Tante Poldi en de hemelse vruchten

Tante Poldi #2

by Mario Giordano

Deel 2 in de serie over de eigenzinnige Tante Poldi die op Sicilië woont.

Tante Poldi’s humeur is beneden het dieptepunt gezonken: haar water is afgesloten. De veroorzaker blijkt de aantrekkelijke wijnboer Avola te zijn. Wanneer ze verhaal gaat halen valt ze onmiddellijk voor zijn avances en na een dolle nacht is al het leed snel vergeten. Maar dan wordt er een lijk gevonden in Avola’s wijngaard en rechercheur Montana is allesbehalve blij dat het juist Poldi is die Avola een alibi kan verschaffen…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Italy, Humor, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Crime

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2016

About the author

MARIO 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.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tante Poldi ist eine ungewöhnliche Protagonistin. Sie kommt aus Bayern, lebt in Italien, ist in ihren 60ern, sehr selbstbewusst und die Freundin des Kommissars. Sie ist dem Alkohol nicht abgeneigt und ermittelt gerne mal.
Hier im zweiten Band der Reihe findet sich in den Weinreben eine Leiche, doch der Winzer hat ein Alibi – er war mit Tante Poldi zusammen!
Die ganze Geschichte ist etwas überdreht, teilweise skurril, durchaus spannend und auf jeden Fall unterhaltsam. Der Humor ist besonders. Mir hat das Buch gut gefallen und ich freue mich auf den nächsten Band!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2023 I-Finally-Finished Review
Somehow the woman who rocket launched onto my favorites list with Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions managed and equally fast retreat with Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna. I don't know what happened. I can't even remember now what made the first book so charming. This tale didn't really pick up till death showed up...and that took a while.
Annoying nephew. Annoying aunt. I think I'm done with Auntie Poldi...at least until I forget that it took me three years to read this one and try for the third book.

2021 Giving-Up-Review
My cursor hovers over "not going to finish" but I am just not ready to admit defeat. However...three tries and I am willing to admit its time for a break.
I just cannot get into this one. I loved the first one. I gave it five stars! But I have to force myself to pick this one up every time. 37% and two murders in and I'm still waiting for something to happen already.

[Austra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jau pēc pirmās iepazīšanās ar tanti Poldi bija skaidrs, ka viņas piedzīvojumi neaprobežosies ar daudz prosecco krēslā ar skatu uz jūru. Arī šoreiz netrūkst spraigu notikumu - mīlnieku ķildas, noindēts suns, līķis vīnadārzā un kur tad bez mafijas? Autors gan pats tāds stilistiski nepastāvīgs - ir vietas, kur viņam izdodas brīnišķīgi uzburt Sicīlijas ainas un garšas, un tad viņš to nolaiž atejā, rakstot lappusēm garas reklāmas produktiem vai uzņēmumiem. Kā tā mūsu latvāņu Zonin fane. Visumā šis romāns lieliski atbilst cosy-det žanram - var patīkami atpūsties, sapņot par garšīgu, laimīgu Itāliju un atslogot smadzenes.

“But young Italian males are like Etna: too much pent-up magma leads to massive eruptions. That is the only reason why geologically youthful Mongibello is regarded as a good-natured volcano: it regularly lets off steam, does little damage and is very fertile. Like a young Sicilian, in other words.”

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polubiliście Ciotkę Poldi po lekturze pierwszego tomu jej przygód? Jeśli tak, to jestem przekonana, że po drugim tomie polubicie ją jeszcze bardziej. O ile podczas lektury pierwszego tomu skoncentrowana byłam na poznawaniu charakteru cioteczki i śledzeniu akcji, to tutaj po prostu się oddałam przyjemności słuchania. Już wiedziałam, że zagadka kryminalna jest nieistotna, że jest tylko przykrywką do ukazania charakteru i perypetii miłosnych ciotki.

Ten tom zasadza się na podobnej konstrukcji jak pierwszy - krewny Poldi odwiedza ją na Sycylii, gdzie czeka na wenę i usiłuje napisać swoją pierwszą powieść, a przy okazji wysłuchuje opowieści ciotki o jej najnowszych perypetiach. A na Sycylii dzieje się źle - najpierw ginie pies Valérie, potem znana pani prokurator, a potem słynne medium, madame Zara i to niemal na oczach Poldi. Ciotka jest pewna, że wobec tylu zrządzeń losu, nie może pozostać bezczynna i rozpoczyna śledztwo. Z pomocą przyjaciółki smutnej signory i księdza oczywiście. Nie zapominajmy o Montanie, z którym sprawy układają się gorzej niż źle, niestety.

Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot....

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first entry in the Auntie Poldi made me laugh and had a satisfying mystery to solve, but this one dragged and, while there was still some humor at the expense of the Sicilian police method, there wasn't enough meat here to keep me intrigued. Sorry I didn't like it more.

[Viola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tantes Poldi nedienas turpinās. Viņas lielo plānu - nodzerties ar skatu uz jūru,iztraucē slepkavība vīna dārzā. Kā jau bieži gadās, grāmatas turpinājums nav tik labs kā pirmā grāmata,bet galvenais,ka tantes Poldi šarms un dzīvesprieks joprojām klātesošs.

[Donna Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain events in life that just suffuse you with the most wonderful glow.
Like when your grandchild smiles at you
When your last guest leaves after a successful party
In the morning when you see that hundreds of tomatoes have set in your vegetable garden
Or when your eyes meet across a room, and you share a little smile.
I don’t know how else to describe the way I feel when I read an Auntie Poldi book. The moment when she gets excited about a case and her antics start, I am filled with anticipation and delight. I adore this character and try to savor each book as long as possible.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italian-German author Mario Giordano really did have a Bavarian-born Auntie Poldi who left Munich for Torre Archirafi in Sicily when she was 60. Luckily for us, our fictional heroine does not drink herself to death like her real-life counterpart. Instead, Auntie Poldi (a.k.a. Isolde Oberreider) launches into a second investigation in this sequel, one that she first encountered in Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions.

Auntie Poldi, in her usual inimitable flamboyant style, investigates the murders of her neighbor’s dog and a clairvoyant. Much to the exasperation of her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Chief Inspector Vito Montana, Poldi is certain the two crimes are related. With the help of her loving sisters-in-law, the village priest and the sad (but very brave) Signora Cocuzza, plus Auntie Poldi’s own perspicacity and imagination, she figures out not just these two crimes but several more. And what a cliffhanger ending!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are much more satisfying reading on kindle than listening to as you can look up the Italian and the cultural references that I’m unfamiliar with. These are books for the thinking person.
Poldi is a kick. She’s just outrageous. This story we get more of the nephew’s position in her life and what goes one. This is going to be a fun series.

Auntie Poldi is a powerhouse and at the same time a little bit frail and world weary. You have mixed feelings about her; she’s half admired and half pitied like you can’t settle on what to think about her. She’s smart but also a little bit much. She straddles a very indeterminate line that wavers quite a bit. She’s going to be a very interesting character!

I see these haven’t all been translated into English yet. I hope the next one comes out soon and I can find a review copy at work.

[Dana Linde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is chaotic. Poldi, a transplanted Bavarian who now lives in Sicily, is attempting to solve the poisoning of the neighborhood dog. This eventually turns into an investigation of two women who have been murdered. I say the book is chaotic because there is so much going on. The reader must contend with the investigation, Poldi's life when she was younger, the nephew who is writing his own novel, the descriptions of food and life in Sicily, and the lives of Poldi's other family members as well as her lover. The numerous digressions often made reading this a chore. While Poldi is certainly a unique character, the mystery and her intrepid approach to solving it did not overcome the many different story lines one is forced to endure.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wieder herrlich amüsant, freue mich auf einen dritten Teil von Tante Poldi

[Snem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunti Poldi is quite a dynamic character, spitfire and funny. I also really love the Sicilian setting. I am quite delighted with these books so far. I was charmed by the romance between Poldi and Chief Inspector Montana and really enjoyed all the side characters.

Hate to say it, but I liked the first one a lot more. Just when the mystery was ramping up, it sidetracks with something I didn’t care about at all (the nephew’s book, more talk of Germany, etc.). Drags a lot.

I’m so into Poldi and so into Sicily, that is what brings me back to this series and will again, but this is a weak edition. Read the first one before this.

[Judith de Vries · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get through it..

[Barbara Heckendorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of the Auntie Poldi series was also an amusing read. It is definitely the case that the story lives with Poldi's Bavarian slang, which can hardly be translated into another language without losing its wit.
Poldi goes astray and gets involved with a winemaker. After she wakes up the next morning with a hangover, she finds the body of a fortune teller that she had spoken the evening before. Why did this woman have to die? Poldi begins to investigate in her unorthodox way and is always in great danger. Since her relationship with Commissioner Vito Montana is rather on hold, she cannot always count on his help. Poldi soon realizes that the rights of large water resources are at stake. Exposing the wrongdoer is rather difficult.
(4½)

[Meredith Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your passport ready, because you’ll want to book a flight to Sicily after reading this book. Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna is easily one of the funniest books I’ve read recently. Cheers to Mario Giordano for making me laugh, and cheers also to John Brownjohn for a warm and humorous translation. Reading this book was fun. Here’s a few reasons why:

Auntie Poldi
She’s a name-dropper (she claims to have been buddies with Cher, among other celebrities) and a busy-body who meddles in her nephew’s attempts to write “proper literature.” She relates the tale of her investigation to her nephew in fits and starts, always maintaining her proper role as heroine, and brushes aside any of his irrelevant doubts as to its veracity. After she solves her handyman’s murder (in the first book of the series), she becomes a local celebrity, complete with selfie requests. She makes no apologies for liking sex or wine.

She’s full of life, even when she dreams/hallucinates/sees Death. (In case you’re wondering, he’s wearing a hoodie, looks ill, smell sweaty. He administers his job with the lethargy of an overworked low-level government bureaucrat. He always carries a clipboard.)

The Sicilian setting
When Auntie Poldi’s water goes out for three weeks, she blames the Mafia. This sounds far-fetched for those unfamiliar with Sicily. But as Giordano explains, “Whoever controls the water supply rules Sicily.” (9) Cutting off the water supply to a street or region is an effective way of sending a warning to transgressors.

Giordano explains these types of juicy details in a droll and entertaining way. I learned about vineyards and forgotten lakes, friendly volcanoes and fish and festivities. Sure, I could’ve read the Wikipedia entry on Sicily and learned certain facts. But what’s Wikipedia compared with chasing killers with the half-intoxicated, never law-abiding, wholly-opinionated Auntie Poldi? Sicily bursts alive on the page.

The writer nephew’s ongoing writer-crisis
Anyone who’s written fiction will enjoy the running jokes about the writing life. As Auntie Poldi regales her nephew with her tale, she dispenses writerly “wisdom.” For example, Vito Montano shows Poldi a photo of the murder victim before her death.

Poldi turned the photo this way and that (…) as if this would enable her to see through Elisa’s mask and gain some idea of her backstory wound.

"Because mark my words," she told me once, "a detective must always work out what the murder victim is trying to tell them. (…) The backstory, know what I mean? You always have to know that.” (page. 27-8)

Later, she tells him,

(she) was already pursuing another hypothesis. She would not, however, reveal it to me that evening.
“For purely dramatic reasons, understand? Get this straight: you have to toy with your audience. They don’t want you to give away all your secrets at once. They want to be wooed and enchanted. It’s like a ballet. It’s what you might call literary precision engineering.” (page. 84)

Later, she gives him a good scolding.

“It’s time you made up your mind what you’re writing: a family saga, a fantasy, a thriller, a police procedural or what? Combining them all into one doesn’t work. This Victus Tanner of yours–get rid of him, he’s unbelievable. I won’t let you put my cases through the mincer and blend them with the sausage meat of your pubescent fantasies. It’s all or nothing, understand?”

“But what about artistic license?”

“There’s got to be some art to make free with in the first place.” (age 328)

Incidentally, Auntie Poldi later brags about him to her neighbor.

“He’s a proper novelist. He’s writing an impressive family saga covering three generations. It’s going to be really juicy (…) It’s his big throw of the dice, his ticket to international bestsellerdom.”(page 334)

Ah, if only all would-be novelists had an Auntie Poldi as a beta reader, the publishing world might be a . . . Better place? Worse? Who knows? But her advice and critiques certainly hit their marks.

My conclusion
This was an enchanting, warm story. I was reminded a bit of Mme. Ramotswe from Alexander McCall-Smith’s No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I heartily recommend this book.

[Jane McGillivray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Zoe Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit behind on my reading challenge, but this marks my 30th book of 2018. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy.

This is a well written, imaginative story set against a beautiful backdrop. There’s not really much else to say other than I enjoyed reading this book and enjoyed all the characters who were interesting and well-rounded. I would definitely recommend this book as a quirky, easy to read crime drama!

[Edwin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you discovered Auntie Poldi? If you haven't, start with the first in the series, Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions, then come to this one, which is just as delightful. These books are funny and heartfelt, and filled with spot-on prose that will make you laugh. They'll really make you want to visit Sicily. And you'll fall in love with Poldi, wigs, drinking, and all.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a lighter read, and I enjoy the Auntie Poldi series. She's hilarious, I love how she scandalizes her nephew, and she always manages to get herself in trouble. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to see how she manages to find a murder, get attacked, seduce a man, entertain her nephew, convince a priest to help her break into a home, get herself mixed up with the Sicilian Mafia, and solve a murder. Such fun.

[La Fenice Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anche stavolta la nostra cara esuberante, moderna e alternativa Zia Poldi si ritrova immischiata in un caso o forse è lei che cerca guai in ogni dove. Il nipote è di nuovo costretto ad andare a sondare il territorio della Poldi e sostenere l'eccentrica signora in questa nuova avventura, anche se molte volte è come un narratore che osserva le sue gesta. La Poldi si è trasferita in Sicilia da qualche tempo ormai e qui sembra aver trovato la sua dimensione, fra vigneti e ulivi, con la sua motoretta e la sua parrucca corre in lungo e in largo a sconvolgere le vite dei suoi concittadini.

Come sempre mi ritrovo a dare un giudizio non propriamente netto ma contrastante, anche stavolta confermo che lo stile dello scrittore è abbastanza complicato e contorto, aggiunge tantissima carne al fuoco e dopo un pò se non gli si concede la giusta attenzione, si rischia di perdersi nei meandri della storia. Pur essendo un giallo accattivante e dinamico, diverso dalla solita pappa, molte volte è confusionario. Avrei preferito qualcosa di più lineare.

Molto bello il personaggio della Zia Poldi che adoro, sempre giovanile e ironica, in ogni frangente. La sua verve e la sua stravaganza sono meravigliosi e riescono a conquistare ogni uomo. Un concentrato di energia positiva. La storia anche stavolta è affascinante e il caso alquanto complesso ma nulla è impossibile per la nostra cara Zia Poldi!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the kookiest sleuths in mysteries! I love the unusual crime solver more than the handsome/beautiful detective with issues and Poldi is a hoot. She wears a black wig, she's older, perhaps late 50s-60 and she isn't slim; she speaks Italian fluently (she's German but late husband was Sicilian), she drinks a lot and can be rather promiscuous. Her lover is Vito, a police commissario, who is constantly annoyed by Poldi's interference with police matters that she can't help but be involved with, such as finding a dead body. The Sicilian family is hilarious. Having been to this area of the island, it's easy to picture it.

This series is told through her nephew, a would-be novelist who visits her often in Sicily, but after slogging through Book 2, not sure if it's working for me. Between the mystery story, the nephew pauses either goes into his odd novel plot (found myself skimming over these) or sometimes a key bit of Sicilian history (did like) or to present day with Poldi explaining to him why did this or that action. It can make for slow reading.

[Judith Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - I have read some of the reviews and don't understand the ratings. Auntie Poldi is a great character full of colour, warmth and depth when I finished reading both novels I felt as though I had lost a friend plus her cast of characters. The best bits are the descriptions of Scicily I feel like I know the place and sooo want to visit to absorb the atmosphere. I bought this book pre launch as I enjoyed the last one so much it was delivered to my kindle and it sounds strange but did not read it straight away as I wanted to savour every minute and I did. Thankyou for writing the book and please keep Auntie Poldi and friends alive.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one - Auntie Poldi is back in a hilarious, twisted murder mystery set in vineyards in Sicily - plenty of sun, wine, and sex... what else could you need in a story?!

[Mary Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a slower start than the first book but the characters are still so fun. Makes me look forward to my Sicily trip though hopefully no murders on that trip.

[Jordan]

I enjoyed the first one, but couldn’t get into this one.

[Evelyn Brewer]

DNF at 32%

[Wal.li · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tante Poldi und Dings

Es ist Ruhe eingekehrt, fast schon zu viel Ruhe für Tante Poldi. Die Schwermut, die sie und ihre Familie schon überwunden glaubten, ist dabei zurückzukommen. Die Bekanntschaft mit dem feschen Winzer Avola wirkt ungemein stimmungsaufhellend. Dass Poldi so in ihren nächsten Fall stolpert, kann sie nicht ahnen. Allerdings nach einer interessanten Nacht, die etwas im Nebel liegt, wird in Avolas Weinberg eine Tote gefunden. Genauer gesagt, Poldi findet sie bei ihrem Morgenspaziergang. Entsetzt muss Poldi feststellen, dass es sich um die sympathische Wahrsagerin Giuliana handelt, welche Poldi erst kurz vorher aus der Hand gelesen hat.

Wie auch im ersten Band fungiert Poldis Neffe, der aus München anreist, als Poldis Chronist. Eigentlich möchte er einen großen Familienroman verfassen, aber Poldi meint, dass er sich viel besser eignet, ihre Fälle aufzuzeichnen. Und so erzählt sie ihm haarklein, wie es diesmal wieder anfing. Wie ihr zwei Todesfälle unterkamen, denen sie unbedingt auf den Grund gehen wollte. Und was mit Kommissar Montana war und dem Dings. Und dass, sie sich an Avola, den mit den Unterarmen, und das Dings nicht so richtig erinnern kann. Der Neffe muss mal wieder über seinen Schatten springen.

Von Phillip Moog hervorragend interpretiert läuft Tante Poldi zu bester Form auf. Vor ihrer exzentrischen Persönlichkeit, der sie mit deutlichen Worten und Schimpfworten Ausdruck verleiht, muss der Fall schon fast in den Hintergrund treten. Und doch kann sie nicht vermeiden, dass sie über Spuren oder Tote stolpert. Der Winzer Avola bietet eine Verlockung, die sie auf Abwege bringen könnte. Ob Montana damit einverstanden sein kann? Oder hängt alles irgendwie ganz anders zusammen. Tante Poldi, die sowohl dem Detektiv spielen und dem Dings nicht abgeneigt ist, stiftet auch andere zum Schnüffeln an und kommt schließlich auf den größeren Zusammenhang. Dabei reißt sie zwar alles an sich, überstrahlt aber auch alles irgendwie. Da muss der Neffe relativ anonym und im Hintergrund bleiben. Ein unterhaltsames Hörbuch, das besonders von der tollen Interpretation des Vorlesers lebt.
3,5 Sterne

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this spirited caper of a cozy. I have to admit that the real "figuring out" came really late in the book, but I enjoyed the ride. Essentially Poldi's nephew tells us his aunt's story with such verve and just crazy witty statements that the book is a lot of fun. Poldi is unique, at least in my reading experience, as an older female busybody/detective with a strong lusty nature.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the second book was not quite as delightful as the first-- the first having the element of surprise, after all-- this is another amusing and charming entry. Poldi's nephew has much more of a role and often the action stops while Poldi explains things and gives writing tips, but it's still a fun book, and I will be looking forward to the third in the series.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars - Good book

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book — perfect for a quarantine read. Every page is a little bit more unbelievable in terms of plot and characters, but I didn’t mind. The characters were robust and over-the-top. I’d read more of this series.