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Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree (An Aunt Dimity Mystery #16)
Cozy lovers' favorite otherworldly detective cracks a classic country-house case.
In Atherton's sixteenth mystery, Lori Shepherd returns from Down Under to her normal life in the village of Finch. But Lori's normal quickly becomes anything but.
Her debonair father-in-law has moved to town and is renovating Fairworth House, a grand estate nearby. William Sr. expects a quie...more
In Atherton's sixteenth mystery, Lori Shepherd returns from Down Under to her normal life in the village of Finch. But Lori's normal quickly becomes anything but.
Her debonair father-in-law has moved to town and is renovating Fairworth House, a grand estate nearby. William Sr. expects a quie...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
February 17th 2011
by Viking Adult
(first published December 10th 2010)
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The first few Aunt Dimity books were fun. In the beginning, you could sort of tell that the author was laughing along with you at the tale and its fanciful turns. I don't know why I keep reading them, however. They haven't raised that feeling of fun and whimsy since probably the third book.
In the Cotswolds of England, Lori is the protagonist. An American transplant to the little town of Finch. From the start, I could accept the idea of her "aunt" writing from beyond in her blue journal as a fun...more
In the Cotswolds of England, Lori is the protagonist. An American transplant to the little town of Finch. From the start, I could accept the idea of her "aunt" writing from beyond in her blue journal as a fun...more
How lovely that Nancy Atherton has bought Lori and Aunt Dimity home to the landscape that is very much a character of the novels. She's also brought Lori back to her basic family-centered, Bill-loving base, though Bill is still little more than a glorified support mechanism, conveniently being called away on business when Lori must become deeply enmeshed in the goings on. At least there is no awkwardly contrived almost-love-interest for Lori this time. I still believe that Lori would benefit fro...more
I love this series; it is like comfort food for me.
No matter how much Lori Shepherd says her instincts tell her something I have to giggle since her “instincts” have gotten her turned so far around, she never comes to the correct conclusion without the helpfulness of her friends and family, not to mention her dearest companion Aunt Dimity herself.
Since this is book number sixteen in the series, I recommend that you start at the beginning to find out who exactly Dimity is and how their lives are...more
No matter how much Lori Shepherd says her instincts tell her something I have to giggle since her “instincts” have gotten her turned so far around, she never comes to the correct conclusion without the helpfulness of her friends and family, not to mention her dearest companion Aunt Dimity herself.
Since this is book number sixteen in the series, I recommend that you start at the beginning to find out who exactly Dimity is and how their lives are...more
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Lori Shepherd is thrilled that her father-in-law is moving to Finch to be closer to his son and grandsons. William Shepherd, Sr. is a wonderful addition to the community. He has bought Fairworth House and spent an excessive amount of money fixing it up. The community is all a buzz with the modifications and restoration of this historic home, but a lot of the members of the community are just buzzing about William himself as an eligible bachelor!
After William, Sr. hires the Donovans to run his ho...more
After William, Sr. hires the Donovans to run his ho...more
Ah, an Aunt Dimity book. A guilty pleasure. This one seemed a bit predictable to me, but then again, it is something like book 16 in the series so perhaps I'm finally catching on but do I read it for the "mystery,, or to keep up with the characters? Ah well, I enjoyed it, anyway.
Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity books are the ultimate in cozy mysteries. In this latest outing, the mysteries are quite small. Who is moving the furniture in Bill Sr.'s new home? Who is moving the objets d'art and why? Who stole the family tree that was being restored and why? Strange happenings are afoot in the village of Finch and the main character Lori Shepherd, with the aid of Aunt Dimity, must find out what's going on.
It's not the mystery that I enjoy in these books so much as the continuing...more
It's not the mystery that I enjoy in these books so much as the continuing...more
Lori Shepherd lives in the quaint village of Finch in England. Her debonair father-in-law has moved to town and is renovating Fairworth House, a grand estate nearby. William Sr. expects a quiet, small-town life, but among the spinsters vying for his attention, shifty servants, and the discovery of a mysterious painting of a family tree in Fairworth's attic, he discovers that life in Finch is anything but quiet. On top of it all, Lori and William are embroiled in a case of deception and false ide...more
This has been one of my favorite series, but I truly believe that it has run its course. The last five or six just haven't been as fun to read. Lori is becoming close to hysteria in her obsession for jumping to conclusions that are nearly always wrong. And I miss the covers with Reginald!
If you are looking for a genuine, cozy mystery, one that will keep your interest without resorting to any of the blood and gore so often found now, even in cozies, look no further than Nancy Atherton’s latest installment in her Aunt Dimity series, Aunt Dimity & the Family Tree. Lori Shepherd is at her best, taking care of her family, helping her father-in-law at his newly renovated manor, and keeping one step ahead of the gossipy townsfolk. It’s up to Aunt Dimity to slow down Lori’s impetuou...more
Another fun Aunt Dimity read.
Willis Sr has moved into his refurbished estate and Lori is having a difficult time helping him find live in help. When he finally hires a couple to live in the third floor apartment and tend to the estate Lori doesn't trust them. They're too perfect. Also, Sally put on heirs while on a Mexican trip she won. She met a wonderful man but told him she was a Lady whose family owns Willis' estate. When the lover sends a letter stating he is in England and will be dropping...more
Willis Sr has moved into his refurbished estate and Lori is having a difficult time helping him find live in help. When he finally hires a couple to live in the third floor apartment and tend to the estate Lori doesn't trust them. They're too perfect. Also, Sally put on heirs while on a Mexican trip she won. She met a wonderful man but told him she was a Lady whose family owns Willis' estate. When the lover sends a letter stating he is in England and will be dropping...more
Really enjoyable. William Willis Sr has bought a house in the neighborhood of Finch called Fairworth house. He has restored it and is looking for a live in servants - housekeeper/cook and gardener/driver. He gets Declan and Deidre, who seem perfect, but strange things start to happen.
Sally Pyne has a crisis because the man she met on holiday in Mexico comes for a visit. Willis Sr. lets her move into Fairworth house as Lady Sarah since that is who she pretended to be.
Lori has her theories about D...more
Sally Pyne has a crisis because the man she met on holiday in Mexico comes for a visit. Willis Sr. lets her move into Fairworth house as Lady Sarah since that is who she pretended to be.
Lori has her theories about D...more
An enjoyable evening's reading. Light, cozy, and satisfying. Lori Shepherd's father-in-law has moved into Fairworthy House which he has just finished restoring. He leaps to Sally Pyne's aid when she needs to portray herself as "Lady Sarah" to a romantic conquest she made on her trip to Mexico. A mysteriously perfect couple join Fairworthy House as the live-in help, and Lori is sure that they are too good to be true. Who is moving the furniture? Why was the grubby painting stolen? Will Lori and c...more
This was a great book as per usual in this outstanding series. This time the focus of the story and mysteries are revolving around the moving in to a restored manor house by Lori Shepherd's Father in Law.
The village is awash in excitement as one of their very own flees to William's arms to cover up her mangled vacation in Mexico.
Enter, Handsome dark strangers, new Irish caretakers, an open house for the village, and just who is moving the furniture and relics of the original house?
This series n...more
The village is awash in excitement as one of their very own flees to William's arms to cover up her mangled vacation in Mexico.
Enter, Handsome dark strangers, new Irish caretakers, an open house for the village, and just who is moving the furniture and relics of the original house?
This series n...more
#16 in the Aunt Dimity mystery series. American Lori Shepard lives with her husband and family in the Cotswold village of Finch. Aunt Dimity is a ghost who Lori can communicate with and helps her solve mysteries. This mystery involves strange goings on in her father-in-law's newly refurbished home in Finch as well as attempts to hide something from the village's notorious gossips. As usual in this series, Lori manages to completely come to the wrong solution.
This series has a lot of humor as wel...more
This series has a lot of humor as wel...more
I have read all of the Aunt Dimity books since a friend first told me about them in 2001. They are predictable and the main character has money for travel, a great house, a nanny for her children (otherwise she wouldn't have the time and energy to solve all these mysteries) and a perfect husband! And, she can whip together a huge meal in a matter of minutes. But I enjoy the books just the same including the silliness of her being able to converse with her deceased "aunt." All these books are goo...more
Having returned to her adopted village of Finch after her adventures in New Zealand, Lori is busy aiding her father-in-law to restore a run-down estate, Fairworth House, and to avoid the village spinsters who have developed a most avid interest in his activities and future plans. Lori's life becomes even more hectic when she's drawn into a harebrained scheme by Sally Pyne, the local teashop owner, who told a few "little white lies" to a charming Mexican man on a recent vacation that have come ba...more
This is one of those gentle mystery series set in England. The main characters are Lori Shepherd and the ghostly Aunt Dimity. In this adventure, Lori and Bill are married and the parents of twin boys. Bill's father has retired and moved to England and purchased a manor in need of TLC. Of course the senior William Willis will need a staff to aid in running this house, thus enters an unlikely husband and wife team. No bloody corpses in this story, just a deception to fool the townspeople.
This one seemed shorter then the other books in this series but maybe I just wanted there to be more. It was a fantastic read as all the books of this series are. Lori was up to her usual sleuthing and all the important cast members were there lending their support. I just love when she is puttering around her home it sounds so warm and inviting and the girl is so organized I am jealous! There were lots of twists and turns and adventures to keep one guessing.
Takes place in a tiny English village and revolves around Lori Shepherd who inherited a cottage and journal from Aunt Dimity. Aunt Dimity is dead, but converses with Lori via the journal (and, apparently, helps her solve mysteries). The characters are sterotypical, but amusing... The machinations of the local widows are cute and childish. It's not great, but I liked it enough to request the first of the series from the library.
I think this is another good read with Aunt Dimity and the rabbit in it. Lori Shepard's father-in-law buys an estate near the Shepard's cottage. The baker of the village has told a man she met in Mexico that she is a "lady" who owns the estate that T William Shepard bought. He comes to the area to see her and the charade is on. As usual the ending is fun and makes one look forward to the next book in the series. A very cozy, cozy.
Lori returns from New Zealand in her last book to find her father in law purchasing a large property in teh village of Finch. he is of course single and the object of much interest in the village. No murder or mayhem in the 16th story, its a tale of aunt Dimity and Lori working together to get things settled in the village and helping folks to live happily ever after! I have always loved these stories and Aunt Dimity!
I liked this one more than several of the last ones. Finally, Lori has grown up and stopped falling for every man around. This one is set in Finch, so we get to see and hear some of the town's characters. I thought the plot was a little contrived. I knew as soon as Sally became Lady Sarah that the gentleman she had met was also pretending to be "better" than he was. The parallel of Frederick and Reginald was interesting.
Still, keep the mysteries coming, Nancy!
Still, keep the mysteries coming, Nancy!
Love this series. It is on the cozy side, but avoids being cutesy. Does have magic realism (or whathaveyou) but is fun, charming, and interesting. There are few murders in this series, but it still maintains the suspense level with the secrets held by everyone. Recommended if you're looking for a more lighthearted mystery and if you're a fan of the English brand of cozy.
Apr 17, 2011
Lbaker
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-female,
mystery-humorous
The Aunt Dimity series are not murder mysteries, but are "cozy" mysteries in which violence is rarely used. Although the questions are not deep and are sometimes silly, the friendly villagers of Finch are compelling even if they are stereotypes and rather one dimensional.
This series is very light, yet whenever I see a new one, I rush to read it - they are addictive!
This series is very light, yet whenever I see a new one, I rush to read it - they are addictive!
More new characters are introduced in this episode, freshening things up a bit and keeping it one of the most enjoyable series available. Lori's father-in-law plays a larger part as he renovates an estate near Lori's family. Once again, I read this in one sitting. It was so much fun I didn't want to put it down, and these books are very relaxing to read.
Lori’s estimable father-in-law is settling into his newly renovated home when Sally Pyne approaches him with a dilemma. During a trip to Mexico she had—in fun—assumed a more aristocratic identity. Now her masquerade has come back to bite her. One of the better books in the Aunt Dimity series. It is refreshing to have Lori stay at home instead of traveling the world.
Actual Rating ***1/2
"If one lives in Finch, one learns to expect the unexpected." So says the Epilogue in this latest installment of the Aunt Dimity series from Nancy Atherton. This was a playful village romp with all of the usual Aunt Dimity characters (with one mysterious stranger thrown into the mix) who, as usual, fall prey to that most tittilating talk--gossip.
"If one lives in Finch, one learns to expect the unexpected." So says the Epilogue in this latest installment of the Aunt Dimity series from Nancy Atherton. This was a playful village romp with all of the usual Aunt Dimity characters (with one mysterious stranger thrown into the mix) who, as usual, fall prey to that most tittilating talk--gossip.
Jul 09, 2012
Sheldon Lehman
added it
The author hasn't written a true mystery in several books. but if you have read earlier books in the series and know the characters, you'll probably enjoy this one. It does seem she is running out of ideas, though (much as Tamar Myers after a dozen or so book in her Penn Dutch and Antiquity series), and maybe she needs to create a new setting.
I've read all of the previous Aunt Dimity books and enjoyed this one. There's a bit of a mystery, but mostly it's just fun with Lori, her family, and the village regulars. For anyone who has not read this series you need to begin with Aunt Dimity's Death. Fans of Agatha Raisin may also enjoy this Cotswold set series.
Best "Aunt Dimity" book in a while. While nothing yet beats "Aunt Dimity's Death", this one is a better read than the latest ones. Lori is back to being likeable, enjoyed her father-in-law's inclusion, and the villagers--well, who knew they were so cunning?...nosey?....creative?
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Nancy Atherton is not a white-haired Englishwoman with a softly wrinkled face, a wry smile, and wise gray eyes, nor does she live in a thatched cottage behind a babbling brook in a tranquil, rural corner of the Cotswolds.
She has never taken tea with a vicar (although she drank an Orange Squash with one once) and she doesn't plan to continue writing after her allotted time on earth (though such pla...more
More about Nancy Atherton...
She has never taken tea with a vicar (although she drank an Orange Squash with one once) and she doesn't plan to continue writing after her allotted time on earth (though such pla...more
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