Fourth in series and at 61 Auntie Poldi is still going strong, both with her love life and in tracking down the bad guys.

As irreverent and hilarious as ever, this adventure has her breaking into the Vatican and meeting and taking on a case for the pope himself. 😂 There are murders, a secret sinister society, a missing religious relic, break ups, sexy times, visits from the Grim Reaper, and a very big surprise twist.

As wonderful as always.

Much thanks to #NetGalley and #MarinerBooks for providing me the early ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

I love Auntie Poldi, as much for her character as the beautiful sunny settings. But the last book didn't quite work. This one is more on track even if the plot wanders and drifts a bit, it's still Poldi, as vivid as ever, and the Sicily scenery, food and wine, as well as the characters are as wonderful as ever however there are still places that are irritatingly unbelievable such as Death showing up to talk to Poldi.

Strange dealings are afoot in the Apostolic Palace—a nun leapt to her death shortly after participating in a seemingly routine exorcism. But when a priest clad in Gammarelli and a Vatican commissario with an almost unholy level of sex appeal turn up at her door, Poldi is shocked to hear that she’s a suspect in their case. Poldi discovers that the case hinges on a lost Madonna statue, stolen years ago from the pope himself. Can Poldi find the lost statue? We are off to the usual Poldi

Hopefully next time, the series will be more like the fist two. It is so appealing that she let being 60 stand in her way of adventure and romance. Hopefully the next book will include more about her marriage to Montana.

I received a complimentary copy and this is my honest, unsolicited review.

Wonderful story development, rich characters, and a plot that hooks you and never lets you go. I love it when I can immerse myself within a book and just forget about real life for awhile and “become” a part of the story. This book totally delivered!

The older she gets, the wilder and more adventurous Auntie Poldi becomes. She’s not afraid to look death in the face, take on priests, the Pope, and even disguise herself as a nun to achieve justice for the victim. You go, Auntie!

This looked like a good book but when I was approved, it was not available in Kindle. I may see if my library gets this in but the review copy us useless without a Kindle format.

Love aunt poldi everyone has one of her type in their family. The story has great detail and very entertaining. The story had mystery and intrigue in within the series it keeps you looking forward to what will come of aunt poldi in the future. Maybe in the author takes to story to different location like coming to the USA

This was the fourth installment of the Auntie Poldi series and was a lively read. Since there is quite a bit of backstory that is mentioned, I would urge readers to begin with the first book. I enjoyed the way that the story was laid out and that the characters were charmingly Sicilian. As a frequent visitor to the Catania area, I found them realistic - with the exception of Aunt Poldi, but then she is not Sicilian. (Having spent some years in Bavaria, I'm not sure that she's realistically Bavarian either. Poldi is a force unto herself.) I read an early copy of the book, and felt that it needed a good deal of editing - but most likely, the author and his team will work that out. (On another note, if you like Sicilian mysteries that are not necessarily light, try the Montalbano series.) I thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Really want to read this book.

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elaine♧♧

Not really my style I enjoyed it nonetheless. I’d suggest it to others, though I probably won’t seek out the series. Witty, enjoyable read like a cozy mystery book should read.

New to me author and series, at first it wasn't my cup of tea but I gave it some time and the protagonist grew on me. By the end, I was sad to see the novel end and will be on the lookout for others.

Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna is the fourth book in this series detailing the antics of said aunt and her nephew. The action takes place in Sicily and Rome involving exorcism, the Pope, a secret society, murder, and much mayhem. Though the story is a bit fantastical, the humor and hilarity keep the pace fast and the mystery enjoyable. This is the first of this series that I have read, and I wish I had started at the beginning to get a better grip on the characters---however---I still enjoyed the story.

Thank you to #Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and# Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna #NetGalley for an ARC of Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna. Review opinions expressed are my own, I always review books I enjoy--so that others may find them, too.

Auntie Poldi Is Back....!
Auntie Poldi is back! - creating her own particular brand of mayhem once again streets of Sicily and beyond! Our slightly bonkers protagonist is still basking in glory from her previous escapades but is soon to become embroiled in another mystery - no-one (and nothing) is above suspicion - this time involving a lost Madonna. A well written, fun read in a glorious setting.

This was a fast-paced read with lots of drama and silliness. Lots was happening, and I found myself trying to keep up with the antics of Auntie Poldi and the other characters while she was trying to solve the murder of a nun and the theft of the Madonna statue. I will say though that it was entertaining and funny. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a fun cozy mystery and of course perfect for those who already enjoy the series. Not the best starting point for those who are unfamiliar with it but still a fun read nonetheless.

I recieved an advanced copy of this book from #NetGalley. I hadn't read any of the Auntie Poldi books, though I have them in my "to be read" stack. I like the concept of the books: a feisty, middle-aged woman living life with abandon (role model!). However, I did have trouble following the story line, as it jumped back and forth between Poldi's perspective and that of her nephew. The book was enjoyable, with the action starting with an exorcism and moving on to searching through Sicily looking for the Black Madonna. It's a worthy read. I'm going to move Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions to the top of my pile. #NetGalley #AuntiePoldieandtheLostMadonna

This is the fourth in the series of nephew and aunt duo, but the first one I've read. Set in Sicily and in Rome, Italy, the book begins with a creepy exorcism and then later death threats again Aunt Poldi. Struggled a bit with the humor of this book, but that may just be me. In general, I like reading books by different authors around the world, but this one left me a little adrift. The language threw me a bit, the vulgarness and such seemed out of place, and the farting dog seemed overdone. It may also be because I didn't read others in the series, which I admit would have helped. If you've read others in the series and liked them you will like this one as well.

Poldi's nephew is back from the City of Lights and once again takes us on a rollicking ride, propelled by the (somewhat plausible) adventures of his sexagenarian Sicilian sleuth, Auntie Poldi. Take one beehive wig, a liter of grappa, a dash of Baron Munchausen, and a cup of Auntie Mame, and you might just end up with Poldi.

"Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna" begins with an exorcism, where the possessed claims to be Poldi. Soon after, one of the nuns who witnessed the exorcism plunges to her death. Poldi sneaks in to the Vatican to investigate, and uncovers an unholy conspiracy. Encounters include the Pope, twins in fluorescent sneakers, a doppelganger, and, of course, Death and his clipboard.

Poldi's nephew's character growth continues, as does his attempt at writing a novel of his own. Given the plotline of that, you do have to wonder how many of the embellishment's to Poldi's stories are from Poldi herself.

We also learn the history of the Sad Signora.

Poldi and Vito team up in this latest outing, and their relationship is forever altered. As in the preceding novel, "Auntie Poldi and the Handsome Antonio," the Lost Madonna has several red herrings, and Poldi must face her past in order to save her future.

The writing, as always, is exquisite. I don't know how much to attribute to Giordano, the author, and Brownjohn, the translator, but between the two, they produce magic. Go be mesmerized by Poldi.

Highly recommended.

This is the fourth book in the Auntie Poldi series- following the adventures and eccentric escapades of the aforementioned Auntie Poldi. In this book, an exorcism, the death of a nun and a mysterious organisation all weave together to create another tale of quirkiness and the determined and single minded nature of our heroine. Characters from the previous stories are back . You have to focus as the plot is quite complex with various voices narrating scenes and the back and forth dialogue with Poldi and her young nephew.
You have to let go of reality with this book- there are many improbable but amusing scenes- including a collision with the Pope; somehow this book stretched credibility a tad too far and slightly weakened the plot particularly with the arrival of Poldi’s sister. I look forward to the next in the series and hope the story isn’t as fantastical and focuses more of life in Sicily and the lives of the people( maybe a little like a comical Montalbano)in the local area without being so “extreme”. Still an enjoyable crime romp
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy

This was my first Auntie Poldi and nephew foray in the series...this time they were in Sicily and Rome. Sicily is one of my favourite destinations and Rome one of my most beloved cities to visit so the Italian details were great! Being able to get caught up and lost in a different time and place is wonderful.

Strange and stalkish emails, nuns, the Pope and quirky and eccentric Aunt Poldi all feature in this mystery. Poldi and her nephew gallivant from hither to thither in Italy to discover secrets and unravel deceptions and ultimately solve crime. Though interesting it lacked the tension and suspense I was seeking. Aunt Poldi is too silly (especially her constant sexual innuendos) and unbelievable for my taste but this could be just a me thing...others clearly adore her! There are very good witticisms but overall the humour just doesn't engage me. However, the blurbs at the beginning of each chapter are fun and well done. As mentioned, the story whisked me away to the incomparable Italy which I liked.

Light mystery readers who are looking for a big dose of silliness may really enjoy this read. Though it was not my cup of tea, it could very well be yours!

My sincere thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

I had a great deal of difficulty reading this book. I read it via the Net Galley reading app on my iPad as opposed to my Kindle. It was very awkward to manipulate and if you accidentally touched the page it would jump forward. So I was constantly trying to maneuver the book. I also struggle reading books that have been translated. I find them to be somewhat disjointed and lack flow. I had heard great things about this author and his previous books, and I was looking forward to reading this. I just couldn’t finish it. My apologies.
Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity.