This is a lovely cozy mystery that is a quick read. Perfect for your summer light reading. This is the third book in the series and I highly suggest reading the first two books before reading this one. I had not so there was a couple areas of confusion that I am sure could have been avoided if I had read the other two books. There are two mysteries playing out within this book. They are laid out in a way that is easy to follow and tie together nicely.
Thank you to Random House Publishing-Ballentine, Bantam, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I loved the setting, a Greek island. The characters were great especially Nonna Maria. Who doesn't love a treasure hunt?

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra is a suspenseful tale that intricately weaves together history, traditions, and colorful characters. Join Nonna Maria as she embarks on a thrilling adventure to uncover a lost treasure while immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Italian culture. This captivating story will keep me on the edge of my seat as I follow Nonna Maria's journey through mystery and intrigue.

A cute cozy mystery with 2 mysteries going on. The chapters were short and quick. This was easy to read as a standalone, but I think I’d like to go back and read the first two.

This is a lovely series, with entertaining characters, not least the titular Nonna Maria...who is apparently fearless! Everyone else worries for Nonna, but her concerns are all for others, and she will help anyone she possibly can. She's a gem, and her friends The Pirate. Il Presidente, and the Magician were great fun as well.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine; Bantam. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Thriller
Language: I don't remember it having swearing
Readability: Easy to read without having read previous books

This is the first *Nonna Maria* novel that I've read. The world on this island embraces the reader and made me feel like I was among all the people in this small town. I loved how Nonna Maria took care of those she considered family. She is also quirky and fun. She's the type of grandmother I would love to have in my neighborhood.

There are really several stories going on:
1. The Nonna Maria world of being part of her circle
2. A Thriller where we know someone is trying to kill the police captain
3. A second thriller where there is a lost treasure

In ways, I wish we had one of the thrillers instead of two because I didn't feel like they interwove enough. The book is only about 288 pages long. I also didn't love how two of the characters were only known as the "Pirate" and the "Magician." I wish they'd had a name instead of a nickname. Some of the dialogue felt unrealistic to me—but maybe that's part of the sense that this book is taking place in Italy.

Because I love Nonna Maria, I would try another novel.

Happy reading!

In this third book of the series the author takes us back to Nonna Maria's island home and her special circle of friends. Nonna is known throughout the island for her loving and caring ways. Even though she never eats outside of her own kitchen she is always taking meals to others packed in her huge black tote. She is a devoted friend and everyone knows that if you have a problem she is the one to go to for help.

In this book we have two mysteries going on, and Nonna is right in the middle of both of them. One friend has someone attempting to kill him. Another friend is searching for some lost treasure that a relative left to them. And of course, Nonna Maria is helping in every way that she can.. No matter the danger Nonna Maria is not going to give up. She has friends all over the island that will help her. The strong spirits and dedicated friendship that they share helps them to overcome and succeed in the adventures.

This book is a cozy mystery that holds the reader captive. The devoted friendships, family love, strong beliefs and moral strengths make this a very touching story. The descriptions of the island culture, foods and traditions that Nonna Maria shares with her family and grandchildren are an added bonus. You feels as though you are in her kitchen and can hear Nonna Maria as she tells the stories.

Even though this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is a story that can be read in on big delightful gulp. Trouble comes to Ischia once again and Nonna Maria and her friends get to work to stop the criminals. The characters in the story are very interesting. The author writes a great plot which is what keeps the readers coming back for more of this series. This story has all the elements of drama and intrigue. Readers should definitely not miss this one.

This series is amazing and I've loved each book. Nonna Maria is a modern day Agatha Christie but with more panache. She sounds like a wonderful person who loves her country and friends.

Captain Murino is being threatened and Nonna Maria will not stand for it. Along with all her contacts and friends on the island she is determined to protect the Captain whether he wants her help or not. These are always such delightful reads and who doesn't love Nonna Maria. A must read!

Lorenzo Carcaterra returns with the third book in this cozy mystery series. The author’s endeavor to cast Maria, the main character, as a friend, mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother to many continues to work for me. While others say she is a sleuth, she says she doesn’t solve crimes, but helps friends and family when they’re in trouble.

Once again, two cases are intertwined in the plot. Rita, the granddaughter of an old friend comes to Nonna Maria seeking help. Her grandfather left her a map to treasure hidden in one of Ischia’s caverns. The caverns are full of pits, traps, and other hazards. However, he died before he could give her more specifics. The other case involves Captain Paolo Murino, the lead federal law enforcement officer assigned to the island of Ischia, Italy. Paolo created a powerful enemy years ago in Naples. An assassin has come to the island seeking revenge.

Maria is charming, patient, a friend to many, and has a web of connections. She has intuitive instincts and is nurturing and caring for those she knows and loves. Her character has significant depth. Captain Murino has grown over the series. He relies not only on himself and his skill, but on Maria and her circle of contacts. The other characters have a variety of depths and many of them are memorable. Which ones will show up in future books?

I was immediately drawn into the story and the main characters were likeable and relatable. This is a book to be savored. It is not a fast-paced book, but it brilliantly portrays the island, the local people, the sites, and the customs on the island, bringing them to life. The writing flows well and is very descriptive, but the mysteries were a little predictable. The atmosphere and world-building are excellent. The author managed to provide fantastic insight into the characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions toward others. There are also interesting insights into local food, how news is spread on the island, and how children learn life lessons from their elders. Weaving love, survival, family, friendship, family dynamics, found family, revenge, death, marriage, and much more into the story, the author keeps me reader turning the pages.

Overall, this is a moving, charming and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characterization as well as some pivotal stressful and emotional moments. It is also a celebration of friendship and community. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author’s writing style is easy to connect with and draws me into his stories. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Bantam and Lorenzo Carcaterra provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be May 07, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload my review to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lorenzo Carcaterra for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure coming out May 7, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have the three books in this series, but this is the first one I’ve read. I received it directly from NetGalley. The map to buried treasure is a classic trope, but I loved the plot to this book. It felt like a cozy mystery with something more. It felt a little like the Italian version of Miss Marple. I loved the Agatha Christie vibes. Italy is a beautiful place, so I really enjoyed the setting. The Italian culture is lovely. I loved the writing in this book. I definitely need to go back to read the first two books. Hopefully there will be more books in this series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy Italy mysteries!

I adore this series and I am happy to report that I loved this book as well!

Nonna Maria is a woman who has always lived on the island of Ischia, off the coast of Italy. She is well known throughout the island. People go to her for advice and help. She always finds herself in the middle of different mysteries and this book has a few. We have a hit on one of Nonna Maria's friends that they're trying to prevent. There is also a hidden treasure in the caves that she is trying to help her friends find.

I loved this book! I love how all the mysteries come together and how Nonna Maria helps everyone she can. I also love all of the characters. We have a wide range of characters and they all come together. I adore the island setting. This book makes me want to visit this island so bad! There is also something great about the writing that kept me engaged.

The treasure hunting aspect was a lot of fun for me to read. It reminded me of Indiana Jones or the Goonies.

I liked how everything wrapped up and ended as well.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I am not sure if I liked this book or not. It wasn’t horrible but I also didn’t really enjoy reading it. About the last half of the book, I did a lot of skimming. It’s very basic and a bit boring. And when you are told early on who the assassin is, it doesn’t help keep your interest. I debated on a 2 or 3 star and went with 3.

Nonna Maria is the woman to see on the charming (but actually quite crime ridden) island of Ischia. Now, she's working two cases- trying to identify and stop the assassin who is after her great friend Captain Murino and trying to find the treasure left to Rita. Do these things intersect? No spoiler from me. This series (and each installment is fine as a standalone) is a different sort of cozy in part due to the setting and in part due to the heroine herself. The atmospherics (oh the food!) are good and the storytelling is fine. The short chapters persuade you to read just one more before putting it down. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm a fan.

This is the 3rd and last book of the Nonna Marie Mystery series.
I have read the 1st and 3rd books and enjoyed them very much.
Nonna Marie the main character in these books, is loved by many on the Island of Ischia in Italy, she has befriended many people on the island throughout the years, both good and formally bad. and they would all be lucky to have her on their side.
This story is about two different case. One is of a lost treasure and the other is to find out who is out to kill her friend, the captain of the carabinieri.
With all of the people she knows of certain talents, they go about trying to solve the mysteries, and having a big adventure at the same time.
A fun, easy to read book, with a great story line and characters you will love to follow.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing group – Ballantine for a copy of this book.

“Nona Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure” by Lorenzo Carcaterra is a sweet mystery that takes place on the magical island of Ischia. The main character Nona Maria is a true force and once you become her friend you are her friend for life! There are two mysteries going on at the same time in this novel, one is around a buried treasure and the other about an assassin who is after Nona Maria’s best friend. The characters were fun and the descriptions of the island enjoyable. This is an easy and uncomplicated read, but for me it was too predictable.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy. This is the second of the series of three I’ve read. The books are really a pleasure to read. The pacing is quick so the stories move along, the characters are interesting and make you want to root for them, and the setting cannot be beat. The island of Ischia is its own character. Nonna Marie is the star of the show. She is a real force. I’d sure want her and her cadre of locals on my side. From the Magician, to the Pirate, to the Mourners, the story is chock full of memorable folks.

The book may have its charm but, make no mistake, if you are looking for mystery and action, the suspense is here. And, be warned, do not read this book if you are hungry. This is a quick read that is a lot of fun.

A hidden treasure, secret caves, an assassin, revenge and of course, Nonna Maria all come together on the beautiful island of Ischia, Italy. When her long time friend is threatened, Nonna Maria sets out to help keep him safe and with the help of her friends, find a treasure. This was a heartwarming and enjoyable book, with fun loving, quirky friends who above all would do anything for Nonna Maria, including joining her on this dangerous escapade. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an early copy. This review is my opinion.

Nonna Maria is on the case again. Here she is helping her friends find some lost treasure. Once you are a friend of Nonna she will do anything for you. While she is helping her friends she is also trying to keep her friend who is the carabiniere who is a target of a criminal who he put away years ago. Here Nonna is trying to help figure out who wants her friend killed.

This book is not just about a treasure mystery. It is also a book about family, the love of family and friendship. Once you are a friend of Nonna Maria you are a friend for life. She is there for everyone even the criminals who want to harm her and her friends.Will Nonna be able to survive these horrible men who want to harm her friend. Can she help find this treasure that will help her friends granddaughter full her grandfathers wishes without getting hurt herself.

I love all the characters in this book. They are so fun and love the Italian food which as you read your mouth waters. Mr. Carcaterra writes a very colorful picture for us. With lively characters even through our main character is an old Italian widow, who has more life in her than most of her grand children. I just love Nonna.

This is the second book in this series that I was approved for an ARC. So thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC. I truly look forward to another adventure with Nonna Maria and her gang of merry friends. Thank you Mr. Carcaterra for creating Nonna which brings me back to my days with my grandma. Please keep then coming. 4.5 stars