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Tante Poldi #3
Auntie Poldi and the Handsome Antonio
The latest installment in Mario Giordano’s best-selling series of charming mysteries, starring Sicily’s most glamorous gumshoe, Auntie Poldi ("Long may she reign." *)
*Kirkus Reviews, starred review
All the beloved, irascible Auntie Poldi wanted from her Sicilian retirement was time to enjoy the sunshine, a free-flowing supply of wine, and a sultry romance with Chief Inspector Vito Montana. But then her idyll is rudely disrupted by the last person she wants to see on her doorstep: John Owenya, detective inspector with the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs, who is also her estranged lying cheat of a husband.
Not only is John's sudden reappearance putting a kink in Poldi's dreamy love affair with Montana, but his presence also comes with a plea for help—and unwanted clashes with the Mafia.
Where is John's half-brother? What is the ten-million-dollar "it" that John's brother was last seen with, which has both the Sicilian and theTanzanian mobs in a frenzy? With only a postcard that has a phone number and a name, "Handsome Antonio," on the back, Auntie Poldi hops begrudgingly (albeit with a great deal of gumption and panache) back into the saddle (in this case, an immaculate red Maserati Cabrio from the eighties with cream leather upholstery). The faster she finds Handsome Antonio, the sooner she can get John Owenya out of her hair and her love life. But the people Poldi discovers along the way may very well knock her immaculate wig askew.
*Kirkus Reviews, starred review
All the beloved, irascible Auntie Poldi wanted from her Sicilian retirement was time to enjoy the sunshine, a free-flowing supply of wine, and a sultry romance with Chief Inspector Vito Montana. But then her idyll is rudely disrupted by the last person she wants to see on her doorstep: John Owenya, detective inspector with the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs, who is also her estranged lying cheat of a husband.
Not only is John's sudden reappearance putting a kink in Poldi's dreamy love affair with Montana, but his presence also comes with a plea for help—and unwanted clashes with the Mafia.
Where is John's half-brother? What is the ten-million-dollar "it" that John's brother was last seen with, which has both the Sicilian and theTanzanian mobs in a frenzy? With only a postcard that has a phone number and a name, "Handsome Antonio," on the back, Auntie Poldi hops begrudgingly (albeit with a great deal of gumption and panache) back into the saddle (in this case, an immaculate red Maserati Cabrio from the eighties with cream leather upholstery). The faster she finds Handsome Antonio, the sooner she can get John Owenya out of her hair and her love life. But the people Poldi discovers along the way may very well knock her immaculate wig askew.
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2020
188 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Mario Giordano
65 books241 followersMARIO GIORDANO, the son of Italian immigrants, was born in Munich. He is the author of 1,000 Feelings for Which There Are No Names; he has also written thrillers, books for children, and screenplays. Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions is his first novel translated into English. He lives in Cologne.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
August 3, 2020
This book was definitely a little different from the regular cozy msytery, but no doubt it was was hilarious. The story is told from Auntie Poldi's nephew's POV. Inspite of not reading the first two book, I was completely caught up with the characters by chapter two. And each chapter starts with a gist of what is covered in it so I literally didn't take a break from reading this book, it was definitely a case of 'one more chapter' with this book. In this book, Auntie Poldi's ex husband turns up in Sicily unexpectedly in search for his half-brother and of course wanting her help. What ensues is the mystery to search for handsome Antonio. Overall, this was quite an unexpected enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an opportunity to read this book.
August 25, 2020
Namaste, life. Rest of the world can kiss my arse!
Tante Poldi turpina sajūsmināt. Sapratu, ka šī sērija jālasa ar pārtraukumiem. Trešā grāmata atkal aizgāja uz urrā. Ideāla atvaļinājuma grāmata. Noziegums, trakie sicīlieši, dzīvespriecīgā Poldi. Gaidu turpinājumu!
Tante Poldi turpina sajūsmināt. Sapratu, ka šī sērija jālasa ar pārtraukumiem. Trešā grāmata atkal aizgāja uz urrā. Ideāla atvaļinājuma grāmata. Noziegums, trakie sicīlieši, dzīvespriecīgā Poldi. Gaidu turpinājumu!
March 22, 2021
I had found the first two of this series highly enjoyable and was looking forward to the third installment of the bawdy, outrageous, wild Poldi who moved to Sicily from Germany after the death of her policeman husband to slowly die from wine while watching the waters. She gets involved in all sorts of capers, as she was wont to do in Germany, and falls for a Sicilian police officer Vito in the process.
In this book, just as her relationship was deepening with Vito, a knock on the door brings the unexpected visitor in the form of her Tanzanian ex-husband/technically still current husband, who is also a cop. He is in Sicily to look for his half-brother, who he assumed would be staying with Poldi. Chaos ensues as the secrets come to the fore, and at the same time, the half-brother is missing, while engaged in very dangerous activities. John and Vito team up and Poldi can't have them as a team without her, so she works to solve the case with her nephew (the narrator of the story) and her brother-in-law.
The fun of the book was there, but the author pushes the farce to an extreme that is ridiculous. In all fairness, these were things that were done in the previous books, but in smaller doses and not as the climax of the story. Not only was the ending not possible in any imagined world, it made no sense, and worst of all, made me feel silly for wasting my reading hours. I don't think the series is for me, despite really liking the first two books.
In this book, just as her relationship was deepening with Vito, a knock on the door brings the unexpected visitor in the form of her Tanzanian ex-husband/technically still current husband, who is also a cop. He is in Sicily to look for his half-brother, who he assumed would be staying with Poldi. Chaos ensues as the secrets come to the fore, and at the same time, the half-brother is missing, while engaged in very dangerous activities. John and Vito team up and Poldi can't have them as a team without her, so she works to solve the case with her nephew (the narrator of the story) and her brother-in-law.
The fun of the book was there, but the author pushes the farce to an extreme that is ridiculous. In all fairness, these were things that were done in the previous books, but in smaller doses and not as the climax of the story. Not only was the ending not possible in any imagined world, it made no sense, and worst of all, made me feel silly for wasting my reading hours. I don't think the series is for me, despite really liking the first two books.
March 7, 2022
I’ve been waiting a while to review this one because I do not know how to review Auntie Poldi without sounding like a love-sick puppy. A sixty-four-year-old ( or around there) widow with a crazy beehive wig (I googled that for an image), Auntie Poldi is a hero whom I can believe in. She’s still sexy, and the men around her know it. She’s obstinate, and she believes her intuition. She’s Bavarian, but she lives in Italy. She loves cops with hairy arms. Her story is told by her mostly reliable nephew, whom she drags along on her mad capers.
This time around, her Tanzanian ex-brother-in-law has been murdered, maybe by the mafia. The key to solve the crime is to find Handsome Antonio. The only problem is that Italy seems to be swarming with men who go by that name. Not to worry—Auntie Poldi knows a thing or two about handsome men!
This is actually the third book in this series, but I somehow got it second. It didn’t interfere with my ability to enjoy the story thoroughly. I tried to savor it slowly, but eventually I turned the last page. Not to worry—I’ve bought the second book!
This time around, her Tanzanian ex-brother-in-law has been murdered, maybe by the mafia. The key to solve the crime is to find Handsome Antonio. The only problem is that Italy seems to be swarming with men who go by that name. Not to worry—Auntie Poldi knows a thing or two about handsome men!
This is actually the third book in this series, but I somehow got it second. It didn’t interfere with my ability to enjoy the story thoroughly. I tried to savor it slowly, but eventually I turned the last page. Not to worry—I’ve bought the second book!
April 7, 2020
If you haven't discovered Auntie Poldi yet, then now is the time. Set in Sicily, these mysteries explore southern Italy through all the confidence and sexual bravado of Poldi, a sixty-something Bavarian with a penchant for police officers in uniform. In this installment, Poldi takes a road trip - in a Maserati, no less - with her ne'er-do well nephew and a flatulent dog in search of the title's handsome Antonio, though nearly every man they meet is both handsome and named Antonio. Like in the first two installments, the prose is sharp, the characters well drawn, and the story will make you yearn for that time not far from now when we'll all, yet again, be able to experience the joys the Italian countryside .
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December 10, 2020I did not finish this book, but I did make it to the 50% mark. I loved the first book in the Auntie Poldi series and highly recommend it! But as several reviewers remarked, the subsequent books in the series don’t quite live up to the first. The writing is still rich and funny but, for me, the plot really dragged. At the halfway point where I left off, it still feels like the plot is meandering in no direction in particular.
It’s safe to say that I’m in a bit of a reading rut at the moment but even in spite of that, it shouldn’t take me two weeks to read a lighthearted book like this one—I just couldn’t get into it, no matter how hard I tried.
It’s safe to say that I’m in a bit of a reading rut at the moment but even in spite of that, it shouldn’t take me two weeks to read a lighthearted book like this one—I just couldn’t get into it, no matter how hard I tried.
April 19, 2021
Wonderfully fanciful
I love Poldi. She complicated and manages to be both deep and flighty at the same time. She is larger than life and no one quite believes her stories but maybe they should. She's got more good advice about how to live life than a self help book and a thousand times more enjoyable. Listen to the nephew tell his story of time spent with Auntie Poldi.
I love Poldi. She complicated and manages to be both deep and flighty at the same time. She is larger than life and no one quite believes her stories but maybe they should. She's got more good advice about how to live life than a self help book and a thousand times more enjoyable. Listen to the nephew tell his story of time spent with Auntie Poldi.
June 30, 2022
1.5 really
The story might have been interesting and fun, if only it weren’t for the writing. Instead, if it was too ridiculous to believe and too pretentious to enjoy.
1. It’s told in a weird mix of first and third person made worse by the fact that Auntie Poldi’s nephew writes too much and in too much detail about his aunt’s sex life. It’s weird and off putting.
2. It sometimes felt like I skipped several pages because two consecutive sentences made no sense in relation to each. Similarly, the plot points themselves had no transitions, so many things happened but also nothing happened at all. Suddenly Poldi was a spy. Suddenly Poldi knew who the murderer was. Etc etc
3. The writing often comes across as pretentious and too “clever”. I feel like this was the author’s attempt at mystery and intrigue, but it fell flat.
4. The weird little (2 page long) asides about the mafia or the market or Panarea as well as the random Italian words or phrases thrown in made the book sometimes read as a textbook on Sicily. Overall, Sicily felt like a caricature. If the author wanted to write an ode to Sicily, it’s only convincing for someone who knows nothing about it. Same thing with all the Antonio’s. Sure, I get it, lots of Antonio’s in southern Italy, I’ve got at least 15 of them in my family that I can name off the top of my head. Howeverrrrrr,and idk if it’s bc the rest of the book annoyed me so much, all the “handsome Antonio”s just came off as gimmicky, even if it was the whole point.
5. The book the nephew (idk if we ever learn his name but if we do I certainly didn’t care enough to remember it) is writing?? Completely unnecessary for us to get snippets of it. It’s literally just the book we’re reading plus some weird pretentious details. I wish the author had even attempted to make the in universe book so obviously not just the events of the novel we’re reading.
6. The ending. Firstly, as soon as he was introduced I was like “this is the murderer” and I’m always wrong about these things. Secondly, I’m so disappointed with the contents of the attaché case. Like r u kidding me ?? With all the blathering on about the mysticism of Sicily, this big thing worth ten million dollars was a manuscript? And sure I guess it was stated that the reason everyone was so after it was because it was written by Amy Winehouse, who’s alive???! And who Poldi knows, because of course she does. Overall it was incredibly disappointing and weird, but I shouldn’t be surprised because so was the rest of the book.
The story might have been interesting and fun, if only it weren’t for the writing. Instead, if it was too ridiculous to believe and too pretentious to enjoy.
1. It’s told in a weird mix of first and third person made worse by the fact that Auntie Poldi’s nephew writes too much and in too much detail about his aunt’s sex life. It’s weird and off putting.
2. It sometimes felt like I skipped several pages because two consecutive sentences made no sense in relation to each. Similarly, the plot points themselves had no transitions, so many things happened but also nothing happened at all. Suddenly Poldi was a spy. Suddenly Poldi knew who the murderer was. Etc etc
3. The writing often comes across as pretentious and too “clever”. I feel like this was the author’s attempt at mystery and intrigue, but it fell flat.
4. The weird little (2 page long) asides about the mafia or the market or Panarea as well as the random Italian words or phrases thrown in made the book sometimes read as a textbook on Sicily. Overall, Sicily felt like a caricature. If the author wanted to write an ode to Sicily, it’s only convincing for someone who knows nothing about it. Same thing with all the Antonio’s. Sure, I get it, lots of Antonio’s in southern Italy, I’ve got at least 15 of them in my family that I can name off the top of my head. Howeverrrrrr,and idk if it’s bc the rest of the book annoyed me so much, all the “handsome Antonio”s just came off as gimmicky, even if it was the whole point.
5. The book the nephew (idk if we ever learn his name but if we do I certainly didn’t care enough to remember it) is writing?? Completely unnecessary for us to get snippets of it. It’s literally just the book we’re reading plus some weird pretentious details. I wish the author had even attempted to make the in universe book so obviously not just the events of the novel we’re reading.
6. The ending. Firstly, as soon as he was introduced I was like “this is the murderer” and I’m always wrong about these things. Secondly, I’m so disappointed with the contents of the attaché case. Like r u kidding me ?? With all the blathering on about the mysticism of Sicily, this big thing worth ten million dollars was a manuscript? And sure I guess it was stated that the reason everyone was so after it was because it was written by Amy Winehouse, who’s alive???! And who Poldi knows, because of course she does. Overall it was incredibly disappointing and weird, but I shouldn’t be surprised because so was the rest of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2020
The third novel by Italian-German author Mario Giordano featuring the flamboyant Auntie Poldi (a.k.a. Isolde Oberreider) begins with a shocker: a Tanzanian husband appears on Poldi’s doorstep. Faithful readers already knew that Auntie Poldi had already gotten a very brief glimpse of Detective Inspector John Owenya (although considering Auntie Poldi’s penchant for policemen, I shouldn’t have been surprised that she married him).
Owenya drags Auntie Poldi and her nephew into another mystery, and we learn a lot more about her past. Most of it seems exaggerated, but then…. Well, if I told you anymore, it would ruin your enjoyment. Let’s just say that Poldi’s narrator-nephew, her brother-in-law, her estranged husband and, naturally, Poldi herself prove to be real heroes. As fun and funny as Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions and Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna, with just the right amount of magical realism. (Once you read it, it will all make sense.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review.
Owenya drags Auntie Poldi and her nephew into another mystery, and we learn a lot more about her past. Most of it seems exaggerated, but then…. Well, if I told you anymore, it would ruin your enjoyment. Let’s just say that Poldi’s narrator-nephew, her brother-in-law, her estranged husband and, naturally, Poldi herself prove to be real heroes. As fun and funny as Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions and Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna, with just the right amount of magical realism. (Once you read it, it will all make sense.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2022
"Italy is complicated. Something always intervenes." "In Poldi's case, a statistically significant cluster of handsome Antonios."
The nephew is back recounting his Auntie Poldi's escapades in Sicily with lots of laughs, innuendos, magic, the Mafia, police and the carabinieri, old spies, and even Mr Death. I thought that she couldn't get any more hilarious, but I was SO WRONG! This book is absolutely the very best antidote to the news media right now! I don't know if I laughed any harder with this one and I don't really care, I just know that I LOVED IT.
I do want to make certain to thank John Brownjohn for translating it into English so that my part of the world can enjoy it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley. 07/30/2020
I had some problems with sight reading, then saw that it would soon be on audio, so I bought it. I actually prefer narrated books when I suspect that I would screw up the other language's pronunciations. Matt Addis is really super at narrating this one and I hope that he will be doing the others. 04/17/2022
The nephew is back recounting his Auntie Poldi's escapades in Sicily with lots of laughs, innuendos, magic, the Mafia, police and the carabinieri, old spies, and even Mr Death. I thought that she couldn't get any more hilarious, but I was SO WRONG! This book is absolutely the very best antidote to the news media right now! I don't know if I laughed any harder with this one and I don't really care, I just know that I LOVED IT.
I do want to make certain to thank John Brownjohn for translating it into English so that my part of the world can enjoy it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley. 07/30/2020
I had some problems with sight reading, then saw that it would soon be on audio, so I bought it. I actually prefer narrated books when I suspect that I would screw up the other language's pronunciations. Matt Addis is really super at narrating this one and I hope that he will be doing the others. 04/17/2022
May 31, 2023
While I did read through the entire book, I cannot recommend this entry in the series.
I don't really want to spend my time reviewing the book, so that's all I have to say.
I don't really want to spend my time reviewing the book, so that's all I have to say.
April 3, 2024
unironically loved this so much it was so silly and fun to read!!
January 29, 2018
Temporeich und ziemlich schräg
Tante Poldi und der schöne Antonio von Mario Giordano, erschienen im Bastei Entertainment Verlag am 26. Januar 2018
Der Überraschungsbesuch an Tante Poldis Haustür sorgt für Verstimmungen zwischen Poldi, dem Besuch und ihrem Commissario. Diesmal gerät Tante Poldi an richtig heftige Gegner und der erste Mord lässt nicht lange auf sich warten.
Streckenweise viel es mir etwas schwer die Geschichte zu mögen. Die Erzählerei des Neffen beginnt doch zu nerven und ich bin echt froh gewesen, als wir uns wieder mehr auf die aktuelle Geschichte konzentriert haben. Tante Poldi spielt noch immer totsaufen mit Meerblick, manchmal auch mit Mehrblick wenn ein hübscher Polizist in Uniform auftaucht und ermittelt ziemlich konzentriert an einem ziemlich verworrenen Fall, der etwas an die verworrenen Spielfilme der 70er Jahre erinnert. Zeitweise hat man das Gefühl Mario Giordano will austesten wie weit er mit der Story gehen kann und macht einen ziemlichen Tanz am Vulkan mit dem Leser. Da mir, wie immer, gerade die Gestalt des „Tod“ sehr gut gefällt und sein Auftreten für mich immer zu den Highlights gehört, rennt er da offene Türen ein und darf gerne völlig unglaubwürdige Wendungen einbauen ohne dass ich ihm wirklich nachhaltig böse bin.
Wieder sehr flüssig geschrieben in einer Sprache die verzaubert, einigermaßen spannend, ziemlich viel Überdrehtes und Okkultes, nicht jugendfreie Handlungen und ein Road Trip über die Insel sind diesmal außer vielen Männern die Hauptsache in dem Buch. Es lohnt sich dieses Buch zu lesen, wenn man etwas überspannt und verhaltensoriginell mag.
Tante Poldi und der schöne Antonio von Mario Giordano, erschienen im Bastei Entertainment Verlag am 26. Januar 2018
Der Überraschungsbesuch an Tante Poldis Haustür sorgt für Verstimmungen zwischen Poldi, dem Besuch und ihrem Commissario. Diesmal gerät Tante Poldi an richtig heftige Gegner und der erste Mord lässt nicht lange auf sich warten.
Streckenweise viel es mir etwas schwer die Geschichte zu mögen. Die Erzählerei des Neffen beginnt doch zu nerven und ich bin echt froh gewesen, als wir uns wieder mehr auf die aktuelle Geschichte konzentriert haben. Tante Poldi spielt noch immer totsaufen mit Meerblick, manchmal auch mit Mehrblick wenn ein hübscher Polizist in Uniform auftaucht und ermittelt ziemlich konzentriert an einem ziemlich verworrenen Fall, der etwas an die verworrenen Spielfilme der 70er Jahre erinnert. Zeitweise hat man das Gefühl Mario Giordano will austesten wie weit er mit der Story gehen kann und macht einen ziemlichen Tanz am Vulkan mit dem Leser. Da mir, wie immer, gerade die Gestalt des „Tod“ sehr gut gefällt und sein Auftreten für mich immer zu den Highlights gehört, rennt er da offene Türen ein und darf gerne völlig unglaubwürdige Wendungen einbauen ohne dass ich ihm wirklich nachhaltig böse bin.
Wieder sehr flüssig geschrieben in einer Sprache die verzaubert, einigermaßen spannend, ziemlich viel Überdrehtes und Okkultes, nicht jugendfreie Handlungen und ein Road Trip über die Insel sind diesmal außer vielen Männern die Hauptsache in dem Buch. Es lohnt sich dieses Buch zu lesen, wenn man etwas überspannt und verhaltensoriginell mag.
February 14, 2021
In this novel, you may find:
Antonios: 5
Men wanting to bed Poldi: 4 (+?)
Mysterious packages: 1
Celebrity friend stories: 6
Celebrity friend sightings: 1 (!)
Cars stolen by Poldi: 2
And of course, conversations with one of my favorite characters, Death: 4
This is, I think, the strongest of the Auntie Poldi chronicles so far. The mystery was good, one running line of sexual tension was advanced, Vito spent much of the book in the doghouse (I am quite anti-Montana, and #TeamRusso, though not for any silly exclusivity), and there's an orgy. It has pretty much everything.
Did anyone else imagine her wig as being long? In this book, it was repeatedly referred to as a "beehive," which is really going to take some adjusting for me.
Possible best line:
For his part, Uncle Martino seemed totally impervious to caffeine. He was looking about as agitated as a Zen monk on a research trip to nowhere. (368)
Antonios: 5
Men wanting to bed Poldi: 4 (+?)
Mysterious packages: 1
Celebrity friend stories: 6
Celebrity friend sightings: 1 (!)
Cars stolen by Poldi: 2
And of course, conversations with one of my favorite characters, Death: 4
This is, I think, the strongest of the Auntie Poldi chronicles so far. The mystery was good, one running line of sexual tension was advanced, Vito spent much of the book in the doghouse (I am quite anti-Montana, and #TeamRusso, though not for any silly exclusivity), and there's an orgy. It has pretty much everything.
Did anyone else imagine her wig as being long? In this book, it was repeatedly referred to as a "beehive," which is really going to take some adjusting for me.
Possible best line:
For his part, Uncle Martino seemed totally impervious to caffeine. He was looking about as agitated as a Zen monk on a research trip to nowhere. (368)
April 9, 2018
Ernsthaft??
Ich habe bereits Teil 1 und 2 dieser Serie als Hörbuch "gelesen", und fand sie unterhaltsam.
Aber in diesem Teil fand ich war der Autor einfach viel zu bemüht die Geschichte interessant zu machen (einige Dinge fand ich einfach absurd, und passen nach meiner Meinung nicht zu dem Charakter "Poldi" aus den Vorgängern), den sizilischen Lebensstil als Maß aller Dinge für ein glückliches Leben hervorzuheben und dem Ich-Erzähler wichtige Lebenserkenntnisse gewinnen zu lassen.
Ich will nicht Spoilern, aber am Ende habe ich das Buch zugeklappt und gesagt "Ist nicht Dein ERNST."
Davon mal abgesehen ganz unterhaltsam für einen Sonntagnachmittag.
Ich habe bereits Teil 1 und 2 dieser Serie als Hörbuch "gelesen", und fand sie unterhaltsam.
Aber in diesem Teil fand ich war der Autor einfach viel zu bemüht die Geschichte interessant zu machen (einige Dinge fand ich einfach absurd, und passen nach meiner Meinung nicht zu dem Charakter "Poldi" aus den Vorgängern), den sizilischen Lebensstil als Maß aller Dinge für ein glückliches Leben hervorzuheben und dem Ich-Erzähler wichtige Lebenserkenntnisse gewinnen zu lassen.
Ich will nicht Spoilern, aber am Ende habe ich das Buch zugeklappt und gesagt "Ist nicht Dein ERNST."
Davon mal abgesehen ganz unterhaltsam für einen Sonntagnachmittag.
August 30, 2020
Loved this one! The first two Auntie Poldi books were a joy and pleasure too, but this one is just over the top. It keeps building and circling back around and building up again, as it made me imagine those little Italian roads winding their way through hillside towns do. Fantastic ending. Loved all the character development (especially of the narrator nephew), the surreal surprises, continuing fun from the prior books (those policeman, and visits from Death and Inspector Chance), and the tours around Sicily, especially. Thanks to the author and translator for such a great ride.
August 13, 2020
This series is just so fun. The first book was my favorite, and I felt as though the second was a bit repetitive, but in this third book the author finds a good rhythm. Really nice light read, love the mentions of Sicilian food and culture. I enjoy the perspective of the nephew telling the story of his aunt, perhaps an unlikely protagonist, but absolutely fantastic character. Excited for the next book in the series.
November 30, 2021
I can’t finish this book.. I don’t know if it’s not translating well from the original language to English but this was painful for me to read. The language flow was odd and I didn’t find myself intrigued by the story line.
September 9, 2020
I liked it but a little unfocused-unlike the first two books.
August 12, 2020
If you haven't read an Auntie Poldi book, now is the time.
This is the third book in the Auntie Poldi series. You don't "have" to read them in order, but for character development, it does help. They are completely fine as stand alone books as well.
Here's why you need Auntie Poldi in your life- she is a German widow who moves to Sicily because she wants to drink herself to death by the sea. She is a mix of Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote and Blanche from The Golden Girls. She is whip smart, selfish, bold, a great admirer of men (especially those in uniform- and they of her). This book is not for the meek or those who demand complete reality- Death, himself as a character, is in these books and often shows up to remind Poldi how to make decisions that keep her or others alive. They're murder mysteries told from Poldi's nephew's point of view (much like Watson relays the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.)
If you'd like to visit Sicily, these books would be a great stand in for that. This book, in particular, tells of different parts of Sicily and really makes the settings a character. There are detectives, mob hencemen, a McGuffin, a Finnish band, celebrity characters, love affairs, thieves, travel, farting dogs, Death, and general Auntie Poldi antics. If you like audiobooks, I do find these more fun on audio as the narrator does an excellent job with the Italian words and the various cast of characters. This is a great mystery, in modern Italy, with zany characters and plot. 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.
This is the third book in the Auntie Poldi series. You don't "have" to read them in order, but for character development, it does help. They are completely fine as stand alone books as well.
Here's why you need Auntie Poldi in your life- she is a German widow who moves to Sicily because she wants to drink herself to death by the sea. She is a mix of Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote and Blanche from The Golden Girls. She is whip smart, selfish, bold, a great admirer of men (especially those in uniform- and they of her). This book is not for the meek or those who demand complete reality- Death, himself as a character, is in these books and often shows up to remind Poldi how to make decisions that keep her or others alive. They're murder mysteries told from Poldi's nephew's point of view (much like Watson relays the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.)
If you'd like to visit Sicily, these books would be a great stand in for that. This book, in particular, tells of different parts of Sicily and really makes the settings a character. There are detectives, mob hencemen, a McGuffin, a Finnish band, celebrity characters, love affairs, thieves, travel, farting dogs, Death, and general Auntie Poldi antics. If you like audiobooks, I do find these more fun on audio as the narrator does an excellent job with the Italian words and the various cast of characters. This is a great mystery, in modern Italy, with zany characters and plot. 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.
November 24, 2020
A trip to Sicily, a mystery and humor all make this book a treat!
I enjoyed the characters, especially the wonderful Auntie Poldi and her friends/family. The mystery was well-written but as this was my first book to read, in the series, I was a little lost. I would recommend reading the books in order. Howevet, the book provided mystery, humor, twists and turns and a good time!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I enjoyed the characters, especially the wonderful Auntie Poldi and her friends/family. The mystery was well-written but as this was my first book to read, in the series, I was a little lost. I would recommend reading the books in order. Howevet, the book provided mystery, humor, twists and turns and a good time!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 6, 2025
Not sure what to say. I read it, I (for the most part) enjoyed it, and I’m likely to eventually read the next…after I recuperate. Words/phrases that came to mind when preparing to review the book would include: over-the-top, slapstick, farce, panto, levity, and both “larger than life” and “tour de force” - certainly in regard to Aunt Poldi herself. Yes, there’s some sort of mystery mixed in here, but it gets so subsumed to the adventures of Poldi, her family, and the men in her life, that it can be difficult to follow the thread of it.
I’ll just say beach read or airplane read if I can do so without being too negative and judgemental; it is certainly diverting and sometimes entertaining..
I’ll just say beach read or airplane read if I can do so without being too negative and judgemental; it is certainly diverting and sometimes entertaining..
Read
January 3, 2021Auntie Poldi is at it again! Italy is it's own magical place of chaos and Poldi for sure enjoys being in the center of it. I think this translation is the most successful yet and I look forward to more of her adventures.
August 7, 2021
Got sidetracked which is why it took me so long to finish this one. It was a bit slower to start than some of the others, or maybe I'm just more used to Poldi. Anyway, it was just as funny as the others and I'll be reading the next in the series.
June 5, 2023
Te gek! Ik hou van de humor, alle gekkigheid, de beschrijving van Sicilië, het plot en natuurlijk van tante Poldi. Ook dit keer was het een bizar avontuur, met een plot twist op het laatst die ik niet zag aankomen. Erg veel zin in de laatste twee boeken.
April 22, 2024
Okay! I could not put Auntie Poldi and the Handsome Antonio down. I certainly had eye strain and was in total delight. Mario Giordano know how to write and keep me turning the pages. Things just keep on getting better or should I say crazier with Auntie Poldi. Loved the mystery to the last page.
April 25, 2024
Silly but a fun read!
August 15, 2020
This is the third book in the Auntie Poldi series, but the first I have read and whilst it may have been useful to have read the other first, you don’t have to read them to enjoy this instalment.
So where do I start? This is a unique book, that is very difficult to categorise, because on the one hand it is a murder mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end, and contains a very grizzly murder, but on the other hand it is also a comic farce. Combining these two genres could quite easily be a disaster, but Giordano has managed to marry the two into a quite wonderful book.
One of the strengths of the book is the larger than life character of Auntie Poldi, she is quite fabulous and I adored her from the very first page. The descriptions of her relationships with the various members of her family, including her ‘untalented nephew’ and her various paramours were a delight to read and it was the characterisations that were a real strength of this book. In addition, the book has a strong sense of place and I was whisked away to the Sicilian countryside as I accompanied Poldi on her travels to uncover the murderer of Thomas and locate the mysterious attache case.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already purchased the first two books in the series and I can’t wait to reacquaint myself with the wonderful Auntie Poldi.
PS - the farting dog is a joy and I have one just like him...!
I would like to thank both NetGalley and John Murray Press for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So where do I start? This is a unique book, that is very difficult to categorise, because on the one hand it is a murder mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end, and contains a very grizzly murder, but on the other hand it is also a comic farce. Combining these two genres could quite easily be a disaster, but Giordano has managed to marry the two into a quite wonderful book.
One of the strengths of the book is the larger than life character of Auntie Poldi, she is quite fabulous and I adored her from the very first page. The descriptions of her relationships with the various members of her family, including her ‘untalented nephew’ and her various paramours were a delight to read and it was the characterisations that were a real strength of this book. In addition, the book has a strong sense of place and I was whisked away to the Sicilian countryside as I accompanied Poldi on her travels to uncover the murderer of Thomas and locate the mysterious attache case.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already purchased the first two books in the series and I can’t wait to reacquaint myself with the wonderful Auntie Poldi.
PS - the farting dog is a joy and I have one just like him...!
I would like to thank both NetGalley and John Murray Press for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2023
Two stars because I did finish it, but honestly, not a good one. What was handsome Mario Giordano thinking?!!!
January 26, 2021
Die apokalyptische, bayerische Urgewalt ermittelt wieder
Ich vergebe für das Hörbuch 3,5 Sterne – halbe Sterne kann man hier leider nicht vergeben, daher runde ich tendenzmäßig nicht auf, sondern ab auf 3 Sterne.
Dass Poldi alle möglichen prominenten Freunde hat, wissen wir ja schon aus den beiden ersten Teilen dieser Reihe. Dass sie aber auch mal spionagemäßig tätig war für „Die Firma“, erfahren wir jetzt. Überhaupt kommt so einiges ans Licht über Poldis bisheriges Leben. Dieser neue Fall führt sie nun im geklauten Maserati mit Schwager und Neffe durch Italien. Alle möglichen Bösewichte sind hinter ihnen her und wer zum Henker ist dieser schöne Antonio!? Im Laufe dieses Roadtrips tauscht Poldi Schwager und Neffe gegen zwei Hundertjährige, einen nackten Finnen und ein übergroßes Kaninchen und landet schließlich – ohne die drei, dafür wieder mit dem Neffen und nach und nach dem einen oder anderen Beteiligten - zum Showdown in einer abgelegenen, verlassenen Hütte.
Wie immer poltert und flucht Poldi sich wuchtbrummig und gewitzt durch das Abenteuer. Ihren Plan, sich gepflegt mit Meerblick totzusaufen hat sie noch nicht ganz aufgegeben, stellt ihn immer wieder hintan und kramt ihn dann doch wieder hervor, weil: in Sizilien muss man mit allem rechnen. Namasté und leckt´s mi alle am Arsch!
So witzig und turbulent dieser 3. Fall ist, driftet er für meinen Geschmack doch ein bisschen zu sehr ins Absurd-Komische ab. Im Vergleich zu den ersten beiden Teilen deutlich schwächer, finde ich. Lustig, turbulent und immer für einen Lacher gut, aber auch ein bisschen arg übertrieben in vielen Dingen. Ich bin auf den 4. Fall gespannt, der schon hörbereit bei mir liegt.
Eine Sache muss ich aber noch loswerden. Den Sprecher mitten in einer Reihe zu wechseln, ist eine grausame Idee. Ich war regelrecht geschockt, als ich die ersten Sätze gehört habe. Was für ein Unterschied! Nicht, dass Christian Baumann es schlecht machen würde, gar nicht. Aber sein Vorredner hatte sich so fest in mein Ohr gepflanzt und ihm das Wasser zu reichen, ist sehr schwer. Im Laufe des Hörbuchs hat sich das wieder relativiert und ich habe mich daran gewöhnt. Aber es war wirklich ein Schock.
Die ausführliche Rezension mit Hörprobe und mehr könnt ihr in meinem Blog ansehen, wenn ihr mögt: LESEZAUBER_ZEILENREISE: https://lesezauberzeilenreise.blogspo...
Ich vergebe für das Hörbuch 3,5 Sterne – halbe Sterne kann man hier leider nicht vergeben, daher runde ich tendenzmäßig nicht auf, sondern ab auf 3 Sterne.
Dass Poldi alle möglichen prominenten Freunde hat, wissen wir ja schon aus den beiden ersten Teilen dieser Reihe. Dass sie aber auch mal spionagemäßig tätig war für „Die Firma“, erfahren wir jetzt. Überhaupt kommt so einiges ans Licht über Poldis bisheriges Leben. Dieser neue Fall führt sie nun im geklauten Maserati mit Schwager und Neffe durch Italien. Alle möglichen Bösewichte sind hinter ihnen her und wer zum Henker ist dieser schöne Antonio!? Im Laufe dieses Roadtrips tauscht Poldi Schwager und Neffe gegen zwei Hundertjährige, einen nackten Finnen und ein übergroßes Kaninchen und landet schließlich – ohne die drei, dafür wieder mit dem Neffen und nach und nach dem einen oder anderen Beteiligten - zum Showdown in einer abgelegenen, verlassenen Hütte.
Wie immer poltert und flucht Poldi sich wuchtbrummig und gewitzt durch das Abenteuer. Ihren Plan, sich gepflegt mit Meerblick totzusaufen hat sie noch nicht ganz aufgegeben, stellt ihn immer wieder hintan und kramt ihn dann doch wieder hervor, weil: in Sizilien muss man mit allem rechnen. Namasté und leckt´s mi alle am Arsch!
So witzig und turbulent dieser 3. Fall ist, driftet er für meinen Geschmack doch ein bisschen zu sehr ins Absurd-Komische ab. Im Vergleich zu den ersten beiden Teilen deutlich schwächer, finde ich. Lustig, turbulent und immer für einen Lacher gut, aber auch ein bisschen arg übertrieben in vielen Dingen. Ich bin auf den 4. Fall gespannt, der schon hörbereit bei mir liegt.
Eine Sache muss ich aber noch loswerden. Den Sprecher mitten in einer Reihe zu wechseln, ist eine grausame Idee. Ich war regelrecht geschockt, als ich die ersten Sätze gehört habe. Was für ein Unterschied! Nicht, dass Christian Baumann es schlecht machen würde, gar nicht. Aber sein Vorredner hatte sich so fest in mein Ohr gepflanzt und ihm das Wasser zu reichen, ist sehr schwer. Im Laufe des Hörbuchs hat sich das wieder relativiert und ich habe mich daran gewöhnt. Aber es war wirklich ein Schock.
Die ausführliche Rezension mit Hörprobe und mehr könnt ihr in meinem Blog ansehen, wenn ihr mögt: LESEZAUBER_ZEILENREISE: https://lesezauberzeilenreise.blogspo...
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