NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE STOLEN NECKLACE by Lorenzo Carcaterra
Publication: May2,2023
By: Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine / Bantam
Page Count: 288


Meet everyone’s favorite grandmother .. Nonna Maria …the most endearing and sage amateur sleuth you’ll ever meet. She’s lived on the island of Ischia her whole life and has an amazing array of friends and relatives …. and connections extending far and wide. Although in her seventies, she’s vibrant, never rides when she can walk. She seems to always have a cup of either espresso or wine in her hand. Everyone on the island calls for her if in trouble. She is known for her wisdom and penchant for solving crimes or mysteries. Often, even Captain Paolo Murino, asks for her wisdom and help in solving mysteries… although strictly in an unofficial basis she has helped in many of his investigations. He certainly trusts and respects Nonna Maria. Ischia lays in the Gulf of Naples, eighteen miles away, and has a vibrant tourist season due to its hot springs and “healing” thermal waters, as well as its five star hotels and restaurants. Like every other summer the, island seems overrun with tourists.
An apparently wealthy woman, Arianna Conte, staying at the five star, Grand Hotel Excelsior,
claims the maid, Loretta (who happens to be Nonna Maria’s goddaughter) has stolen her necklace. A priceless piece that has been in her family for decades. However, no one in the hotel, neighboring restaurants, or streets recall seeing this gem. In part of Loretta’s normal duties on the job, she actually goes into “her rooms’ at least three times a day. Loretta tearfully denies the charges and proclaims her innocence Her boss says he has no choice … until the mystery is solved.. and investigated fully by the carabinieri…. She is not to come back to work!
Even before the dust settles, early in the morning a body of a unidentified woman is found on the side of the road, discarded like a bag of garbage. No purse and no papers of identification. Nonna suspects the woman must have a personal connection to the island. One of her many friends on the island, Alberto, admits that he was working late at the beach and overheard two locals arguing. The sounds do carry quite a bit on a deserted beach. It was like a soap opera! He was so sorry.. and she said he abandoned her and stole her baby. She wanted him to bring the girl and her baby to Naples.
Nonna Maria finds herself deeply involved in both investigations. She will use her far-reaching network of friends and connections to aid in her unassuming investigation into both matters. Who exactly was that woman… why was she on the island … and who killed her and why? Was the necklace actually stolen? It’s a thing go beauty to see Nonna Maria in action, as she digs for answers. Lorenzo Carcaterra weaves an endearing cozy mystery, steeped in the culture and culinary cuisines and traditions of Italy. Nonna is always cooking on her stove … delicious favorite of all. She can’t help herself … always cooking and giving away her delicious foods to extremely thankful recipients. The reader is not only drawn into the mysteries, but also. Becomes enthralled with the settings and the mutli layered characters. This is the second in the series, but can certainly be enjoyed and devoured as a standalone. But now I must go back and read the first, and hope there are more to follow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

Reading “Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace” is like climbing into a hot bath at the end of a hard day. Carcaterra has created a world that is both lovely and highly believable. It makes you want to pack a suitcase and travel to Ischia just to sit down and share a strong espresso with Nonna Maria while listening to the tales she tells. In this novel, Nonna Maria actually solves two mysteries. One involves a necklace that her goddaughter Loretta is falsely excused of stealing at the hotel where she works. The second involves the mystery of a woman found dead on the side of the road. Who is she and how did she die?

This novel is unique in that the reader really plays no part in solving the mysteries because we don’t have access to the information necessary to do so. Only Nonna Maria has the knowledge of the island, including who has lived there, what they may know, and what special skills someone may have that will contribute to the ultimate solution of the case. But I found I did not really care; it was just as enjoyable to spend time on an island in Italy with a woman who is beloved and trusted by all. Moreover, the solutions to the crimes involved are instructive and involve the mores of Italy and Ischia. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader’s copy of the book.

Once again Nonna Maria is on the case in this cozy mystery set in an exotic location. A murder and claims of theft are both taking place on Ischia in the heights of tourist season. The author with his unique characters deliver an entertaining story. The story moves at the pace of the ocean waves doling out information in increments. It is a story that will be totally enjoyed.

First, thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace. I enjoyed this story. It’s said of Nonna Maria “There doesn’t seem to be a single person on this island who doesn’t know you, trust you, and aunt you as their friend”. The island is Ischia and makes for a wonderful setting for the book. And it’s true that Nonna Marie is the friend you want and you do not want her as an enemy. Born and raised on Ischia, she has never left the island. Self-described as “an old woman”, she has extensive family and knows everyone. As a result, she has infinite sources of information and the ability to get to the bottom of anything. In this case, it’s a necklace stolen from a guest at an upscale hotel as well as the death of an unidentified woman.

I couldn’t help but think how charming the book was, despite the story. It’s the ultimate small town tale. Nonna Maria is also quite the cook and the book was very successful in making me hungry for some of her cooking. This was a quick read that was well-constructed and fun.

I adore Nona! Some might see her as just an old woman, but in tiny Ischia she is a very wise, trusted and capable women.
In this novel, there is young woman found dead and a necklace gone missing. The police investigate both. Meanwhile Nona drinks coffee with or feeds just about everyone on the island on the way to solving the mystery of each.
Colorful pasts, history retold, beautiful land and seascapes. A great little book guaranteed to entertain!
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.
I highly recommend.

This was a wonderful book. Absolutely love the characters, who is better than Nonna Maria! The plot was captivating and, while predictable, completely engaging. Lots of moments of humor, friendship, and family. A must read for all fans of cozy mysteries. Series is fantastic, but this book can be read as aa stand alone. I am looking forward already to the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace by Lorenzo Carcaterra is the second book in the Nonna Maria cozy mystery series. In this story, Nonna Maria aids the police in not one but two mysteries: a necklace supposedly stolen from the local hotel and a murdered woman left on the side of the road. She takes on both cases with the calm patience only a lifetime of experience can create. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Bullet Point Review:

I absolutely loved the setting of this series – a small Italian island located west of Naples. How Ischia is described brings the small island to life for readers (in this case, me), allowing me to visualize the setting and understand its history and cultural details.

The respect that Pauolo Murino, the police captain, has for Nonna Maria is touching and is not often seen in cozies where the police are often at odds with the local amateur detective. But he recognizes that he cannot even come close to having the connections she does and allows her to help.

The story also has its deeply poignant moments as the identity of the murder victim is finely determined. That story had deep roots on the island and touched my heart.

Nonna Maria lived on the island of Ischia her whole life (70+ years). She is intelligent and empathetic, quick to protect her own, and knowledgeable about the other people who live on the island. I enjoyed watching Nonna Maria solve the mysteries and reveal the truth. Her style adds a bit of fun to the story.
Nonna takes everything in stride and with the confidence that she will figure it out, which sets the tone for the whole book.

The narration is in 3rd person omniscient, though it sometimes focuses on Nonna Maria.
The one issue I had with this story, which could be a consequence of the narration style, is that it read a bit dry to me, which kept me at a distance rather than inviting me in.

The pace is slow to medium – slower at first, and then it picks up as the stakes grow higher and the threat of being revealed becomes a certainty.

Read, if you like:
Edgy cozy mysteries
Small Italian Island settings
A complete cultural and historical experience

Nonna Maria has two cases to solve in this book. First an unidentified dead woman is found on the roadside near Barano, soon known to be a strangulation. Then, Arianna, a wealthy woman staying at the local hotel, has accused Nonna Maria's Goddaughter, Loretta (who cleans Arianna's room), of stealing a valuable necklace from Arianna's hotel room. Nonna Maria teams up with Captain Murino, and assures him that Loretta is not the culprit, and just because she has bought insurance for an expensive necklace doesn't necessarily mean she owns an expensive necklace. No one in the hotel or the town had seen her wearing one.

Nonna Maria is also working on the case of the dead woman. She has many friends and contacts who help her out. She believes the woman may be a young woman who left the island many years before after becoming pregnant by an older married man. She asks her nephew who is a doctor to check the hospital for birth records, and they say the woman's daughter was born there and the mother died during the birth. Nonna Maria remembers when the man and his wife came home with a new baby.

You don't need to have read the first book, but if you did, you will know that with the help of her friends, Nonna Maria will solve all of the problems she takes on. Nonna Maria is VERY likeable and a very good detective!

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace by New York Times bestselling author Lorenzo Carcaterra takes us back to the sun-drenched Italian island of Ischia to visit Nonna Maria. I had been highly anticipating this one, and it did not disappoint!

Elderly widow Nonna Maria, who only drinks her own espresso and white wine, has spent her life in Ischia and knows the place and its inhabitants well. Having spent her life helping others, she now turns to an extensive network of friends and family to help her help local law enforcement catch criminals. This time she must help her goddaughter, who is wrongly accused of theft, and identify a strange woman found by the side of the road, who appears to have died in a hit-and-run accident.

I love this charming series! Armchair travel to a gorgeous locale, clever plots, and an endearing senior sleuth. These books have a unique style and landscape; the writing is very descriptive, and this second one is even better than the first. Nonna Maria is wise and resourceful and has a vast network of connections. As an older woman, some might underestimate her, but she deeply understands human nature and is always a step ahead. And part of her technique involves setting the scene for criminals to implicate themselves, so seeing them fall into her traps is a big part of the fun!

Carcaterra, whose family is from Ischia, is best known for grittier novels like Sleepers. And although this is very cozy, these books have an element of danger and some mysterious characters that give them a little touch of edginess. I can't wait to see how certain storylines and characters will develop as the series continues. Cozy mystery lovers, and anyone who loves a senior sleuth, you'll want to add this to your tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballentine for the gifted ARC.

A grew up reading every single Nancy Drew book ever written so cozy mysteries hold a special place in my heart. I loved how this one was set in Italy and how authentic it seemed! The author did a fantastic job setting the scene. I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know Nonna Maria. I actually did not realize this book was 2nd in a series, but it definitely works as a standalone!

I immediately requested this one I read the description--a cozy mystery set on an island off the coast of Naples with an Italian grandmother as the sleuth? Yes, please!

A good cozy mystery has a strong sense of place and a likeable (or, at least, intriguing) cast of characters inhabiting that place; Lorenzo Carcaterra delivers both here, and it was gratifying to read how well Nonna Maria knows all of the townsfolk of Ischia--in addition to some notable characters who live further away. Personally, I'm also a fan of cozy mysteries with delectable descriptions of food, and Nonna Maria makes plenty of mouthwatering dishes for everyone (but somehow subsists on wine and coffee; no one, including the reader, sees her eat throughout the whole book). The mysteries (yes, there are two) wrap up neatly--perhaps, one might complain, too neatly--but there's a sharp cliffhanger in the last chapter that teases the next book in the series.

I mistakenly didn't realize that this is the second book in the series, but it works well as a standalone. Guess I'll have to go back and read the first one now!

3.5 stars

In this second book in the Nonna Maria series, the shrewd Italian grandmother helps catch two law-breakers: a thief and a murderer. The book works fine as a standalone.

*****

Nonna Maria, who lives on the beautiful Italian island of Ischia, is in her seventies, walks with a slight limp, keeps her thick white hair in a bun, likes espresso coffee and white wine, loves to cook, and dines only at her own table - near a photo of her deceased husband Gabriel. Nonna Maria is always happy to help her friends, who include most of the locals on Ischia.

Nonna Maria's first concern develops when a fine young man named Federico Castagna confides that he may have hit a pedestrian the night before, on a curvy road shrouded by thick fog. Federico felt a bump and got out of the car, but it was too dark to see anything. Today Federico learned a woman's body was found, and he fears he may have killed her.

Nonna Maria consults Captain Paolo Murino of the carabinieri, who divulges that the dead woman, who's unidentified, was strangled. This lets Federico off the hook but leaves Nonna Maria with another problem. Nonna Maria thinks she may know the victim, and has an idea about the motive for the crime. So Nonna Maria sets out to 'investigate' via her wide network of friends and acquaintances, which encompasses all of Italy.

Nonna Maria's other problem involves her goddaughter Loretta, who works as a cleaner at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. A guest at the hotel, Arianna Conte, claims a very valuable necklace was stolen from her room, and she insists Loretta, who attends to Conte's room, took it. Loretta is suspended from her post while the carabinieri investigate, but Nonna Maria, who's confident her goddaughter is innocent, sets out to resolve the matter herself. It seems no one in the hotel or on the island has seen Conte wearing such a necklace, and Nonna Maria suspects the woman is lying.

As Nonna Maria makes her inquiries she chats with people all around Ischia. Thus we get to meet a variety of residents, including: taxi-van driver Giovanni, who rescues dogs and cats; restaurateur Gennaro Rossi, a chef who owns the most popular eatery in Ischia; Il Presidente, a former thug who's become Nonna Maria's friend and protector; the strega, who tells fortunes for a living; Federica D'Amato, the medical examiner; and more.

The novel comes to a satisfactory conclusion, with a cliff-hanger that promises a third installment in the series.

The story is enhanced by descriptions of the sights and sounds of Ischia, and depictions of tempting Italian delicacies. Nonna Maria loves to prepare food for her friends, and these treats include panini with breaded chicken, roasted peppers, and broccoli rabe; peppers stuffed with breadcrumbs, anchovies, olives, parsley, and capers; eggplant parmigiana; and more.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more Nonna Maria adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lorenzo Carcaterra, and Bantam Books for a copy of the manuscript.

Nonna Maria is the real deal. She is true to herself and her family and friends. When one young friend of hers may have hit a mysterious woman who is found on the road side and another is accused of stealing an expensive necklace from a hotel guest, Nonna is there for them.

Knowing her island and she knows these two young people are innocent, Nona Maria is determined to prove their innocence and figure out a few other things along the way. The guilty parties better watch out, because there’s nothing worse than a Nonna who’s gunning for you!

I adore Nonna Maria and I want to be her when I grow up. She’s the coolest and nothing gets by here. This is one of the funnest cozy series and you’re gonna wanna spend time with Nonna!

4.5 stars

Thank you to Lorenzo Carcaterra, Bantam, and NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book!

I just love this Nonna Maria series. I have learned so much about Italian/Neapolitan culture, Ischia, and amazing Italian families that include blood relatives and dear family. Because of this series, Ischia is on my "bucket list" and hope to visit in the non-touristy time to explore and enjoy this amazing island!!

This is the second book in the series and I hope that Lorenzo writes twenty books for this series. It is an interesting, fun, and satisfying read! I started this book this morning and was finished by 5:00 pm. I just could not put this book down.

I definitely suggest that you read Book 1 in this series first. It will make it easier to understand the characters and story development with the back story of the first book.

This will be a GREAT beach read!! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!!

This is my first book of this series and I found it very entertaining. Nonna Maria lives in Ischia. She knows practically everyone there. So when there is a crime she is always ready to lend a hand.

Nonna Maria is an amalgam of so many beloved female detectives. Her gentle and loving exterior covers a will of steel. She defies the image of a senior citizen while quietly and methodically solving mysteries with her wide circle of friends. Brava! Lorenzo Carcaterra for unleashing Nonna Maria on some unsavory and unsuspecting evil doers. Nonna Maria is my heroine!

NetGalley ARC Educator 540974

Nonna Maria puts me in the mind of a sassy Jessica Fletcher. She won't let anything get in the way of her clearing her goddaughter's name.

This is a one sitting read that will have you seeking out the other book in the Nonna Maria series, of you have not read it. I wish they would make these into movies.

This was a fast moving book. I read it in one day!
This book gives us two mysteries to contemplate, both really good. Nona Maria is a formidable old lady! She seems to know everything going on. She’s tough!
Looking forward to the next one
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Nonna Maria's friends and family span the length and breadth of the island of Ischia, and beyond. Maria always helps her friends, and in this second book, Maria has to clear her goddaughter's name after she has been accused of stealing a necklace from a guest at the hotel where she works. At the same time, an old friend who disappeared decades ago may or may not have turned up again, and an old sin casts a long shadow.

Nonna Maria is a character, but never a caricature. She only drinks espresso and wine, to the despair of her doctor, and doesn't eat anything in restaurants. She has the respect of the local police, and the admiration of her community. Her friends also help her, though, by providing information, and, when need arises, protection, as she investigates.

While you don't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one, you'll want to. You'll also want to visit Ischia, although maybe in the off-season, as tourists do seem to cause a bit of trouble for Nonna Maria's friends.

4.25 out of 5 stars.

I received an advance copy from Bantam via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to Net Galley and Random House for this arc to review.

What a delightfully charming cozy read! Nonna Marie reminded me of Jessica Fletcher in Italy. She knows everyone and has many connections. Plus, she is a great cook. Nonna is an elderly lady that loves to solves mysteries, and in this book, she has 2, assisting her God daughter who was accused of stealing a necklace of a guest at the hotel she worked at, and discovering the murderer of a local woman found dead.

Being Italian, and Catholic, I really related to a lot in this book. Highly recommend. Can't wait for more from this author.