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

This is the third book in a series, but kind of worked as a stand alone since this was my first introduction to the series and character. Nonna Maria is absolutely charming. T here are two mysteries in this book which was a nice little bonus.

What a delightful mystery. Even though it's the 3rd book, not too much of the characters depend on knowledge of the previous stories.

The story takes place on the small island on Ischia in Italy. I didn't think it was a real place, but it is. Nonna Maria reminds me of your typical Italian grandmother, always feeding everyone around her. Her talent for solving not one but two mysteries was action-packed and enjoyable.

I'm looking forward to reading the previous 2 books and can't wait for the next one.

"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.

From battling foes in medieval castles to exploring the notorious caverns where smugglers hide their goods, Nonna Maria and her friends - some old, some new - embark on their most swashbuckling adventure yet."

Nonna Maria has a lot on her plate from old friends this time around.

My thanks to Net Galley, Random House, and the personal invitation I received to review this arc.

Nonna Maria is back feeding everyone and helping her family and friends on her island. There is a lost treasure and an assassin sent after her good friend the police captain.

The story was cute and an easy read but I liked the prior book better. I think the 2 mystery lines were a little flat. It was very predictable when an enthusiastic and helpful character appeared what his true intentions were. I just have to say this was only an ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book. Unfortunately, I couldn’t seem to get into it. This one was a did not finish for me. Maybe it was because it was part of a series that I haven’t read, but I didn’t connect with the main character at all. The setting was great, I want ego love it.

I love mysteries and I'm half Italian, so hope were high for this title. Unfortunately, the mystery side felt weak and predictable and the Italian side seemed overly focused on alcohol consumption (there is so much more to the Italian culture than this!). I could not connect with the main character as she kept coming off to me as full of herself, although she professes to really care about her family and friends. Perhaps, some of my poor experience is due the fact that I am jumping into the middle of a book series, having not read the previous titles. My experience with this one, however, has not spurred me on to continue to explore this series.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!

This book was a very slow start. It was a did not finish for me. First book by this author. I read a large amount and felt like nothing had happened. Lost my interest

Love these books; cozy mystery with just enough danger and intrigue and a new concept. I love the setting and the characters and I get my Franny Fischer/Jessica Fletcher fix!

I love Nonna Maria and this latest story might be my favorite yet.

The threat to Captain Murino’s life, the effort of everyone to help catch the people after him, all because Nonna Maria asks is just one of the things I loved.

Everyone in Ischia is willing to help Nonna Maria and in her seeking help the reader always finds out why. Nonna Maria is the type of neighbor and friend we should all hope to be, helping anyone in anyway because she can and because they need it.

The other storyline of the hidden treasure was so entertaining. Expecting thieves to be honest! I love how that part of the story played out and wished I could have been there to check out the caves also. The way they were constructed was so fascinating.

I hope we see many more stories with Nonna Maria. This story is like a hug, getting to catch up with the regular characters and getting to meet new ones with each story.

Thank you to Random House for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

I'm so grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of Lorenzo Carcaterra's latest installment of one of my favorite series, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure. Nonna Maria and her trusted crew of friends from all walks of life are determined to save the life of the beloved police captain and assist in a treasure hunt in the caves of Ischia.

When a young woman comes to Nonna Maria with a treasure map left to her by her recently deceased grandfather, Nonna Maria immediately agrees to help. She enlists the assistance of the Pirate, the Magician and the Painter, and together they embark on a dangerous and often unpleasantly interrupted quest. At the same time, Nonna Maria learns that her dear friend Captain Murino is being targeted by a group of assassins who are seeking to avenge the imprisonment of one of their most important associates.

In typical Nonna Maria fashion, she employs her most creative, sometimes unorthodox and almost always comical methods to protect and defend the people of the island whom she cares about most.

This is more than your average cozy. There's lots of intrigue and danger inside this quick read. Nonna Maria is a delight. She's a shrewd, sharp, Italian grandmother, who, of course, is an exceptional cook. My mouth watered for the Italian dishes. In addition to Nonna Maria, there's a whole cast of colorful, vibrant characters. The gorgeous setting of the island of Ischia, Italy, comes alive within the pages. I was thoroughly entertained!

P.S. I will post reviews on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book!

Review of Advance Reader’s Uncorrected eBook File

Maurizio Carnale sits in an outdoor café ion the island of Ischia waiting for his double espresso. No one knows he has come to this place for the specific purpose of killing a man.

Meanwhile, Nonna Maria is enjoying her espresso in the company of two of her granddaughters. At their insistence, she tells them [yet again] a special story, the story of the creation of Ischia.

When Paolino Iacone dies, he leaves his granddaughter, Rita, with a secret map showing the location of her inheritance. She asks Nonna Maria for help finding the treasure hidden in the rocky coastal caves.

Will Nonna Maria and Rita find the hidden treasure before others are able to snatch it away? And will the assassin succeed in his murderous quest?

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The third of the Nonna Maria tales, the book has sufficient backstory to work as a standalone. One of the strengths of the story is the focus on loyalty and friendship.

The delightful island setting, charming main character, and intriguing mystery all work together to draw the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. Expect ruthless treasure hunters, pirates, and criminals as the unfolding story takes readers on an exciting adventure of discovery.

Aside from the treasure hunt, the tension and suspense of the hired assassin stalking Captain Murino keeps the pages turning as fast as possible.

Readers who enjoy adventure, mystery, and strong friendships will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#NonnaMariaandtheCaseoftheLostTreasure #NetGalley

This was my first introduction to Nonna Maria, good lady of Ischia, and the first book I have read featuring this location. In my travels I have not had the privilege to visit this island but it is well described in this book that features the caves and "lost" treasure that many are attempting to find. There is a good bit about crime and attitudes toward carabinieri, but the focus is on a solid foundation of loyal friends and how they approach life.
Thanks to this introduction I plan to backtrack to the first books of this series as the characters have admirable traits.