Reviews

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra

booknerd7820's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

yvettelovestoread's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra is the final book in the Nonna Maria series it was so good. If you like stories with an assassin with a decades old grudge, a map handed down with a family secret, a hidden treasure in Ischia’s secret cavern then you will love this book. 

This story takes place on the island of Ischia which is in the gulf of Naples, Italy. Nonna Maria is a widowed grandmother who has lived her entire life in Ischia. Nonna Maria always finds herself in a mystery and being a part of solving them. 

The world-building is amazing and being that it takes place in Italy adds to the appeal of the book. The characters main and side were written so well. There was not a part of the book that didn’t keep me hooked. I love the way Lorenzo describes the island, the way he incorporates Ischia’s history, foods, cultures, and the traditions into the story is amazing. I enjoyed the mysteries and the fact that there was not just one but two. I want Nonna Maria as my Nonna!! I cannot wait to go back and was the first two books. I enjoyed this unputdownable page turning book!! Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

theoverbookedbibliophile's review

adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

4.5

 

Delightful and riveting in equal measure, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra is simply unputdownable! When the granddaughter of an old friend approaches Nonna Maria for her assistance in locating treasure hidden by her deceased grandfather in Ischia’s caves, Nonna Maria taps into her knowledge of the history of the island and enlists the help of two islanders who have experience navigating the dangers within the caves. Parallelly, Nonna Maria’s vast network of friends and family also helps her track the movements of a group of criminals who have ventured onto the island to assassinate her friend (with whom she frequently collaborates) Carabinieri Captain Paulo Murino for reasons which are gradually revealed.

There is a lot to unpack in this novel, but the narrative is engaging and at no point do you feel overwhelmed or find the plot(s) difficult to follow. I should mention that this installment is relatively more intense than the preceding books and the author strikes a perfect balance between the parallel storylines. The writing is descriptive, but I enjoyed revisiting Ischia and getting to know more about the characters (old and new) and the history and mythology of the island. Descriptions of the delectable cuisine will make your mouth water. What I wouldn’t do for a peek into Nonna Maria’s black tote! Witty and wise, with a heart of gold, Nonna Maria is a fascinating character! It was a joy to follow this spirited septuagenarian on her latest adventures.

Though the books in this series can be read as standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading all of them! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

lynguy1's review

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

 Lorenzo Carcaterra returns with the third book in this cozy mystery series. The author’s endeavor to cast Maria, the main character, as a friend, mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother to many continues to work 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.

Once again, two cases are intertwined in the plot. Rita, the granddaughter of an old friend comes to Nonna Maria seeking help. Her grandfather left her a map to treasure hidden in one of Ischia’s caverns. The caverns are full of pits, traps, and other hazards. However, he died before he could give her more specifics. The other case involves Captain Paolo Murino, the lead federal law enforcement officer assigned to the island of Ischia, Italy. Paolo created a powerful enemy years ago in Naples. An assassin has come to the island seeking revenge.

Maria is charming, patient, a friend to many, and has a web of connections. She has intuitive instincts and is nurturing and caring for those she knows and loves. Her character has significant depth. Captain Murino has grown over the series. He relies not only on himself and his skill, but on Maria and her circle of contacts. The other characters have a variety of depths and many of them are memorable. Which ones will show up in future books?

I was immediately drawn into the story and the main characters were likeable and relatable. This is a book to be savored. It is not a fast-paced book, but it brilliantly portrays the island, the local people, the sites, and the customs on the island, bringing them to life. The writing flows well and is very descriptive, but the mysteries were a little predictable. The atmosphere and world-building are excellent. The author managed to provide fantastic insight into the characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions toward others. There are also interesting insights into local food, how news is spread on the island, and how children learn life lessons from their elders. Weaving love, survival, family, friendship, family dynamics, found family, revenge, death, marriage, and much more into the story, the author keeps me reader turning the pages.

Overall, this is a moving, charming and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characterization as well as some pivotal stressful and emotional moments. It is also a celebration of friendship and community. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author’s writing style is easy to connect with and draws me into his stories. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Bantam and Lorenzo Carcaterra provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be May 07, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. 

lktx's review

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra is third in a mystery series following Nonna Maria, an older widow living on the island of Ischia who is set in her ways and fiercely protects her friends. In this installment, she helps an old family friend find a lost treasure along with helping her carabinieri captain friend against a hit man.

I’ll preface this by saying I haven’t read the first two yet, but I didn’t feel like I needed it. I was able to get a good introduction to the myriad characters without having done so. I also felt like I got to know the island of Ischia well as the story was deeply rooted in it and its history.

I found the writing itself to be subpar. The author spent a lot of time telling things (for example, when the carabinieri captain POV says that the carabinieri is like “our FBI.” Or Nonna Maria explains the history of the Widows to two of the group members. But once I got past that, it was a cute story and I enjoyed the characters and how the story unfolded through all their POVs.

I actually ordered the first two books before I finished, because it was a light, easy read (despite the heavy nature of what was happening) and I did enjoy it. I look forward to seeing more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read this book as an ARC so I could give an honest review.

oceanwriter's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I try to avoid picking up books mid-series but I was drawn to both the cover and description when this book showed up in an email. I’m glad I took the chance. With a lovely cast of characters and a great setting, it was a nice read. 

 

A target of a decades-long revenge plot, Captain Murino turns to Nonna Maria for help. On the other side of the island of Ischia, another person connected to Nonna Maria offers forth an old treasure map. This, too, is brought to Nonna Maira and the book follows both plot lines. 

 

It took some getting used to the dual plot in a cozy mystery, at least how it was presented here. Both were easy to follow, I just can’t recall ever reading a book with this format in this particular genre. There is a great deal of action in the book which helped keep both plots moving along well. 

 

Though third in the series, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure stands well on its own. As with any series, I think you get the best experience reading in over, however, I didn’t find it completely necessary. That said, I would love to go back and read the first two books. 

 

A huge thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital ARC of the book! 

srivalli's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

4.0

 4 Stars

One Liner: A heartwarming read!

Nonna Maria’s long-time friend, Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri, is in danger due to the cases he solved before coming to this tiny island. Nonna Maria is determined to save him, just as he is determined to keep her safe from the ruthless men. 

Meanwhile, Rita, the granddaughter of Nonna Maria’s friend, comes to her for help. Her late grandfather gave her a map of lost treasure in the caves on the other end of the island. She needs help to find the treasure, and Nonna Maria knows many others want to grab the treasure first. 

How will our dear old lady handle the cases while cooking, feeding dear ones, and making new friends? 

The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

Well, it’s not often that a mystery book gets called heartwarming. However, with Nonna Maria as the star lead, this can’t be anything less sweet despite all the action, mystery, and danger. 

The book should work as a standalone. I’m yet to read the first book, but liked the second and enjoyed this (third). It is not a whodunit but more of a howdunit. We are told who the criminal is in advance. Now, the question is how will we get to the confrontation and what happens next. 

The writing is easy to read and flows at a steady pace. The short chapters are highly convenient. There’s more ‘tell’ than ‘show’, but it works for the plot. A good author knows what to show and what to tell. Moreover, there are subtle bits of humor- not where you laugh out loud but smile or chuckle a little. 

Of course, there are plenty of dishes mentioned throughout. While I don’t eat most of them, I still enjoyed the descriptions and the characters having a hearty meal. 

The island of Ischia is easy to visualize. The alleys, the stone walls, the old castle, the caves, and locals with bittersweet history, everything enriches the plot. In fact, it is a core character in the book. 

There are two tracks (as you see in the premise). That means we have two sets of characters to meet. Yet, it doesn’t get the least bit confusing. Even with someone knowing someone or being another relative, it is easy enough to follow the developments. 

There’s no lead for the next book, but I hope the series continues. I’m sure many people will need Nonna Maria’s help. 

The book ends with a sweet author’s note and leaves the reader with a smile. 

To summarize, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is a sweet cozy mystery set on a beautiful island and has some memorable characters. Pick it up if you want a relaxing mystery and have a couple of hours of free time. 

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

#NetGalley #NonnaMariaAndTheCaseOfTheLostTreasure