Nonna Maria and the people of Ischia are some of my favorite characters in mystery literature these days and this new adventure is a fabulous follow up to the first in the series.

The close knit community combined with Nonna Maria’s quick with and cunning mind put me in mind of an Italian Miss Marple, where a deep knowledge of human nature and logical thinking pave the way for solutions to the problems. Here, Nonna works out the life story of an unidentified woman found dead on the roadside, but also saves her goddaughter from a bogus charge of theft. In both instances, Nonna knows the human compulsions and foibles that form the basis for both murder and fraud, and she uses that knowledge to flush out the guilty parties.

Mystery readers looking for a Marple-esque series for the 21st century will enjoy Carcaterra’s series.

Recommended.

NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE STOLEN NECKLACE
Lorenzo Carcaterra

A cozy mystery at the start of summer? Only if it’s set in Italy.

In this installment of Lorenzo Carcaterra’s Nonna Maria novels Nonna is contacted by her goddaughter who is being accused of a crime. Elsewhere in the city of Ischia a woman turns up dead with very few clues as to who the murderer is. But have faith Nonna is on both cases. And surely if anyone can solve it, she can.

I was won over by Nonna Maria and her amateur sleuthing ways. At first, I admit Nonna Maria was a little annoying. She has a particular way of going about things which to me looks a lot like hindering a police investigation. And it took a while into the book before I turned off my annoying inner voice and just enjoyed the book.

The writing is cozy and transportive. It is a great book for armchair travelers as there is a lot of descriptions of the area and the characters themselves are walking billboards for the small town. Their demeanors seemed different, they talked at a slower pace and talked of things seen by sitting still and being observant.

Nonna goes about solving the cases in a series of logical next steps and conclusions come by thoughtful observation. It felt somewhat like a traditional mystery without modern ways of solving a crime being used. It reminded me of reading THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY earlier this year.

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

NONNA MARIA AND THE CASE OF THE STOLEN NECKLACE…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved rhe first book in this series, but dare I say I got bored of all the scenery and food descriptions ad this one went on? Or maybe I was just frustrated I couldn't enjoy them myself. Either way, it didn't capture me like rhe first.

I requested this book because I have a very special Nonna Maria in my life!

I did not realize that I have read another book from this author. I read Sleepers when I was in a Brad Pitt phase. I mean, who wasn’t?!

It did not disappoint, and I especially fell in love with Nonna Maria. She is witty, sharp, and the backbone of her community.

I enjoyed the interwoven theme of family in this mystery who-done-it x2! I was not expecting to have 2 different mysteries unfold in the book.

While this is a part of a series, it was not necessary to read Book 1, and is a standalone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and plan to pick up Book 1 in this series, for more of Nonna Maria!!

If you love books with Italy as a backdrop, this is for you!

Rating: 3.5 - rounded up

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to provide my unbiased opinion!

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is a charming whodunit with a very smart amateur detective!

Nonna Maria lives on the island of Ischia in Italy, where she cooks and bakes and takes care of not only her family, but many other residents of the island as well. Her range of influence goes further, though, into all parts of Italy, as she is one of those people who everyone knows, and earns people's love and respect by doing the right thing (at least most of the time).

There are two cases occupying her time. One is the case mentioned in the title, a necklace that has been reported stolen from Grand Hotel Excelsior. Arianna Conte insists that the maid must have taken it, but, unknown to her, the maid is Nonna Maria's goddaughter, and Nonna Maria isn't going to let her be blamed for something she didn't do.

The second case involves a dead body. Nonna Maria is fairly sure she knows who the dead body is, and if she knows that, she also knows why she was killed and who did it. Nonna Maria feels guilt about her death because she knows that there was something she could have done years ago that might have prevented this death.

This book focuses on the solving of these cases, but it also focuses on Nonna Maria and the other residents of Ischia. I enjoy mysteries that expose the minutiae of daily life in a new place, like this small island in Italy. I had to get used to the rhythm and structure of how this story was told, because it is different from other cozy mysteries. The third-person structure separates you from the character in some ways, but it still makes for a good story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Nonna Maria's small island of Ischia is suddenly experiencing a crime wave. Her goddaughter is accused of stealing a hotel guest expensive necklace and a body is found on the side of the road. Nonna Maria, who knows everyone, is determined to get to the bottom of both crimes in this charming mystery with a delightful cast of characters. The writing is vivid and draws you into the setting and the characters. This book is a first time read for me by this author, but I will definitely be reading more.

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

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 beautiful "love note" of a novel by an author who is a true artist of the written word.

There are likely only a few of us who didn't experience the innocence-obliterating heartbreak of Carcaterra's bestselling novel, Sleepers, a story you experienced heartbeat-by-heartbeat, along with the youths in the novel (especially during the most painful passages).

If you have not read this author before, this is a wonderful introduction to a uniquely talented writer.

However, if you are already familiar with Carcaterra's writing, this is not the writer of angst-filled 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, told in honor of a beautiful soul,a woman who is a protector, a friend, a mother and a grandmother to all who embody the wide group of individuals who are lucky enough to be labeled her friends.

Being one of Nomma Marie's friends is a top designation indeed, one that offers phenomenal cooking, warmth, as well as a unique wisdom borne of vast intelligence and experience, all joined with love, intelligence, honesty and ageless wisdom, such are the traits embodied by Nomma Maria.

Having such a wealth of loved ones nearby allows Nomma Maria to back her wise suggestions with help from her friends who work in various fields, all of who are happily wiling to provide support or assistance at Nonna Maria's request.

lessons, strong espresso (with a hint of
chocolate) and an iron-will combine to make a Nomma Maria someone we should all be lucky enough to have in our lives.

Until next time...

A somewhat cozy mystery set in Ischia, Italy. The location does come to life, but I had a hard time placing the timeframe of the story. It seemed like something that would have happened in the 1960s, but apparently it is set in more modern times. This threw me off as the characters acted like some from many years ago, so it felt less believable.

As a comparison to Miss Marple, I get why they say that, but this was a far different book and not as compelling as Christie's writing.

Read it if you want more of a family drama and beautiful setting, and would enjoy hearing about an Italian grandmother, instead of a true mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel,

I dove right into the second book on this series without having read the first when #NetGalley and #RandomHouse offered me an advance readers copy.
After spending several hours with the Nonna Maria I’ve already ordered book 1, and have followed the author so I’ll be alerted when book 3 comes out, we’ve already been given a teaser about it as this book ends.
Nonna Maria has a granddaughter who has been accused of stealing a priceless heirloom necklace from a guest at the hotel where she works as a maid. She also needs to help a young friend determine if he was responsible for the death of a woman whose body was found along side the road. Living on the small Italian island of Ischia, Nonna Maria has a network of family and friends, including the police captain, who help her find the answers to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed that she isn’t just a perfect little old lady, but one who has her dark side, is willing to befriend those with questionable pasts, admits to being imperfect and feels guilt for not having always done the right thing. Oh, and wine, and espresso. She certainly enjoys those. Her only trait I couldn’t relate to was her not eating or drinking anything at the wonderful restaurants described. Imagine sitting in a sun drenched garden looking over the sparkling sea and not enjoying any of the fresh seafood! Nonna Maria does cook up fabulous foods herself, so don’t read this when you’re hungry.
A wonderful mystery when you’re in the mood to travel via your book, I’m happy to have been introduced to her.

Nonna Maria’s goddaughter has been charged with stealing a necklace and has lost her job as cleaning staff in one of the prominent hotels on the island of Ischia. Nonna Maria tends to know almost everyone. She wonders about a necklace that no one has seen. She also is involved in a side case of a woman killed and left by the side of the road. There’s a lot of charm in these mysteries. And Nonna Maria is an old-time village sleuth. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A Satisfyingly Cozy Mystery

Nonna Maria is the most delightful amateur sleuth to come along in a long time. She approaches every interview with a basket of food and perceptive questions. That is why everyone on the tiny island of Ischia turns to Nonna Maria in times of trouble.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is the second Nonna Maria book by Lorenzo Carcaterra. I enjoyed this one so much I have downloaded the first and can’t wait to spend a lazy afternoon with Nonna Maria. I don’t know how she finds the time to make all the delicious food she is always giving family and friends, but I sure wish I was one of the lucky recipients.

The author and characters of this ARC were totally new to me. I quickly was engaged by Nonna Maria and her story. She's definitely a quirky character and one you will stay up late reading. The author has a smooth style and moves you right along. Everything you need to know is enfolded into the action. I was left with a feeling of completion and am a new fan of Nonna Maria.

Nonna Maria's goddaughter has been accused of stealing a very expensive necklace from a guest at the hotel she works at. Nonna Maria knows she is innocent, but how to prove it? A stolen necklace isn't the only mystery. A woman is found dead on the side of the road. No one knows who she is or why she is in Ischia. Nonna Maria thinks she might know the answer to both questions and even perhaps who killed her.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is the second book in the Nonna Maria cozy mystery series. You don't have to read book 1 to enjoy this book, but they are quick, fun reads so you might want to read them both. Check out my review of book 1.

This series is a great read for summer. I felt like I took a little vacation every time I picked up the book. The descriptions of this small island in southern Italy made me feel like I was just there. There are also a number of mentions of coffee and wine - I don't drink coffee but I found that I wanted to pour a glass of wine while reading the story.

If you saw my Mother's Day post about memorable mothers in fiction, you saw that I included Nonna Maria on the list. I love this character. She is amusing but not in the usual quirky cozy mystery way. Yes, she has some quirks like she won't eat or drink anything except that which comes from her kitchen. She is amusing in the way mature women are when they no longer care what people think or social conventions.

Both mysteries are interesting. The book would have been good even if the stolen necklace was the only mystery to be solved. But the murder of the woman gave us a look into Nonna Maria's past and provided background on the town.

If you are ready for a vacation but can't right now, take a book vacation with this book.

My review will be published at Girl Who Read on Wednesday, May 17 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/05/nonna-maria-and-case-of-stolen-necklace.html

A fun mystery. This is from an experience author and he knows how to create a good plot and interesting characters. Nicely done.

Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!

It was such a delight to return to Ischia with Nonna Maria.

This book has two separate mysteries that Nonna Maria, in her unique way of talking to people, helps solve.

I love how everyone on Ischia wants to help her. There is of course the odd one here or there that doesn’t really like Nonna Maria, but that is to be expected.

Between the descriptions of food and of the island, I found myself wanting to travel there.

I love the way this series seems to also be slowly revealing parts of Nonna Maria’s life. Her love for her friends and family is one of my favorite parts about these books.

The set up for the next mystery at the end has me anxiously awaiting the next installment.

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

This is the second story in this series that I have read. Although you can read both of them as stand-alones. The author makes me want to be a part of this community. I love it when an author can make you feel like that. I love all the characters and how they interact with each other. It’s seems like such a loving community. If you like mystery and suspense, I believe you would like this story, and I can’t wait till the next one comes out.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Nonna Maria, is an elderly widow, has problems with her hip and walks with a limp. She lives in a small picturesque Italian island of Ischia. She has lived there all her life and has a large family - children, grandchildren, great grandchilden and many, many friends who are her extended family. She is a wonderful cook - Beware - you will definitely crave Italian food while reading! - In addition to her culinary skills, she is fearless, smart, compassionate, kind, generous, loyal, observant and intelligent everything you would want in a relative or friend.
These skills of course makes her the perfect person to join forces with the local police to solve crimes - particularly those that involve her family or friends.
This is the second book of the series - The first was Noona Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride. You do not have to read this first, although you will want to after reading the Case of the Stolen Necklace!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing a ARC copy for an unbiased rewiew

I love the character of Nonna Maria. She has lived all her life on the island of Ishia and is highly respected by her community. She previously helped the police solve a mystery using her knowledge of the residents of the island and her canny wit. People know that she will keep their secrets and help anyone in need. Although this is part of a series, both books can be read as stand-alones. A woman has been found dead along a nearby road. No one knows who she is, although Nonna Maria has a feeling that she may know her. In the meantime, a guest at the hotel claims that her valuable necklace has been stolen and the culprit is Loretta, Nonna Maria’s goddaughter. This is Nonna Maria’s main focus as she knows Loretta is very honest and she is determined to clear her name. Nonna sets out to speak with her friends on the island as this is her way of investigating. Having led a simple life on the island, she walks everywhere and gains information as she goes. Her no nonsense approach works well. I enjoyed this book and this character very much. I’m hoping there will be another book in this series.

Also reviewed on B&N under 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo under IrishEyes430

Wait..Lorenzo Carcaterra? Like Lorenzo Carcaterra of Sleepers fame, one of my favorite movies of all time?! Ok yes. Yes I want to read this asap.

“‘Justice can be served in many ways’, Nonna Maria said. ‘What matters is he was caught, not who did the catching.’”

“‘Lies can always be presented as facts, Captain,’ Nonna Maria said. ‘And if told well, they are easier to believe. The truth is much more difficult to uncover.’”

Wow do I love me some Nonna Maria! Oh my. I have had the pleasure of visiting Naples and Capri and many other areas of southern Italy mentioned in this story. And because of this I was immediately engrossed in the food, the smells, the ocean, the stone buildings, the heritage. Did I mention the food? Ya. I love Italians.

This book, a cozy mystery, was precious and I devoured it. Nonna Maria has contacts that reach far and wide and the loyalty of everyone on the island of Ischia. What a hoot she is. Fiercely devoted to her late husband she lives her life just trying to do what she can to right the wrongs of the world and help her friends. This book ends with what I think (and hope) is a lead into another book in the series and I will for sure preorder that as soon as it’s available! This is Nonna Maria book 2 which I was unaware of going into it, but works just fine as a stand alone. *immediately adds book 1, Nonna Maria And The Case Of The Missing Bride, to cart*

And for the women in my husbands Italian family who have cooked most of the best food my mouth has ever tasted…“If my stomach had arms it would hug you.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Random House Publishing, and the author for the #gifted copy.

2.5 simple light stars, rounded up
“’You can finish the story another time.’ ‘I’ll rest enough when I’m dead,’ Nonna Maria said. ‘And this is something you need to hear.’”

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is an easy-to-follow, light cozy mystery. I liked a few things about Nonna Maria, but some things annoyed me quite a bit. She often described herself as old, being in in her seventies. Nineties yes, eighties maybe, but I hope I don’t constantly talk about my ‘old-woman-ness’ in my seventies. Nonna is quirky – never going to restaurants or a movie. She is uneducated and doesn’t read books or magazines.

Nonna Maria cooks fantastic meals on her fifty-year-old stove and generously shares them with friends and family. When does she have time for this? “No problem, either big or small, can ever be solved on an empty stomach.” The food descriptions are yummy. “When you’re in love, even the bitterest coffee tastes sweet.” The continual talk about wine made me open a bottle. ; - D The best thing about Nonna Maria is that she is a good friend and a good listener.

The style is slow and chatty with much dialog. The author has written for TV, and it shows. I would have liked more insights than passing remarks and endless dialog. Two plot lines – the stolen necklace and a murdered woman keep the pace ambling along. I doubt anyone will be up late at night reading this.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.