Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace - by Lorenzo Carcaterra (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Nonna Maria, "one of the most charming amateur sleuths ever created" (Tess Gerritsen), sets out to clear her goddaughter's name and uncover the checkered past of an unidentifiable victim in this transporting mystery from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lorenzo Carcaterra.

Nonna Maria has a lot on her plate--and it's not just fresh pasta. Two crimes have rocked the sun-drenched island of Ischia, and once again the island's denizens have called upon the espresso-brewing, sage-counsel-giving sleuth.

A wealthy woman alleges that a valuable necklace has been stolen from her hotel room. She blames one of the young women working on the cleaning crew as the most likely suspect--a young woman who turns out to be Nonna Maria's goddaughter. Loretta takes the heat, but privately she proclaims her innocence.

Nearby, the body of a woman is found on a curved road near the borough of Barano. The woman is not known to anyone on the island. She has no purse, carries no identification. The one suspect is a young friend of Nonna Maria's who drove by the area that very night and thinks that he might have hit something--a pothole, or an animal, or maybe the woman in question.

It turns out that this woman had a decades-old history on Ischia, but why did she return, and more important, who killed her? It's up to Nonna Maria to string together the clues--like the links of the beautiful missing necklace--and solve these two mysteries before death comes to Ischia again.

Review Quotes

Praise for Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace

"Carcaterra seems to have fun writing about his native Italy, and readers will have just as much fun with this new series. The essence of cozy with its low-key charm, clever plotting, and disarming storytelling, the book is also sharp and subtle."--Kirkus Reviews

"A streetwise Italian Miss Marple is a shrewd amateur sleuth in this atmospheric series installment."--Library Journal

Praise for Lorenzo Carcaterra and the Nonna Maria series

"An utterly delightful tale starring one of the most charming amateur sleuths ever created, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride is so delicious it will make you want to pack your bags and move to Italy!"--New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen

"The brilliant Lorenzo Carcaterra has created his own irresistible genre: the literary cozy. I fell in love with this wonderfully lyrical and completely entertaining novel, and most of all its instantly iconic heroine. Nonna Maria is Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes combined into one wise and unforgettable character. Touching, charming, and delightful--do not miss this!"--USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan

"Lorenzo Carcaterra has written a suspenseful tale while bringing the history, traditions, and colorful characters of the island of Ischia to life. The indomitable Nonna Maria shines throughout. Bravo!"--Camilla Trinchieri, author of the Doyle/Perillo Tuscan mystery series

"A writer who has earned his spot at the top echelon of suspense masters . . . Lorenzo Carcaterra is simply the best."--New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry

"[Carcaterra is] one of the all-time greats."--#1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver

"One of my favorite writers in the world."--New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline

"Nostalgia for Ischia's simpler way of life, nearly lost in the face of the fast-paced modern world, combines successfully with a suspenseful plot and a feisty heroine who's as kind as she is steely."--Booklist

About the Author

Lorenzo Carcaterra is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Safe Place, Sleepers, Apaches, Gangster, Street Boys, Paradise City, Chasers, Midnight Angels, The Wolf, Tin Badges, Payback, Three Dreamers, and Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride. He is a former writer/producer for Law & Order and has written for National Geographic Traveler, The New York Times Magazine, Details, and Maxim. He lives in New York City.