Valpolicella Violet: A Private Investigator Comedy Mystery (Franki Amato Mysteries, Book 7)

By: Traci Andrighetti

Narrated by: Madeline Mrozek

Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Franki's Venice vacation makes New Orleans seems like Disneyland....

Franki Amato is in Venice to celebrate her best friend’s Christmas Eve nuptials. She’s looking forward to a relaxing break from the PI grind and a romantic gondola ride with her Casanova. But when a chef goes belly-up after making violet risotto for the reception, her holiday plans start sinking like La Serenissima.

Dead set on finding the killer and saving her BFF’s wedding, Franki navigates the city’s streets and canals, which are darker and more twisted than catacomb tunnels, and all while the ghosts of past and present are quite literally haunting her. She has to figure out what grave robberies and an 19th-century nun have to do with the murder and decipher a string of clues as murky as the Venetian lagoon - a candlelit coffin, a jeweled cross necklace, and a bottle of Valpolicella. Will Franki get her gondola ride? Or will she, too, become a phantom of Venice?

Valpolicella Violet is Book Seven in the Franki Amato Mysteries, but it can be listened to as a stand-alone. If you like zany characters and laugh-out-loud humor with a splash of suspense, then you’ll drink up this fun series by USA Today best-selling author Traci Andrighetti. Cin cin!

©2021 Traci Andrighetti (P)2021 Traci Andrighetti

Critic reviews

“Traci’s writing is sharp and funny; the world she paints leaps off the page and makes the reader laugh out loud…. A thoroughly enjoyable voice in fiction!” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times best-selling author)

Another destination murder!!

Totally not a surprise to me, Valpolicella Violet has become one of my favorite books. Franki Amato has taken her private investigation skills on the road. We are in Italy for a destination wedding and of course murder, suspense, history lessons and mayhem. The reading is well done, the audio quality is very good and the series continues with another winning book in the series.

Hilarious!

Another fun and crazy adventure with the gang! Just what we need right now, a great way to escape! Another excellent narration!!!

Too much

I have enjoyed this series up until this book. This story was just a little convoluted & difficult to follow which made it less enjoyable. I like the location of Venice, but it was extremely unrealistic that Frankie would be so distracted during her friends wedding.

Love this series

I really am enjoying this series. The narrator they cannot ever get rid of her because she is perfect for the series. She does all the voices wonderfully. Enjoy the trip to Venice, Italy with a few twists and turns and of course a mystery to solve.

Love the stories about Amatto

I love the Author and her sense of Humor, as well as the Narrator. A Added bonus I really enjoyed and laughed out loud quite a few times- are the Bloopers they play at the end of the books. The narrator having a hard time staying serious herself after blundering a word, LOL- I really loved that little bonus!

Good but my last of the series

When I started the series I thought it was interesting, clever, funny, and very different. However, the main character hasn’t grown or evolved much. This has led to relationships within the family remaining frustratingly the same and have grown tiresome.
That said, If you haven’t listened/read the series I would highly recommend it. IMO, the first 4 books were above excellent. My lack of enthusiasm for Valpolicella may be mine alone and regardless, it is still a good story.

Great Series

I loved this series. It is indeed funny and suspenseful. Looking forward to listening to more of her work.

Absolutely Hilarious!!

What a hoot!! The audiobook Valpolicella Violet: A Private Investigator Comedy Mystery by Traci Andrighetti, narrated by Madeline Mrozek, is Book 7 in the Franki Amato Mysteries, but can be listened to (or read) as a standalone. I've listened to all the books in the series up to this point, and even though each one is absolutely hilarious, this one had me laughing nonstop from start to finish! Clearly, that doesn't just happen. It comes from great writing and outstanding narration. From the quick-witted dialogue and quirky characters to the descriptive setting and scenes, Andrighetti's writing is easy to visualize and oh so clever. Add Mrozek to the mix, and you literally have everything you could ask for in an audiobook of this genre. I said it before, and I'll say it again, Andrighetti and Mrozek are an amazing team who will win you over from page one!! For this reason, I highly recommend the audiobook over just the Kindle or print versions of this book. 

If you've read any of my other reviews, you know that Madeline Mrozek is my favorite narrator of all time. The way she plays each of the characters is more than impressive. Like all her books, this one literally sounds like there are multiple narrators involved, but there aren't! She actually includes an awesome blooper reel at the end of the book, which is sooo funny, and I'm convinced it's there to show listeners like me that she, alone, is the one bringing these characters to life. I wouldn't doubt that she is a huge inspiration to aspiring narrators across the globe. I mean, I'm a teacher, and her work even inspires me! Not only is she super engaging and absolutely hilarious, but her recording is top-notch and the editing is flawless. I loved everything about her performance, and I'm confident you will feel the same!

Valpolicella Violet: A Private Investigator Comedy Mystery (Franki Amato Mysteries, Book 7) by Traci Andrighetti, narrated by Madeline Mrozek, is deserving of 5 stars across the board. I recommend this audiobook to fans of mystery and humor, as well as those who enjoy fun-loving characters with big personalities in unexpected and unpredictable situations. If you are someone who doesn't like to listen to books in a series out of order, I would say start at the beginning with Book 1, even though it isn't at all necessary, since Book 7 is a complete standalone mystery from start to finish. You will, however, get to know the main characters on a deeper level, if you choose to do so. Whatever you decide, Andrighetti and Mrozek are sure to bring you lots of smiles, unforgettable one-liners, and endless laughter! Happy listening! 

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. :-)

Entertaining and convoluted mystery set in Venice

Franki’s friend Veronica is getting married in Venice, as had already been announced in the previous book. Franki and her family and friends travel to Italy for the occasion, but things can never be normal around Franki, and she will be involved again in a murder investigation.

In this book, we get a break from New Orleans, and Traci Andrighetti transports us to the streets of Venice. I especially liked the descriptions of the several places and mentions to legends and the past of the city. It’s clear Andrighetti knows the place well. I’ve been once to Venice, more than twenty years ago, but the mention of Saint Mark’s square of the Bridge of Sighs, and pieces of historical knowledge, made me travel again to the past and the humid Venice streets.

The mystery was intriguing, but I think what I liked the most were the historical information and atmosphere. Franki was entertaining, as usual, with some light humor and her family members’ quirks. This made the book light and funny but I also had to listen carefully to all the pieces of information that were revealed along the way. Andrighetti’s mysteries are never straightforward, and her stories could be convoluted sometimes. I would also like to mention that this book is part of a series, and there are many characters and details from previous books, so I’d strongly recommend starting from the beginning to get acquainted with Franki’s world.

Madeline Mrozek delivered a delightful narration, expressive characters’ interpretations, and multiple voices and styles. I really like Franki’s stories but my favorite part will always be Mrozek’s narration. She can make a good story shine. I especially enjoy how well she transmits the humor the author poured into the writing. It’s just impossible not to have a good time and laugh with Madeline! The bloopers and the end of the book were fantastic!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Great Frankie mystery!

This is another great Frankie Amato mystery. Author does such a great job with imagery you can actually see yourself there! Funny and intriguing mystery!
I received a free copy and left my honest review