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Aunt Dimity Mystery #18
Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince
On the heels of two bestsellers, everyone’s favorite paranormal detective embarks on her eighteenth cozy adventure. Watch out for Nancy Atherton's latest, Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom, coming in July 2018 from Viking!It’s a cold, dreary February in the sleepy village of Finch and Lori Shepherd has two stir-crazy kids on her hands. So she leaps at the chance to visit Skeaping Manor, a bizarre Jacobean-house-turned-museum. There she meets Daisy Pickering, a sweet, but strange little girl from a poor family who spins a wild tale about the Russian aristocrats who once owned the priceless silver pieces on display. A few days later, Daisy’s shabby pink parka turns up at Lori’s thrift shop—with a silver sleigh figurine in the pocket. Lori tries to track down the Pickering family, only to find that they’ve disappeared without a trace.
A delightful whodunit stretching back to the Russian Revolution, Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince will beguile new and longtime fans.
A delightful whodunit stretching back to the Russian Revolution, Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince will beguile new and longtime fans.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2013
102 people are currently reading
1334 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Atherton
63 books1,184 followersNancy 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 plans are, as well all know, subject to change without notice).
If you prefer to envision her as an Englishwoman, she urges you to cling to your illusions at all costs -- she treasures carefully nurtured illusions. She also urges you to read no further.
Because the truth is that Nancy Atherton is a dark-haired American with a generally unwrinkled face, a beaming smile, and hazel eyes, who lives in a plain house in Colorado Springs. She comes from a large, gregarious family (five brothers and two sisters!) and enjoys socializing as much as she enjoys solitude.
So if you are looking for her at a convention, don't look for a stately grande dame in a flowery dress. Look for a woman in jeans and sneakers who's bounding around like a hyperactive gerbil.
That'll be her. And she'd love to meet you.
Japanese: ナンシー アサートン
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 plans are, as well all know, subject to change without notice).
If you prefer to envision her as an Englishwoman, she urges you to cling to your illusions at all costs -- she treasures carefully nurtured illusions. She also urges you to read no further.
Because the truth is that Nancy Atherton is a dark-haired American with a generally unwrinkled face, a beaming smile, and hazel eyes, who lives in a plain house in Colorado Springs. She comes from a large, gregarious family (five brothers and two sisters!) and enjoys socializing as much as she enjoys solitude.
So if you are looking for her at a convention, don't look for a stately grande dame in a flowery dress. Look for a woman in jeans and sneakers who's bounding around like a hyperactive gerbil.
That'll be her. And she'd love to meet you.
Japanese: ナンシー アサートン
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
May 17, 2013
The books in this series are truly fairy tales for adults. No murder mystery, but always a mystery of some kind, meant to provide an opportunity for growth for the protagonist, right down to a "moral of the story" of sorts at the end. Because, or in spite of, this, these stories are always entertaining with fantastic, colourful, characters and really no villains to speak of. My only complaint about the books - well, two really: I wish the author could figure out a way for Aunt Dimity to pass on her wisdom without making Lori impulsive to the point of childish and make Aunt Dimity less condescending while passing on her wisdom. Secondly, if Lori could not jump to so many ridiculous conclusions, that would be great. Although I will say, she was much more rational in this book.
Aunt Dimity and the Lost Price centers around the fantastical tales told by a child, and the reality that lies at the heart of them. The child herself makes exactly one appearance in the story, but she makes quite an impression with everyone she meets and Lori and her neighbor Bree follow a string of clues to find the "Lost Price". With an ending not quite what you'd expect, but a happy one, this was a fast, entertaining read. If you don't try to make these books something they are not (murder mysteries with suspects, etc.), and enjoy them for what they are, they'll never let you down.
Aunt Dimity and the Lost Price centers around the fantastical tales told by a child, and the reality that lies at the heart of them. The child herself makes exactly one appearance in the story, but she makes quite an impression with everyone she meets and Lori and her neighbor Bree follow a string of clues to find the "Lost Price". With an ending not quite what you'd expect, but a happy one, this was a fast, entertaining read. If you don't try to make these books something they are not (murder mysteries with suspects, etc.), and enjoy them for what they are, they'll never let you down.
January 11, 2015
I never, never get tired of the Aunt Dimity series - these books are like slipping on your very favourite old sweater. It may be stretched out and a little tatty but nothing feels more comfortable and loved, and nothing else make you feel so happy and cozy. This is how I feel about the Aunt Dimity books!
In this adventure, we meet a whole new cast of characters for Lori to busybody her way through. And while my favourites of this series always tend to be the ones that take place in Finch, with its town of nosy, but lovable oddballs, I very much enjoyed this story too.
As always, Nancy Atherton has a wonderful way of creating characters who seem initially to be one thing, but eventually turn out to be something altogether different, though almost always wonderful and quirky, and this book is no exception to that. The motley cast of characters who people the grand quest Lori embarks on based on a story told by a little girl called Daisy are simply a delight!
And Lori, well Lori remains Lori, which is to say kind-hearted and well-meaning busybody, who tries to right every wrong she comes across, and fix the life of everyone in her universe, even if said fixing is unrequested. Because Lori is such a good person with honourable intentions, her interference always comes across as charming. And, since she has Dimity and Reginald, and [although not in this book] Bill to keep her sleuthing and fixing from going off the deep end, Lori's efforts always end reasonably well.
This is one of my go-to series for when I just want to read a book that will not only tell me a fun story, but will let me dive into a happy place filled with kind people, good intentions and happy endings. The Aunt Dimity series never lets me down on any of those and I will keep reading them for as long as the author is willing to write them!
In this adventure, we meet a whole new cast of characters for Lori to busybody her way through. And while my favourites of this series always tend to be the ones that take place in Finch, with its town of nosy, but lovable oddballs, I very much enjoyed this story too.
As always, Nancy Atherton has a wonderful way of creating characters who seem initially to be one thing, but eventually turn out to be something altogether different, though almost always wonderful and quirky, and this book is no exception to that. The motley cast of characters who people the grand quest Lori embarks on based on a story told by a little girl called Daisy are simply a delight!
And Lori, well Lori remains Lori, which is to say kind-hearted and well-meaning busybody, who tries to right every wrong she comes across, and fix the life of everyone in her universe, even if said fixing is unrequested. Because Lori is such a good person with honourable intentions, her interference always comes across as charming. And, since she has Dimity and Reginald, and [although not in this book] Bill to keep her sleuthing and fixing from going off the deep end, Lori's efforts always end reasonably well.
This is one of my go-to series for when I just want to read a book that will not only tell me a fun story, but will let me dive into a happy place filled with kind people, good intentions and happy endings. The Aunt Dimity series never lets me down on any of those and I will keep reading them for as long as the author is willing to write them!
May 7, 2013
The Aunt Dimity mysteries is one of those sweet little cozy cottage mysteries I've followed and read throughout. Most cozies are a light, easy read, and I dare say this series is even lighter than most. Unlike the Agatha Raisin or Hamish MacBeth series, which can sometimes turn unexpectedly serious, oftentimes, the "mystery" involving intrepid American expat Lori are quite benign, as they are in this latest installment.
It is a terrible, blustery, freezing February, and Lori is grouchy and upset. Her twin sons are home and in sore lack of entertainment due to the inclement weather and her husband is involved in a case in a sunny and warm location. To her relief, teenaged neighbor Bree needs a place to stay, and in return for a room, Bree acts as playmate and babysitter to the two boisterous boys. They visit a macabre museum where Lori meets a precocious and malnourished little girl, who speaks mysteriously of a Russian artifact. The little girl, Daisy, and her mother soon vanishes after seemingly stealing the artifact, and Lori and Bree are soon on their trail to trace a mysterious Russian prince. With the help of Aunt Dimity's levelheadedness and the intrinsic approval of Reginald the stuffed bunny (I want one for my own, actually), Lori and Bree slowly unwinds the case of the missing prince.
The blurb makes this story to be a lot more macabre and mysterious than it actually is. There is not much mention or connection to a bloody Russian past; there is mention of it, but it never goes into so much detail as to make this more than a PG rating. There is no more than a mere brush with Russian Bolshevik history; Russian tea cakes are mentioned more than any allusion to historical events (I'm not kidding, you will be sick of hearing about the freaking tea cake recipe by the time the book ends).
The other item mentioned in the blurb "...but there’s not much that could be done anyway for the Pickerings seem to have come into some money and moved to Australia" is actually a spoiler. Lori does find out that this is indeed what happened to Daisy and her mother, but not til the very end of the book.
There is very little characterization in the book, and nothing more is to be gleaned into any existing character's personality besides the sure fact that Lori is an interfering busybody, more so than any of the local village ladies with whom she is so exasperated. There is no mystery here, no major problem to be solved at all, as we will learn. All that aside, it is entertaining, light, and an easy read. I give this 3 stars, more than my typical rating for the usual light fluffy read because unlike some books, this series has no pretense and lays no claim to the extraordinary. One does not go into a book like this expecting a revelation, it is a sweet little read for a rainy evening, and not much else.
It is a terrible, blustery, freezing February, and Lori is grouchy and upset. Her twin sons are home and in sore lack of entertainment due to the inclement weather and her husband is involved in a case in a sunny and warm location. To her relief, teenaged neighbor Bree needs a place to stay, and in return for a room, Bree acts as playmate and babysitter to the two boisterous boys. They visit a macabre museum where Lori meets a precocious and malnourished little girl, who speaks mysteriously of a Russian artifact. The little girl, Daisy, and her mother soon vanishes after seemingly stealing the artifact, and Lori and Bree are soon on their trail to trace a mysterious Russian prince. With the help of Aunt Dimity's levelheadedness and the intrinsic approval of Reginald the stuffed bunny (I want one for my own, actually), Lori and Bree slowly unwinds the case of the missing prince.
The blurb makes this story to be a lot more macabre and mysterious than it actually is. There is not much mention or connection to a bloody Russian past; there is mention of it, but it never goes into so much detail as to make this more than a PG rating. There is no more than a mere brush with Russian Bolshevik history; Russian tea cakes are mentioned more than any allusion to historical events (I'm not kidding, you will be sick of hearing about the freaking tea cake recipe by the time the book ends).
The other item mentioned in the blurb "...but there’s not much that could be done anyway for the Pickerings seem to have come into some money and moved to Australia" is actually a spoiler. Lori does find out that this is indeed what happened to Daisy and her mother, but not til the very end of the book.
There is very little characterization in the book, and nothing more is to be gleaned into any existing character's personality besides the sure fact that Lori is an interfering busybody, more so than any of the local village ladies with whom she is so exasperated. There is no mystery here, no major problem to be solved at all, as we will learn. All that aside, it is entertaining, light, and an easy read. I give this 3 stars, more than my typical rating for the usual light fluffy read because unlike some books, this series has no pretense and lays no claim to the extraordinary. One does not go into a book like this expecting a revelation, it is a sweet little read for a rainy evening, and not much else.
November 22, 2023
Since Bree Pym joined the series, every book have been a hit for me. There's a good heart to the stories and a cozy message. Just what I need when my brain isn't up to more and my heart needs a little swaddling.
May 13, 2013
Another successful mystery by Atherton.
Being that Lori has such an over-active imagination of her own, it's only fitting that this particular quest be sparked by the story-telling of a mysterious little girl.
Lori and Bree's hunt for clues takes them to various estates throughout the countryside. They encounter a bevy of intriguing characters, any of whom I'd be glad to revisit in the future. Atherton has a marvelous knack for creating memorable, entertaining personalities - a gift which allows her to constantly widen Lori's circle and keep readers engaged eighteen books in.
This book also delves into Bree's adjustment to life in England. We've seen her as a brazen, big-hearted girl who's always ready to speak her mind. I've enjoyed her sly remarks. It's nice, however, to see another side of her. She makes for an able and balancing sidekick for Lori and they're quite good at reining each other in when necessary.
There's a sweetness to Atherton's books, as one might expect from the cozy mystery genre. However, they're never too cloying. Lori often uncovers deeply sad histories, getting us quickly invested in strangers' lives. I find myself actively rooting for busybody neighbours, smirking cooks, well-meaning con men, and abrasive eccentrics. It's plain that everyone has suffered some degree of tragedy. Instead of crafting a silly, grandiose happy ever after for these folks, Atherton's skill is in bringing about a lovely turn-of-events for the here and now. Old hurts are not forgotten. They're merely overshadowed by the realistically heart-warming delights of the present.
Being that Lori has such an over-active imagination of her own, it's only fitting that this particular quest be sparked by the story-telling of a mysterious little girl.
Lori and Bree's hunt for clues takes them to various estates throughout the countryside. They encounter a bevy of intriguing characters, any of whom I'd be glad to revisit in the future. Atherton has a marvelous knack for creating memorable, entertaining personalities - a gift which allows her to constantly widen Lori's circle and keep readers engaged eighteen books in.
This book also delves into Bree's adjustment to life in England. We've seen her as a brazen, big-hearted girl who's always ready to speak her mind. I've enjoyed her sly remarks. It's nice, however, to see another side of her. She makes for an able and balancing sidekick for Lori and they're quite good at reining each other in when necessary.
There's a sweetness to Atherton's books, as one might expect from the cozy mystery genre. However, they're never too cloying. Lori often uncovers deeply sad histories, getting us quickly invested in strangers' lives. I find myself actively rooting for busybody neighbours, smirking cooks, well-meaning con men, and abrasive eccentrics. It's plain that everyone has suffered some degree of tragedy. Instead of crafting a silly, grandiose happy ever after for these folks, Atherton's skill is in bringing about a lovely turn-of-events for the here and now. Old hurts are not forgotten. They're merely overshadowed by the realistically heart-warming delights of the present.
June 10, 2013
I really do enjoy the Aunt Dimity books! It's like spending time with an old friend. This one was no disappointment. It was interesting, comfortable and sweet, as usual. A mystery without a dead body - imagine that!
August 19, 2017
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This series offers cozy mysteries with amusing and quirky characters, in the life of Lori and her Aunt Dimity. Each one has been a fun and entertaining read to be sure.
It is appreciated that each book is able to stand on its own and usually concludes with an HEA.
This series offers cozy mysteries with amusing and quirky characters, in the life of Lori and her Aunt Dimity. Each one has been a fun and entertaining read to be sure.
It is appreciated that each book is able to stand on its own and usually concludes with an HEA.
March 19, 2023
"Manchmal, aber nur manchmal ist das Leben besser als die Welt der Bücher."
Aus einer Notlage heraus entdeckt Lori zusammen mit Bree Prym und ihren Söhnen das skurrile Museum Skeaping Manor. Dort begegnen sie der kleinen Daisy , die Lori die Geschichte vom verschwundenen Prinzen erzählt. Lori begibt sich auf die Suche.
Wieder ein charmanter Roman der Reihe rund um Tante Dimity. Dieses Mal erlebt Lori zusammen mit Bree ein außergewöhnliches Abenteuer. Ich fühlte mich wieder sehr gut unterhalten und habe wirklich oft geschmunzelt. Und ich fand die Auflösung wieder sehr schön und passend. In Finch und Umgebung ist die Welt einfach in Ordnung. Der einzige Wermutstropfen ist das wirklich schlechte Lektorat des Buches, es gibt wirklich viele Fehler, die den Lesefluss stören. Aber die Story ist Cosy Crime in Hochform und perfekt für verregnete Tage geeignet.
Aus einer Notlage heraus entdeckt Lori zusammen mit Bree Prym und ihren Söhnen das skurrile Museum Skeaping Manor. Dort begegnen sie der kleinen Daisy , die Lori die Geschichte vom verschwundenen Prinzen erzählt. Lori begibt sich auf die Suche.
Wieder ein charmanter Roman der Reihe rund um Tante Dimity. Dieses Mal erlebt Lori zusammen mit Bree ein außergewöhnliches Abenteuer. Ich fühlte mich wieder sehr gut unterhalten und habe wirklich oft geschmunzelt. Und ich fand die Auflösung wieder sehr schön und passend. In Finch und Umgebung ist die Welt einfach in Ordnung. Der einzige Wermutstropfen ist das wirklich schlechte Lektorat des Buches, es gibt wirklich viele Fehler, die den Lesefluss stören. Aber die Story ist Cosy Crime in Hochform und perfekt für verregnete Tage geeignet.
December 12, 2023
Very cute. Another local mystery where we learn loads and meet many new characters along the way.
December 12, 2021
February/Cotswolds, England
This story involves a museum, manor homes, a hunt for a lost prince, a stolen object, and a tale told by a young girl. The main character and her friend spend the book looking for a person in a story. They meet several manor owners. Some are likeable and some aren't. All have a tale to tell that will lead the two to the truth. I knew from the start that the ending wouldn't be what it's made out to be, but I was surprised by what it actually was.
This story involves a museum, manor homes, a hunt for a lost prince, a stolen object, and a tale told by a young girl. The main character and her friend spend the book looking for a person in a story. They meet several manor owners. Some are likeable and some aren't. All have a tale to tell that will lead the two to the truth. I knew from the start that the ending wouldn't be what it's made out to be, but I was surprised by what it actually was.
June 15, 2021
Lori Shepard and Aunt Dimity have grown on me. I liked Bree Pym, too. This book was wonderful, in the no-dead-bodies sense; the mystery revolved around a silver troika and some missing persons. I love cozy mysteries, even the ones with the dead people 'off-screen', but in this tale, there were none (except Aunt Dimity, of course)!
The way Lori communicates with the spirit of Aunt Dimity is rather clever, and for Dimity to carry an intelligent conversation (albeit for a dead woman) with Lori is different (in a good way). I'd like to read more in this series; it took me 24 hours or so to read, and being involved in its light mystery was a perfect way to spend that time.
There's no sex, no foul language, no gore in this book.
The way Lori communicates with the spirit of Aunt Dimity is rather clever, and for Dimity to carry an intelligent conversation (albeit for a dead woman) with Lori is different (in a good way). I'd like to read more in this series; it took me 24 hours or so to read, and being involved in its light mystery was a perfect way to spend that time.
There's no sex, no foul language, no gore in this book.
December 24, 2021
I decided to buy this for my Kindle so I could easily take it with me when I needed to travel to NYC for work in October. It was the perfect book for that! Reading about Lori Shepherd is always a joy, and reading about her attempt to help a lost-seeming little girl -- and the lost prince the girl was worried about -- was even better. This is still one of my all-time favorite mystery series.
February 28, 2024
February is a cursed month according to Lori Shepherd. With the twins' school closed for burst pipes, her husband away in Majorca, a devastating cold afflicting her father-in-law and the twins' friends, Lori is out of ideas for entertaining two lively 8-year-old boys. When her neighbor, Bree Pym, shows up on her doorstep, Lori sees Bree as the answer to her prayers. The twins adore the teenager and are eager to explore Skeaping Manor, a museum of curiosities, with her. While Lori is squeamish about the things her boys love, she does enjoy the beautiful antiques like the intricate silver sleigh an unnatural young girl named Daisy informs Lori is a salt cellar. Daisy regales Lori with tales of aristocrats dripping with jewels who once used the silver. When Lori discovers the salt cellar in the pocket of Daisy's old, worn parka at Aunt Dimity's Attic, Lori is concerned for young Daisy. A search for the girl to make her return the artifact reveals Daisy and her mother, a cleaning lady, have vanished without a trace. Furthermore, Daisy's best friend Cora shares a story Daisy told her about a lost prince held captive and a bad man who stole from him. Lori and Bree lead the charge to find and rescue the lost prince and restore his priceless silver salt cellar to him. Yet none of the people on their quest for information believed Daisy's story or have any clues to the lost prince. Was Daisy spinning a tall tale or is there really a lost prince? Can Lori and Bree rescue him before time runs out?
I appreciated the fact this story takes place in February. February is better than March, in my opinion. I could easily feel the dreariness although yesterday and today are spring like days where I live. I understood Lori's boredom and jealousy of Bill. I wasn't as captivated by Daisy's story as Lori was or as invested in finding the lost prince. Aunt Dimity didn't have much to do except teach Lori how to behave like an adult as usual. Reginald plays an important role in the story though. I liked the Bree subplot more than the main plot. The story felt anti-climactic at the end and the search was repetitive. It felt like the vampire hunt all over again.
Besides Lori and the twins, the only recurring character is Bree Pym. Bree is one of my favorites. She's a breath of fresh air shaking things up in Finch. I didn't like seeing her change her appearance for a bunch of fuddy duddies. Aunt Dimity's explanation made sense but not totally. I was glad Bree confronted her past but I think Lori through the Westwood Trust should be the one taking care of Cora and her family not Bree. Bree needs her money for college and to live on. Philanthropy is important, of course, but I think at 19, Bree has her future to think of. Isn't the Westwood Trust for that sort of thing? Aunt Dimity was always rescuing lonely children! She would have loved Daisy and Cora.
Miles Craven, curator of Skeaping Manor, isn't as creepy as Lori seems to think. It's eccentric to dress in Edwardian informal dress when not working but not creepy. He doesn't seem to be too enamored with the weird collections and appreciates the real historical artifacts more. Lori believes Miles Craven is embezzling money from the museum's endowment and using it for his own ends. I don't really see evidence of this but he could have accepted a donation of the salt cellar from the man holding the prince captive. He wouldn't know or ask questions of the donor if the donor had a ready explanation. Lori's imagination runs away with her all the time so I'm skeptical but she is often somewhat correct.
Daisy is an unnatural child. Pale, thin and ragged, with knowledge she can't possibly know at 9, I thought she might be a ghost or something. She's a very real girl though and a lonely, sickly child who spends most of her time with adults while her mother polishes silver to make ends meet. Lori and Bree both see themselves in Daisy and want to help her. I'm not sure I believe Daisy's story entirely but there may be some kernel of truth to it.
Lori and Bree's quest first takes them to Addington Terrace, a run down, low-income apartment building. The landlady is ghastly. She chain smokes and doesn't do much in the way of cleaning or maintenance. She doesn't care about her renters at all and doesn't have any information to share. Cora, Daisy's best friend, is a better source of information. Cora and her two brothers are running wild outside in the frigid cold with no real supervision. Cora is sweet and trusting. She's the only one who believed Daisy's story about the lost prince and points Lori and Bree in the right direction. Bree's heart goes out to the children. Addington Terrance reminds her of the cheap flat her dad rented in New Zealand when she was growing up and the unhappy memories of her childhood resurface. Cora is cute and I don't think her brothers are any more rambunctious than any other boys that age but in their environment they have more potential to get into trouble.
Mrs. Pickering, Daisy's mother, worked as a silver polisher for several different grand households. The first, is Hayewood, an old estate but kept neat and clean. The present occupant, Madeline Sturgess, is a housewife who has a grand plan to bring life back into her home now her children are grown and her husband is currently away on business. She is naïve when it comes to running a business and so excited to meet "reporters" who will advertise her hotel for her, she doesn't think things through. Bree is sweet and compassionate towards her. I think Madeline is very nice and she'll figure things out. The next household is ghastly. The Boughwells are relics of the old days and cling fiercely to the old ways when nobles were tough rulers of the lowly peasants. It's curious though how Lord B seems to accept film crews and knows some film jargon. I suspect they're renting their estate to film and TV crews to make money. They look down their snooty noses at anyone who isn't like them, especially their Jamaican housekeeper/cook. Shanice is kind and caring towards her employers even though they don't deserve it. She understands their mentality and that no one else wants to work for them. She sure does love to gossip! She knows everything about everybody and nothing about a lost prince!
The Thames family or Terescenkos, as they were once known, own Shangri-La, which is also ghastly but for different reasons. It's modern 1970s kitsch meets 1870s Victorian manor house. Shangri-Li's present owner, Tony Thames, is new money and his wife sure likes to spend their money on some super weird decorations. I don't think an antique silver salt cellar is even in her wheelhouse. She's eccentric and a bit vulgar according to the old social rules but kind and enjoys sharing her family's story with anyone who will listen. It's a very American story although they are not American. My own family has similar stories to share too.
The search for the lost prince seems to hit a dead end when the sleuths learn about Lady Barbara, an elderly woman who once knew a Russian boy in her youth, not long after the Russian Revolution. Could she be the answer to figuring out Daisy's story? Unfortunately Barb suffers from weak lungs/asthma and isn't well. Her great-nephew prevents access to her. Is he blocking his aunt from seeing visitors because she's really unwell or does he want to isolate her from the outside world to keep her under his control? Lord Ronald doesn't seem like the mean sort but you never know. Barb needs her own story. Like the previous elderly woman we met, she's a pistol and there's a good story to tell there. I assume she didn't "take" because she was too bossy, outspoken and wild for the 1920s and 30s? Her story of her friend Misha is lovely and heartbreaking. Could he be the lost prince Lori and Bree are searching for?
The main clue the sleuths have to go on is a cookie recipe for Russian Tea Cakes or what Lori's mother called Pecan Balls. They go by various names. This recipe is identical to one in someone else's receipt book which is identical to one in another book and so on. Following the recipe might lead to the Russian prince. That's the part of the mystery I liked best. I love seeing old family recipes shared and passed down through the generations. I'm not a huge fan of that type of cookie though. I made them with chocolate chips and cardamom instead of nuts and they were excellent.
This series is so nice and gentle it would make a good Hallmark movie. This wasn't our favorite of the series but it was one of the most gentle.
I appreciated the fact this story takes place in February. February is better than March, in my opinion. I could easily feel the dreariness although yesterday and today are spring like days where I live. I understood Lori's boredom and jealousy of Bill. I wasn't as captivated by Daisy's story as Lori was or as invested in finding the lost prince. Aunt Dimity didn't have much to do except teach Lori how to behave like an adult as usual. Reginald plays an important role in the story though. I liked the Bree subplot more than the main plot. The story felt anti-climactic at the end and the search was repetitive. It felt like the vampire hunt all over again.
Besides Lori and the twins, the only recurring character is Bree Pym. Bree is one of my favorites. She's a breath of fresh air shaking things up in Finch. I didn't like seeing her change her appearance for a bunch of fuddy duddies. Aunt Dimity's explanation made sense but not totally. I was glad Bree confronted her past but I think Lori through the Westwood Trust should be the one taking care of Cora and her family not Bree. Bree needs her money for college and to live on. Philanthropy is important, of course, but I think at 19, Bree has her future to think of. Isn't the Westwood Trust for that sort of thing? Aunt Dimity was always rescuing lonely children! She would have loved Daisy and Cora.
Miles Craven, curator of Skeaping Manor, isn't as creepy as Lori seems to think. It's eccentric to dress in Edwardian informal dress when not working but not creepy. He doesn't seem to be too enamored with the weird collections and appreciates the real historical artifacts more. Lori believes Miles Craven is embezzling money from the museum's endowment and using it for his own ends. I don't really see evidence of this but he could have accepted a donation of the salt cellar from the man holding the prince captive. He wouldn't know or ask questions of the donor if the donor had a ready explanation. Lori's imagination runs away with her all the time so I'm skeptical but she is often somewhat correct.
Daisy is an unnatural child. Pale, thin and ragged, with knowledge she can't possibly know at 9, I thought she might be a ghost or something. She's a very real girl though and a lonely, sickly child who spends most of her time with adults while her mother polishes silver to make ends meet. Lori and Bree both see themselves in Daisy and want to help her. I'm not sure I believe Daisy's story entirely but there may be some kernel of truth to it.
Lori and Bree's quest first takes them to Addington Terrace, a run down, low-income apartment building. The landlady is ghastly. She chain smokes and doesn't do much in the way of cleaning or maintenance. She doesn't care about her renters at all and doesn't have any information to share. Cora, Daisy's best friend, is a better source of information. Cora and her two brothers are running wild outside in the frigid cold with no real supervision. Cora is sweet and trusting. She's the only one who believed Daisy's story about the lost prince and points Lori and Bree in the right direction. Bree's heart goes out to the children. Addington Terrance reminds her of the cheap flat her dad rented in New Zealand when she was growing up and the unhappy memories of her childhood resurface. Cora is cute and I don't think her brothers are any more rambunctious than any other boys that age but in their environment they have more potential to get into trouble.
Mrs. Pickering, Daisy's mother, worked as a silver polisher for several different grand households. The first, is Hayewood, an old estate but kept neat and clean. The present occupant, Madeline Sturgess, is a housewife who has a grand plan to bring life back into her home now her children are grown and her husband is currently away on business. She is naïve when it comes to running a business and so excited to meet "reporters" who will advertise her hotel for her, she doesn't think things through. Bree is sweet and compassionate towards her. I think Madeline is very nice and she'll figure things out. The next household is ghastly. The Boughwells are relics of the old days and cling fiercely to the old ways when nobles were tough rulers of the lowly peasants. It's curious though how Lord B seems to accept film crews and knows some film jargon. I suspect they're renting their estate to film and TV crews to make money. They look down their snooty noses at anyone who isn't like them, especially their Jamaican housekeeper/cook. Shanice is kind and caring towards her employers even though they don't deserve it. She understands their mentality and that no one else wants to work for them. She sure does love to gossip! She knows everything about everybody and nothing about a lost prince!
The Thames family or Terescenkos, as they were once known, own Shangri-La, which is also ghastly but for different reasons. It's modern 1970s kitsch meets 1870s Victorian manor house. Shangri-Li's present owner, Tony Thames, is new money and his wife sure likes to spend their money on some super weird decorations. I don't think an antique silver salt cellar is even in her wheelhouse. She's eccentric and a bit vulgar according to the old social rules but kind and enjoys sharing her family's story with anyone who will listen. It's a very American story although they are not American. My own family has similar stories to share too.
The search for the lost prince seems to hit a dead end when the sleuths learn about Lady Barbara, an elderly woman who once knew a Russian boy in her youth, not long after the Russian Revolution. Could she be the answer to figuring out Daisy's story? Unfortunately Barb suffers from weak lungs/asthma and isn't well. Her great-nephew prevents access to her. Is he blocking his aunt from seeing visitors because she's really unwell or does he want to isolate her from the outside world to keep her under his control? Lord Ronald doesn't seem like the mean sort but you never know. Barb needs her own story. Like the previous elderly woman we met, she's a pistol and there's a good story to tell there. I assume she didn't "take" because she was too bossy, outspoken and wild for the 1920s and 30s? Her story of her friend Misha is lovely and heartbreaking. Could he be the lost prince Lori and Bree are searching for?
The main clue the sleuths have to go on is a cookie recipe for Russian Tea Cakes or what Lori's mother called Pecan Balls. They go by various names. This recipe is identical to one in someone else's receipt book which is identical to one in another book and so on. Following the recipe might lead to the Russian prince. That's the part of the mystery I liked best. I love seeing old family recipes shared and passed down through the generations. I'm not a huge fan of that type of cookie though. I made them with chocolate chips and cardamom instead of nuts and they were excellent.
This series is so nice and gentle it would make a good Hallmark movie. This wasn't our favorite of the series but it was one of the most gentle.
May 14, 2013
I know that I have been quite difficult on books recently, but Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince is going to change that. From the very first chapter I was drawn into this book, Lori does not come across nearly as scatterbrained or man deprived as her previous books and though she is still an overbearing mother, it appears that she just might be letting her eight-year-old boys out of their car seats and allowing them to enjoy being kids.
Bree Prym is bored and restless in the big house that her aunts have left for her so she finds a reason to knock on Lori’s door and ask if she could spend a couple of days. Due broken pipe issues and the inability to ride their horses, the boys jump at the chance to visit Skeaping Manor with Bree. This macabre place has just the things that boys like to see, but shrunken heads and bugs are not on Lori’s agenda. She is fascinated by the silver collection. What is more interesting is the little girl, Daisy Pickering, in the dirty coat that seems to know more than she should about a lost prince.
When the little girl’s coat shows up at the charity shop with a silver treasure shaped like an ornate Russian sleigh in the pocket, Lori’s interest is piqued and with the help of Bree, they set off to finder her, only to discover that she and her mother have disappeared. What they do find is a very fascinating story involving an old prince being held captive.
Of course, Lori cannot let this go and by following the clues in the story, Lori and Bree take the reader on a very interesting journey into many of the finer homes in the area.
This is still one of my favorite series; there is an easy simplicity to the life in Finch, one that I enjoy returning to year after year. Aunt Dimity is not playing as much of a vital role has she has in the earlier books, I am not sure if this is good or bad, but there is a gentle change taking place.
Bree Prym is bored and restless in the big house that her aunts have left for her so she finds a reason to knock on Lori’s door and ask if she could spend a couple of days. Due broken pipe issues and the inability to ride their horses, the boys jump at the chance to visit Skeaping Manor with Bree. This macabre place has just the things that boys like to see, but shrunken heads and bugs are not on Lori’s agenda. She is fascinated by the silver collection. What is more interesting is the little girl, Daisy Pickering, in the dirty coat that seems to know more than she should about a lost prince.
When the little girl’s coat shows up at the charity shop with a silver treasure shaped like an ornate Russian sleigh in the pocket, Lori’s interest is piqued and with the help of Bree, they set off to finder her, only to discover that she and her mother have disappeared. What they do find is a very fascinating story involving an old prince being held captive.
Of course, Lori cannot let this go and by following the clues in the story, Lori and Bree take the reader on a very interesting journey into many of the finer homes in the area.
This is still one of my favorite series; there is an easy simplicity to the life in Finch, one that I enjoy returning to year after year. Aunt Dimity is not playing as much of a vital role has she has in the earlier books, I am not sure if this is good or bad, but there is a gentle change taking place.
April 30, 2013
Lori Shepherd is in mom hell. Her husband is in sunny Majorca, and she's stuck inside with eight-year-old twin boys. Bad weather has shut down school, and the only thing keeping her sane is her neighbor, Bree Pym. Seeking refuge from paint fumes at her own home, Bree helps keep the boys entertained by suggesting a trip to Skeaping Manor.
Full of ghoulish exhibits, Skeaping Manor is...unique, and Lori leaves the boys to ogle shrunken heads with Bree and heads up to visit the silver only to find an enigmatic little girl in a pink puffy coat looking at a silver salt cellar. When the little girl, Daisy, tells Lori about the origin of the salt cellar and a lost Russian prince, Lori is struck by the little girl's poise and sadness. So when she finds a pink coat like the little girl was wearing with a silver salt cellar in the pocket the next day at a charity shop, Lori thinks maybe Daisy was telling the truth. She's even more curious when she finds out Daisy and her mother have left town without a trace.
With Aunt Dimity's supernatural wisdom comforting her, Lori strikes out with Bree by her side, learning a little something about herself and the "lost prince" they seek.
This is my first go round with Aunt Dimity, and it certainly won't be my last. I had no idea Aunt Dimity was otherworldly - she doesn't quite seem to be a ghost - but I was a bit skeptical. No fear! Aunt Dimity & the Lost Prince was absolutely one of the most fun cozy mysteries I've read in a while, and I've already scoped out the ebook prices to see how many I can buy on payday. :)
Full of ghoulish exhibits, Skeaping Manor is...unique, and Lori leaves the boys to ogle shrunken heads with Bree and heads up to visit the silver only to find an enigmatic little girl in a pink puffy coat looking at a silver salt cellar. When the little girl, Daisy, tells Lori about the origin of the salt cellar and a lost Russian prince, Lori is struck by the little girl's poise and sadness. So when she finds a pink coat like the little girl was wearing with a silver salt cellar in the pocket the next day at a charity shop, Lori thinks maybe Daisy was telling the truth. She's even more curious when she finds out Daisy and her mother have left town without a trace.
With Aunt Dimity's supernatural wisdom comforting her, Lori strikes out with Bree by her side, learning a little something about herself and the "lost prince" they seek.
This is my first go round with Aunt Dimity, and it certainly won't be my last. I had no idea Aunt Dimity was otherworldly - she doesn't quite seem to be a ghost - but I was a bit skeptical. No fear! Aunt Dimity & the Lost Prince was absolutely one of the most fun cozy mysteries I've read in a while, and I've already scoped out the ebook prices to see how many I can buy on payday. :)
May 14, 2013
Lori Shepherd hates February. It is so cold and being home bound is not a good thing when you have two young boys. Luckily Bree Pym, a friend stops by. She comes up with a brilliant idea to go to the Skeaping Manor. The manor is a museum. There Lori and Bree meet Daisy Pickering. Daisy’s mother works as a cleaning lady at the museum.
Daisy tells Lori and Bree about Prince Mikhail. The prince is trapped locked away in a dungeon by an evil man. Daisy shows the ladies a stolen artifact from the prince that the evil man took. Before Lori and Bree can ask Daisy anymore questions she and her mother disappear. Now it is up to Lori and Bree to find the lost prince and save him.
Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince is the first Aunt Dimity book I have read. What a fun, charming, great, entertaining book. After being introduced to this series, I will go back and read more of these books.
Lori and Bree make a good duo. Lori is the more level headed of the two whereas Bree just like her red fiery hair jumps in with two feet full force. All the other people that Lori and Bree were intriguing. They are what helped to make this book so much fun to read. Lori and Bree are like the new Nancy Drew and friend. The ending left a smile on my face. Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince receives two crowns. It is a gem.
Daisy tells Lori and Bree about Prince Mikhail. The prince is trapped locked away in a dungeon by an evil man. Daisy shows the ladies a stolen artifact from the prince that the evil man took. Before Lori and Bree can ask Daisy anymore questions she and her mother disappear. Now it is up to Lori and Bree to find the lost prince and save him.
Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince is the first Aunt Dimity book I have read. What a fun, charming, great, entertaining book. After being introduced to this series, I will go back and read more of these books.
Lori and Bree make a good duo. Lori is the more level headed of the two whereas Bree just like her red fiery hair jumps in with two feet full force. All the other people that Lori and Bree were intriguing. They are what helped to make this book so much fun to read. Lori and Bree are like the new Nancy Drew and friend. The ending left a smile on my face. Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince receives two crowns. It is a gem.
July 11, 2013
This series is always a joy to read. A real British cozy mystery novel. Not any murder victims but other real mysteries. This eighteenth novel has Lori Shepard, and friend, Bree Pym searching for a missing family and trying to rescue a Russian Prince.
A wee child tells Lori about the holding of this Prince, against his will, in a dungeon in a manor house near Finch. Lori thought it was a dream story until she finds physical evidence that the imaginative child bases her stories upon reality.
Off we go with Lori and Bree as they travel from astounding house to house to seek and save the Prince. A common thread throughout was following a Russian Tea Cake recipe which is shared with us at the ending of the book.
This book is a cozy. Pure fun reading and took me about four hours to devour it. Now to wait for the next story. It is like reading a bedtime story to yourself.
I adore this series. Thank You, Ms. Atherton.
A wee child tells Lori about the holding of this Prince, against his will, in a dungeon in a manor house near Finch. Lori thought it was a dream story until she finds physical evidence that the imaginative child bases her stories upon reality.
Off we go with Lori and Bree as they travel from astounding house to house to seek and save the Prince. A common thread throughout was following a Russian Tea Cake recipe which is shared with us at the ending of the book.
This book is a cozy. Pure fun reading and took me about four hours to devour it. Now to wait for the next story. It is like reading a bedtime story to yourself.
I adore this series. Thank You, Ms. Atherton.
February 19, 2015
"Maybe there's no such thing as a fruitless search"..."You may not always find what you're looking for, but you always find something worth finding." Lori says this to Aunt Dimity at the end of the story. And I discovered something as well. This book and very possibly the rest of the books in this series, one needs to read it straight through and not read it along with other books. I had read about the first third while reading a couple of other books. I read the rest of the book yesterday and today. In the beginning, I did not think this book was keeping my attention because of the story. Well, it was not, but it was not the story. It was that I was reading 3 or 4 other books at the same time. In order to get the most out of this book, please read it right through to the end. All is pulled together much better, and I enjoyed much more.
June 4, 2015
Another interesting look into the life of Lori Shepherd, this time with her teen-age sidekick, Bree Pym. If we had to lose the Pym sisters, Bree is an excellent replacement, funny and outside of many reader's comfort zone but a wonderful insight into the outlook of teenagers today. What I like most about these Dimity books is that wherever Lori goes, people are better off for having met her. She almost always finds a way to fix things. In this book, it is more Bree who is fixing things as she feels her way into finding a vocational drive, a reason to get up in the mornings, so-to-speak. Lori and Bree don't see things in quite the same way, so it was fascinating to watch each other adjust to their partner's perspective as they look for the "lost prince".
June 18, 2013
I kept waiting for a dead body. And waiting. And waiting. It's always fun visiting and revisiting Lori Shepherd. This book was a bit different, focusing on communication and connections: Sometimes our most daunting personal problems can be remedied just by virtue of someone knowing about it...a big problem among the isolated wealthy. On the other hand, when we (and by "we" I mean "Lori") assume we make one big ass out of u and me (and by "u" and "me" I mean "Lori"). It's a fun, mild mystery, but without the dead body, the only real sense of suspenseful danger is not from a suspected murderer but from a social faux pas.
April 30, 2013
As Lori sits with Reginald looking at her and as she opens the blank journal, I felt like I was visiting an old friend. The writing appearing on the pages in response to Lori's remarks and questions is as familiar to me as opening a letter from a relative or friend. Please get your hands on the first Aunt Dimity book and start your own journey. It's fun and easy to read. In this world filled with the horror of bombings, war, hatred and evil everyone needs something light and fun as well as interesting to read. . .
May 31, 2013
I love the Aunt Dimity books and hope Nancy Atherton keeps writing them! I am always impatient for the next one. Cozy, fun, entertaining and always a great read! I love the recipes at the end as well. Here is Nancy Atherton's web site for her "Aunt Dimity" books. http://www.aunt-dimity.com/ You can find her wonderful recipes here too!
May 1, 2013
These truly are "cozy" books. I've read most of them and they are usually dependable three-star books. Once in a while one will be more appealing to me, the characters or the plot or both exactly to my taste. This was one of those. I really enjoyed reading this perfectly lovely British cozy.
June 5, 2014
The coziest of cozies.
April 30, 2013
Lori Shepherd follows crumbs from Russian Tea Cakes to a surprising conclusion in this story that shines like polished silver. (Full review submitted to Suspense Magazine)
March 14, 2017
What a totally delightful story. On a wintry day the main character, Lori Shepherd, comes across a young girl admiring an exquisite silver sled in a strange and unique little museum. We only meet this young girl, Daisy, in one scene but she is the catalyst for the entire book after Lori finds her coat in a thrift shop with the tiny silver sled in the pocket. This sends Lori, and her very capable side-kick Bree, on a quest to find Daisy and see if her fascinating story of the true owner of the troika sled is indeed a captured Russian prince in need of rescue.
Following the weekly schedule of Daisy’s mother, who cleans in six different houses on different days of the week, Lori and Bree discover various households, each with its own story of how they each came to know and admire Daisy. Daisy has left a trail of stories, like breadcrumbs, about each houses’ occupants. If her stories of those people are true, maybe the story of a captured lost prince is true too?
As Lori and Bree visit each house, we are treated to vignettes of exquisite writing, capturing the details of each house and its occupants. Like all good side-kicks, Bree both compliments and contrasts Lori in their adventures and discoveries. It was such a joy to accompany Lori and Bree on their step-by-step reveal of the basis behind all of Daisy’s stories, each house leading to the next. The combined stories are like a string of jewels on a necklace drawn together by an amazing and imaginative child and two persistent and curious adults.
I always save Nancy Atherton’s books for times of anxiety as they are always written with such goodness, humor, and kindness each novel is a sweet and natural de-stressor. They are the ultimate of cozy mysteries where no one is murdered and with wonderful characters you want to discover living next door to you, with Lori and Bree just down the street.
As Bree says about a book in this story: “You know right from the start that each story will have a happy ending, but you can’t imagine how the characters will ever get there.” The Aunt Dimity books have helped me through the death of my father, cancer, and other troubles, providing an oasis of calm that helps me escape any concerns. In these books I know that eventually all will end well, in a nice neat package that lightly slips away, like Aunt Dimity’s handwriting, as I close the book.
Thank you Ms. Atherton!
Following the weekly schedule of Daisy’s mother, who cleans in six different houses on different days of the week, Lori and Bree discover various households, each with its own story of how they each came to know and admire Daisy. Daisy has left a trail of stories, like breadcrumbs, about each houses’ occupants. If her stories of those people are true, maybe the story of a captured lost prince is true too?
As Lori and Bree visit each house, we are treated to vignettes of exquisite writing, capturing the details of each house and its occupants. Like all good side-kicks, Bree both compliments and contrasts Lori in their adventures and discoveries. It was such a joy to accompany Lori and Bree on their step-by-step reveal of the basis behind all of Daisy’s stories, each house leading to the next. The combined stories are like a string of jewels on a necklace drawn together by an amazing and imaginative child and two persistent and curious adults.
I always save Nancy Atherton’s books for times of anxiety as they are always written with such goodness, humor, and kindness each novel is a sweet and natural de-stressor. They are the ultimate of cozy mysteries where no one is murdered and with wonderful characters you want to discover living next door to you, with Lori and Bree just down the street.
As Bree says about a book in this story: “You know right from the start that each story will have a happy ending, but you can’t imagine how the characters will ever get there.” The Aunt Dimity books have helped me through the death of my father, cancer, and other troubles, providing an oasis of calm that helps me escape any concerns. In these books I know that eventually all will end well, in a nice neat package that lightly slips away, like Aunt Dimity’s handwriting, as I close the book.
Thank you Ms. Atherton!
May 24, 2024
Lori meets a precocious little girl at a museum, who tells her all about a Russian prince who used to own one of the silver exhibits. But when the little girl goes missing, Lori is on a mission to discover the truth about the Russian prince and how he is connected with her disappearance. Lori's neighbor, Bree, is looking for a place to stay while her cottage is airing out after being painted. So Bree comes along for the investigation and proves to be of invaluable assistance.
It was so fun to see the friendship between Bree and Lori developing further! They are both wild and weird and wacky! It was adorable to see how Bree looks up to Lori and seeks her advice, and how Lori feels responsible to take care of Bree. They have almost a mother-daughter type of connection in the way they care for each other.
I enjoyed this book so much! I especially loved the history that is unfolded in this plot, and we get to learn more about the nearby communities outside the little village of Finch. I really enjoyed the puzzle aspects of the story!
The plot has many little details that made it fun and engaging. I still think it's hilarious that Aunt Dimity is a ghost who talks to Lori through a journal. I still love Lori's delightfully stubborn character, and her relationships with everyone in her little town. I love seeing Lori meet new people in every book, making friends and enemies, and being her own wild self.
The writing is good, clear, and funny! The characters are adorable and complex.
This book in particular has some really sweet emotional scenes that deal with old traumas being healed, and we get to see these characters comforting and encouraging each other in a really meaningful way. It's not all fluff all the time with Aunt Dimity. But there are also some really hilarious scenes. There's an excellent balance of serious subjects with more light-hearted scenes.
I love it all!
It was so fun to see the friendship between Bree and Lori developing further! They are both wild and weird and wacky! It was adorable to see how Bree looks up to Lori and seeks her advice, and how Lori feels responsible to take care of Bree. They have almost a mother-daughter type of connection in the way they care for each other.
I enjoyed this book so much! I especially loved the history that is unfolded in this plot, and we get to learn more about the nearby communities outside the little village of Finch. I really enjoyed the puzzle aspects of the story!
The plot has many little details that made it fun and engaging. I still think it's hilarious that Aunt Dimity is a ghost who talks to Lori through a journal. I still love Lori's delightfully stubborn character, and her relationships with everyone in her little town. I love seeing Lori meet new people in every book, making friends and enemies, and being her own wild self.
The writing is good, clear, and funny! The characters are adorable and complex.
This book in particular has some really sweet emotional scenes that deal with old traumas being healed, and we get to see these characters comforting and encouraging each other in a really meaningful way. It's not all fluff all the time with Aunt Dimity. But there are also some really hilarious scenes. There's an excellent balance of serious subjects with more light-hearted scenes.
I love it all!
June 22, 2017
Lori Shepherd is not a fan of February. When broken pipes keep her sons away from their beloved ponies, she and Bree Pym, who is staying with Lori to avoid paint fumes, take the twins to a local manor that is full of dark items. But Lori meets Daisy, a young girl whose mother works at the museum.
When the youth's coat, complete with what can only be a stolen salt cellar in the pocket, comes into the local thrift shop the next Monday, Lori is not sure what to do. But a visit with the ghostly Aunt Dimity sends Lori and Bree on a trip around the English countryside in search of Daisy, and the lost Russian prince Daisy talked to Lori about.
This is the 18th installment in the Aunt Dimity series, and when I need a cozy that is a cozy in the true sense of the word, I look to an Aunt Dimity novel. This one was good, and introduced a great number of fun characters as Lori and Bree search for the real story behind the Russian prince.
The Aunt Dimity books are escapism at its best, and I don't like the idea that there are only a few left before I'm caught up with the author. That means I'll have to find another series that is as entertaining.
When the youth's coat, complete with what can only be a stolen salt cellar in the pocket, comes into the local thrift shop the next Monday, Lori is not sure what to do. But a visit with the ghostly Aunt Dimity sends Lori and Bree on a trip around the English countryside in search of Daisy, and the lost Russian prince Daisy talked to Lori about.
This is the 18th installment in the Aunt Dimity series, and when I need a cozy that is a cozy in the true sense of the word, I look to an Aunt Dimity novel. This one was good, and introduced a great number of fun characters as Lori and Bree search for the real story behind the Russian prince.
The Aunt Dimity books are escapism at its best, and I don't like the idea that there are only a few left before I'm caught up with the author. That means I'll have to find another series that is as entertaining.
July 25, 2017
During a cold February, Lori, an American who has long lived in an English village with her family, takes her young boys to visit a museum of curiosities at Skeaping Manor. While there, Lori encounters a little girl named Daisy with a vivid imagination, who tells the story of a lost prince who has been imprisoned and his valuables stolen--including a gorgeous silver troika salt cellar now on display at the manor. The next day, Lori is sorting through donations to a local thrift store and finds the troika in the pocket of a coat she had last seen on Daisy, and begins to wonder if maybe Daisy was telling the truth. But both Daisy and her mother have disappeared. With her young Kiwi neighbor Bree, Lori sets off to find the lost prince Mikhail, and hopefully to discover what became of Daisy.
Meh. I've really enjoyed others in this very gentle series of cozies, in which the mysteries (so far as I can recall) are never murders, and there are never any real villains. This one, though, just seemed kind of pointless, especially since the denouement was pretty much a damp squib. I don't think the series has jumped the shark, yet, but this one felt a little phoned in.
Meh. I've really enjoyed others in this very gentle series of cozies, in which the mysteries (so far as I can recall) are never murders, and there are never any real villains. This one, though, just seemed kind of pointless, especially since the denouement was pretty much a damp squib. I don't think the series has jumped the shark, yet, but this one felt a little phoned in.
July 28, 2017
Anyone who reads my Aunt Dimity reviews is probably wondering why I keep reading them if I always gripe about them...they're just such a great mix of really great and really lousy---it's mesmerizing! Ha!
This one was a lesser favorite---very far-fetched and very contrived. (I should add here that I understand that's pretty much a given with most cozies...but it bugs me...which makes me wonder why I enjoy them so much.) I did, however, come to really like the character of Bree. I'm usually really annoyed by the angsty teen sidekick trope but I think I like Bree better than Lori. Can Bree be the heroine from here on out? I'm beginning to wonder if Mrs. Atherton makes Lori unlikable on purpose... Bree is level-headed, smart, interesting, and real. She doesn't let her past get her down.
I've got one or two more of these here to read this week and then I'll need to go back to the library and trade for more. For months now, I've been reading deep, educational, thoughtful, historical material. I think I got burnt out---that and I just need a little escapist literature for the present time as we're chomping at the bit to go back home after a VERRRRRY long summer vacation in Oregon.
This one was a lesser favorite---very far-fetched and very contrived. (I should add here that I understand that's pretty much a given with most cozies...but it bugs me...which makes me wonder why I enjoy them so much.) I did, however, come to really like the character of Bree. I'm usually really annoyed by the angsty teen sidekick trope but I think I like Bree better than Lori. Can Bree be the heroine from here on out? I'm beginning to wonder if Mrs. Atherton makes Lori unlikable on purpose... Bree is level-headed, smart, interesting, and real. She doesn't let her past get her down.
I've got one or two more of these here to read this week and then I'll need to go back to the library and trade for more. For months now, I've been reading deep, educational, thoughtful, historical material. I think I got burnt out---that and I just need a little escapist literature for the present time as we're chomping at the bit to go back home after a VERRRRRY long summer vacation in Oregon.
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