One of the most delightful books I’ve read in a while, this book is a gentle, enjoyable story that will make you wish you knew and had befriended a Nonna Maria of your own. While you’re making wishes, you might wish for a trip to the Island of Ischia regularly for vacation if you can’t just out and out move there. The people are wonderful, the pace is a beat slower than much of current chaotic life, and Nonna Maria has an intelligence and ability that comes from years of living and learning from everything around her. It’s the perfect book for anyone who wants an excellent story, great characters, and relaxed surroundings that all combine to make you feel as if you are wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a warm cup of coffee (or as Nonna Maria might suggest a glass of wine) in front of a comfortable fire with a light snow falling outside.

There is the primary story, which is a young woman who seeks Nonna Maria’s help as she finds herself having agreed to marry a man she hardly knows and an uneasy feeling this is a huge mistake. The solution that Nonna Maria sets in motion is a through line for the entire book. At the same time, she becomes involved in solving the death (murder) of a friend on his boat, the death (murder) of the head of the Carabinieri’s sister, and a host of other issues.

As Nonna Maria walks around the island she elicits help from others, some of whom are outcasts and some of whom seem to belong to a different world, but all of whom count themselves as friends of Nonna Maria. She knows the talents and the faults of all these people, she has encountered them in a wide variety of situations, and will tell you in a heartbeat that information she has is hers to have and not to share. She is able to see the deep goodness in people some might write off as law-breaking, as well as to understand the deep evil that others keep well hidden beneath a veneer of polish.

The Captain of the Carabinieri acknowledges that people seek Nonna Maria’s help before his official help. Her explanation involves the fact that the people who seek her help are from families that have been residents of the island for generations. They know one another at a level that can’t be achieved by someone who has only been on the island a few years. As for Nonna Maria, she doesn’t say she solves problems or “takes cases”, she simply helps friends and in so doing she deepens the friendship. This, in turn, helps deepen and continue the respect and caring the people have for Nonna Maria and each other.

Nonna Maria is a very different main character, one most readers will respect and fall in love with. The Island of Ischia is a delightfully different location for a mystery book, not at all like the typical English village or American tourist spot. It’s almost like the location and the people have been plucked out of an alternate universe and the reader is now privileged to get a long look at what life might be like in that universe. Much like taking a step back in time, the book affords us an opportunity to enjoy life at a slower pace, people who are content to live in that slower world. Overarching all of that is a celebration of Nonna Maria and an appreciation of what age and knowledge can bring when we stop revering youth because it looks smooth and attractive.

If Lorenzo Carcaterra writes another book featuring Nonna Maria and the Island of Ischia, sign me up; I want to be one of the first ones to read it. My thanks to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books for providing an advance copy for this review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Meet Nonna Maria, the matriarch and, as she has been told, the Sherlock Holmes of the island of Ischia. “Who is he?” she asks. She has a sharp eye, keen wit, intuitive mind and interest in listening and helping any islander that shows up at her door.
Author Lorenza Carcaterra brings both Nonna and her island to life with a beautifully narrated, colorful canvas and deep appreciation of Ischia, its history, changes, traditions and folklore.
The book revolves around a centuries old practice , La Faturra, where a young woman would be brought under a spell with a potion by a man seeking a wife to gain her dowry. She would wake, befuddled for a lengthy period of time, in which she would sign a marital agreement or even “wake up” married.
The scene is set and the action begins as Nonna enlists a varied gathering of helpers when a young woman is placed in this dilemma.
Captain Murano, Pepe the painter, her young grandson, her nephew Agostino, and other fringe islanders who revere Nonna are called in, needed for this sensitive, particular job.
There is a murder subplot, a boat, a dog, and altogether, I loved this book. I want to have a cup of Nonna Maria’s coffee- the only coffee she will drink- and I would very much like to stroll the seaside, walk up the hills, take in the tastes, smells, sounds, and bask in the glory of simple pleasures and the amazing charm of each and every person I was introduced to in Ischia.

"When a crime on a beautiful Italian island stumps the police, locals turn to the trusted elderly widow Nonna Maria in this transporting mystery from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lorenzo Carcaterra, "one of the all-time greats" (Jeffery Deaver).

Nonna Maria has lived on Ischia, an island in the Gulf of Naples, her entire life. Recognizable by the widow’s black she’s worn every day for decades, she always has pasta on the stove and espresso in the pot for the neighbors who stop by to ask her advice on life and love. Everyone knows her, and she knows everyone’s business. So if something goes wrong, islanders look to her, not the local carabinieri, to find the solution.

When a recently engaged woman confesses that she’s afraid her fiancé, a stranger to Ischia with a murky past, might not be who he seems, Nonna Maria helps her disappear so she can investigate the true nature of her betrothed. The stranger has also raised the suspicions of Captain Murino of the carabinieri, but he’s occupied investigating the death of a tour boat captain who drowned in the wee hours of the morning. Captain Murino believes it was an accident, but Nonna Maria knows the man was a born sailor and too good a swimmer to drown, no matter how much wine he might have drunk. While Captain Murino has his hands full, she pours herself a glass of white wine and gets to work, even though getting involved will expose her to the dangers lurking just beneath the surface of her idyllic home."

Because everyone needs a good Italian crime story every once in awhile.

This book had so much atmosphere! The feel reminded me a bit of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series because the characters and setting felt more important than the mystery.

Nonna Maria is an an elderly widow living on an Italian island. She's lived there her entire life, raised a large family, and seems to know everyone. People come to her when they need help. We watch her investigate a young girl's fiancee in an all-too-sudden engagement, and she also gets involved in a drowning that most think is accidental. But really, those situations take a back seat to Nonna Maria's personality, as she interacts with the wide variety of people on the island, cooks delicious meals, and drinks a lot of wine and coffee. I loved her character and her insights, and the story kept me interested and engaged.

I was really glad I discovered this book on netgalley - and big thanks to the author and Bantam books for letting me read it!

The author’s endeavor to cast a main character as a mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother to many in a cozy mystery worked for me. While others say she is a sleuth, she says she doesn’t solve crimes, but helps friends and family when they’re in trouble. The locals on the Italian island of Ischia are more likely to turn to Maria for help than to the local police.

Anna, a recently engaged woman tells Maria that she is afraid of her finance. She doesn’t remember much of the last few weeks and wonders if something is wrong. Maria helps her disappear for a while. Is Andrea Bartoli truly in love with Anna or is there something more sinister happening? Maria talks with the local police captain Murino, but he’s also involved with investigating the death of a tour boat captain who drowned. Was it an accident or murder? Between the two of them, they work to find answers to both cases.

Maria is smart, listens to all sides of an argument, and doesn’t rush to judgment. She has intuitive instincts and is nurturing and caring for those she knows and loves. Her character has depth, but the supporting characters don’t have a lot of depth except from Captain Murino.

This is a book to be savored. It is not a fast-paced book, but it brilliantly portrays the city, the local people, the sites, and the customs on the island, bringing them to life. The author managed to provide fantastic insight into the characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions toward others. The writing flows well and is very descriptive. Weaving love, survival, family, friendship, family dynamics, death, marriage, folk beliefs, food, and much more into the story kept this reader turning the pages.

Overall, this was a moving, charming, and memorable novel with some pivotal stressful and emotional moments. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Lorenzo Carcaterra provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 3, 2022.

Loved this book, such a fun and easy read! Nonna Maria is a great character, loved the beautiful setting and the great cast of family and friends. I definitely cannot wait to read more. Just an fyi for those looking for thrills or surprises; there really isn’t any. But the journey is so fun.

Nonna Maria is a cross between Miss Marple and Paola Brunetti.

Lorenzo Carcaterra's character in "Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride" compares to Agatha Christie's heroine in age and mien. The wife of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti comes to mind when Nonna Maria cooks for her huge family.

Nonna Maria has just poured herself a cup of expresso -- the only expresso she will drink -- when a young girl comes to her house on the island of Ischia, a ferry ride from Naples, terrified of her fiance. A lifelong resident of Ischia, Nonna Maria -- who has never left the island -- knows everyone on the island whose help will be needed.

Although calling in favors for assistance, Nonna Maria always takes along a mouthwatering treat for the helper. Maybe a sandwich on homemade bread stuffed with local cheeses and tomatoes, onions and basil from her garden. There's always a bottle of white wine and a glass in her carryall, too.

Everyone obeys her. Everyone loves her. She is the quintessential Italian grandmother... and she always gets her man.

The premise and setting were intriguing, unfortunately, this book did not work for me. The story is told in such a way that I felt no connection with any of the characters. There was no depth to any of them. The author rambled about things not pertaining to either storyline. I’m still not sure why we needed to know or care that Nonna Maria only bought her wine from one vineyard and only drank one type of wine for her whole life. By the time we got to the murder, I’d forgotten who Pasquale was and that we’d met him. I also found this story lacking tension. Had the author taken the time to write this in a deep third-person point of view, we might have had a chance to really get to know the characters, to feel what they were feeling. But nope. Nothing.

I also found the resolutions of each “mystery” lacking, anti-climactic, and unrealistic. I’ve lived on a small Italian island (La Maddalena) and trust me, the carabinieri were not to be messed with. People had a healthy respect for these police officers. I so wanted to read this story, to be transported back to Italy and immersed in that world that I loved, but sadly this story did not hit the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the early read.

Nonna Maria is a resourceful, determined woman! I love how she had everything in hand. This was a really good book! I can’t wait to see what she gets into next.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

When I was offered an ARC of this book, I at first had some misgivings I thought it might be one of those cutesy cozy mysteries that are so common these days. My taste in mysteries leans toward more hard boiled, gritty fare.
I was wrong. I totally loved this book. Every town needs a Nonna Maria. She is the go-to person when you need help. She knows everybody and just about everything that goes on in her town. In this book, Nonna Maria solves a murder and saves a young woman from a forced marriage to a con man who is alleged to have murdered at least one previous wife for her money.
Lorenzo Carcaterra knows how to spin a tale. This one is a winner.

Everyone will want a Nonna Maria in their lives after reading this book. Nonna is an elderly widow living in Ischia, an Italian island. She is a beloved soul to whom everyone turns when they are in trouble or worried. A charming, delightful story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nonna Maria knows all on the picturesque island of Ischia. She reminded me of a don out of a Hollywood movie. Much of her experience was based on being able to read people and decades of experience.
She was my favorite character. The mystery part was good, but I just wanted more of Nonna Maria. Everyone needs a person like her in their lives.

Although this is a fictionalized account of Nonna Maria’s crime solving, it is written with the love and respect shown so amply in Three Dreamers. Each is a stand alone, but I would heartily recommend reading Three Dreamers first. Each book is wonderful and this one is filled with two crimes and Nonna Maria’s intuition and wisdom in solving them along with the assistance of almost everyone living on or visiting Ischia! Thanks to Net Galley and Bantam (Random House) for an ARC for an honest review.

This is not at all what I was expecting from this author - but in a good way.

Nonna Maria is a woman in her 70's, but don't let her age fool you. She is well respected by those who know her and is a sounding board for many who have problems. She loves nothing more that to give advice.

Anna is in a horrible relationship, and with Nonna's help arranges to 'disappear'. Will her fiance find her? And if he does, what will the consequences be?

The author does an excellent job of telling the story and making you feel as if you are part of the tale. Very well done.

Where do I start….this book takes you on a small island in Italy. It takes you through the lives of the village. It shows how trust faith and love can save lives. Nona Maria is a character. One that we all would love to meet. She is compassionate, caring , cunning yes…cunning. She has it all. You will love her the minute you start reading. One of my favorite lines are….
coffee or wine, Nonna,” Gian Luca said. “He drinks tea.” “Then it’s a good thing the two of us can never meet,” Nonna Maria said. “I can’t trust a man who doesn’t drink coffee or wine.”. I laughed so hard at that line. There are many like this in this book. It was a book I didn’t want to end. I hope there are more books coming with Nonna Maria in them

Nonna Marie and the Case of the Missing Bride by Lorenzo Carcaterra
This was an interesting, quick paced cozy mystery. I liked the characters and especially Nonna Marie, she has alot of spunk and is quite the detective in an unassuming way. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC and letting me leave my opinion.

This is quite a departure from Lorenzo Carcaterra’s previous gritty crime novels. Nonna Maria is an elderly widow living on a small, Italian island. She is the “go-to” woman for people with problems and knows everyone and everything going on. She investigates two problems – helping a woman hide while she investigates her perhaps-shady fiancee, and the mysterious drowning death of a born sailor. An enjoyable novel which feels like it was written in easier, simpler times.

I enjoyed the book. The characters were great, loved Nonna Maria. It was a bit too cozy for my tastes, but the story, the characters, and the writing were great! Highly recommend to those particularly that want a well-written, enjoyable cozy. Even has a likeable dog in it!

If you are looking for an amusing, enjoyable mystery then this is the one for you. It is set on the island of Ischia off the coast of Italy. From the very beginning I loved all the characters as they were introduced by the author. Nonna Maria is an elderly woman much beloved on her small island. Those living there take all their troubles to her to solve rather than going to the local police. She is always helpful to them and they trust her. In this story a young woman is to be married to a man she hardly knows and Nonna helps her escape but this story is so much more than that. It is a series of mysteries that she works with the local carabinieri to solve and they really need her help.

As you stroll down the harbor with the author, or have coffee with Nonna at her kitchen table you can smell the sea and taste the coffee. From the beginning you become very involved. I look forward with great interest to reading more stories by this very talented author. I highly recommend this book.

What I wouldn’t give to sit down over a cup of coffee with Nonna Maria. Modeled after his own grandmother, Lorenzo Carcaterra has introduced us to a magnificent character who you instantly long to take a stroll along the island with. Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride is categorized as mystery & thriller, but I would consider it to be more of a casual fiction read than an edge-of-your-seat thriller. While there are a couple of mysteries Nonna Maria consults on throughout this novel, I feel this was more of an introduction to the cast of characters on the island of Ischia than a hard-hitting detective novel.

Nonna Maria’s connection to those who live on the island has been built over the course of decades, and the love for her community makes her a trusted matriarch for those who seek her out for advice and support.

This was my first Lorenzo Carcaterra novel but it certainly won’t be the last. If he turns Nonna Maria into a series it will definitely make my “beach read” list. Easy to follow and an overall quick read, I look forward to seeing what Nonna Maria gets up to next time.