

Posted on June 5, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist

“What do you think I am, a nympho old lady?”
See, this is why the European sense of humor is superior to our flat American politically correct version of what is funny. Did you know Auntie Poldi laid the Pope? Scandalous.
Auntie Poldi and the Los Madonna, An Auntie Poldi Adventure, Book 4, by Mario Giordano, is humor at its best; understated, ridiculous, sassy.
Sicilian detective Auntie Poldi is a 64-year-old bundle of surprises that never ceases to entertain us as she takes on the Vatican and the mystery of a demon-possessed nun who, during an exorcism, screams out to the priest in Auntie Poldi’s native Bavarian voice. Shortly after the exorcism is over, this disturbed and still possessed nun plunges to her death.
Now it is Auntie Poldi’s job to figure out why, among other things. There is the little matter of the missing black Madonna, the fact that two big-handed twins are following her around everywhere, and then there is the strange circumstance in which the Pope tries to convince Auntie Poldi to hunt for the missing Madonna and save the day for all of Vatican-inspired religion.
Of course, Auntie Poldi tells the Pope, “NO!”
And then there is the matter of Auntie’s active love life, which features her longtime on-again, off-again lover, Montana. How does she do it?
Told through the eyes of Auntie Poldi’s nephew, this odd adventure is a spit-your-iced-tea-out-of-your-mouth hoot. This sassy senior is keen to small detail and reminds me of Sherlock Holmes reincarnated as a fast-talking, faster-thinking old lady.
My experience with Auntie Poldi was through an audiobook. Though it took me “a bit” to become accustomed to the British narrator, Matt Addis’ voice, it was worth the effort. Somehow this story seems funnier with that upper-crust twang spouting out of the narrator’s mouth.
I admire Giordano for this wonderful series that started as an Indie Next Pick. This story and its characters provide a kaleidoscope of fun.

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Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2

Auntie Poldi continues to be the queen of hyperbole. And in this book, it appears she may have taken on more than her karma can handle. She is up against the Mafia and members of the Vatican. There is a high-end call girl turned nun involved, an exorcism in which the demon being exorcised takes on the Bavarian voice of Poldi. Her karma holds and she continues to be a fearless heroine even if her knees seem to be showing their age. I would love to get inside the mind of Mario Giordano, the author, to see the spinning gears as he writes another outrageous installment of the Aunti Poldi series. This is the first audio version of the series I have listened to, and I liked it much better than reading the book. In reading, I tend to skip over many of the descriptive tomes Auntie Poldi lays out and in doing so I miss parts of the story. Matt Addis’ narration fits Auntie Poldi and he’s able to distinguish among the various characters who appear—even the Pope who Auntie Poldi knocks down in the Vatican as she tries to escape arrest.

Auntie Poldi is my new favorite mystery character! "Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna" is much more than your average cozy mystery. While it has a lot of the same hallmarks of the genre, like "laugh out loud" moments, suspense, and twists and turns, it's a long book so you have time to get invested in the characters and the story. The way it's written, narrated by Poldi's nephew, is also great! I want to buy the collection in physical form so I can savor them in the future.