"Back in action on her beloved Italian island of Ischia, amateur detective Nonna Maria uses her grandmotherly wiles to prevent the killing of a carabinieri captain and to help lead a young woman to her late grandfather’s hidden treasure.
Nearly a decade ago, before he settled in Ischia, the old widow’s friend Captain Paolo Murino and his team of carabinieri took down the notorious Red Squad mob and its ruthless boss, Guido Ostino, up in Florence. From prison, Ostino has plotted a revenge killing, which Nonna and another friend, a reformed hit man called Il Presidente, hope to thwart. The unknown treasure is in one of the caves on Ischia where contraband and other stuff has been hidden for decades. Nonna calls on a duo that knows the caves, dubbed the Magician and the Pirate, to find the goods, which rival treasure hunters will do anything to lay their hands on. In both cases, Nonna Maria isn’t fazed about the possible risks to herself. Her paramount concern is to help friends in need, whatever their backgrounds—making sure they’re properly caffeinated and fed with great home-cooked meals. Though the dual plots are nicely handled, the novel is best enjoyed for its history and culture. Carcaterra takes us back centuries to the Cemetery of Dead Nuns, where the bodies of nuns of a certain order were left in seated position on stone “death chairs.” He introduces us to the Mourners, a group of women formed in 1943 who lost husbands and sons in the Allied bombings of Italy and were determined to “cause chaos for the enemy.” As for the hundreds of cases of wine supposedly hidden in the caves—"That’s my idea of a lost treasure,” says Nonna Maria.
--Kirkus Reviews

The third book in a series is an entertaining mystery steeped in local lore.

“Lorenzo Carcaterra brings readers back to the sun-drenched Italian island of Ischia in his charming third Nonna Maria mystery, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure. The titular sleuth, a widow devoted to espresso, wine, and cooking elaborate meals for her family, helps her friends solve two mysteries--a treasure hunt and a threat to a friend--which turn out to be intertwined. Carcaterra (Three Dreamers) pays tribute to his grandmother, the real-life Nonna Maria, through his fictional amateur detective's clever actions and delectable cooking.

Paolo Murino, a captain in the national Carabinieri police force, has found both love and solace on Ischia after moving there from the north eight years earlier. But someone still has it out for him. Although he correctly deduces that the first two men sent to frighten him are merely decoys, Murino knows there's a target on his back. Determined not to put Nonna Maria in danger, he warns her against getting involved, but Nonna Maria is equally determined that no one will harm her friend.

At the same time, a local young woman named Rita comes to Nonna Maria with a hand-drawn map and a question. Her recently deceased grandfather, Paolino, supposedly hid a priceless treasure in the island's network of caves, and Rita wants help in finding it. Nonna Maria, of course, knows just whom to ask: two longtime smugglers known as the Pirate and the Magician, both of whom would do anything for Nonna Maria (and her cooking). Another friend, Pepe the Painter, has spent years capturing Ischia's historic Castello Aragonese through paintings and sketches. Nonna Maria enlists his help, too, since the castle is the entry point for many of the island's caves.

Like life on the island, Carcaterra's plot moves at a leisurely pace, with occasional dramatic moments (like a fender bender and a fireworks display) and plenty of delicious meals, most of them cooked by Nonna Maria. Gangsters, both local and not, play a part; the smugglers also have a trick or two (honorable or otherwise) up their sleeves. Nonna Maria, with her ever-present black tote bag, dispenses wisdom and wine to her friends, and though the dramatic tension escalates, readers can predict correctly that the narrative will end with a celebratory feast. With wry humor and a vividly realized setting, Nonna Maria's third adventure feels both cinematic and cozy--a treat for mystery lovers and Italophiles.
--Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams
Shelf Awareness

“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.
--Pam Guynn
Mystery & Suspense Magazine

Praise for Lorenzo Carcaterra NONNA MARIA NOVELS

“Definitely a top tier cozy mystery that I'd recommend to anyone looking for something in this genre. Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is somehow thrilling and heartwarming at the same time and I really enjoyed it!”

“This is such a fun cozy series! I really love the world of Ischia and its colorful characters. Carcaterra has done a really lovely job crafting a universe that is endearing, heartwarming, and full of mischief - and just enough action and adventure to keep things interesting. Nonna Maria is such a delight, and I'm enjoying the burgeoning relationships between her and the other residents.”

“This has got to be the best entry in this series to date. I love the protagonist and want to be her when I grow up. Filled with action, mayhem and hijinx, this one is sure to please any cozy reader.”

“I love this series and this is the best book so far. Nonna Maria is the person everyone should have in their lives.”

“Nonna Maria books always go to the top of my TBR pile and this one was no exception. I adore these cozy mysteries set on an island in Italy!”

“Such a great book. The characters are lively and rich in personality. Nonna Maria had two different cases. The history told in this book was so interesting and engaging. The book flowed freely. I really enjoyed it.”

“Nonna Maria might just be my favorite literary character. She is the grandmother everyone wishes to have had - her wisdom, cooking and friendship are her true assets. In this third installment of her adventures in Ischia, the story centers around the search for treasure (as told to a granddaughter by her grandfather on his deathbed) and of criminals after revenge seeking the death of the captain of the carabiniere in Ischia. One learns a lot about history- the castle is real as is the Torture Museum and the Cemetery of Dead Nuns. The novel is replete with characters with great descriptive names - the pirate, the magician, Il Presidente, Pepe the painter, and the Mourners. This book is not a typical thriller but is a fun read and once started cannot be put down. It makes me want to book a trip to Ischia and become one of the disliked tourists.”