Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Thorndike Mystery) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Nancy Atherton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Thorndike Mystery | Publication Date: April 2009

Lori’s peaceful English village is being overrun by a rowdy and mischievous Renaissance fair

Lori Shepherd loves living in the small English village of Finch, but as her eighth summer in the town approaches she finds herself wishing for something exciting to spice up her all-too-familiar routine. When King Wilfred’s Faire opens nearby, Lori gets her wish and more. The age of chivalry lives again at the Renaissance fair. Wizards, wenches, magicians, and minstrels cajole the fairgoers while lords quaff, jesters joke, and knights battle in the joust arena. But Lori discovers that it’s not all pageantry and play.

A sinister figure is stalking the angel-voiced madrigal singer. A jealous rival has sabotaged the Dragon Knight’s weapons. And an evil assassin is trying to murder Good King Wilfred. With Aunt Dimity’s otherworldly guidance, Lori races to save her dear village and risks her neck to keep the medieval revelry from ending in tragedy.

Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon is another gem in Atherton’s perennially beloved cozy series, sure to enchant her many loyal fans and attract new ones.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hardcore fans will no doubt enjoy." --Publisher''s Weekly

"One of the most charming entries in an enduringly popular series." -- Booklist

"Let Nancy Atherton and Aunt Dimity remind you of the reason you got hooked on books in the first place. I promise you will be scouring book stores for more of the series after you give it a taste." - CrimeCritics.com

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Nancy Atherton is the bestselling author of thirteen previous Aunt Dimity mysteries. The first book in the series, Aunt Dimity’s Death, was voted one of the Century’s 100 Favorite Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 395 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (April 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141041423X
• ISBN-13: 978-1410414236
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,566,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Aunt Dimity loses her fizz, September 29, 2009

By 

Maryland Reader "marylandreadr" (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Mystery) (Hardcover)

I avidly read the first few books in this series. The series began with Lori living like a modern-day Cinderella in a not great job, living in drab conditions with few clothes and friends when her life takes an abrupt turn for the better through Aunt Dimity, her dead mother's best friend, who, although dead herself, ends up a central character. The early books were whimsical and charming and wove a subtle magic in telling the tale of Lori and her adopted village and the recurring cast of locals and friends.

What can I say? The magic is gone and recent books have been formulaic at best. With Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon, I slogged through about 45 pages and finally realized I just wasn't having fun and closed the book for good.

With a cozy mystery, if it's not fun, why keep turning the pages? A sad decline of what had been a fun series.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lost Her Way, June 2, 2009

By 

R. L. Jernigan (Round Rock, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Mystery) (Hardcover)

I've been reading the 'Aunt Dimity' mysteries ever since the original one came out. I very much enjoyed the first few and would recomend them to anyone who enjoys a good 'cozy'. The last few I've struggled with a bit. This one, I didn't bother finishing. As far as I can tell, Laurie has gone crazy. The plot of the book pretty much involves her wild flights of fancy. It was actually painful to read about her essentially wild ravings.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lori Sheppard is Endearing, January 7, 2011

By 

Nancy Grisso "Stepfordmomto2" (Tehachapi, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Mystery) (Paperback)

Aunt Dimity is my guilty pleasure. There is just something so fun and relaxing when I settle down and open one of Nancy Atherton's books. Her reoccurring characters make the visits to the small English village of Finch a much needed break to my hectic day.

Lori Sheppard's life has become boring and predictable. Her husband's life as an international estate planning attorney fills his days, her twin sons have their school and ponies to keep their interest but yet Lori has nothing but her day in and day out village life - and her journal with otherworldly Aunt Dimity.

So when a Renaissance festival encamps in the field behind Lori's cottage she is drawn into the drama and spectacle of the lively event. But Lori being Lori sees nefarious deeds and when good King Wilfred seems to have "accidents" Lori feels that it is her job to get to the bottom of this and to save the day, even if she does seem to be falling out of her wench's costume.

As I said, the Aunt Dimity books are fun reads. Some books are better than others, but yet each book builds on the last so you see each character (finally Bill gets a leading role) again and again and it feels more like a homecoming then just another book in a long series.

Treat yourself, start at the beginning and see who Aunt Dimity really is, how Reginald is an intrinsic character and be introduced to Lori a kind hearted woman who is constantly needing to be reined in before her wild imagination gets the best of her.