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Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree
(Aunt Dimity Mystery #16)
by
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 qui ...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 qui ...more
Hardcover, 229 pages
Published
February 17th 2011
by Viking Books
(first published December 10th 2010)
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Showing 1-30
Totally Enjoyed
This was my first Aunt Dimity book and it won't be my last.
I loved the way the ghost of Aunt Dimity is portrayed. A very unique concept.
And since this is my first book I read in the series it was like reading a stand alone yet at the same time I can read early books to find out how Lori and Bill met and how Lori discovered Aunt Dimity.
So much book fun to look forward to.
And an English Seed Cake recipe.
This was my first Aunt Dimity book and it won't be my last.
I loved the way the ghost of Aunt Dimity is portrayed. A very unique concept.
And since this is my first book I read in the series it was like reading a stand alone yet at the same time I can read early books to find out how Lori and Bill met and how Lori discovered Aunt Dimity.
So much book fun to look forward to.
And an English Seed Cake recipe.
Sep 02, 2018
Trish
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
src-2018-3-fall,
cozy-paranormal
The perfect antidote to the hard emotion of Wild Swans.
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!
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
This latest in the lite Aunt Dimity series is much like all the others. We read this series not for the mystery (non-existant) but for the weird characters that abound in the tiny hamlet of Finch, England. All the zany inhabitants are back, along with a few new ones, including William Willis, Sr. who has finally retired (sort-of) and moved to Finch to be close to his beloved grandsons.
I think this is the sixth Aunt Dimity book I've read/attempted. It's definitely on the higher end of the scale when it comes to rating the Aunt Dimitys...but still pretty low on my list of favorites, in general. I've always found this author to be pretty inconsistent quality-wise. In some places, she's brilliant; in others, there are obvious inconsistencies. No one is perfect, I know, but this is such a regular thing for this author that one would think her editor would be more on the ball. One
...more
Jan 21, 2018
Meg
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-kindle-read,
read-2018
Loved this great British cozy set in the small village of Finch. 4.5*
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
There is something about these books that entice me to chuck it all and move to the Cotswolds. Once there, I'm sure I would go crazy, so it's nice to have these books as a temporary escape.
If you're looking for a sweet mystery series, give Aunt Dimity a try. #16 involves a romantic charade and family heirlooms.
It's quite refreshing to read a mystery that doesn't include a dead body! Several parts of this book made me laugh out loud. If you love the Aunt Dimity series, you'll enjoy this one.
Someone save Willis, Sr., from the village widows!
This is one of a series of books in which Aunt Dimity appears. Actually, she doesn’t “appear” … She died and left her cottage in England to the daughter of an American friend. Lori and her husband now live in “Aunt Dimity’s cottage.” Lori’s father-in-law, William, a well-established international lawyer now also lives nearby in a wonderful old 10 acre estate. In the close-knit village of Finch everyone knows everyone else’s business.. but when one of the town’s elderly widows wins a vacation in
...more
I tend to have a few quibbles with the books in this series, much as I enjoy them, but I can only think of one for this installment: I wasn't 100% convinced by the revelation concerning one character. But there are plenty of other revelations, some particularly piquant, and the resolutions of the plot threads are satisfying.
Once again, we spend time with both old and new characters, with the familiar ones particularly nicely rendered. More than ever, we are immersed in the interconnected and gos ...more
Once again, we spend time with both old and new characters, with the familiar ones particularly nicely rendered. More than ever, we are immersed in the interconnected and gos ...more
Lori plays host to her father-in-law, William's open house to show the village of Finch how he has restored but updated Fairworth House. Among some knick-knacks found in an outside shed is a painting covered is soot, that William insists should be professional restored as a piece of the house's history even if the painting itself isn't worth anything. In the meantime, William is also trying to hire some servants and protect the reputation of one of Finch's leading citizens. Aunt Dimity lends her
...more
Adorable!!!!! I just love all the characters. They are simple but colorful and fill up the small town of Finch with stereotypical small town people. Which isn't a bad thing! This was my first Aunt Dimity novel so she was quite the surprise. And "Lori" I still have my childhood mouse sitting on my bed! I love the ending. It's nice to read a story with simplicity and a happy ending. It was like a cup of tea!
Again I liked the premise. I like the characters, but I still don't like Lori much. In my previous review (Buried Treasure) I called her a bit of a prig. In this entry, written before that book, she comes across as a bit of a snob. My problem with that is that I don't belief she is supposed to be interpreted as such.
Unfortunately it looks like these 2 books are the only ones at my branch library, so I will have to look round.
Unfortunately it looks like these 2 books are the only ones at my branch library, so I will have to look round.
I'm sorry to say this, but despite the potential of Aunt Dimity's story line, this book was awful. I want my time back. I'm really sorry to say this since I always try to give books a chance. It was repetitive, nonsensical, uninteresting and difficult to get through. I don't think I'll ever read another in this series again.
An embellished story while on vacation involving a handsome stranger, a miraculous, too good to be true couple arrive as housekeepers and nosy neighbors in a small English village....what more could you ask? Add in great characters and a fun plot....and your afternoon is gone, but the book is finished!
This was a fun Aunt Dimity! Just love a mystery that keeps me guessing, not to mention laughing, especially in the sometimes-so-obvious-world of Aunt Dimity! When Lori’s father-in-law refurbishes an old estate, chaos ensues on many levels. One of the better Dimity’s!
Another re-read for the nth time, although it's been a while since I last read this one.
Lori's father-in-law has hired a couple to help in his large house of Fairworth. They seem ideal, but Lori has her suspicions. When a painting being restored by a pair of village artists is stolen, it is the final straw. Plenty of twists and turns in this one, with the usual happy ending. These are real 'comfort books' - easy reading, satisfying, and very interesting!
Lori's father-in-law has hired a couple to help in his large house of Fairworth. They seem ideal, but Lori has her suspicions. When a painting being restored by a pair of village artists is stolen, it is the final straw. Plenty of twists and turns in this one, with the usual happy ending. These are real 'comfort books' - easy reading, satisfying, and very interesting!
Loved this one!
Fast reading with a twist at the end.
This is my third book about Aunt Dimity and I just love her and Finch. The 4 hand maidens sure we're noisy.
This is my third book about Aunt Dimity and I just love her and Finch. The 4 hand maidens sure we're noisy.
This was so much fun. I would put it in the top four of this “comfort” series.
I don't expect laugh outloud moments from Aunt Dimity books, but this one has a few. Willis, Sr. is delightful.
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| Madison Mega-Mara...: Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree | 1 | 2 | Dec 04, 2012 05:38AM |
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
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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