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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.
pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Another awesome installment of the Aunt Dimity series!! Lori, Bree and little Bess go on a girls' getaway but really want to visit a small town called Cowerton to ferret out some long buried information about their elderly friend and neighbor Mrs. Craven! And what a load of information they find! Not all of it is complimentary of Annabelle Craven and some tidbits don't really coincide with the story the old woman gave to Lori in the first place. Did Annabelle really kill her first husband? Who should Lori believe: The Sunnyside Gang or Craven Manor Cronies? All is revealed when Lori ends her holiday and reunites with her neighbors in Finch. The ending is not what you might expect!!
I always love reading the Aunt Dimity books. I would love to have someone like Aunt Dimity to ask advice. She is always the (disembodied) voice of reason! I thoroughly enjoy this series!
I voluntarily reviewed this book from NetGalley.
I always love reading the Aunt Dimity books. I would love to have someone like Aunt Dimity to ask advice. She is always the (disembodied) voice of reason! I thoroughly enjoy this series!
I voluntarily reviewed this book from NetGalley.
kristick's review against another edition
4.0
Another reread - it has been that kind of month. Not my favorite Aunt Dimity, but still a good one, with Lori and her friend Bree investigating whether an elderly neighbor killed her first husband.
karmakat's review against another edition
3.0
It's nice when a cozy mystery author manages to keep her stories fun and entertaining this many books into the series. This one isn't a traditional murder mystery as the events took place many years before the action in this book, but as usual, Atherton introduces (and expands on) a great cast of characters and provides an engaging story.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Aunt Dimity and the Widow’s Curse by Nancy Atherton is a 2017 Viking Books publication.
Another wonderful visit with Lori and the gang in the friendly, but gossipy, village of Finch!!
I know I’ve told this story before, but Aunt Dimity is a special series for me. It is the first ‘modern’ cozy series I ever read. I usually grabbed the darkest, most twisted mystery/suspense novels on the market, but I received an ‘Aunt Dimity’ book as a gift, and eventually, mostly out of pure, and quite skeptical, curiosity, I finally decided to give it a try.
I’ve been a cozy mystery fan ever since. This series still remains one of my favorites, and is always consistent, never losing its charm, even after twenty-two installments!
In this chapter, Lori’s elderly friend and champion quilter, Mrs. Craven, makes a startling confession to Lori, that has her very worried. Concerned, Lori and Bree, set off to Old Cowerton, looking for proof to back up Mrs. Craven’s claims, and will have you asking, ‘How well do I really know my neighbors?’
The author immediately puts me into a Cotswolds state of mind in the first chapter, reacquainting me with the village regulars, and reminding me of the quirky, but wonderful, homey, sense of community that Finch offers.
From there, we learn Bob and the boys are camping, which leaves Lori free to pursue her ‘case’ at Aunt Dimity’s urging.
For those of you, who follow this series, you know that these mysteries are not the traditional murder variety, and are usually more about the characters, but does indeed solve a mystery along the way. While, Lori’s amateur sleuthing skills are a bit unconventional, they eventually get the job done, with the help of 'Aunt Dimity'.
*It's not absolutely necessary to read the series from start to finish to enjoy the later installments. I've skipped around quite a bit myself, but I would check out a few older installments for background so you will understand the characters and setting more.
I especially enjoyed this installment, which calls attention to selfless acts of kindness, which often pays off in ways we never thought possible. The characters Lori and Bree meet in Old Cowerton, were well drawn, and the plot is rich with deceptively benign details, that come together quite nicely.
There are some laugh out loud moments, some girl bonding, and a host of interesting characters to round out the puzzling mystery behind the seemingly angelic, Mrs. Craven. The story ends with a nice warm and fuzzy feeling, but, as always, I’m always sad to have to end my visit with these characters, all of whom feel like old family friends.
So, until next time…
4 stars
Another wonderful visit with Lori and the gang in the friendly, but gossipy, village of Finch!!
I know I’ve told this story before, but Aunt Dimity is a special series for me. It is the first ‘modern’ cozy series I ever read. I usually grabbed the darkest, most twisted mystery/suspense novels on the market, but I received an ‘Aunt Dimity’ book as a gift, and eventually, mostly out of pure, and quite skeptical, curiosity, I finally decided to give it a try.
I’ve been a cozy mystery fan ever since. This series still remains one of my favorites, and is always consistent, never losing its charm, even after twenty-two installments!
In this chapter, Lori’s elderly friend and champion quilter, Mrs. Craven, makes a startling confession to Lori, that has her very worried. Concerned, Lori and Bree, set off to Old Cowerton, looking for proof to back up Mrs. Craven’s claims, and will have you asking, ‘How well do I really know my neighbors?’
The author immediately puts me into a Cotswolds state of mind in the first chapter, reacquainting me with the village regulars, and reminding me of the quirky, but wonderful, homey, sense of community that Finch offers.
From there, we learn Bob and the boys are camping, which leaves Lori free to pursue her ‘case’ at Aunt Dimity’s urging.
For those of you, who follow this series, you know that these mysteries are not the traditional murder variety, and are usually more about the characters, but does indeed solve a mystery along the way. While, Lori’s amateur sleuthing skills are a bit unconventional, they eventually get the job done, with the help of 'Aunt Dimity'.
*It's not absolutely necessary to read the series from start to finish to enjoy the later installments. I've skipped around quite a bit myself, but I would check out a few older installments for background so you will understand the characters and setting more.
I especially enjoyed this installment, which calls attention to selfless acts of kindness, which often pays off in ways we never thought possible. The characters Lori and Bree meet in Old Cowerton, were well drawn, and the plot is rich with deceptively benign details, that come together quite nicely.
There are some laugh out loud moments, some girl bonding, and a host of interesting characters to round out the puzzling mystery behind the seemingly angelic, Mrs. Craven. The story ends with a nice warm and fuzzy feeling, but, as always, I’m always sad to have to end my visit with these characters, all of whom feel like old family friends.
So, until next time…
4 stars
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
The Aunt Dimity series has been a very favourite of mine since the first book, and while some have been "more favourite" than others, not a single book has disappointed me, and this installment was no different.
These books make small town busybodies lovable, and quiet village life funny and exciting, and as someone who grew up in a small town [I only WISH mine had been more like Finch!] I am here to tell you, that is no small feat.
The Aunt Dimity books are [I've said this before in reviewing them, but it bears repeating] like that stretched out old sweater that you love in spite of its age, and that you sigh with deep and genuine pleasure over, each time you slip into it. This is exactly how I feel each time I listen to the newest Aunt Dimity [my library gets them in audio book format and the narrator is absolutely perfect delivering them]. I find kindness, sweetness, humour and a perspective on life and the world in these books that is sorely lacking in much of the actual world these days. It is a joyful interlude each and every time I have the chance to re-visit Finch and go on adventures with Lori and her friends and neighbours.
We also always receive a lesson - albeit gentle and subtle - on how to be better to one another, and ways to make the world just a tiny bit less cold and difficult. I don't know if Nancy Atherton does that purposely, or if it is just part of how she sees her characters and the world they live in, but it's a lovely bonus for those paying attention, and who are open to a little small-town wisdom.
I ADORE this series, and hope Atherton plans to keep adding to it for many years to come, because we are all a little better after a visit to Finch!
These books make small town busybodies lovable, and quiet village life funny and exciting, and as someone who grew up in a small town [I only WISH mine had been more like Finch!] I am here to tell you, that is no small feat.
The Aunt Dimity books are [I've said this before in reviewing them, but it bears repeating] like that stretched out old sweater that you love in spite of its age, and that you sigh with deep and genuine pleasure over, each time you slip into it. This is exactly how I feel each time I listen to the newest Aunt Dimity [my library gets them in audio book format and the narrator is absolutely perfect delivering them]. I find kindness, sweetness, humour and a perspective on life and the world in these books that is sorely lacking in much of the actual world these days. It is a joyful interlude each and every time I have the chance to re-visit Finch and go on adventures with Lori and her friends and neighbours.
We also always receive a lesson - albeit gentle and subtle - on how to be better to one another, and ways to make the world just a tiny bit less cold and difficult. I don't know if Nancy Atherton does that purposely, or if it is just part of how she sees her characters and the world they live in, but it's a lovely bonus for those paying attention, and who are open to a little small-town wisdom.
I ADORE this series, and hope Atherton plans to keep adding to it for many years to come, because we are all a little better after a visit to Finch!
sookie13's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Aunt Dimity book, and I'm surprised at myself having not read one until now- I've been very aware of the series for years but somehow never got around to them. This was a lovely read, as soothing as a good cup of tea on a rainy spring day. This one is unusual for a murder mystery because the mystery is whether or not a murder actually occurred....and was there more than one?
I love little mystery novels like this, that focus on characters and story more than murder and shock value. They make for nice "palate cleansers" between more hefty books that can overwhelm or overload, like a nice walk after an intense workout. I was prepared for it to feel tired or boring being that it's #22 in a series, but it didn't at all. The day after I finished this, I stumbled upon the first from the series in my local bookshop and picked it up so I can start from the beginning.
I love little mystery novels like this, that focus on characters and story more than murder and shock value. They make for nice "palate cleansers" between more hefty books that can overwhelm or overload, like a nice walk after an intense workout. I was prepared for it to feel tired or boring being that it's #22 in a series, but it didn't at all. The day after I finished this, I stumbled upon the first from the series in my local bookshop and picked it up so I can start from the beginning.
bethmitcham's review
3.0
I need to reset my expectations for these books -- they aren't even pretending to have a mystery anymore. Or a conclusion. They are just excuses for Lori to wander about aimlessly while people tell her things. Which this one does well -- the dotty old lady in the village who starts off the initial quest, the amazingly helpful luxury hotel staff, the village regulars around the hotel, etc. But then they are left with the ridiculous conclusion and its hasty solution. And her kids are very oddly behaved.
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