Widowed grandmother hears all the gossip on her small island and helps those who need it. A woman wanting to back out of a sudden engagement, a young man suspected of having killed his employer to inherit his ship. A bit repetitive--yeah, I got it, she has lived here her entire life, the island has changed from poor backwater to tourist destination, Nona is very wise. Solutions were good though.

Miss Marple in Italy.

Grandma Maria is an elderly woman living on Ischia island not far from Naples. She was raised, married, raised a family, and buried her husband on Ischia. She knows everyone and everyone knows her and they come to her for help with all of the questions of life.

This is a nicely written mystery that is a bit too cozy for me but will be enjoyed by anyone who wants something gentle. ( )

What an utterly charming story! Not only is the mystery well-crafted, it's imbued with the gentle nature of the title character. Better yet, the island setting of the book is beautifully realized. ( )

Set in the Island of Ischia, eighteen miles off the coast of Naples, the story begins with a young woman by the name of Anna sharing her troubles with Nonna Maria –lifelong resident of the island in her seventies with a penchant for strong coffee and good wine - who never turns down anyone asking for her assistance. Engaged to Andrea Bartoli, who is new to the island, Anna expresses her doubts about her fiancé and feels that she is being manipulated into marrying him. Captain Murino of the carabinieri is also suspicious of Bartoli and has prior knowledge of his possible misdeeds and teams up with Nonna Maria to expose him while keeping Anna out of harm’s way. Besides helping Anna, Nonna Maria and Captain Murino are also working together in trying to find out the truth behind the mysterious death of eighty-five-year-old tour boat captain Pasquale Favorini, who presumably drowned after falling overboard in a drunken state. Nonna Maria, who knew Pasquale, is not convinced that this was an accident.

Though he has concerns for her safety, Captain Murino is respectful of Nonna Maria and her knowledge of the island and its residents. Nonna Maria is no Sherlock Holmes (or so she claims, though the residents of the island frequently compare her to him) and her “sleuthing” involves listening to people’s troubles and providing assistance in any way she can which earns her the trust and respect of everyone around her including the local carabinieri. She knows everyone on the island and has a vast network of children, grandchildren, friends and allies who keep her informed of what’s happening around her. As the narrative progresses, we follow Nonna Maria as she uses her wit, wisdom and her network of fellow islanders to unravel these two mysteries.

Overall, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride by Lorenzo Carcaterra is an entertaining mystery full of heart, humor and an interesting cast of characters. Though it is a slow-paced read, the narrative is fluid and engaging and at no point did I lose interest in the plot. I loved the vivid descriptions of the island, the folklore, the community and the culture. Smart and resourceful, Nonna Maria is so much fun to be around! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

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This is the first book in the Nonna Maria series and it was very well done! I enjoyed reading about this elderly woman in town, who seems to know everyone, and even is friends with some dangerous characters.
Anna comes to Nonna Maria scared. She is now engaged to a man that she thought she loved, but realizes he is very dangerous, and may wish to harm her once they are married. Nonna Maria encourages Anna to disappear while she investigates what is happening.
Nonna relies on her wits and her friendships to save Anna.
Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book in the series! ( )