fraud, friendship, family, family-dynamics, fast-pace, flim-flam, food, Italy, island-life, law-enforcement, situational-humor, verbal-humor, organized-crime, murder, murder-investigation, senior-citizens, septuagenarian, widow, thriller, cozy-mystery*****

What wonderful characters! Nonna Maria is like everyone's favorite grandmother on the beautiful island of Ischia, and she has more common sense than most as well as a logical mind (I think it's the coffee). The publisher's blurb is an excellent hook and gives hints as to the sleuthing inside so no need to repeat that stuff. The story is fast paced, has many humorous incidents, is solidly plotted, and gives a full view of this lovely Mediterranean island off the coast of Italy. I loved it, but I don't want to give it all away.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam via NetGalley. Thank you!

Fast paced, exciting and well told. A story highlighting how the wisdom from age can be helpful in more ways than one.

Nonna Maria of Ischia is beloved by her friends and neighbors. They all look to her for advice, guidance and even help at times. When Anna Maria wakes up with a fiancé, she seeks out Nonna Maria for help as she is afraid of Andrea, a new comer to Ischia. Nonna helps Anna disappear so she can look into the fiancé and find out what and who he really is.

As Nonna is using her connections to get information on Andrea, she hears news that her friend Pasquale, an old boat captain, has died. Nonna doesn’t believe it’s from the circumstances given. So now she’s not only looking into Andrea, she’s also looking for a killer.

Wow, I am SO glad I found this author, Lorenzo Carcaterra! This was such great read and I couldn’t put it down. We all need a Nonna Maria in our lives…I know I want my own after reading this book!

Nonna Maria is an elderly widow, a mother, grandmother and the island of Ischia's go-to problem solver. Everyone relies on her wisdom for resolving everything from minor spats to serious issues. She only drinks coffee from her own kitchen, wine and she doesn't drink water, woman after my own heart! She was beautifully described, the type of woman I would love to know and call my friend.
Anna is barely an adult when she finds herself engaged to Andrea Bartoli, a man she just met and her memory of the brief courtship is foggy.
Anna seeks guidance from Nonna to get out of the wedding while still saving her own and her family's dignity. Anna is fearful of Bartoli, she suspects he used something illicit to control her.
Nonna has a network of island business owners, merchants, neighbors, acquaintances and many family members. They share knowledge, garden produce, wine and trade stories and favors.
Bartoli has a reputation as a ladies man - if they are wealthy. His last wife, sister of local carabinieri Captain Murino, died under suspicious circumstances.
The island of Ischia, near Naples, is a tourist destination during warm summer months. Tour boats are popular. An old captain, Pasquale Favorini, has a young first mate, Buonopana. He's gotten himself into debt and is involved with organized crime. Pasquale ends up dead. Nonna doesn't think it was his wine consumption or the turbulent sea.
There remains many of the old traditions, folklore, spells and curses with the locals. This isn't a place I'm familiar with. After reading the author's wonderful descriptions I'm ready to pack.
Nonna works with her friends and family on Ischia and beyond, Captain Murino and even the perrish priest, Don Marco, to devise a plan to prevent Bartoli from marrying Anna. The suspense builds and I couldn't read fast enough to see if Nonna saves Anna from the marriage to the evil, dispicable Bartoli.
An author I have never read before, but will in the future. A very quick, easyily read, heartwarming story with unbeatable atmospheric scenery and local color, highly recommend. The author should make this a series.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Lorenzo Carcaterra and Random House for the advance digital copy of "Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride". These are my personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

Widowed wise woman Nonna Maria lives on Ischia, off the coast of Naples. She is often consulted by residents when something bad or odd happens instead of their going to the local carabinieri, most of whom are not from the island. So Nonna Maria is not surprised when newly engaged Anna comes to her and tells Nonna Maria she cannot remember much of what happened on the night she met Andrea Bartoli. According to island lore, it could be a case of "La Fattura," when something is put in the food or drink and people wake up married or engaged tio a stranger. Nonna Maria asks various questions of people around the island and consults Captain Paolo Murino about Bartoli. Then an old friend dies mysteriously, and it appears there is more than one mystery to solve and more than one dangerous person on the island, especially now that there are more tourists around. Nonna Maria is a wonderful character and Ischia is almost a character as well. I would enjoy having a cup of her legendary coffee and spending time with her. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nonna Maria and The Case of the Missing Bride was phenomenal read. Loved the characters and the way the island of Ischia (Italy) was described sounds like a beautiful place to visit. I loved Nonna Maria character!! She's the one the people on the island go to when there's a problem to be solved. Not the local carabinieri, she's also a fabulous cook. This is a mystery that I recommend you read. I loved the story!! And this is my first book by Lorenzo Carcaterra. I can't wait to read more of this series. I received a ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for my honest opinion.

This was an easy read. Nonna Maria could be thought of as an amateur Sherlock Holmes. She helps to solve cases, along with her local police, involving her friends and neighbors on the island of Ischia, Italy. She helps to solve two cases in this story. While you know how the story is going to turn out, you’re just not sure how it is going to get to the end and who all will be involved in it. Nonna Maria has a whole group of interesting “friends” to help her along the way. This is an enjoyable, delightful story to read.

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Lorenzo Carcaterra, Bantam, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I loved this book!! It MUST be a series!!!

Nonna Maria was based on Lorenzo Carcaterra's REAL nonna!! He devoted 1/3 of his memoir - THREE DREAMERS to his Nonna Maria. That book was beautiful and so was this one.

The story is about Nonna Maria who is native to Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples. She is a problem=solver, drinker of espresso, and solver of mysteries. Now, these mysteries are not the bloody, gory ones that most of us have read. This book was beautifully written and the mystery is secondary to the story.

This was a fun and easy read. It was exactly what I needed in the, hopefully, "endtimes of COVID". I aspire to be a wonderful grandmother like Nonna Maria someday!!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride by Lorenzo Carcaterra takes place on the small Italian island of Ischia where life is simple and everyone knows everyone else - except during the summer season when thousands of tourists on vacation invade the island. Nonna Maria is an elderly widow living alone who is highly respected on the island and knows all the fishermen, shopkeepers, etc. She seems to be the “go to” person when there is a problem for any of the island residents. She often works along 7with the carabinieri ( local police) and is instrumental in solving many crimes/cases on the island involving unsavory characters or local residents - in this novel, the missing bride. She often has the assistance of her large circle of friends and her extended family.

The writing is excellent and returns the reader to a time when life was simple and uncluttered. This reader was indeed nostalgic for the serenity and simplicity of living in a small village - especially after visiting several small towns while vacationing in Italy as one of the dreaded tourists.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bantam Books for the opportunity to read and review an advance reader copy of this very entertaining and enjoyable book.

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride is utterly delightful! Armchair sleuths are whisked away to the beautiful Italian island of Ischia to savor the natural beauty, the descriptions of the food, wine, espresso, traditions, and people, but also to meet a new favorite crime fighter in the unassuming guise of an elderly widow, Nonna Maria. She is no ordinary reluctant detective or busybody who stumbles into mystery solving. Instead, Nonna Maria is a revered and beloved pillar of the community locals go to for help, advice, and conflict resolution. Her powers of deduction and people reading are unmatched. Nonna Maria has lived in Ischia her whole life, and her connections run deep. In this book, she is faced with two cases simultaneously. Although easy to follow, the book keeps the reader guessing how Nonna Maria will weave all the strings together and bring the criminals to justice. But, of course, the answer is don't try to outwit Nonna Maria! The style and cadence of the writing lend an old-world quality to the story as Nonna Maria relies on her wisdom, cleverness, and family and friends to see that justice is served. The secondary characters are vividly depicted, with the island being a solid character in itself, but it is the mysterious and charming Nonna Maria you will not forget. The well-plotted story takes some interesting departures from cozy mystery tropes while leaning into others, which greatly appealed to me as a cozy lover. There are a few darker elements and some touching moments. It was refreshing and fun with a very satisfying ending! Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be sharing on my social media closer to publication date.