*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

 4 Stars

Nonna Maria has to deal with not one but two cases in this book. First, her goddaughter is accused of stealing an expensive necklace by a guest in the hotel she works. Second, the dead body of an unknown woman is found in the corner of a road. 

Since Nonna Maria’s young friend thinks he killed her by mistake, she is set to find out who the woman was and what she was doing in Ischia. Though the little island is overflowing with tourists, this woman sure isn’t one of them. 

It’s up to Nonna Maria to solve both cases and help the local carabinieri, Captain Paolo Murino. 

The story comes in the third person POV. 

I’m always happy to try a cozy mystery, and this one turned out to be quite satisfying (despite a few minor issues). 

Though this is the second book in the series, I didn’t feel as if I missed much. It works very well as a standalone. 

The writing is simple and easy to read. I could finish the book in 1.5 days (which is always a plus). The plot has two threads, and both move at a good pace. 

Nonna Maria is the Italian and sterner version of Miss Marple. She is quick-witted, independent, and has a fixed approach to things. She is very matter-of-fact in her dealings but is also a loving woman who helps others however she can. 

The cases, as such, are a little too easily solved. Some of it seems to stretch things a bit. This can be an issue for some readers. I know it would bother me, too, but I feel it fits the setting. 

I love the island and its old-world charm. Despite the changing times, the island seems to have not completely adapted. This applies to the good and bad things. My favorite parts are about the thought process of the islanders (which isn’t that different from the rest of the world), the hypocrisy and gender bias, and yet the affection they have for each other. 

Another plus point is that Captain Muniro respects Nonna Maria. He follows the rules of his job but also works with the old lady to solve the cases. No unwanted animosity here. 

Since the book is set in Italy (my second cozy series from the country!), it has to have mentions of delicious food. I’m tempted to try Nonna Maria’s coffee recipe (though I’ll have to exclude one ingredient, lol). All those episodes of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita made it easier to know the dishes. 

Our septuagenarian sleuth seems almost invincible at times. I don’t know how she gets so much cooking done (I love to cook but not as much as she does) and has the energy to solve cases. But yeah, they don’t make people like that anymore, so it kinda feels realistic too. 

The book ends with a lead to the next book, and I am totally excited to read it. Book three sounds like it will up the danger levels. What else does a reader want? ;) 

To summarize, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is a delightful cozy mystery with a beautiful setting and intriguing characters. Pick it up when you want something light and breezy but with some food for thought. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Bantam, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NonnaMariaandtheCaseoftheStolenNecklace #NetGalley 

*** 

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace
by Lorenzo Carcaterra
Pub Date 02 May 2023
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam
Mystery & Thrillers
Rating: 5/5

A big congratulations to Lorenzo Carcaterra on the publication of Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace, his second mystery inspired by his own Nonna Maria and childhood memories of Ischia, a tiny island in Naples Bay. Although I've read both books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them, each can be read independently.

A woman in her 70s like Nonna Maria isn't your average person. A spry and energetic woman, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and loves a good cup of espresso. It is well known that she is a wise and perceptive individual. Residents of Ischia often consult her about their lives. There is no one better than Nonna Maria at giving advice on romance and solving crimes.

Ischia is the scene of two separate crimes: the discovery of a dead woman's body on the side of the road and the theft of a prominent woman's valuable necklace from a hotel. Nonna Maria begins investigating both crimes due to personal ties to those involved. Can Nonna Maria unravel these two mysteries before death strikes again in Ischia?

May 2nd marks the release date of this clean and refreshing mystery. It is a very delightful and descriptive piece of writing. Reading the book, you can visualize the characters and the beautiful setting. Nonna Maria, with her sleuthing detective skills, is one of my all-time favorite characters. Her outlook and antics make me smile. This book is highly recommended for older mystery fans. You will enjoy it!

Thank you Lorenzo Carcaterra and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the privilege of reviewing this book. When I received my gift copy, I was thrilled. I treasure it dearly!

 

It’s the month of July and tourism season is thriving on the island of Ischia, eighteen miles off the coast of Naples. But two separate crimes create a stir in the community and local law enforcement will have their hands full. . Arianna Conte, one of the guests at The Grand Hotel Excelsior accuses one of the cleaning staff, a local girl, of stealing a valuable necklace. In addition to the case of the the missing necklace, the discovery of the body of the unidentified woman of the side of the curved road in Barano has the carabinieri scrambling to find out who and/or what caused her death.

A lifelong islander in her seventies with a penchant for solving crimes to assist those who require her help (she knows everyone on the island and keeps a tab on what is happening around her through her vast network of personal contacts),Nonna Maria is known for her wisdom and her network of personal contacts. Paolo Murino, the Carabinieri captain trusts and respects her and they often collaborate, Nonna Maria assisting the investigation in an unofficial capacity, of course. Nonna Maria has a personal interest in both cases case because the girl accused of theft is Loretta, her goddaughter and a young man, a friend of Nonna Maria, believes he might be responsible for the accident that caused the death of the unidentified woman. Nonna Maria also suspects that the dead woman might be someone with a personal connection to the island.

With its charming setting, fluid narrative and interesting cast of characters, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is an engaging read and a worthy addition to Lorenzo Carcaterra’s Nonna Maria series. Nonna Maria is an endearing character I had so much fun following her as she went about unraveling the two mysteries on hand. This septuagenarian is smart, perceptive and resourceful and manages to glean more information between sips of wine and cups of strong coffee (that recipe for her special brew is tempting!) faster than the local carabinieri on the job. Her vast network of children, grandchildren, friends and allies from all walks of life is beyond impressive and once again does not fail her as she endeavors to get to she endeavors to get to the truth behind both incidents that have shocked her community. The mysteries in this series might not strike you as particularly complex (they lean toward the cozy mystery genre) but what draws you in is not just the mystery but the settings and the characters. The vivid imagery and captivating descriptions of the island and the lives of the islanders and their community and the history, traditions and culture truly enrich the narrative and transport you to island of Ischia. I can't wait for the next installment in this series. I was intrigued by the lead-in for the next story in the final chapter of the book. Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone novel but I would recommend reading the first book too if you enjoy this one.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on May 2, 2023.