Customer Reviews

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I happened upon Aunt Dimity Digs In, while in a bookshop about two years ago, read and absolutely delighted in Lori and Bill's antics with their twins. I was absolutely hooked!! Purchased and voraciously read Atherton's other Aunt Dimity novels in their proper order, delighting in each volume as does a chocoholic when gifted a box of heavenly morsels. Aunt Dimity's Good Deed was a great read. Lori's going to England with her father-in-law when she intended to have a second honeymoon with Bill was an adorable twist. From the beginning as Mr. Willis mysteriously disappears along with Reginald and Aunt Dimity (and her blue leather bound journal), through to the totally satisfying end, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was very sorry when the story ended .... as I am when all of Aunt Dimity's tales end. All of Nancy's (sorry, I can't help but feel on a first name basis with her) Aunt Dimity stories have been satisfying delicious. Each and every of Aunt Dimity's stories brings out a different character's personality, and brings each and every one of them more to life. From Lori, Bill and their beautiful twin boys to the Pym Sisters, each unique person seems chosen by Aunt Dimity to add spice, merriment, intrigue and life to each other's lives and the story. Do I believe that Aunt Dimity can have possibly found a way to come back from the dead? Could I possibly believe that she is able to make contact through journalistic entries in her blue leather notebook? You bet, I do !!! Horray for Nancy Atherton ... The only thing I can't believe is how long it's taken Nancy to gift us with more of Aunt Dimity's wisdom.

I just "found" this series of books and have now read 4 and find them to be delightful. This is a well written book but easy to read. It's like going on a vacation.

I don't know how Aunt Dimity does it, but I'm glad she does. I never had much of a social life as a child (was rather outcast, always being new), thus I am unfamiliar with the idea of one's plush-toy friends being able to communicate with one another, much less with a ghost who then transmits information to a living human, via automatic writing without physical agency. Mind you, I find the Disbelief Suspenders (or Braces, if you're British) fit nicely while I'm reading this book.

As usual, there is a tangle of people, motives, opportunities, red herrings and misunderstandings to sort out; and a thoroughly good time watching how it's all played out. Yes, I'm fudging. I liked this book, but NOTHING in detail stays very long in my mind these days. I don't remember the names, and I don't want to haul the library chair/ladder out to get to the top shelf (it's late, I'm tired, I want to finish this before going to bed). The details are unimportant--this woman can tell a story and suck you into it. If more authors did this for me, I would be shorter of cash and shelfspace.

If you have read AD& the Duke and were less than satisfied, you will be more comfortable with this episode. I certainly was--and in spite of my reaction to the second book, did not hesitate to buy this as soon as I knew it was available. You ought to do the same. Order it, already.

Good night, good night--parting may be sweet sorrow, but I need my sleep. My only regret is that Ms. Atherton does not write *faster*.

In this the third entry in the Aunt Dimity series both of the central families finally unite to solve a mystery. In the first book we were introduced to Lori Shepherd and the Willis clan and in the second we meet Emma and her family. The author uses the first two books to set up the friendship and collaboration between these two families that will apparently be the hallmark of the series from here on out. Because of that and the fact that the author takes very little time to explain what had happened previous to this book I would highly recommend that anyone new to the series start with the first book and go forward from there.

As this book opens Lori has been planning a second honeymoon for her and her husband Bill but at the last minute he cancels and she is instead to be accompanied by her father-in-law to her English cottage. Lori is obviously not happy with the situation and she soon finds that Bill, Sr. isn't too happy with her husband either. She doesn't find this out though until Bill, Sr. disappears and she is left wondering how in the world she could have lost her father-in-law.

What follows is a merry old chase across England as Lori and Emma's delightful step-daughter Nell try to catch up with Bill, Sr. as he digs into Willis family history and threatens to open up a can of worms that Aunt Dimity has warned would better be left closed. As the two travel they pick up clues not only about the whereabouts of the missing Willis but also about the family mystery that Aunt Dimity warned about. The whole chase is great fun as the two bloodhounds always come up just short of finding their query but despite their bad luck they meet some very interesting members of the Willis family.

By the time that the book ends it turns out that there were several mysteries that had to be solved and in the end they all are tied up very nicely. One small mystery that runs through the entire book is one that everyone except the person it most involves has figured out long before the end and if you read carefully you will figure it out too.

This author has a great talent for running several threads along through the book that may or may not have anything to do with the main plot but in the end she always makes it work. The characters are great fun and Aunt Dimity's appearances, although rare always liven things up. Aunt Dimity by the way is a ghost who communicates by writing in a notebook and in one instance she uses up several pages while chewing out one of the central characters. The writing in this book as in the previous two is highly imaginative and it doesn't take long for this author to draw you completely in to her story. So much so that it is often very hard to put the book down. I hope that Aunt Dimity will be around to keep me company for a long time to come.

I absolutely loved this book! I could never seem to put it down. It was very well written, and had a good plot. An I absolutely loved the way she had her pink bunny be the mediator,(in a way), and her vivid details.

The third book in the Aunt Dimity series, Aunt Dimity's Good Deed has been my favorite so far. They seem to keep getting better as the series continues. I rated it 3 stars, but 3.5 is a closer rating for me. I truly enjoyed the book and finished it in a weekend.

We find Lori back again in this book, 2 years after Aunt Dimity's Death. A new family mystery has her travelling in England and meeting many new members of the Willis family. With her trusty sidekicks,Nell and Reginald,she goes in search of Willis, Sr. who has disappeared!

These cozy mysteries keep me coming back to the Aunt Dimity series. Although I always read series in order, each of these books stand apart quite well.

I loved "Aunt Dimity's Death", so when I read a short blurb of this one I was concerned - Lori and Bill's marriage in trouble?! Could I possibly like this plot as much as their original romance? -- Don't worry, it's just as much fun, and just as sweet. In addition, young Nell Harris - in a larger role this time - is another delightful, and unique, character.

What a great series! More fun than one could expect from a book. And, love the recipes in each book!

The Aunt Dimity books are perfect for relaxing with a cozy mystery book. I've read the first 4 now, and plan to read more when I start back at work and need a break when I get home. It's a nice change from your average mystery book.

I became an instant fan with the first Aunt Dimity book. I hated to put the book down and hated even more when I reached the end of the book. These people feel like best friends! Thanks Nancy Atherton for keeping the characters alive with each new book! I am on my third one and am extremely grateful you are continuing to write more! May you live forever!