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kiminindy's review
5.0
Nothing beats an Aunt Dimity mystery....Lori and Bree are off to solve a murder case that is decades old.... excellent. Love the characters as always and the end is so heartwarming.
jklbookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
This is the quintessential cozy book, which was just what I was looking for. It has some of the familiar characters, but pulls away far enough to make it a new story. There is a poignant message about old age to it, as well.
nabenn67's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite a 4, but better than a 3, it's the latest in the cozy mystery series that is, well, "cozy".
christinavarela's review against another edition
2.0
I've read all 22 AD books. Every summer I look forward to reading the latest book. I still contend that the first book was by far the best book, and really they aren't mysteries, as there is always a logical explanation for the "mystery". They are however charming stories of very interesting characters in what sounds like a town I'd like to visit.
tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this was a very sweet, very fun entry in the Aunt Dimity series! I loved the characters, the setting, the plot, and Lori’s “gullible” nature. The ending was also such a feel-good ending and honestly, I think that’s why I enjoy this series. Not because every story is plausible, not because every mystery is eerie and creepy, but because inevitably there are feel-good relationships, feel-good characters, and feel-good endings. And that’s such a nice thing to be able to rely on given how stressful life continues to be for me. So thank you, Nancy Atherton, for a sweet, relaxing series of books populated with characters that I love!
sarahluclaire's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
3.0
Ok entry in the series, a bit convoluted, but passed the time.
mskristi4's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the series that I've read, but I'd love to see more.
I love the way that this story went about solving the mystery, and how Aunt Dimity is involved. So inventive!
I love the way that this story went about solving the mystery, and how Aunt Dimity is involved. So inventive!
ncrabb's review against another edition
3.0
If you get invited to a quilting bee any time soon, and yeah, I know, the odds of that happening are right up there with you getting an invitation to fly with Elon Musk to Mars, but if you do, you probably don’t want to handle things the way poor Annabelle Craven did in the fictional quilting bee in the fictional village of Finch. As her needle flew through the material, she announced quietly to her seat mate, Lori Shepherd, that she, Annabelle, had murdered her first husband and buried him in the rosebushes.
This is the 22nd book in the series, but if you haven't ventured into it, note that Lori is an American who, with her husband, came to the small English village to live some years earlier. By book 22, they have three kids. Bill Willis, (Lori didn’t take on his last name when they married), has gone camping during Easter break with their two sons. Lori is just as happy not to have had to go; roughing it wit a toddler isn’t her thing. She and the little girl remain at home, and it’s while the family is separated that the quilting bee occurs and with it the horrifying confession from Mrs. Craven.
Knowing that she can’t solve the mystery of the murder herself, Lori turns to the pages of an old journal wherein resides the communicative ability of Aunt Dimity. Aunt Dimity was Lori’s mom’s friend during World War II. Both her mom and Aunt Dimity are dead, but Aunt Dimity is able to manifest herself in the pages of the old journal. And she is excellent at solving those mysteries with Lori. So it’s to the journal Lori goes to learn what Aunt Dimity would do were she corporeal. Naturally, Aunt Dimity encourages her to investigate the story to determine its veracity.
With her friend, Bree Pym, Lori bundles the baby up and off they go to the village where the murder was supposed to have happened. What they find is startling indeed. The village of Old Cowerton is sharply divided on the reputation of Annabelle Craven. Some say she is indeed a killer; others insist she isn’t. So wherein lies the truth? And if Annabelle isn’t a killer, why would she lie to Lori?
This is a fun series, and this book is no exception. It’s a short read. I should tell you that your schmaltz meter or your sappy emotion gage will get tweaked a bit if you read this, but it won’t be ridiculously over the top. These are clean mysteries that anyone can read comfortably and enjoy. There is no profanity here nor are there any sexual descriptions. If you read this, you’ll be initially surprised at what Lori and Bree discover, and the final information at the end isn’t likely something you’ll see coming.
This is the 22nd book in the series, but if you haven't ventured into it, note that Lori is an American who, with her husband, came to the small English village to live some years earlier. By book 22, they have three kids. Bill Willis, (Lori didn’t take on his last name when they married), has gone camping during Easter break with their two sons. Lori is just as happy not to have had to go; roughing it wit a toddler isn’t her thing. She and the little girl remain at home, and it’s while the family is separated that the quilting bee occurs and with it the horrifying confession from Mrs. Craven.
Knowing that she can’t solve the mystery of the murder herself, Lori turns to the pages of an old journal wherein resides the communicative ability of Aunt Dimity. Aunt Dimity was Lori’s mom’s friend during World War II. Both her mom and Aunt Dimity are dead, but Aunt Dimity is able to manifest herself in the pages of the old journal. And she is excellent at solving those mysteries with Lori. So it’s to the journal Lori goes to learn what Aunt Dimity would do were she corporeal. Naturally, Aunt Dimity encourages her to investigate the story to determine its veracity.
With her friend, Bree Pym, Lori bundles the baby up and off they go to the village where the murder was supposed to have happened. What they find is startling indeed. The village of Old Cowerton is sharply divided on the reputation of Annabelle Craven. Some say she is indeed a killer; others insist she isn’t. So wherein lies the truth? And if Annabelle isn’t a killer, why would she lie to Lori?
This is a fun series, and this book is no exception. It’s a short read. I should tell you that your schmaltz meter or your sappy emotion gage will get tweaked a bit if you read this, but it won’t be ridiculously over the top. These are clean mysteries that anyone can read comfortably and enjoy. There is no profanity here nor are there any sexual descriptions. If you read this, you’ll be initially surprised at what Lori and Bree discover, and the final information at the end isn’t likely something you’ll see coming.
bookscatsbikes's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy all the books in the Aunt Dimity series. 'The Widow's Curse' had great characters per usual but Lori Shepherd, our nosy sleuth, didn't have to do much sleuthing. Once she asks a few questions in a town about the mysterious death she is trying to get to the bottom of, lots of ladies come out of the woodwork to tell her the 'truth'. Everyone has their version of the truth and gossip muddies all of it but eventually she finds out what is really going on. My only frustration was that Lori didn't seem to be an active participant in obtaining any new information. Stories and facts were given to her and at the end of the day, she was back where she began and doing what she should have done if the first place - ask someone for the truth. I like how the theme of gossip in small towns is explored. I would've liked Lori to be bit more proactive. I'll still be waiting for #23, though.