Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Nocino Noir

Rate this book
Franki's coffee shop noir is a hard nut to crack!

It’s a slow, steamy summer in New Orleans’ French Quarter, but Franki Amato is busy planning her bridal shower—that is, until a hit-and-run outside a coffee shop gets her PI senses percolating. The victim is linked to crimes at a fancy society wedding in a haunted hotel where Franki’s fiancé’s family is staying. As for the java joint, it’s straight out of a hardboiled detective movie, and there’s something hinky about its walnut liqueur coffee. Franki’s Sicilian nonna says the macabre events are proof the malocchio has been cast on her impending marriage, and to her utter surprise, her future grandmother-in-law also suspects the evil eye. To save her wedding and solve the case, Franki must investigate some shady places, from a witch shop and bridal swap to a shack in the swamp. She has to uncover the identities of a femme fatale and a jewel thief and unravel the meaning of a deadly delivery. If she doesn’t, this noir mystery could turn Grimm fairy tale.

Nocino Noir is book 9 in the Franki Amato Mysteries, but it can be read as a standalone story. If you like zany characters and laugh-out-loud humor with a splash of suspense, then you’ll drink up this fun series by USA Today Bestselling Author Traci Andrighetti. Cheers!

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2023

33 people are currently reading
68 people want to read

About the author

Traci Andrighetti

47 books748 followers
Traci Andrighetti is the USA Today bestselling author of the Franki Amato mysteries and the Danger Cove Hair Salon mysteries, and she is a co-author of the Killer Foursome mysteries. Her latest release is 4 SLEUTHS & A BACHELORETTE, Franki's first co-investigation with the sleuths of Leslie Langtry, Arlene McFarlane, and Diana Orgain. Right now Traci's plotting TUACA TAN, Franki Amato 8, about the members of an all-female Mardi Gras krewe who keep dropping dead. Next off the press is Franki’s second investigation with her new “krewe,” 4 SLEUTHS & A BURLESQUE DANCER, about a washed up dolphin dancer found dead in the water. LMAO (the initials of Langtry, Andrighetti, McFarlane, and Orgain)! :D

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
56 (50%)
4 stars
39 (35%)
3 stars
13 (11%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
4,497 reviews24 followers
October 10, 2022
This book is entertaining, the storyline is a mix of good and bad activities coming together to make a great story. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Charlene.
1,284 reviews39 followers
October 4, 2022
this is such a fun read! I love a read that can make me laugh! Franki is a hoot and lover her nonna! The quirky characters in this book are so fun! I cannot believe the situations Franki gets herself into! this is a quick fun read that I am sure you will enjoy~
Profile Image for Tara Brown.
333 reviews28 followers
October 26, 2024
The audiobook Nocino Noir: A Private Investigator Comedy Mystery by Traci Andrighetti, narrated by Madeline Mrozek, is Book 9 in the Franki Amato Mysteries series, and it is absolutely amazing! Everything from the hilarious characters we all know and love to a storyline that just doesn’t quit, readers and listeners alike are sure to stay engaged from start to finish. Andrighetti really outdid herself with this one!

Now, let’s talk about the narration…you know how when you listen to an audiobook and you’re so into it that you don’t even notice someone is actually narrating because the story just comes to life before your very eyes? Well, that’s how I felt listening to Madeline Mrozek in Nocino Noir, but, as more characters were introduced, I found myself wondering if I had it all wrong. Was this audiobook actually narrated by a full cast of narrators? How could all of these quirky characters - that sound so dramatically different - be played by just one woman? Well, they are ALL played by Mrozek, and there are even bloopers at the end to prove it (which I also loved!). Needless to say, I found myself paying extra close attention to the actual narration more than usual because, on the whole, it is an experience within itself!

As an educator, myself, I’m going to take it one step further and say that this performance by Madeline Mrozek is so impressive it should be used in theater and acting courses; or, maybe, Mrozek should be teaching them herself…not that I want her to stop being a narrator, of course, but her talent goes beyond the norm, and these are the types of skills that students would greatly benefit from. In addition to being funny, engaging, and unbelievably consistent in her delivery, Mrozek’s flow is seamless, and her style is spot-on. She is a true inspiration to aspiring actors and narrators everywhere. Bravo!!

I give Nocino Noir by Traci Andrighetti, narrated by Madeline Mrozek, a full 5/5 stars across the board. The characters will pull you in from page one, and the storyline will keep you guessing through to the end. Whether you’re looking for a clean mystery with hilarious characters or a book with top-notch narration, I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook (and series) to you!

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. Happy listening. :-)
Profile Image for Julie Howard.
Author 2 books31 followers
July 12, 2024
Frank's wacky family are at it again and I loved it. This is the 9th book in the series and despite the author claiming it can be read as a standalone, there is so many recurring characters from previous cases and encounters that I would recommend you read the books in order. Not just as you get to know them better that way but also because the series is a lot of fun. The characters are definitely wacky and add in the location of New Orleans and you get some highly entertaining situations. I don't always understand the words what with Italian, Russian and New Orleans Creole a big factor in the book and sometimes I need Google but it adds to the atmosphere and feel of the book. The mystery took a lot of turns and to be honest I was too caught up in all the wedding drama and curses to work out who the killer was. I can't wait for the next book and maybe the big day?
franki's big day is being hijacked by her well meaning family and so she and her best friend plot a secret bridal shower. Frankie should have known better, instead a wedding planner is killed just hours after the wedding of the century is cancelled when the bride's aunt dies. Bad luck or murder? Franki gets drawn into the case when he fiancé mother and Grandmother stay in the same hotel as the death occurred and when someone she knows becomes a suspect. With a femme fatale, curses and swamp creatures involved, this case might be more than even Franki can handle but then again if she can handle her families wedding plans for her, she can survive anything, right?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for kathy.
1,464 reviews
September 4, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook on audible. The author was kindly giving away some free book codes for audiobooks to her readers on her mail list.

The narrator for the series is fabulous!! She does the voices very well. It’s so fun listening to her. I am highly entertained and do a lot of laughing throughout the book. At the end of the audiobook there was a section of bloopers and they were very funny! I don’t know how you can narrate a funny book without laughing!

I am a big fan of the author from the very first book. I’m not sure how I came across these books, but I’m sure glad I did. They are well written, fun details about New Orleans and whatever the story is about. There is romance, PI business, quirky characters and hilarious Italian family dynamics!

We have slowly been getting close to Franki’s wedding and excited about her romance with Bradley. Of course her Nona and mother want to move things along! And everybody else wants to interfere with the wedding plans.

The mystery was fun and all the people Franki runs into as she is doing her detecting. I really should visit New Orleans!

It would be so fun if this series was turned into TV series or a movie. I truly love all the characters. I appreciate an author who can be so creative with a storyline and making characters so distinctive and real.
38 reviews
July 24, 2024
Nocino Noir by Traci Andrighetti is the ninth book in the Franki Amato Mysteries series. Each book is a stand-alone mystery, but reading them in order helps to understand the progress of the characters and interactions across the series. Franki, a New Orleans private detective, is making plans for her upcoming wedding, with specific attention to her bridal shower, while attempting to prevent her mother, grandmother, and various others from taking over the shower and all of the wedding plans. While handling these tasks, she also becomes involved in investigating multiple related murders as she falls victim to possible triple “evil eye” curses and almost worse attempts to “cure” them. Andrighetti brings to life the influences and challenges of Franki’s Italian-American family culture and traditions as well as the often strange elements of the “cultural stew” of New Orleans itself. It’s a wild ride to solve the murders before Franki becomes the next victim of either the killer(s), the chaos of New Orleans, the Italian “witches”, or the evil eye hexes. I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review. This is it: I highly recommend this book
Profile Image for Shea.
8 reviews6 followers
September 9, 2024
Nocino Noir is the 9th installment in the Franki Amato mysteries.
Once again, Franki has to balance work as a PI with managing her wacky family! Throw in a curse, a swamp Sasquatch , a mysterious film noir coffee shop, her impending wedding, and murder and it’s a recipe for a laugh a minute ride! I never tire of hearing what Glenda is going to wear next. I love the Nonna and all the Italian heritage that is celebrated in the books. The mystery kept me guessing the whole way through and I love the way the killer was revealed.
The narration of this series really takes the great story to another level! The voice used for each character creates a vivid picture of the New Orleans setting and the crazy individuals in Franki’s life. I recently listened to the books again from the start to catch up before this release and it was even better the second time through.
Do yourself a favor and read this series!
Or better yet, listen!
Profile Image for Ainee Beland.
Author 9 books2 followers
June 30, 2023
I enjoyed this reading as a humorous adventure, resembling TV shows like Magnum PI or the Rockford Files. The protagonist, always finding himself punched and tricked for money, never gets paid and owes many. The jargon used in the book hindered my comprehension. The ‘noir’ genre was lost on me, but there were moments of humor involving Glenda and a new character named Nadezhda with a supposed Russian accent. Waxing was pronounced as vaxing. In the story, they seek revenge on Vick Villano for his excessively hot and spicy coffee creations.

On an end note; there is this: Due to the high summer temperatures, we will not be accepting “boobs” or “sock” money. It is unsanitary. Sorry for the inconvenience, management.

At times, principles must take precedence… when it comes to being clean and sanitary; not even money can dissuade.
91 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2024
Loved it!!!! So many things I want to say about this book, where to begin? There are SO many twists and turns, plots and subplots, it really holds your interest; but at the same time, you don't need a spreadsheet to figure out what's going on. First, there's the secret Operation Black Swamp, then you have the forties femme fatale. One other thing I love about the story is the references about the OLDER movies (from the Jezebel, All about Eve, whatever Happened to Baby Jane..basically Bette Davis), then the older movies like The Godfather.....in short, the book will make you an offer you can't refuse....to read. Do yourself a favor and read the whole series first, this book is a reunion of sorts, lots of past characters making cameo appearances.
76 reviews3 followers
July 19, 2024
P.I. Franki Amato thinks there's something odd about the new coffee shop that opened across the street from the Private Chicks office. When Delilah Delair, premier New Orleans wedding planner, wants to meet there, Franki can't say no. But the meeting never happens as Franki witnesses  Delilah deliberately rundown in the street in front of the cafe. Of course, Franki is on the case!


What ensues is a roller coaster ride of an adventure with a host of zany characters. There's the murder, no wait, it's four murders. Add in voodoo, witches, the evil eye, a manipulative mother and a virtual phalanx of ancient Italian grandmas, you get a story with more twists than a pretzel factory. Be sure you have your caffeine of choice handy as you'll be staying up late to finish this romp.
213 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2024
Francesca was a cop in Austin Texas who quit the force and moved to New Orleans to work as a private eye with her friend Veronica. While planning her bridal shower she witness a fatal hit and run and decides she must find the driver while also planning her wedding to Bradley. There ends up being more than the one murder. This book has a lot of superstitions and witch craft involved. Francesca’s mom and grandmother visit and are determined to get rid of evil around her. Franki goes from witch shop, bridal shop to the swamp all while trying to keep her bridal shower a secret from her wacky family.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review
2,022 reviews8 followers
September 4, 2024
Audiobook: I was very entertained by this story. I enjoyed the setting as the myths associated with New Orleans helped to suspend believe as far as curses, the evil eye, and supernatural occurrences. I liked the characters Franki Amato, her family, and her soon-to-be relations. I enjoyed the zany characters which populated this tale. There were many humorous incidents, dialogue between characters, and Franki's internal monologues which caused me to laugh out loud. I am looking forward to more stories in this series. I thought Madeline Mrozek was an amazing narrator, and I enjoyed her performance immensely. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which included my honest opinions regarding this story.
Profile Image for Olivia.
91 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2024
First off, I want to say thank you to the author for providing me with an audiobook code in exchange for my honest review. Now onto my thoughts.

Frankie works as a PI in New Orleans. Readers get caught up in a noir inspired mystery after she witnesses a hit and run in front of the new coffee shop down the street. The plot takes a turn for the supernatural after an unexpected hex causes Frankie to investigate another murder.

If you like a cozy mystery with a hint of the supernatural, this book is for you! While the plot wasn’t my favorite, the narrator of the audiobook made it much more enjoyable. She gave different accents, tones, etc to the characters, making it easy to differentiate between them.
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
2,809 reviews46 followers
July 11, 2024
Coffee lovers Beware! There's trouble brewing in Franki's world, and it's absolutely nutty. Literally. Do you remember Franki/lemons/nonnas? That was just a warm up for our favorite PI. Now an innocent cup of coffee has not only caused permanent damage to her esophagus, but it's opened the door to more murder and mayhem. This time trouble being caused by walnuts. Factor in a wacky crew of old and new characters, the historic New Orleans location, the nearby swamp, and of course murder and mystery. Be prepared for a wild adventure. I worried, laughed, and read late into the night, and loved it!
Profile Image for Jan.
6,531 reviews100 followers
September 10, 2024
You'll laugh your sox off even if you haven't followed the series, but you'd be missing even more stress busting, laugh-out-loud fun!
Frankie Amato is really in the soup with the Sicilian Grannies this time! She's trying to plan her wedding, avoiding the Sicilian Grannies, trying to hide the wedding shower from them, continue her assignment as a PI, find out her fiancé's deep family secrets, and solve a murder.
I still don't know how Madelyn Mrozek can narrate these books without cracking up and guffawing during the recording!
I won this audiobook in a giveaway! Yea, me!
#FrankiAmatoMysteriesBk9
Profile Image for Debi Paglia .
614 reviews17 followers
July 11, 2024
This book is crazy funny! (I laughed out loud while reading it in the doctor’s office!🤣) All of the characters are hilarious (except for the bad guys!)! Franki’s mom and nonna are hard-core Sicilian and come up with the weirdest ideas. Her landlady is an elderly stripper, so there’s a lot going on there. The setting of the New Orleans French Quarter area is so interesting with the history, ghosts and voodoo. The storylines are intertwined and come together nicely at the end. And I never figured out the bad guy until the end!
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,796 reviews19 followers
July 26, 2024
I think this is my favorite book in this series so far. I was born in 1970 but absolutely love anything on the 20-40’s era so the nod to the 40’s was right up my alley. I enjoyed it so much. Not only do you get intriguing mystery but slapstick humor to boot. I laughed so hard I cried numerous times. I get these books out and re-read them any time I need a good pick me up. They always do the trick.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book but also purchased a copy as I loved it so much.
Profile Image for Mette.
182 reviews4 followers
September 6, 2024
Audiobook: This was such a fun book. The mystery, the coffee, the voodoo, the swamp and all the Itanial grandmas. Absolutely fantastic atmosphere in this book. Really can only recommend this if you are up for a fun mystery. I would almost call it a cozy mystery, but can you really call it that when there is a murder to solve? Either way, just read the book if you are looking for a good read :D

Thank you for the Audiobook Traci Andrighetti!
836 reviews10 followers
July 10, 2024
(Wal)Nuts, Nonne, & Nightmares

Frankie & the Italian “Mafia” are back in their wackiest adventure yet! I swear I could never survive one-tenth of what poor Franki has to deal with in just one day. Author Traci Andrighetti grabbed me from the start & kept me captive (along with Franki) for the entire book. Twists & turns galore! Not sure how Franki keeps surviving between the crazies in both her professional & personal life. New Orleans is a wild & crazy place!
1,506 reviews16 followers
July 15, 2024
Franki's never ending engagement was supposed to be coming to an end but the universe seems to deem otherwise, much to the nonnas' disgust. But this does not stop them from trying their best to get Franki down the isle, preferably in a marshmallow of a wedding dress.

Lots of zany fun, New Orleans style, where nothing is too far out nor too weird to be considered norm. Many chuckle worthy moments and an intriguing mystery to solve
2 reviews
July 17, 2024
Another hilarious read from Traci Andrighetti starring her beleaguered sleuth Franki Amato. From a Noir-throwback coffee shop to the swamps of New Orleans, is Franki the pursuer or the pursued? And will Franki and Bradley ever get a moment to themselves, free of their interfering families? Will Franki's landlady Glenda ever put her clothes on? And who knew drinking a cup of coffee could send Franki down a rabbit hole?

Spoiler alert - this story is full of nuts!
4,516 reviews38 followers
July 23, 2024
Nocino Noir is a twisty, mystery complete with swamp creatures, witches and Italian grandmothers! Lots of past characters make an appearance in this new mystery. There are twists, turns, red herrings, lethal coffee, a 40’s femme fatale and more to keep Franki on her toes. You do not want to miss how she finally puts all the pieces together. There is never a dull moment and there are plenty of laughs as Franki tries to survive all the craziness!
Profile Image for K Huskić.
2,202 reviews39 followers
July 27, 2024
A fun addition to the series!

I don't know how Franki copes with all the different personalities in her life. I think I'd go insane! She's being pulled in all different directions while trying to solve this case, and I really had no clue how it was all going to come together - which really just made it more fun for me!

Nonna will be forever a favourite for me, but there were plenty of fascinating characters in this book. There's not a whole lot of Bradley in the story, but he's definitely an anchor for Franki - the one constant, supportive, and well... normal, person in her life.

I look forward to seeing what the next instalment brings!
Profile Image for Laura.
43 reviews
January 26, 2023
I just couldn't get in to this book as much as some of the others in this series. That being said, it's not a bad book. Franki is still a fun main character to follow, and Glenda (my favorite) is still hilarious. I just didn't find the adventures as suspenseful. It's a book worth reading if you are already into the series though.
38 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2024
I read an advanced copy of the Nocino Noir and I couldn't put it down. I love Franki and all her friends and characters she interacts with throughout the book. I could picture all of this happening and wished it was a movie I could watch. The mystery kept me guessing all the way to the end. I would definitely recommend this book and the series!
Profile Image for LiteraryMisfit.
3 reviews24 followers
July 19, 2024
I've enjoyed reading Franki's PI exploits through New Orleans. The exaggerated characters give a comedic element to the series and the cases are chock full of Italian references. You can visit many of the locations that she uses in the book if you wished to go see in person the settings of where things took place.
1,596 reviews13 followers
July 25, 2024
A delightful and fun cozy mystery set in New Orleans with Franki and her zany cast of characters. As soon as I started reading I knew I wouldn't be able to put this twisty book down until I read the last word. I really love Franki , her relatives and friends and look forward to more fun adventures with them. So far this is my favorite so I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for E.
1,880 reviews
July 23, 2024
Franki is back with another hilariously crazy adventure. I absolutely loved this book. Many laugh out loud moments with this unique cast of characters. A wild ride for sure. I highly recommend this book and series!!
70 reviews
September 7, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest Franki adventure. Very action packed. I listed to the book on Audible, this was the first book of the series that listened to the audible version. I did enjoy the audible version. Looking forward to more Franki stories.
1,260 reviews
July 10, 2023
A short, fun read about coffee that 'lights up your throat'.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.