Nonna Maria is everyone's favorite grandmother, living on an island off Italy, feeding everyone and drinking espresso with chocolate and liquor during the day and wine by night. But there's more to her than just what's on the surface. She is completely loyal to her friends, and is also an amateur slueth. When her good friend Captain Murino's life is threatened, Nonna Maria gathers her friends to try and protect her captain and solve who is behind these murder threats. Throw in a search for lost treasure, and it's a fun read that keeps you turning the pages. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you'll like this one. This is the 3rd in the series, but I haven't read the first two, and I followed the story without any issues.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure was a delightful mystery that I really enjoyed.
The characters and the setting were well written and described.

The mystery kept me guessing.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is a fun mystery set in Italy. Nonna Maria is a grandmotherly figure that is beloved my almost everyone in town. In this book, she helps solve two mysteries, enlisting the help of other colorful characters on the island: one, helping a young woman search for the treasure her grandfather left her in a secret cave before anyone else finds it, and two, helping Captain Murano solve the mystery of who is trying to kill him. Will they solve the mysteries in time?

This was a fun mystery. I loved all of the interesting characters in the book and felt they were well written. I was lost over a few details in the beginning but picked them up as I read; I wonder if I would have understood the characters earlier had I read earlier books in the series. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy fun capers.

Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love Nonna Maria. She is a friend, and everyone loves her. When someone has a problem, they come to Nonna Maria. If she can't help, she always knows someone who can. When a young woman comes to Nonna Maria with a map that her grandfather left her, Nonna Maria knows just the people who can help her find the hidden treasure. When some men come after Nonna Maria's friend, Captain Murino, she knows just the people to help him. But who will protect Nonna Maria? Someone has plans to use Nonna Maria for leverage and will do anything to get to Captain Murino. There are also pirates who have come to find the treasure as well and wouldn't hesitate to use an old woman if they thought she knew where it was. I love how she says that she just buys the groceries, the stove does all the work when someone compliments her cooking. Good mystery.

NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE LOST TREASURE
Lorenzo Carcaterra

All I did was read a Lorenzo Carcaterra novel to feel like I’ve traveled the world.

We’re armchair traveling and visiting the beautiful island of Ischia, Italy with Nonna in NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE LOST TREASURE. It has been requested that she help a long-time friend and peer, Captain Moreno, on a case. This case is unlike anything Nonna or The Captain have faced before. They’ll need every ounce of bravery and every pound of knowledge to solve the case.

Luckily, it seems they have enough of both.

Nonna must solve the case of the lost treasure, dispel a dose of old Italian wisdom, and keep everyone around her safe. Will she do it or will this case be the one that ends Nonna’s solving streak?

Only Lorenzo Carcaterra and NONNA MARIA will tell.

When I want to travel sometimes, I read a book. When I want to travel to Italy specifically, get a dose of grandmotherly advice, catch up with the locals, and enjoy a triple espresso and a bite of tiramisu, I reach for the latest book in the NONNA MARIA series.

Recently it was NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE LOST TREASURE and just like last time I had a fantastic reading experience. This time Nonna is on the case again. This time at the request of Captain Moreno, a long-time friend and peer.

I love Nonna and The Captain is a close second. They are what makes the series and I always enjoy spending time with them.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the advanced copy!

NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE LOST TREASURE…⭐⭐⭐

As Nonna Maria’s longtime pal and sometimes colleague, Captain Murino, in charge of the local carabinieri, never wanted to see harm brought to the doorstep of everyone’s favorite espresso-brewing, counsel-giving amateur sleuth. But when you live a long life, you’re bound to make a few enemies. And when those enemies come calling, you have to rely on friends. Faced with an assassin seeking revenge for a decades-old grudge, Captain Murino has no choice but to turn to Maria, who must use all her neighborly resources, clever faculties, and web of connections to save him from his perilous predicament. On the other side of the island, a second mystery begins to unfold at the deathbed of another of Maria’s old friends, as he hands his granddaughter a yellowed map and tells her of a treasure to be found in one of Ischia’s secret caverns. However, there are traps and pitfalls. There will be others with sinister motives who will do all they can to make the treasure their own. But this map is a guide—the only gift he has to give. When the granddaughter needs help cracking the code, she turns to her grandfather’s most trusted friend: Nonna Maria.I have not read any of the other books in the series but I will now. Such a fun story with lots of fun characters and a stunning locale.

3.5/5 stars

Tropes:
Cozy mystery
Italian culture
Diverse characters
Found family
Multiple POVs

This isn't my usual type of mystery that I gravitate towards, so it took me a while to get in the mood. But once I got into it, I was immersed in the coziness and the characters. Who wouldn't love an elderly widow who "helps her friends" by solving mysteries? I was charmed by Nonna Maria and everything she did for her friends. I didn't know this was part of a series before starting, but this read well as a standalone. Also, did anyone else get hungry for Italian food while reading this? Because I certainly did. Overall, it was a fun, cozy read that I would recommend to all audiences.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is the third book in the cozy mystery series by Lorenzo Carcaterra. In this latest installment, Nonna Maria helps a young lady whose grandfather left her a “treasure map” on his deathbed and tries to keep her friend and local carabinieri Captain Murino from getting assassinated by an organized crime syndicate.

When former mob hitman Il Presidente spots a man in his old line of work on Ischia, he makes sure the man knows that if he does anything to hurt Nonna Maria or the people she cares about, there will be trouble. But Captain Murino of the local carabinieri crossed an organized syndicate when he worked in Naples, and they are out for revenge. While Nonna Maria calls on her friends to help Murino, she is also approached by the granddaughter of an old friend trying to understand a treasure map he left her. Nonna Maria reaches out to her old friend the Pirate and a mysterious figure known as The Magician to help her navigate the beach caves around Ischia to find the treasure.

Like the other books in the Nonna Maria series, this is a low-stress mystery where a widow beloved by her island is able to help her friends using her connections and calling in favors. I loved the details about the Castello Aragonese, its torture museum, and the Cemetery of Dead Nuns, which were deliciously gruesome. I always look forward to the Nonna Maria books because I know I’ll get some sleuthing on a beautiful Italian island.

This is the third book in the Nonna Maria series. But it can be read as a standalone. I loved this book so much! It was perfect cozy mystery to get me out of my mystery book slump!

This book follows Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri. He is forced to ask his longtime friend Maria for help when an assassin comes seeking revenge.

It also follows another mystery of a secret cavern brought by the granddaughter of Maria’s old friend.

Despite the fact that this book has two mysteries, I think it was done well! This book was very heartwarming!

I highly recommend picking up this cozy mystery, you won’t regret it!

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is charming read with two mysteries going on at the same time. A hunt for hidden treasure and a search for an assassin. The author paints a beautiful setting and the characters are unique and intriguing, from Nonna Maria to the retired thief to the local Carabinieri, Captain Murino.

Definitely a fun and enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next installment.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

An Italian grandmother named Nonna Maria helps those she loved in solving a mystery. In this book, she helps a granddaughter find her deceased grandfather's hidden treasure. There is also an assassin trying to kill Captain Murino who is part of the carabinieri. The two stories come together and bring everything to light!

This is the 3rd book in the series but it is not necessary to read the first books but recommended. Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC!

I was offered an Advanced Review Copy by #NetGalley and saw that the author had written for Law and Order. This book has a similar sort of you know how it will end but there is something soothing about that vibe. The characters are great. I thought this was a "first in the series" and remember thinking at points in the book that I'd read another book for the characters more than the plot. Turns out this is the third in the series. The setting is charming and would lend itself to beach-reading.

This is the third book in a cozy mystery series, starring Nonna Maria, an elderly widow living in Ischia, an island near Italy. In this books, she is trying to help a friend's granddaughter find the treasure he left her in one of the smuggling caves along the coast. She's also trying to prevent her friend, the Captain of the island's carabinieri (basically their FBI), from being assassinated.

I really loved the character of Nonna Maria. Bad ass female protagonists are forever and always my jam. She has a steong morale compass and is a little excentric. At one point, she says she only fears a day without coffee and a night without wine.

There were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of though. One of the main men, who it seems we're supposed to root for, used his position of authority to woo a woman and joked about using it to control her (whether for her protection or not). It also felt more like a thriller than a mystery, with the assassin being revealed much earlier than I expected.

The ending also seemed pretty convuluted. I don't want to give too much away, but why are professionals bringing fists to a gun fight?

That being said, I did find myself compelled to keep reading and I thought there were some really sweet moments.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is book 3 in Lorenzo Carcaterra's Nonna Maria series. I have read the previous books: the Case of the Missing Bride and the Case of the Stolen Necklace. However, I don't think you have to read the previous books as each story is a stand-alone.

I've thought of the series as a cozy mystery previously and in a lot of ways it does read like one. However, this one didn't really have much of a mystery - maybe more a book of suspense but there isn't a lot of tension. There are no dead bodies in this book though there is an assassination attempt. Who is after the captain is revealed pretty early on for the reader so the only suspense there is if the characters will figure it out before it is too late.

You might wonder what assassination has to do with the lost treasure in the title. The lost treasure hunt is a secondary plot. Again there is some mild suspense as Nonna Maria and her friends search old (and dangerous) contraband caves without knowing what they will find. There is a bit of mystery as well, though it isn't the type of mystery where the reader can solve based on clues since we can't actually explore the caves.

It has some hallmarks of a cozy mystery - clean language, little focus on romance (though the captain is engaged), and endearing characters. Often cozy mysteries have a quirky character or two and several of the characters in the book have a few quirks. Nonna Maria only drinks coffee during the day and white wine at night (she drinks nothing else) and she only eats and drinks in her own kitchen. Then there are the characters Pepe the Painter, The Magician (a treasure hunter and former runner of contraband), and the Pirate (another treasure hunter and former runner of contraband). The Pirate is usually drunk, lives on a boat, and only wears a bathing suit, a red bandana, and a sword.

The story is told in 3rd person but sometimes we are more focused on Nonna Maria and in other chapters, it is the captain. It is in one of the captain's chapters that we learn about his takedown of a notorious crime boss. It is during this chapter we learn more about what the carabinieri is. While it is a bit of an info dump it is interesting information so it didn't bother me. What did bother me was when the author broke the 4th wall and compared the carabinieri to "our FBI". It took me out of the story momentarily and I had to work to fully immerse myself in the book again. When I read these books, I'm completely in Italy and to me the narrator is Italian. So the use of "our" was a bit jarring.

If you like a mystery/suspense novel where you are just along for the ride (as opposed to trying to piece the clues together to solve the mystery) with great characters, then this book should definitely be on your summer reading list.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/05/nonna-maria-and-case-of-lost-treasure.html

Nonna Maria is approached by a dying man who tells her that an assassin has been sent to Ischia to kill her friend Murino. Also a young woman enlists her help in finding a treasure her grandfather told her about before he passed away. This was a bit darker than the Lost Necklace but still very enjoyable. The more I read about Nonna the more like her. The characters are growing on me and Ischia sounds like a paradise.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

Amateurish, unbelievable, zero suspense. Maybe it's because I didn't read earlier installments in this series? Two stars for the fabulous descriptions of food.

This most recent addition to the Nonna Maria mystery series combines elements of gothic novels, mystery, and suspense. Nonna Maria relies on her large network of friends to help her search for missing treasure, and to prevent the demise of Captain Murino of the military police on the island of Ischia, where she lives. Along the way she encounters mob members, widows, thieves, and pirates, handling them all with her usual calm conpetence. Nonna always offers her best food dishes and wine to those who become involved in helping with her various projects. The fast-moving story includes many twists, turns, and surprises, and also warm occasions with family and friends. This novel is a welcome addition to the Nonna Maria series and can be read as an enjoyable standalone. However, readers should be warned that the novels are addictive, and reading this one will prompt a reader to go back and read the first ones in the series. This novel contains no strong language or physical intimacy, and just enough action to prove interesting. Highly recommended!

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (Thank you!) The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

twists and turns, mayhem and a wonderful grandmother sleuth to keep you entertained! So many wonderful complex characters and an informative unpredictable story making this a real page turner and a must read!

A captivating addition to the series, showcasing Maria’s wit, resilience, and love for espresso. I eagerly await the next installment.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

***A big thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.***

Lorenzo Carcaterra captivates readers once more with the third book in his cozy mystery series. Maria, the main character, remains a richly layered figure. Though many see her as a detective, she humbly considers herself simply someone who helps her loved ones during difficult times.

This book skillfully weaves together two cases. In the first, Rita, the granddaughter of one of Maria’s old friends, seeks her assistance in deciphering a map left by her late grandfather. The second case involves Captain Paolo Murino, who faces an assassin seeking vengeance for an old feud from Naples.

Maria’s character is depicted with a wonderful mix of charm, patience, and a vast network of friends and connections. Her intuitive and nurturing nature adds significant depth to her portrayal. Captain Murino’s character development is also notable, as he increasingly depends on Maria and her network in addition to his own expertise. The supporting characters are well-crafted and memorable, making readers curious about who will return in future books.

From the outset, the story engages with its relatable and likable characters. This book isn’t a fast-paced thriller but rather a leisurely read to be enjoyed slowly. It vividly brings the island of Ischia to life with rich descriptions of its people, scenery, and customs. Though the mysteries may be somewhat predictable, the writing is smooth and the world-building is superb. Carcaterra excels at delving into the characters’ inner thoughts and interactions, offering a deep exploration of local culture, cuisine, and the ways in which elders teach life lessons to children.

The narrative adeptly blends themes of love, survival, family, and friendship, making it a compelling read. It’s a heartwarming and delightful cozy mystery that celebrates community and friendship. Carcaterra’s engaging writing style draws readers in, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.