Murder at Veronica’s Diner

Ferrara Family Mystery #4

by J.D. Griffo

In J.D. Griffo's fourth Ferrara Family Mystery featuring a multi-generational Italian-American sleuthing duo Alberta Scaglione and her twentysomething granddaughter, murder is on the menu at Tranquility, New Jersey's local diner...

Alberta Scaglione thinks her cooking is better than anyone's in Tranquility, New Jersey--but she doesn't mind an occasional visit to Veronica's Diner. During the breakfast rush, waitress Teri Jo seems stressed out. Not surprising on a busy morning, though Alberta, her sister Helen, and her granddaughter Jinx find it odd when Teri Jo asks them to deliver a package for her "just in case."

Minutes later, Teri Jo rushes back to their table--not with a check in her hand but with a knife in her back. Veronica is upset but says she knows virtually nothing about her employee's past, and the ladies aren't sure whether to view her with sympathy or suspicion. Then they find an unusual figurine on the ground while snooping in the vicinity, and it becomes clear that this is a case for the Ferrara Family. With such a crowd at the crime scene, there are plenty of potential murderers on the menu, and the Ferraras will travel everywhere to figure out exactly where that figurine fits in...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the 'Ferrara Family Detective Agency' series featuring a multi-generational Italian-American sleuthing duo Alberta Scaglione and her twenty-odd-year-old granddaughter, Jinx (such a fabulous name!), and it was really enjoyable! Also part of of the family are Helen and Joyce. Helen is Alberta's ex-nun sister, and Joyce is their ex-sister-in-law and a former Wall Street executive.

The characters were all well crafted by the author J D Griffo, with each one being very individual and having their own distinctive personalities and flaws. There were several good clues as to the identity of the perpetrator, but also some great red herrings to throw the reader off the scent. The plot was well written and I loved the author's style. With oodles of laugh-out-loud moments and superb interaction between the Ferrara family, I would definitely recommend Murder at Veronica's Diner to other cozy readers. This was a five-star read for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Gail C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fourth in the Ferrara Family Mystery series is like a comfortable pair of shoes. You know what to expect when slipping into it, and it does not disappoint. The four Ferrara sisters and Jinx, granddaughter to Alberta who is the matriarch, continue to become embroiled in investigating murders, this time when their waitress at the local diner is killed while they are there for breakfast.
As their investigation deepens, so does information regarding the sisters, this time including information about Helen and why she left the nunnery. There is also more information about Alberta and her growing relationship with Sloan as well as more insight into Father Sal.
The murder itself seemed a bit simplistic and I had figured it out the entire plot by the time all the characters were introduced. While it was entertaining to read the banter and camaraderie that exists between the women, it was very similar to the earlier books in the series. Any reader who wants to enjoy another opportunity to read and experience how the women relate to one another will enjoy this book. If you are looking for a complex mystery at the same time, this one will probably be a bit too easy for you to solve. It also requires somewhat of a stretch to accept how easily Vinnie, current chief of police who Alberta babysat when he was a child, accepts and at one point even asks for their assistance.
The ending was also predictable, especially if you are familiar with the series. Again, if you enjoyed the earlier books and want to experience similar activities, this may be a good book for you. If you are new to the series, I would recommend beginning with the first book to get a firm idea of everyone’s personality.
My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER AT VERONICA’S DINER, the fourth book in the Ferrara Family Mystery series by J.D. Griffo, starts off with action from the very beginning. While most cozy mysteries feature just one protagonist, this series has several. First and foremost is Italian grandmother, Alberta Scaglione. I love that the author features a woman of “a certain age” so prominently. Alongside Alberta is her ex-nun sister, Helen, their ex-sister-in-law, Joyce, and Alberta’s reporter granddaughter, Jinx. These women are full of life and quite hilarious! I love seeing how they not only support each other but work together to solve murders and call themselves the Ferrara Family Detective Agency. One downside is that while they like, and are friends with, the local law enforcement officer, they aren’t very complimentary of him. In fact they hide evidence from him which could help solve the murder. Not only does this hinder the official investigation but puts the women in harm’s way. Despite that, the author provides a highly entertaining story and I greatly enjoyed the humor throughout as the clues unfolded. With a fast-paced plot and a hair-raising reveal, the author will have me coming back for the next book!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Veronica's Diner by J. D. Griffo is the 4th book in Ferrara Family Mystery series, and another great addition. Alberta inherited a lake house in Tranquility, New Jersey from her aunt, where she now lives. When a murder occurs while the Ferrara Family is having breakfast in the diner. Alberta, her granddaughter Jinx, sister Helen, and sister-in-law Joyce set out to solve the mystery. This book had so many twists and turns, I couldn't put it down. I found this book very interesting, and full of colorful characters. Not only is there a good mystery, the plot and characters are well developed. I strongly recommend this book, and am looking forward to reading their next adventure. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Ferrara family mystery and it will certainly not be my last! I adored stepping into life with this gregarious Italian family complete with lots of wonderful Italian language peppered throughout. If you are looking for a cozy mystery that starts with a bang and takes you on a quest to solve a murder, this is the one for you. Although, I plan to read the first books in this series, I felt the characters were sufficiently developed and the connections were clearly described for the reader to catch up as a stand alone story. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this advanced copy for my review.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alberta Ferrarra Scaglione accompanies her sister Helen to Veronica’s Diner located in their hometown of Tranquility, New Jersey. Helen has become friends with one of the waitresses there, Teri Jo Linbruck. The frazzled waitress asks Helen to do a favor for her and deliver a box for her. It seems like a simple request, but before Teri Jo can explain any further, Teri Jo collapses to the floor of the diner with a knife in her back. Alberta, Helen, Alberta’s sister-in-law Joyce, and Alberta’s granddaughter Jinx decide to conduct their own investigation, whether their friend Vinny, the local police chief, likes it or not.

This book is the fourth Ferrara Family Mysteries, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t know all of the details about the characters, but the author does a good job of summarizing the most important about the main characters. As in the other books in the series, the best part of the book is the loving relationship between Alberta, her sister, sister-in-law, and granddaughter. Alberta and Helena are proud of their Italian-American heritage and Italian sayings are sprinkled throughout the book. Most are translated into English. All of the chapter headings are also in Italian giving the book an authentic Italian flair. Alberta is proud of her cooking, too, and there are a few recipes at the end of the book.

I love the way Alberta and her family work together to research potential suspects and gather clues. Alberta is observant and clever and missed her calling as a professional detective. However, I don’t like that they keep those facts from Vinny, sometimes slowing the overall investigation or putting lives in danger. I was able to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together right along with the Ferrara women. However, the plot got complicated with lots of side players so I was not able to guess the identity of the killer. There are a couple of slow spots in the middle of the book and Alberta’s scheme to confirm her theory about who the murderer starts out silly and gets very dramatic, but gets results. Overall, this is an entertaining mystery with a loving family at the heart of the story that I would rate 3.5 stars.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. This review will also appear on Smitten Review Site and Blog.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.D. Griffo is a talented writer. In his latest addition to the “Ferrara Family Mystery” series, Murder at Veronica’s Diner, his talent shines through. The characters are filled with charm, loud voices, and Italian family nuances you don’t get unless you are a member of the group.

This story revolves around the murder of a waitress, Teri Jo, in a crowded diner. Yet none of the diner patrons saw the murder take place or the killer. It seems almost impossible that no one saw anything, including Alberta and crew. This group of older ladies and Alberta’s young granddaughter are just as shocked as everyone else. The police have no clues, and the Ferrara family dives in to uncover a killer.

The characters in this story are easy to like. But at times, it can be difficult to tell who is who. If readers have not read any of the other additions to this series, they will be confused. I suggest that you don’t start this series with this book. To understand the characters and keep them straight, readers need to go back and start from the beginning. This book shows how a real family interacts with love, humor, and food. It’s filled with interesting tidbits, including the headlines for each chapter in Italian.

There is plenty of action in Murder at Veronica’s Diner; readers are taken on an adventure throughout the story. The evidence of the killer’s identity is sprinkled throughout, but this story isn’t so much about who the killer is, as this is obvious from the beginning, but it is more about what the motive is and who all is involved. Of course, in the end, Alberta, Helen, Joyce, and Jinx figure everything out and capture the murderer. My only complaint about this book was that solving the killer’s identity took all of ten minutes. I enjoyed the overall feel of this intriguing Italian family, their escapades, and I highly recommend the series and the recipes in the back.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow or other, I thought this book was written by a different author, so it was hard for me to appreciate it on its merits. Widowed and wealthy Alberta, Helen, her sister and a former nun, Jinx, Alberta's granddaughter, and Alberta and Helen's sister-in-law Joyce are having breakfast at the local diner when the waitress dies suddenly--of a knife in the back. Soon Alberta realizes that the owner of the diner is lying, the waitress had been living under a false identity, and the roots of the crime might well lie back in Brooklyn. There are road trips from their serene little village to the Big Apple, and even to Texas, plus a wrenching plane trip that forces a totally unprepared Alberta into the pilot's seat, but all ends well enough, with lots of food served at frequent intervals. Recipes included.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really about a 3.7, maybe a little less. The mystery was convoluted and I'm not sure I bought the answer, but the fun of these books is in the Ferrara women. They always make me laugh.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell for this delightful series with the first book - Murder on Memory Lake. Meeting Alberta, her sister Helen (an ex-nun) Joyce, her sister-in-law and Alberta's granddaughter, Jinx. These ladies are a force to be reckoned with. Alberta, Helen and Joyce are of a certain age (seniors) and Jinx is in her twenties. Together they make up the Ferrara Family Detective Agency and the chemistry between them is perfect and very funny.
Here we are with book four and the family is out for breakfast at Veronica's Diner. Alberta is a bit unsettled by a dream the previous night and her sister Helen is trying to find out what's bugging her. Before she can uncover the facts Joyce and Jinx arrive and breakfast conversation gets underway. Alberta ordered Eggs Benedict for all of them but little did they imagine that a side of homicide was included. Their waitress collapses at their table with a butcher knife in her back. The Ferrara Family Detective Agency has a new case. Before she was murdered, their waitress, Teri Jo, gave them a package and said she didn't have time to run this errand and would they do it for her. Now they have plenty of reasons to investigate. It was clear to Alberta that Teri Jo was afraid of something. Enough to get her killed.
The book can be read as a stand alone as the background is explained without being too much information dragging the story down. Each of the ladies is a well developed character and
their interactions are very believable. The mystery is solid with several red herrings and the author plays fair with the clues. Still, I guessed wrong. Full of family warmth and a lot of humor, this is an Italian family I would love to know. I already have book five on my TBR list. Murder at St. Winifred's Academy will be published May 25, 2021.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: Murder at Veronica’s Diner by J.D. Griffo (a Ferraro Family Mystery) published by Kensington Books, 2020 New York, NY

First, thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I have not read any others in the series (this is book 4) so my perspective may be different than regular readers.

The background: During the breakfast rush, waitress Teri Jo seems stressed out. Not surprising on a busy morning, though Alberta, her sister Helen, and her granddaughter Jinx find it odd when Teri Jo asks them to deliver a package for her "just in case." Minutes later, Teri Jo rushes back to their table--not with a check in her hand but with a knife in her back (literally).

The Ferrara sisters and granddaughter Jinx set out to figure out what happened and why. The book reminded me of some of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movies with recurring quirky characters who solve local crimes while working (sort of) in concert with the police. Of course, this would never happen in real life – but it makes for entertaining reading and watching.

What I liked: The characters and their depth. I think had I read the prior books in the series they would be even more charming than they are portrayed in this #4 book. One sister is a former nun, who in this book reveals why she left the church after 40 years. That was a great perspective, especially when she finally tells her sister what happened. The way the plot came together as the book proceeded into the later chapters was well done, culminating in an exciting scene on a plane.

What didn’t appeal to me as much as a reader: All the Italian language! (are all 4 books like this?) I think if you’re Italian and/or speak Italian, the inclusion of all the Italian language in the book would definitely be appealing to you. From my perspective as a reader it caused me to have to pause, to try to figure out what they were saying, and hope it was revealed in the next sentences. Usually it was, but it made for awkward reading. A little bit of this could go a long way, but for this reader, it was too much as written throughout the book.

It was an entertaining story with well-developed characters. The author did a good job of bringing all the disparate facts together.

[Smitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Alberta Ferrarra Scaglione accompanies her sister Helen to Veronica’s Diner located in their hometown of Tranquility, New Jersey. Helen has become friends with one of the waitresses there, Teri Jo Linbruck. The frazzled waitress asks Helen to do a favor for her and deliver a box for her. It seems like a simple request, but before Teri Jo can explain any further, Teri Jo collapses to the floor of the diner with a knife in her back. Alberta, Helen, Alberta’s sister-in-law Joyce, and Alberta’s granddaughter Jinx decide to conduct their own investigation, whether their friend Vinny, the local police chief, likes it or not.

This book is the fourth Ferrara Family Mysteries, but can be read as a standalone. New readers won’t know all of the details about the characters, but the author does a good job of summarizing the most important about the main characters. As in the other books in the series, the best part of the book is the loving relationship between Alberta, her sister, sister-in-law, and granddaughter. Alberta and Helena are proud of their Italian-American heritage and Italian sayings are sprinkled throughout the book. Most are translated into English. All of the chapter headings are also in Italian giving the book an authentic Italian flair. Alberta is proud of her cooking, too, and there are a few recipes at the end of the book.

I love the way Alberta and her family work together to research potential suspects and gather clues. Alberta is observant and clever and missed her calling as a professional detective. However, I don’t like that they keep those facts from Vinny, sometimes slowing the overall investigation or putting lives in danger. I was able to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together right along with the Ferrara women. However, the plot got complicated with lots of side players so I was not able to guess the identity of the killer. There are a couple of slow spots in the middle of the book and Alberta’s scheme to confirm her theory about who the murderer starts out silly and gets very dramatic, but gets results. Overall, this is an entertaining mystery with a loving family at the heart of the story.

~ Christine

[Karen Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although she is a fabulous cook and enjoys her own food best, Alberta Scaglione occasionally visits Veronica’s Diner. On one such occasion, Teri Jo is her waitress during the breakfast rush and seems stressed out. After Alberta finishes her breakfast, Teri Jo comes to her table with what Alberta expects is the check, but actually has a knife that has been plunged into her back and Alberta finds she has been murdered. Murder at Veronica’s Diner is the fourth installment in the Ferraro Family series featuring Italian American sleuths who work together to solve this mystery.

Griffo is a good storyteller, and the story will keep readers on the edge. The characters are well-developed, and the novel has plenty of ups and downs. There is some suspense also, which builds during the novel. As is typical of most cozy mysteries, there is no blatant sex, violence, or profanity, which makes this novel perfect for younger readers. Seasoned cozy aficionados will like this series, too and will find that the ending is a surprise, since there are several murder suspects and circumstantial evidence pointing to them all.

Cozies are usually quick reads, and this one is no exception. It’s fun, though, and will be enjoyable for all types of mystery readers. While this book isn’t destined to be a classic, it is enjoyable and will be enjoyed by most readers. As with any good culinary mystery, Griffo has included recipes from the diner that appear to be easy and sound like something most of us would like to prepare.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Granted, this cozy is about 68 pages longer than the average cozy, but I don't think that why I thought it would never end. On the plus side, the author packs in plenty of detail, on the negative side, it makes the story drag even though a lot of it is about the suspects and mystery.

This is the first book I've read in the series, so I am not completely wrapped up in the Ferrara world. There's enough backstory provided I understand how the ladies work as a team so I wasn't feeling lost. I just didn't care about any of them, the various components the author brought in could have been intriguing, but with all the other elements was just too much.

Other things like the police chief #1 doing active on scene investigating #2 telling the Ferrara team to get cracking at solving the case (!!) were very unrealistic, even if Alberta was his childhood babysitter.

I understand why the author dropped Italian in here and there, but it, also, was too much. Some of it wasn't translated either. I have a degree in Spanish which required 2 years of Italian, so I'm better off than most of the readers probably, but it was too much having it at the top of every chapter and in the text. Too much food talk as well.

I have the next book in the series and will give it a try in case this is a one off miss for me.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonesing for Eggs Benedict, Alberta, Helen, Joyce and Jinx head to the local diner for a fix. As they try to attack their waitress’ attention for their check, the woman falls down on the diner floor with a butcher’s knife in her back. In a full diner, not a single person saw the murderer and that leads the Ferrara ladies to get their detective hats on and try to solve the mystery.

With some home cooked food, plenty of Entenmann’s and a few pitchers of a Jinx’s new Red Herring beverage, the ladies get down to doing what they do best, sleuthing. As the body count increases, the ladies are hoping they won’t be adding themselves to that count and hit the road to track down the clues and serve up a murderer.

I adore this series. A mix of two generations and lots of love make this a fun series with solid whodunits each and every time. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at times and dating yourself at others, like when Vinny calls the ladies the Senior Scooby Gang. Having grown up in New Jersey, each and every entry in this series is like a visit home. Family really is everything!

[Amanda Lavelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This is the 4th book in this family amateur detectives series, and I have not read the preceding books. However, I feel this book can stand well on its own, although there are ongoing story lines with some of the characters, and there are some big reveals in this book.
I particularly enjoyed the fact the the main protagonists were mainly more mature characters, but this wasn’t a stately plod through a quiet village kind of mystery- it was quite action packed and particularly the final scene involving a plane and no obvious pilot was pretty nail biting stuff. There is also a whiff of a romance, which again is refreshing to see in older characters.
I enjoyed this mystery, although the use of Italian did stop me in my tracks at times- it did help to really set the background but I hadn’t a clue as to what it meant most of the time. Would still recommend though

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th installment in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. I love that this series features multiple family members and the dynamics of that family is what makes this series a winner for me. Alberta, Helen, Joyce and Jinx decide to head to Veronica’s Diner for some breakfast, Terri Jo the waitress is really frazzled and a little off and it seems like it is more than just how busy the café is. She even asks them a favor “just in case”.. what the heck does that mean? Well the ladies soon find out when Terri Jo arrives back at their table not with a check but with a knife in her back. They are on the case and it is fun watching the family get down to business. They have even earned a nickname of “Senior Scooby Gang” which I found funny. This is a good series and the mystery is solid and keeps you engaged. This series keeps getting better.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ferrara lady sleuths are very Sicilian Catholic older widow Alberta and her granddaughter Jinx (a reporter for the local paper), Alberta's ex-nun sister Helen, and former sister in law (and former Wall Street executive) Joyce. They're also known as “Senior Scooby Gang” by their friend, the local police chief in their small town in New Jersey. The first body is that of the best waitress at the local diner who dies in front of everyone with a butcher knife in her back and no apparent suspects. They first look for some answers to Veronica, who owns the diner only to first suspect, then know that she is lying about a number of things. Great sleuthing with Red Herrings, plot twists, and lots of humor!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alberta, Helen, Joyce, and Jinx find themselves working to solve a shocking murder in this latest installment in a cozy series featuring a family of intrepid women. Breakfast out turns sour for them when their waitress, Teri Jo, is stabbed in the back. Wow. She's just asked them to deliver a package for her, diner owner Veronica knows next to nothing about her, and the whole thing is just......The murder investigation part of this is in some ways less interesting than the interaction between the women. Helen, a former nun, reveals why she left. Alberta dotes a bit on Jinx. Everyone speaks Italian (don't worry- the meaning of the phrases is provided). This will be fine as a standalone, especially if you are a cozy reader. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

[Kitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the murder of a waitress serving the Ferrara family occurs they feel compelled to solve the crime. I love the nick name given to the elder ladies who help with the sleuthing, The Senior Scooby gang. This mystery has ties to the mob as well as a second restaurant.

The relationship of the family are well thought out and constructed. It is like visiting with ones own family members. I enjoy the fact that the characters are multigenerational as well.

It is a quick read. This story also resolves why Helen left the church. It adds to her character development in my opinion.

This is a stand alone story. One does not need to have read the previous novels to enjoy this one, I recommend this book as well as the series to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Veronica's Diner is a good cozy mystery that features older protagonists. I loved the Italian sayings and references. I had a difficult time connecting to any of the characters, though, and I found elements of the story a tad far fetched. The writing was done well, and most of the story was good, but I didn't like the ending or the reason for the murders. I will, however, check out more books by this author and in this series.

I would give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

#MurderatVeronicasDiner #NetGalley

[Michelle Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read of the Ferrara sisters and it has been great.
Alberta, her sister/ retired Nun Helen, sister in law Joyce and granddaughter Jinxie investigate 3 murders in their quiet little town of Tranquility, NJ. All kinds of crazy things seem to follow these gals as they try to track down a crazed killer. Alberta has a nice man friend named Sloan who gets caught up in the danger and gets badly hurt. Alberta has to face her feelings for Sloan for what they are and think about keeping her family safe also.
#murderatveronica'sdiner #netgalley

[J Messina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. This book is the fourth in this series, and it was an absolute pleasure to read. The characters are fun and larger than life, and they solve crime in their own way. It was interesting to having more insight into the past of a few characters, it makes them more interesting. While this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, there is more to be enjoyed if one of has read the previous entries in the series. This book has a good mystery, solid characters, funny moments, and is well written. Must not be missed!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, this felt a bit dysjointed. I didn't really buy the murder, or the solving of it, I found the insights of the characters a bit dull, and their careless disregard of the law as they go sleuthing kinda appalling. I still have no idea why they felt they needed the last caper, and then the final big battle was was baffling.

On the plus side, I like seeing older characters, I like that they were still living full lives in their retirement years, with friends and hobbies and romantic partners and everything. And it's in New Jersey, so that's a good find.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun book in this series. The Ferrara family are on the case again when Alberta and some of the other family members go to a diner to have breakfast. When a waitress gets killed and a figurine turns up at the crime scene what's a family to do but solve the crime! Plenty of interesting places are visited in this story fun and fast moving with great characters. Enjoyed reading it looking forward to more from this series.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Veronica's Diner is the fourth in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. This is the first one I have read but was able to get current quickly..
This is a easy to read Cozy with likeable characters, a great setting, romance, family, and humor. There are plenty twists and turns that have you guessing to the end.
Warning, you may start craving diner food.
I was given an ARC by the Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Ferrara Family Mystery series. The cast of characters is involved and you might want to read the previous books to get familiar. Set in a good Italian neighborhood in Tranquility, New Jersey, The multi-generational family keeps busy helping the police and solving crimes in the neighborhood. This story revolves around fake passports and some background fir Alberta and her sisters. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Samantha McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my favorites series from the start! The author described the series as The Golden Girls meet Murder, She Wrote and that's spot on. This series is witty and enjoyable from start to finish and this latest installment is true to form. You'll laugh so hard you'll cry and you'll keep turning pages to find "who did it". A highly entertaining cozy mystery read!

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining and engrossing story in this beloved series.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, the solid mystery kept me guessing and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the next story, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the best Ferrara book so far. Alberta gets handed a new mystery when the waitress falls right in front of her with a knife in her back. The Ferrara women get to work tracking down the possible suspects and, of course, solving the mystery. The action is very good, and I enjoyed the antics to the women as they work to solve the mystery.