Romance, Intrigue, Danger!

The "Nonna" series is as timeless as Italy, especially Southern Italy, itself, steeped in millennia of history, a crossroads of all the great civilizations. In my mind's eye I picture Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn, in their prime years, having these adventures, with the mature Sophia Loren, her beauty grown into the wisdom of the ages, portraying Nonna Maria.

I have reached out eagerly for each new book as it became available, delighting in the details that share the history of the islands, as well as the ongoing modern escapades of the infamous as they impact the lives of the innocent. Fortunately the word pictures of the richly described foods and beverages, although they may give one an appetite, have no calories! If your own appetite includes adventure, you will likely enjoy these stories as much as I do.

Caution: Some of the action scenes are a bit more graphic than I recall from earlier stories, although appropriate to the present story.

Thank you so much for this ARC and third installment of one of my favorite fiction characters!

Nonna Maria is just the best - full of wisdom, intuition, white wine and espresso.

So many interesting characters to be met on the amazing island of Ischia. The treasure hunt was not my favorite plot of the trilogy but what I did love was how all the friendships made throughout the series were on display and in full force, all for the beloved Nonna Maria!

Thank you to Lorenzo Carcaterra for making such a beloved, cozy and beautiful series - please keep writing!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Maria has some difficult decisions to make. Both her and her friends have some foes they gave to deal with. A nice read.

I love this series. In this third mystery, set in the modern-day island of Ischia, Italy, island matriarch Nonna Maria continues to help all friends and family who come to her door. Whether its will sage advice or offerings from her kitchen or more somewhat physical assistance when confronted by evil doers, Nonna Maria is a force for good on her island. This book developed more slowly for me so be prepared for a more leisurely albeit well told story about buried treasure, bad guys coming after the Carabinieri Captain and his fiancee, and the many inhabitants of Ischia. I always enjoy my time with this series and look forward to the next visit with Nonna Maria.

This is book three in this delightful series about Noona Maria. Although I recommend reading all of them, they can be read as a standalone.
Nonna Maria was born and lived her entire life on the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, Italy. She is a friend to everyone she knows and meets. This charming grandmother has a way of getting involved in mysteries, and even helps to solve them. She’s never without her large, black tote back filled with many snacks, and even entire meals, plus of course plenty of wine. She generously hands out the food and drink to anyone who might be the slightest bit hungry or thirsty. Nonna Maria only eats at her own house, sitting with the portrait on the wall of her late husband Gabriel. She claims to never drinks water, and consumes fourteen cups of coffee each day.
Captain Murino, in charge of the local carabinieri, is a long-time friend of Nonna Maria. He calls upon her sleuthing skills when he learns he is faced with an assassin looking for revenge because he put away, for life, a long-time dangerous criminal, who it appears is still active from prison. Maria has many resources and knows many people so readily agrees to help save her friend, Captain Murino from the dangerous situation he is in.
In another part of the island, on his deathbed of another a good friend of Nonna Maria’s, gives his granddaughter a treasure map, advising her there is a treasure to be found in one of the many secret caves on the island. When the granddaughter needs help, figuring out the incomplete map, she calls upon her grandfather’s trusted friend, Nonna Maria.
The two mysteries Noona Maria is involved in are both heating up and prove to be dangerous, even to Maria, herself. There are many moving parts and delightful characters as this intriguing store progresses, however, as the author expertly weaves many situations seamlessly together, there is no way to guess the outcome until the very end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

"In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine." (Robin Leach)

And nowhere is it done better than on the island of Ischia where Nonna Maria is in residence. Now in her seventies, Nonna is a widow who lives within the cluster of her children, her grandchildren, and her dear loyal friends. And no one is more loyal than Nonna herself.

This third edition to this series can definitely be read as a standalone, but you'll be drawn into checking out the prior two books. Once you've engaged with Nonna, you'll be a true fan. This one takes on a darker tone than the preceding two. We'll observe the shift in newly introduced characters who have come upon the island. Many of them walk in the shadows and try to mask their ill intent. But nothing gets past Nonna. Nothing.

Nonna has a multitude of friends from all walks of life. She's even taken in Il Presidente, a former hired professional hitman who has drastically changed his ways in retirement. And in the opposite lane is Captain Paolo Murina, a former member of the cabinieri likened to the FBI. Paolo has joined the locale police in Ischia and has also given up his intense life in Florence where he was responsible for putting away hardened criminals. But it seems that now someone has put a price on his head. A hired assassin is on his way.

Alongside this darkened avenue is a treasure hunt. Rita, one of the locales, contacts Nonna about her dying grandfather's wish. Paolino dealt in contraband back in the day when pricey items were hidden in the vast number of caves along the Ischia coast. There's something Paolino desperately wants to give to Rita before his death. And there's a roughly drawn map. Nonna contacts her friends, The Magician and The Pirate, who know these caves from their own days of crime.

Nonna Maria and the Lost Treasure is a splendid read. Lorenzo Carcaterra brings such life to Nonna and to her beloved island. The characters are fascinating and the storyline is rich in Italian flavor. It's a quick read combined with high crime, shifty individuals, and descriptors of this beautiful island life and even the scrumptious food in detail. What better way to spend some time on the sunny coast of Ischia wrapped in mystery and some added folklore. Book the time.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bantam Books (Random House) and to the talented Lorenzo Carcaterra for the opportunity.

I love this series and this is the best book so far. Nonna Maria is the person everyone should have in their lives. In this book, she not only helps one friend look for a treasure left to her by her grandfather but also helps another friend survive an attempt on his life by a criminal gang. There is danger aplenty for Nonna Maria but she manages to face it bravely.
This book is well written and kept me turning pages late into the night. I look forward to more from this author and especially more Nonna Maria.

I have loved all the Nonna books but this was my favorite by far. Always a good read and this was more heartwarming than the others. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4 Stars
One Liner: A heartwarming read!

Nonna Maria’s long-time friend, Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri, is in danger due to the cases he solved before coming to this tiny island. Nonna Maria is determined to save him, just as he is determined to keep her safe from the ruthless men.
Meanwhile, Rita, the granddaughter of Nonna Maria’s friend, comes to her for help. Her late grandfather gave her a map of lost treasure in the caves on the other end of the island. She needs help to find the treasure, and Nonna Maria knows many others want to grab the treasure first.
How will our dear old lady handle the cases while cooking, feeding dear ones, and making new friends?
The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
Well, it’s not often that a mystery book gets called heartwarming. However, with Nonna Maria as the star lead, this can’t be anything less sweet despite all the action, mystery, and danger.
The book should work as a standalone. I’m yet to read the first book, but liked the second and enjoyed this (third). It is not a whodunit but more of a howdunit. We are told who the criminal is in advance. Now, the question is how will we get to the confrontation and what happens next.
The writing is easy to read and flows at a steady pace. The short chapters are highly convenient. There’s more ‘tell’ than ‘show’, but it works for the plot. A good author knows what to show and what to tell. Moreover, there are subtle bits of humor- not where you laugh out loud but smile or chuckle a little.
Of course, there are plenty of dishes mentioned throughout. While I don’t eat most of them, I still enjoyed the descriptions and the characters having a hearty meal.
The island of Ischia is easy to visualize. The alleys, the stone walls, the old castle, the caves, and locals with bittersweet history, everything enriches the plot. In fact, it is a core character in the book.
There are two tracks (as you see in the premise). That means we have two sets of characters to meet. Yet, it doesn’t get the least bit confusing. Even with someone knowing someone or being another relative, it is easy enough to follow the developments.
There’s no lead for the next book, but I hope the series continues. I’m sure many people will need Nonna Maria’s help.
The book ends with a sweet author’s note and leaves the reader with a smile.

To summarize, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is a sweet cozy mystery set on a beautiful island and has some memorable characters. Pick it up if you want a relaxing mystery and have a couple of hours of free time.
Thank you, NetGallet and Random House Publishing Group- Bantam, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Nonna Maria books always go to the top of my TBR pile and this one was no exception. I adore these cozy mysteries set on an island in Italy! I think this one is my favorite, so far (but isn’t that always the way-the one in your hand is the best!) as it gave us more insight into Nonna Maria, Ischia, and some of her friends. I look forward to number four in the series.
I received a complimentary ARC of #nonnmamariaandthecaseofthelosttreasure courtesy of #netgalley and #bantambooks. Opinions expressed here are my own

I have read each of the “ Nonna Marie novels” and feel wrapped in the embrace of her friendship as I travel through her adventures.

I love the characters Carcaterra has created, particularly the “ tough guys” she recruits as part of her posse to protect a friend. The descriptions of her delicious food never get old, nor does the warmth of the friendship she offers her community. I love this series and just wish there were dozens more books featuring these wonderful characters.

Such a great book. The characters are lively and rich in personality. Nonna Maria had two different cases. The history told in this book was so interesting and engaging. The book flowed freely. I really enjoyed it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Someone is trying to kill a friend of Nonna Maria but she has other friends to help her protect him. Meanwhile, looking for a hidden treasure in the caves under the castle has her very busy.

“Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure” is the third book in the Nonna Maria mystery series by Lorenzo Carcaterra. This book can be read as a stand-alone. In this book there are two mysteries - hunting for a hidden treasure and stopping an assassin. The characters in this book are both enjoyable and memorable and each time reading a book in this series its like family welcoming one back. The descriptions of the island are wonderful - another bonus as one is able to travel without leaving home. The other thing I like about this book is the short chapters - I read a number of chapters during down time when making dinner - so it’s easy to stop and pick right back up again. Once again, another wonderful book to add to this series.

How much do I love the Nonna Maria series? The answer is A LOT! She’s everyone's idea of the perfect grandmother. She adores her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She is the most loyal friend. She never forgets a favor. Did I mention she is an amateur sleuth too? And what a cook. I just loved the descriptions of the delicious foods she prepares. The setting in Ischia is idyllic. Beautiful descriptions abound and add to the quality of the read. You have murder, a planned assassination, Il Presidente, a former paid assassin, Paolo Murino, the Captain of the Carabiniere and many other colorful and interesting characters. This is my third Nonna Maria read in the series and I look forward to reading the next one. #NonnaMariaandtheCaseoftheLostTreasure, #Netgalley, #RandomHousePublishingGroup-BallantineBantam.

Nonna Maria might just be my favorite literary character. She is the grandmother everyone wishes to have had - her wisdom, cooking and friendship are her true assets. In this third installment of her adventures in Ischia, the story centers around the search for treasure (as told to a granddaughter by her grandfather on his deathbed) and of criminals after revenge seeking the death of the captain of the carabiniere in Ischia. One learns a lot about history- the castle is real as is the Torture Museum and the Cemetery of Dead Nuns. The novel is replete with characters with great descriptive names - the pirate, the magician, Il Presidente, Pepe the painter, and the Mourners.
This book is not a typical thriller but is a fun read and once started cannot be put down. It makes me want to book a trip to Ischia and become one of the disliked tourists. I thank Lorenzo Carcaterra, Bantam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this delightful novel prior to its publication.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace by Lorenzo Carcaterra

Thanks go to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an eARC of this lyrical novel by an author who is an artist of the written word.

There are likely only a few of us who didn't experience the angst-filled innocence obscuring pain of Sleepers, almost heartbeat-by-heartbeat (especially during some of the most soul-crushing scenes) with the youths in Lorenzo Carcaterra's best-selling novel.

Perhaps you have read another Carcaterra's books, if not, this is a fine introduction to this top-quality author.

However, if you are familiar with Carcaterra's writing, this is not the writer of angst-filled soul rending drama who you have come to know and love.

Rather, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is a love-letter of a novel, in honor of a character who is a protector, a friend, a mother, and a grandmother to all who encompass the large number of individuals who Nonna Maria encompasses as her "friends". Being one of Nonna Marie's friends is a very desirable designation indeed, one that offers phenomenal cooking, warmth and a unique wisdom borne of intelligence and experience, with doses of love, honesty and ageless wisdom.

A 5 star review for a magical book, from an author who has captivated us throughout the decades.

I wasn't sure after the second book in this series, but the third won me over! I love a good cozy mystery where I get to know the town and its quirky characters. And, these are done just right. Looking forward to the next installment!

I love the Nonna Maria books! There always so much going on and so many fun characters, that I have trouble putting them down. And the descriptions of Ischia make me want to book a trip every time I read them. I'm looking forward to future adventures.

4.0 stars
DEFINITE RECOMMEND

I received a complimentary Kindle e-book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Lorenzo Carcaterra, Bantam, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I thoroughly love this series. An Italian grandmother named Nonna Maria helps her friends which actually is solving a mystery. In this book, she helps a granddaughter find her deceased grandfather's hidden treasure. Also, a secondary plotline is an assassin trying to kill Captain Murino who is part of the carabinieri.

It was so great NOT to figure out the two plots and who the villain was. Lorenzo is very good at keeping me waiting until he reveals it in the book.

These books stand alone, but I recommend reading the other two previous books for so much pertinent background information and because they are so good!!