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Aunt Dimity Mystery #19
Aunt Dimity And The Wishing Well
After tossing a coin into a deceased neighbor's wishing well, Lori inadvertently triggers a string of successful wishes that wreak havoc throughout the village, raising Aunt Dimity's suspicions about the late man's handsome nephew.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 2014
115 people are currently reading
1867 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 395 reviews
April 6, 2015
Sometimes you just want a book that is light and entertaining. I haven’t read others in this series but that didn’t present a problem. I quickly got to know the characters. Finch is a village of quirky characters. To read this novel you will need to suspend disbelief. In the Cotswold village of Finch lives Lori Shepherd. Lori has a pink stuffed rabbit and a book where writing appears from Aunt Dimity who is long dead. See why I said you need to suspend disbelief? It is light and whimsical. Even more so after Jack MacBride, an Australia arrives after the death of his uncle and uncovers a wishing well, that appears to work. Many in the village want to make a wish and have it granted. But what people wish for may not always be best for someone else.
The cover perfectly depicts the whimsy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and its humour, until I came to the incident with Lori hitting her thumb with a hammer. Then what had been funny turned ridiculous. The way she and her husband carried on anyone would have thought she was dying. I finished the book but it lost its charm for me from that point. So what I thought might be a four star read ended up a three. If you are looking for a cosy mystery this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a whimsical read you should enjoy it, though I’m interested to see if others respond as I did after the thumb incident. I wasn’t convinced about the ending either.
The cover perfectly depicts the whimsy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and its humour, until I came to the incident with Lori hitting her thumb with a hammer. Then what had been funny turned ridiculous. The way she and her husband carried on anyone would have thought she was dying. I finished the book but it lost its charm for me from that point. So what I thought might be a four star read ended up a three. If you are looking for a cosy mystery this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a whimsical read you should enjoy it, though I’m interested to see if others respond as I did after the thumb incident. I wasn’t convinced about the ending either.
March 3, 2015
Thought I was getting a cozy mystery, got what read like a script for a Hallmark Channel movie. American ex-pat housewife in the Cotswolds investigates mysterious wish granter because everyone's wish-come-true threatens to destroy the village. Except the stakes were ridiculously low. The church sexton/local mechanic gets his wish to work on classic cars and--horrors!--actually makes money and has fun doing it but THE CHURCH CEMETERY DOESN'T GET MOWED and the vicar has to ask the young, healthy, strapping newcomer in town to do it. OMG, what a tragedy. The protagonist (the ex-pat) has to try to build a bird feeder ALL BY HERSELF because the sexton is too busy having fun/making money to do it, despite the fact she's a klutz with zero knowledge of carpentry and she BANGS HER THUMB WITH THE HAMMER. Her lawyer husband rushes home from work early to whisk her to the hospital where she's given xrays! antibiotics! blood tests! and diagnosed with a--drum roll, please--CONTUSION! Which is a $50 word for bruise. She has a boo-boo. And she actually has to take to her sickbed and her husband all but spoon feeds her and won't let her have visitors. For a boo-boo. Oh, and she gets dehydrated. In England. In May. In England. Because they've had sunshine and no rain for a whole 6 days. It's not like she's stranded in the Australian Outback. Just duck inside and get a glass of water, lady. Of, course there's a MORAL to the story, actually spelled out in the end. Won't repeat it here, don't want to spoil the suspense. Of which there is none. The "mystery" to be solved is who is granting wishes and why? Less than halfway through the book you figure out who the wish-granter is, you don't care why (the reason is saccharine-sweet and obvious) and is there ever really any doubt whether the ex-pat will have her one true wish granted by the last page? As for the ghost of Aunt Dimity, she doesn't do much except scold and point out the obvious.
Got through the book in about 2.5 hours. It really would be perfect for the Hallmark Channel.
Got through the book in about 2.5 hours. It really would be perfect for the Hallmark Channel.
January 16, 2016
Welcome to Finch. A small Cotswold Village in England. Lori Shepherd moved from the U.S. when she inherited a sizable estate–after she discovered the secret hidden in a treasure trove of letters in Dimity’s English country cottage. She now lives there with her husband Bill and their two sons. She now communicates with her “Aunt Dimity” in a very special way.
In this 19th installment Australian Jack MacBride comes to Finch to settle his uncle’s estate. When he arrives he find his uncle’s property in need of attention. Lori volunteers to help him. While clearing the garden they find a hidden well. Lori laughingly tosses a coin into the garden’s old well and makes a wish, she is baffled to find that the wish seems to have come true. Word travels fast in this little town and soon Jack has several visitors wanting to make wishes of their own. More and more wishes start to come true and with Aunt Dimity’s help Lori tries to find out what is really going on. What she discovers is that the truth is even more marvelous than a magical wishing well.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What a breathe of fresh air!! This book is the perfect Springtime read. It is a true English mystery without any dead bodies or murderers running about. Just a mystery of a wishing well and a stranger in town. This author’s work has been called “adult fairy tales” and that describes them perfectly.
Who wouldn’t love a wishing well that actually granted wishes? The problem is one person’s wish can really mess up another person’s wish or their life. Some of the wishes of the residents of Finch are really causing trouble. Thankfully Lori is on the case. She needs to solve the mystery before there is an actual murder in this quaint little village.
I haven’t read an Aunt Dimity story in years and when I was asked to review this one I jumped right back in and was so happy I said “YES!”. This story reads well as a stand alone too. I wasn’t lost at all. Aunt Dimity was a friend of Lori’s mother and her ghost lives on in her home and has an interesting way to communicate with Lori. That’s all you need to know to enjoy these wonderful stories.
Whether this is your first Aunt Dimity story or you have read them all or like me you fall somewhere in between, you will love this story. This series is a cozy lover’s favorite for a very good reason. I think we all wish we had an Aunt Dimity.
In this 19th installment Australian Jack MacBride comes to Finch to settle his uncle’s estate. When he arrives he find his uncle’s property in need of attention. Lori volunteers to help him. While clearing the garden they find a hidden well. Lori laughingly tosses a coin into the garden’s old well and makes a wish, she is baffled to find that the wish seems to have come true. Word travels fast in this little town and soon Jack has several visitors wanting to make wishes of their own. More and more wishes start to come true and with Aunt Dimity’s help Lori tries to find out what is really going on. What she discovers is that the truth is even more marvelous than a magical wishing well.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What a breathe of fresh air!! This book is the perfect Springtime read. It is a true English mystery without any dead bodies or murderers running about. Just a mystery of a wishing well and a stranger in town. This author’s work has been called “adult fairy tales” and that describes them perfectly.
Who wouldn’t love a wishing well that actually granted wishes? The problem is one person’s wish can really mess up another person’s wish or their life. Some of the wishes of the residents of Finch are really causing trouble. Thankfully Lori is on the case. She needs to solve the mystery before there is an actual murder in this quaint little village.
I haven’t read an Aunt Dimity story in years and when I was asked to review this one I jumped right back in and was so happy I said “YES!”. This story reads well as a stand alone too. I wasn’t lost at all. Aunt Dimity was a friend of Lori’s mother and her ghost lives on in her home and has an interesting way to communicate with Lori. That’s all you need to know to enjoy these wonderful stories.
Whether this is your first Aunt Dimity story or you have read them all or like me you fall somewhere in between, you will love this story. This series is a cozy lover’s favorite for a very good reason. I think we all wish we had an Aunt Dimity.
March 27, 2024
The entire village of Finch is gathered for a funeral on a rainy, chilly May day in spite of no one ever actually knowing the deceased. Hector Huggins may have lived in the village but he was practically a stranger. No one knew him or got past his gate to catch a glimpse of his home. When a handsome stranger arrives out of the blue, everyone is shocked to learn Hector Huggins had a nephew from Australia who has arrived in settle his uncle's affairs. What affairs could such a careful and anonymous man have? Lori and the Finch gossip vine sent out to find out. When Jack asks Lori and Bree Pym to tea, they offer to help get his uncle's garden in order so the house can be sold. Everyone is exciting when Lori and Bree discover a wishing well and Lori's wish for better weather comes true! Soon all the residents of Finch are making wishes and those wishes are coming true! Soon the villagers get everything they wished for but those wishes are causing chaos in the village. Aunt Dimity fears a trickster is at work and sets Lori on the path to find out what is happening once and for all and put a stop to it.
Normally I love the stories set in Finch but this one didn't wow me. I figured out most of the mystery pretty early on. I wasn't completely sure when Lori discovered evidence that supported her theory but Lori usually jumps to conclusions and this series is always so gentle, I knew I had to be right. There's another big surprise at the end I guessed too. There are a couple of inconsistencies in this series and the timeline is very vague but just go with it and accept it.
Lori's wandering eye has ceased to be now that Bill is hunky and loving. He does a lot more parenting now the twins are older too. I can guess what his wish is and that's easy for him to wish for because he doesn't have to do anything. He's a loving, attentive husband in this book. I guess he got the message that if he's not sexy enough, his wife will stray. Yes she had a good excuse but only ONCE. Lori is still immature. She's immersed in the Finch gossip hotline and eager to spy on her neighbors at the expense of her own health and never mind any laws. Lori is a drama queen. She banged her thumb with a hammer, as have many others, and suddenly it's the end of the world? Bill makes a bigger deal out of it than needs be too, egged on by Aunt Dimity. Aunt Dimity is as always the voice of reason and is still raising Lori but doesn't have much to do in this story. I liked the stories where Lori has to learn more about Dimity's past and I miss the colorful crowd at the Flambororugh Hotel in London. Now Aunt Dimity is back to playing cosmic matchmaker with Lori's help. I think they need to butt out!
Mr. Hector Huggins was a mild mannered, meek man. He was virtually anonymous. I believe he was agoraphobic and couldn't bring himself to mix with the nosy Finch villagers. He was happiest at home in his garden, a wildlife sanctuary. He seems like he was passionate about birds and truly worked to make his garden a special place. He was kind to his nephew and thoughtful as well. His actions towards Jack were very sweet and their relationship was special. Jack is a fun young man, energetic and eager to join in village life while he is there. He has a sense of humor and is calm in the face of Bree's barbs. He does seem to take perverse delight in the villagers believing in a wishing well though. I don't want him to be a malicious prankster! Jack seems into Bree so I think for her sake he should back off and come clean if he is a prankster.
Poor Bree has little trust in men, and strangers. It doesn't help that this one is an Aussie and there seems to be prejudice against Aussies in New Zealand. That rivalry wasn't fully explained except for a stereotype that Aussies are beer guzzling and rude but no explanation as to why or whether Bree has first-hand experience. Her life hasn't been easy and she needs time to heal. I don't think she should be rushing into romance right now. She should be going to college, having adventures, meeting new people outside Finch. The Pym sisters wouldn't have wanted her to be shut up in their old house all the time. What I didn't like about Bree was how her personality changed at the end of the book. That was disappointing.
Sally Pyne is eager to believe in the wishing well. She has big dreams for herself and for Henry. Sally is very naïve at times. She's an older woman and life hasn't been easy. Wishing is easy and could make all her dreams come true. Everyone agrees she's a talented baker and they love her treats, especially the men. She bakes with love and care because she enjoys it. Her dream is to become famous and rich. She wants to share her treats with the world and make her tea room world famous. This does not sit well with Peggy Taxman who wants to be the most important woman in the village. She's very scary and this time she goes too far. She loves Finch and wants the best for the village and shouldn't that include having tourists come to the tea room? Peggy wants all the attention, power and control for herself. That would make her a dictator, the very type her father died fighting against. The men who love these two strong women are helpless and at the mercy of their women's wishes. Poor Jasper Taxman is so mild mannered. He wouldn't wish for anything for himself but maybe he needs to! Henry Cook made a wish that aligns with Sally's but it was half-hearted at best. They're both small village people, content to be big fish in a small pond and don't really want to work to achieve notoriety, hence the wishing well.
It was great to get to know the "Handmaidens" individually. Opal Taylor is proud of her jams, jellies and preserves. She sells them through the Emporium and Sally uses the jam in her baking. Who wouldn't love a Sally scone topped with Opal jam? Like Sally, Opal has grandiose dreams but doesn't want to work for her dream. It's amazing how many lazy people there are in Finch! Elspeth, a retired teacher, secretly longs to be creative but knows her limits. She believes if she can surround herself with a creative person/artist, she'll soak up the creativity and atmosphere. Her wish comes in the form of her niece, Jemma, a famous photographer. Jemma turns out not to be as expected. I know art photographers and they're not like Jemma. Yes they are encouraged to push the envelope and be more creative but not at the expense of other people. She's rude not edgy. Millicent Scoggins is a little snippy but she's in pain so that's allowed. Selena is proud and a bit snooty. A wedding planner by trade, she is eager to plan Finch's wedding of the year and feels hurt and left out when plans change. She sounds entitled and yes she spent a lot of time planning but that was her choice and her thing. She offered.
Mr. Barlow deserves what he gets. He's worked hard and enjoys what he does. Someone else can take over as sexton. Someone younger, perhaps. He does owe Rev. Bunting an apology and a replacement though. Mr. Wetherhead is a dear. I hope his wish is legitimate and not as Lori fears. Emma Harris, of course, deserves help! I don't know when she started the riding center or why because I thought she worked in IT and was a horticulturalist. Whatever she taught Lori about computers finally stuck at least. Why can't Kit help with the business? I thought Peter was to be the next Earl and go live with his grandfather and learn about estate management? What will Emma do then?
The worst thing the wishing well does is cause Charles and Grant to have a fight. Charles is fussy and a neat freak. Organizing Grant's junk collection is weird and arranging it is even more weird. I can see why he's excited to find a rare painting but not why he's so snippy to Grant. I doubt a trained art restoration specialist would need to practice but OK. Their very public fight is shocking and it's truly sad. They have different personalities but up until now they've always supported one another and gotten along. The painting seems to make Charles mean.
Peter and Cassie are fun characters but should have gone to his grandfather if he's going to manage the estate for Derek. Of course Derek and Emma's home is more comforting and lively but he wanted to be the heir.
The recipe at the end of the book is for a summer berry bread pudding. It's similar to an Apple Charlotte. It was really good with raspberries and cut in wedges with heavy cream poured on top. Pair with a berry tea or spice tea.
Normally I love the stories set in Finch but this one didn't wow me. I figured out most of the mystery pretty early on. I wasn't completely sure when Lori discovered evidence that supported her theory but Lori usually jumps to conclusions and this series is always so gentle, I knew I had to be right. There's another big surprise at the end I guessed too. There are a couple of inconsistencies in this series and the timeline is very vague but just go with it and accept it.
Lori's wandering eye has ceased to be now that Bill is hunky and loving. He does a lot more parenting now the twins are older too. I can guess what his wish is and that's easy for him to wish for because he doesn't have to do anything. He's a loving, attentive husband in this book. I guess he got the message that if he's not sexy enough, his wife will stray. Yes she had a good excuse but only ONCE. Lori is still immature. She's immersed in the Finch gossip hotline and eager to spy on her neighbors at the expense of her own health and never mind any laws. Lori is a drama queen. She banged her thumb with a hammer, as have many others, and suddenly it's the end of the world? Bill makes a bigger deal out of it than needs be too, egged on by Aunt Dimity. Aunt Dimity is as always the voice of reason and is still raising Lori but doesn't have much to do in this story. I liked the stories where Lori has to learn more about Dimity's past and I miss the colorful crowd at the Flambororugh Hotel in London. Now Aunt Dimity is back to playing cosmic matchmaker with Lori's help. I think they need to butt out!
Mr. Hector Huggins was a mild mannered, meek man. He was virtually anonymous. I believe he was agoraphobic and couldn't bring himself to mix with the nosy Finch villagers. He was happiest at home in his garden, a wildlife sanctuary. He seems like he was passionate about birds and truly worked to make his garden a special place. He was kind to his nephew and thoughtful as well. His actions towards Jack were very sweet and their relationship was special. Jack is a fun young man, energetic and eager to join in village life while he is there. He has a sense of humor and is calm in the face of Bree's barbs. He does seem to take perverse delight in the villagers believing in a wishing well though. I don't want him to be a malicious prankster! Jack seems into Bree so I think for her sake he should back off and come clean if he is a prankster.
Poor Bree has little trust in men, and strangers. It doesn't help that this one is an Aussie and there seems to be prejudice against Aussies in New Zealand. That rivalry wasn't fully explained except for a stereotype that Aussies are beer guzzling and rude but no explanation as to why or whether Bree has first-hand experience. Her life hasn't been easy and she needs time to heal. I don't think she should be rushing into romance right now. She should be going to college, having adventures, meeting new people outside Finch. The Pym sisters wouldn't have wanted her to be shut up in their old house all the time. What I didn't like about Bree was how her personality changed at the end of the book. That was disappointing.
Sally Pyne is eager to believe in the wishing well. She has big dreams for herself and for Henry. Sally is very naïve at times. She's an older woman and life hasn't been easy. Wishing is easy and could make all her dreams come true. Everyone agrees she's a talented baker and they love her treats, especially the men. She bakes with love and care because she enjoys it. Her dream is to become famous and rich. She wants to share her treats with the world and make her tea room world famous. This does not sit well with Peggy Taxman who wants to be the most important woman in the village. She's very scary and this time she goes too far. She loves Finch and wants the best for the village and shouldn't that include having tourists come to the tea room? Peggy wants all the attention, power and control for herself. That would make her a dictator, the very type her father died fighting against. The men who love these two strong women are helpless and at the mercy of their women's wishes. Poor Jasper Taxman is so mild mannered. He wouldn't wish for anything for himself but maybe he needs to! Henry Cook made a wish that aligns with Sally's but it was half-hearted at best. They're both small village people, content to be big fish in a small pond and don't really want to work to achieve notoriety, hence the wishing well.
It was great to get to know the "Handmaidens" individually. Opal Taylor is proud of her jams, jellies and preserves. She sells them through the Emporium and Sally uses the jam in her baking. Who wouldn't love a Sally scone topped with Opal jam? Like Sally, Opal has grandiose dreams but doesn't want to work for her dream. It's amazing how many lazy people there are in Finch! Elspeth, a retired teacher, secretly longs to be creative but knows her limits. She believes if she can surround herself with a creative person/artist, she'll soak up the creativity and atmosphere. Her wish comes in the form of her niece, Jemma, a famous photographer. Jemma turns out not to be as expected. I know art photographers and they're not like Jemma. Yes they are encouraged to push the envelope and be more creative but not at the expense of other people. She's rude not edgy. Millicent Scoggins is a little snippy but she's in pain so that's allowed. Selena is proud and a bit snooty. A wedding planner by trade, she is eager to plan Finch's wedding of the year and feels hurt and left out when plans change. She sounds entitled and yes she spent a lot of time planning but that was her choice and her thing. She offered.
Mr. Barlow deserves what he gets. He's worked hard and enjoys what he does. Someone else can take over as sexton. Someone younger, perhaps. He does owe Rev. Bunting an apology and a replacement though. Mr. Wetherhead is a dear. I hope his wish is legitimate and not as Lori fears. Emma Harris, of course, deserves help! I don't know when she started the riding center or why because I thought she worked in IT and was a horticulturalist. Whatever she taught Lori about computers finally stuck at least. Why can't Kit help with the business? I thought Peter was to be the next Earl and go live with his grandfather and learn about estate management? What will Emma do then?
The worst thing the wishing well does is cause Charles and Grant to have a fight. Charles is fussy and a neat freak. Organizing Grant's junk collection is weird and arranging it is even more weird. I can see why he's excited to find a rare painting but not why he's so snippy to Grant. I doubt a trained art restoration specialist would need to practice but OK. Their very public fight is shocking and it's truly sad. They have different personalities but up until now they've always supported one another and gotten along. The painting seems to make Charles mean.
Peter and Cassie are fun characters but should have gone to his grandfather if he's going to manage the estate for Derek. Of course Derek and Emma's home is more comforting and lively but he wanted to be the heir.
The recipe at the end of the book is for a summer berry bread pudding. It's similar to an Apple Charlotte. It was really good with raspberries and cut in wedges with heavy cream poured on top. Pair with a berry tea or spice tea.
February 15, 2017
Aunt Dimity and the wishing well is a perfectly baked warm apple pie. The writing is quaint and sweet. In a world that is filled with strife and trouble is nice to read about a small town where things can get out of hand, but where ultimately everyone makes the best of what they have and be a true community.
When I first picked this up I was initially put off by the designation supernatural mysterious. Supernatural usually means that you either get strange hunches or hear disembodied voices guiding you towards who the real murderer is. The only thing supernatural here is aunt Dimity, a woman who speaks beyond the grave through an old blue journal that once belonged to her. She only knows what is told her and her hunches seem to be good old fashion common sense.
Another thing that bothers me in a mystery series is how static characters can sometimes be, the only thing changing from book to book being the murder, the murder weapon, and the scene of the crime, but here the characters change through the course of the book. Relationships change, goals change and time moves forward. the only person who doesn't change is Aunt Dimity and, well she's already dead.
The last thing that differentiated this from other mystery novels is that there is no murder. An Author final captured the thrill of a mystery without someone ending up dead. A true cozy mystery.
I want to experience the magic of this story again, I want to read more about the small town of Finch and the wonderful people that live there. I will be ordering book number one from the library as soon as I finish writing the last sentence of this review. This is something I want to get my hands on as soon as possible.
When I first picked this up I was initially put off by the designation supernatural mysterious. Supernatural usually means that you either get strange hunches or hear disembodied voices guiding you towards who the real murderer is. The only thing supernatural here is aunt Dimity, a woman who speaks beyond the grave through an old blue journal that once belonged to her. She only knows what is told her and her hunches seem to be good old fashion common sense.
Another thing that bothers me in a mystery series is how static characters can sometimes be, the only thing changing from book to book being the murder, the murder weapon, and the scene of the crime, but here the characters change through the course of the book. Relationships change, goals change and time moves forward. the only person who doesn't change is Aunt Dimity and, well she's already dead.
The last thing that differentiated this from other mystery novels is that there is no murder. An Author final captured the thrill of a mystery without someone ending up dead. A true cozy mystery.
I want to experience the magic of this story again, I want to read more about the small town of Finch and the wonderful people that live there. I will be ordering book number one from the library as soon as I finish writing the last sentence of this review. This is something I want to get my hands on as soon as possible.
April 25, 2014
If it was not for the previous eighteen books, there is no way that you would recognized all the names and faces at Hector Huggins’s funeral. A myriad of names are thrown at the reader and even I, being a long time reader of the series, had to stop and put back stories to them all.
Rolling up to Hector’s funeral is his beloved nephew Jack MacBride, fresh from the Australian outback and here in Finch to sort out Hector’s final affairs. Namely, the disposition of Hector’s home, Ivy Cottage. During renovations, a wishing well is discovered on the property and when Lori speaks into the wishing well for the rain to cease and her wish comes true, the villagers cannot get to the well fast enough to speak their desires.
Finch being Finch means that there will be no end to the chaos that ensues when wishes are suddenly granted, but Lori with the help of Aunt Dimity, starts to become suspicious. Who is the puppet master behind the granting of the wishes? There are too many coincidences for this to be anything other than planned.
Was it me, or was Lori being overly whiney in this book. Who is bedridden merely by having their thumb whacked by a hammer – unable to participate in the simplest of things because her thumb is trussed up like a mummy? Grated, a second wish of Lori’s was a surprise at the end, but that does not explain why she was completely incapacitated.
The final chapters in the book were very good, almost as if someone else had written them. Throughout most of the book, the repetitiveness was burdensome. At times, I would have sworn full sentences and ideas were repeated. Then suddenly at the end, the ideas and structure were clear and straightforward. The epilogue tied the book together completely without having the reader once again rolling their eyes over facts that had been previously gnawed to death.
This is one of my favorite series. Some books are much better than others and the reader has to be patient. The folks from Finch are wonderful even if the gossip vine travels faster than the speed of light; they do have your best interest in mind even if they are too wrapped up in their own lives to bring Lori a casserole when she has whacked her thumb.
Rolling up to Hector’s funeral is his beloved nephew Jack MacBride, fresh from the Australian outback and here in Finch to sort out Hector’s final affairs. Namely, the disposition of Hector’s home, Ivy Cottage. During renovations, a wishing well is discovered on the property and when Lori speaks into the wishing well for the rain to cease and her wish comes true, the villagers cannot get to the well fast enough to speak their desires.
Finch being Finch means that there will be no end to the chaos that ensues when wishes are suddenly granted, but Lori with the help of Aunt Dimity, starts to become suspicious. Who is the puppet master behind the granting of the wishes? There are too many coincidences for this to be anything other than planned.
Was it me, or was Lori being overly whiney in this book. Who is bedridden merely by having their thumb whacked by a hammer – unable to participate in the simplest of things because her thumb is trussed up like a mummy? Grated, a second wish of Lori’s was a surprise at the end, but that does not explain why she was completely incapacitated.
The final chapters in the book were very good, almost as if someone else had written them. Throughout most of the book, the repetitiveness was burdensome. At times, I would have sworn full sentences and ideas were repeated. Then suddenly at the end, the ideas and structure were clear and straightforward. The epilogue tied the book together completely without having the reader once again rolling their eyes over facts that had been previously gnawed to death.
This is one of my favorite series. Some books are much better than others and the reader has to be patient. The folks from Finch are wonderful even if the gossip vine travels faster than the speed of light; they do have your best interest in mind even if they are too wrapped up in their own lives to bring Lori a casserole when she has whacked her thumb.
May 31, 2015
I've read (and guiltily enjoyed) several of the series, but this is the first in audio format. I thought I was in for a treat, but dear lord, this audio version is dreadful. Teri Clark Linden, the reader, attempts to do an assortment of British accents, but none of them is successful.
I am only one hour into the book, but I have to abandon it. I can't stand another moment listening to Linden's awful narration.
I am only one hour into the book, but I have to abandon it. I can't stand another moment listening to Linden's awful narration.
October 31, 2025
Happy Halloween! We come to the village of Finch, a small Coltswold Village in England. Lori Shepherd, our protagonist, recently moved from the United States when to her huge surprise, inherited a large estate and goodies that go with it. Soon after, there is a funeral for Hector Huggins (laughed when I saw last name--sound familiar). Mr. Huggins lived a very solitary life, and most anyone didn't even know who he was. Thus, begins distribution of items in Hector's home by his loved nephew, Jack McBride, new over from Australia. In her exploration of the new property, she finds reams of letters in Dimity's English cottage. She and her husband Bill live there, with two adorable sons. Another fun fact is that Lori is able to communicate with Aunt Dimity through the veil of death, using a special implement.
Many things are found in disrepair, and Lori agrees to help. Working hard to clear the garden, there lies a hidden well. By tradition, she knowingly tosses a coin into the well, first thing you learn is that the wish had actually come true. As with any close-knit group, word travels, and before you know it, folks try their own wishes at the well and many are coming true. What we then learn is that the truth is more amazing than a magic wishing well.
One a side note, Lori makes a dumb move and hits her thumb with a hammer. It draws great attention, and she becomes bed bound for her "thumb trussed up like a mummy." She receives medical attention, antibiotics, pain meds and plenty of sleep. The town fanfare was a little over the top.
The resolution of the book comes to a good conclusion. About 2/3 to 4/5 through seemed to be bit repetitive, but great towards the end when it came to a clear conclusion. She had some good friends come to visit, which increased appreciation of life's mysteries. I've read one or two of this series prior to this and enjoyed them as well. Will probably read more. Enjoy! By the way, I thought the cover was so cute. Makes me happy!
Many things are found in disrepair, and Lori agrees to help. Working hard to clear the garden, there lies a hidden well. By tradition, she knowingly tosses a coin into the well, first thing you learn is that the wish had actually come true. As with any close-knit group, word travels, and before you know it, folks try their own wishes at the well and many are coming true. What we then learn is that the truth is more amazing than a magic wishing well.
One a side note, Lori makes a dumb move and hits her thumb with a hammer. It draws great attention, and she becomes bed bound for her "thumb trussed up like a mummy." She receives medical attention, antibiotics, pain meds and plenty of sleep. The town fanfare was a little over the top.
The resolution of the book comes to a good conclusion. About 2/3 to 4/5 through seemed to be bit repetitive, but great towards the end when it came to a clear conclusion. She had some good friends come to visit, which increased appreciation of life's mysteries. I've read one or two of this series prior to this and enjoyed them as well. Will probably read more. Enjoy! By the way, I thought the cover was so cute. Makes me happy!
February 20, 2024
Enjoyed this one—it had a good heart. Looking forward to having some new characters in Finch!
May 25, 2014
I don't know why I keep reading this series. I really love the first two books and after that...mostly misses, I'm afraid. I think it's the fact that as the series rolls on the main character, Lori, gets less and less likeable. I mean, she's nosy (to the point of B&E) and a gossip and a bad flirt and a distracted mother and wife. Come on! She's even rich and has a good-looking, super sweet husband. I've only got one of those (and no, I'm not rich). I think what irks me the most is that the books are getting increasingly improbable. I still "enjoyed" this one more than the last few, but for now I'll find my dog-eared copy of Aunt Dimity's Death and be satisfied with that.
January 9, 2015
I just grabbed this at the library in audiobook format so I'd have something for the car. What I didn't know is that this is one of a mystery series. I think it would have been much better to start at the beginning, as there seem to have been a lot of references to previous books. Another problem for me was that the narrator's voice was terribly grating. I found myself despising all the characters because of that voice, and I eventually ditched the CDs and picked up a hard copy of the book to finish it. Had I started at the beginning of the series and never heard that voice, I know I would have liked this much better.
May 13, 2014
Cozy: yes. Mystery: pretty wimpy. If you're dying to catch up on the village of Finch and its residents, read this book. If you want to read a mystery, don't waste your time with this.
August 24, 2024
A young man from Australia inherits his uncle's cottage in the village of Finch, and all the village gossips (including Lori) are determined to discover everything there is to know about him. They find an old wishing well in the tangle of the overgrown cottage garden, and the villagers jokingly make a few wishes. They are all amazed when their wishes start coming true! Only Aunt Dimity can help Lori to figure out whether the strange happenings in Finch are just coincidence or wishing well magic.
It was so fun to see the friendship between Bree and Lori in this book! 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, as we get a closer look at the deepest desires of the people in Finch. Their wishes really highlight how precarious their friendships are when people think of their own selfish wants instead of being kind and generous to their neighbors.
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.
This book in particular has some really sweet scenes with Lori and her husband Bill. They are such a cute couple! I really love how their relationship is stable throughout the series. Bill is reliable and kind, and I love how he is so protective of Lori.
The writing is good, clear, and funny! The characters are adorable and complex. 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 in this book! 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, as we get a closer look at the deepest desires of the people in Finch. Their wishes really highlight how precarious their friendships are when people think of their own selfish wants instead of being kind and generous to their neighbors.
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.
This book in particular has some really sweet scenes with Lori and her husband Bill. They are such a cute couple! I really love how their relationship is stable throughout the series. Bill is reliable and kind, and I love how he is so protective of Lori.
The writing is good, clear, and funny! The characters are adorable and complex. 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!
May 27, 2018
This book, and the entire series, epitomizes the genre of cozy mysteries. Lori is an endearing main character and the village of Finch is one I would dearly love to visit. I'm not a fan of gossip, but the villagers, for the most part, are so charming that I can forgive them their idle chatter. In truth, they all care about each other immensely and they really don't mean any harm at all. This was a very easy, breezy read and a nice holiday from some of the more effortful books I've been reading lately. The perfect cupcake for my brain. 3.5/5⭐️
October 19, 2021
Cotswolds, England - May & September
This story is about a well in a dead man's backyard. It involves wishes, meddling, and unexpected outcomes. I had figured out who was behind it, but I didn't know why they were doing the things that they did. There is also a bit of romance. I knew how it ended because I have been reading these out of order, but I didn't know how or where their relationship started.
This story is about a well in a dead man's backyard. It involves wishes, meddling, and unexpected outcomes. I had figured out who was behind it, but I didn't know why they were doing the things that they did. There is also a bit of romance. I knew how it ended because I have been reading these out of order, but I didn't know how or where their relationship started.
June 10, 2015
I am never disappointed by an Aunt Dimity book, and this was no exception. In fact, I think this was one of the best I've read in the series.
Anyone who has any experience with life in a small town will be familiar with the "all up in your business" reality that it includes. In this series, those busybodies and know-it-alls are presented as mostly good-hearted and lovable. These characters have become old friends to me at this point, and visiting with them is always a happy and comforting experience.
This time around all the action takes place right in the village of Finch, and everything revolves around the villagers. The addition of a cat among the pigeons - in the person of the nephew of a villager who's passed away - turns the quirks the various villagers have back at them, and makes everyone look at and deal with their various foibles. As a reader, it's an awful lot of fun!
This is a series about characters, and they are a charming, delightful and entertaining bunch. I love this series, and hope Nancy Atherton keeps writing books forever! I will keep reading them as long as she does!!
Anyone who has any experience with life in a small town will be familiar with the "all up in your business" reality that it includes. In this series, those busybodies and know-it-alls are presented as mostly good-hearted and lovable. These characters have become old friends to me at this point, and visiting with them is always a happy and comforting experience.
This time around all the action takes place right in the village of Finch, and everything revolves around the villagers. The addition of a cat among the pigeons - in the person of the nephew of a villager who's passed away - turns the quirks the various villagers have back at them, and makes everyone look at and deal with their various foibles. As a reader, it's an awful lot of fun!
This is a series about characters, and they are a charming, delightful and entertaining bunch. I love this series, and hope Nancy Atherton keeps writing books forever! I will keep reading them as long as she does!!
November 6, 2014
Why do I read these books? They have gotten more and more ridiculous and to be honest, I hate Lori. She's horrible, nosy, a drama queen, and annoying. Somehow I will still find myself reading the next one.
September 28, 2019
.
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.
September 2, 2018
Opening with a rainy funeral for the town recluse, his dashing nephew comes into town for last respects and estate finalization. Set in a small burg in England, where things are proper and known to most all, it’s a story about community and the duty of maintaining a common care.
I love the witticisms the Aussie nephew, Jack, flows with. Barely out of chapter two and my jaw hurts from smiling so much. Plus, I’ve begun my search for Anzac biscuits!
Narrator, Lori, confuses her daily doings to her mother’s best friend, but magically through a “Harry Potter” style journal that responds in writing to her conversation. The correspondent is Dimity. Sage wisdom, historical facts and unending nurturing words come through before disappearing until opened again.
During an acquainting lunch with Jack at his deceased uncles home, Lori and friend, Bree, are walked back to a discovered well, deeply embedded in vines and weeds. Clearing its coverings, they find a Celtic inscription at it base, identifying it as a wishing well. Lori makes a wish for the incessant rain to cease. The following morning, the sun greets them as they wake.
News travels exponentially fast in Finch and soon nearly the whole town has snuck a wish in and has had it granted. But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for. Soon, the jovial neighbors are bickering, changing roles and making plans that most likely will fall flat. Lori and Dimity feel it’s her duty to find out the true cause and remedy it, pronto.
And find out, she does. This is such a warm fuzzy read, with warm fuzzy people doing warm fuzzy things. Having a bad day? This will turn it around. Hoping the rest of the Dimity books are just as rewarding.
I love the witticisms the Aussie nephew, Jack, flows with. Barely out of chapter two and my jaw hurts from smiling so much. Plus, I’ve begun my search for Anzac biscuits!
Narrator, Lori, confuses her daily doings to her mother’s best friend, but magically through a “Harry Potter” style journal that responds in writing to her conversation. The correspondent is Dimity. Sage wisdom, historical facts and unending nurturing words come through before disappearing until opened again.
During an acquainting lunch with Jack at his deceased uncles home, Lori and friend, Bree, are walked back to a discovered well, deeply embedded in vines and weeds. Clearing its coverings, they find a Celtic inscription at it base, identifying it as a wishing well. Lori makes a wish for the incessant rain to cease. The following morning, the sun greets them as they wake.
News travels exponentially fast in Finch and soon nearly the whole town has snuck a wish in and has had it granted. But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for. Soon, the jovial neighbors are bickering, changing roles and making plans that most likely will fall flat. Lori and Dimity feel it’s her duty to find out the true cause and remedy it, pronto.
And find out, she does. This is such a warm fuzzy read, with warm fuzzy people doing warm fuzzy things. Having a bad day? This will turn it around. Hoping the rest of the Dimity books are just as rewarding.
January 10, 2022
Jack MacBride travels from Australia to the sleepy English village of Finch to close his late uncle’s estate. The villagers were surprised to see Jack at the funeral as no one in the village knew Jack’s uncle had any relatives. It is learned that Jack had been contacted by his uncle’s solicitor to edit his uncle’s memoirs. Another surprised for the villagers because the only thing the villagers know Jack’s uncle Hector Hugginson to do is fish. The memoir is to be made into a book with only one copy and that copy is to go to Jack.
While Jack and local villager Lori Shepherd clears the overgrown garden they discover an old well. Lori tosses in a coin and makes a wish that comes true. Word gets out and other villagers show up to make wishes that also come true but some of the wishes causes harm to others.
Lori is determine to learn if Jack is behind making the wishes come true playing a joke on the Villagers or if it is something else! With Aunt Dimity’s help Lori is able to solve the puzzle. Teri Clark Linden’s excellent storytelling help make the characters jump off the page.
While Jack and local villager Lori Shepherd clears the overgrown garden they discover an old well. Lori tosses in a coin and makes a wish that comes true. Word gets out and other villagers show up to make wishes that also come true but some of the wishes causes harm to others.
Lori is determine to learn if Jack is behind making the wishes come true playing a joke on the Villagers or if it is something else! With Aunt Dimity’s help Lori is able to solve the puzzle. Teri Clark Linden’s excellent storytelling help make the characters jump off the page.
December 21, 2024
This one was pleasant and forgettable. A newcomer’s wishing well brings chaos to the village but all ends well eventually with one big twist in the story I didn’t see coming. Sweet but nothing more. Recommended for fans of the Aunt Dimity series and nobody else.
July 22, 2023
This was a cute installment, but not the strongest of the bunch. Still quite enjoyable. If you love it when things are a bit madcap you will enjoy this story. Read them in order, characters are introduced.
August 9, 2018
It is always a joy to sit down with Aunt Dimity.
November 7, 2019
I do enjoy visiting with Lori Shepard and the people of the village of Finch. Great characters and fun mystery to be solved. I recommend the entire series for a good read.
May 10, 2022
Another entertaining episode in the village of Finch. We learn about an unfamiliar villager and meet another outsider or two, who both help and hinder the lives of our familiar Finch friends. And of course Lori and Aunt Dimity ponder the recent happenings and determine how to get to the bottom of some unusual goings on.
March 11, 2024
A wonderful cozy mystery that does not include a dead body but rather wishes being granted all over town that don't always turn out to be what was wished for. The question of course is who is doing it and why. And of course Lori and Aunt Dimity, communicating is always through her diary, are on the case.
It's light, it's fun, & very enjoyable.
It's light, it's fun, & very enjoyable.
April 17, 2014
I'm a fan of English village life, at least in fiction. I loved the Miss Marple stories, and as a reviewer discovered the books Robert Barnard, Ann Granger and Caroline Graham. So I was predisposed to like Nancy Atherton’s mystery series is set in a paradisaical English village overseen by a ghost full of sound advice, a spectral Dear Abby if you will.
In the small Cotswold village of Finch, everyone knows everyone and their business. Then there’s Aunt Dimity. She extraordinary because she’s dead, and she talks with Lori Shepherd with the help of a blue notebook in which she writes. Lori keeps the notebook next to a stuffed rabbit that is sort of her talisman.
“Wishing Well” opens with the funeral for a quiet man who kept himself to himself and never got to know the villagers very well. At the graveside, the residents are surprised at the late arrival of a personable young nephew from Australia. Charged with fixing up his uncle's home for sale, he uncovers an unusual well in the backyard with a sign asking for wishes.
Not surprisingly, wishes are made and, surprisingly, many of them are granted. And that’s where the fun kicks in, because while the village can be a paradise, the villagers are not. There’s jealousy, meanness, and pettiness, and the well’s gifts sometimes come with a sting attached.
It all sounds rather twee, but the Aunt Dimity series is a comfort read, a way to escape the world for awhile. It's dessert for the soul.
In the small Cotswold village of Finch, everyone knows everyone and their business. Then there’s Aunt Dimity. She extraordinary because she’s dead, and she talks with Lori Shepherd with the help of a blue notebook in which she writes. Lori keeps the notebook next to a stuffed rabbit that is sort of her talisman.
“Wishing Well” opens with the funeral for a quiet man who kept himself to himself and never got to know the villagers very well. At the graveside, the residents are surprised at the late arrival of a personable young nephew from Australia. Charged with fixing up his uncle's home for sale, he uncovers an unusual well in the backyard with a sign asking for wishes.
Not surprisingly, wishes are made and, surprisingly, many of them are granted. And that’s where the fun kicks in, because while the village can be a paradise, the villagers are not. There’s jealousy, meanness, and pettiness, and the well’s gifts sometimes come with a sting attached.
It all sounds rather twee, but the Aunt Dimity series is a comfort read, a way to escape the world for awhile. It's dessert for the soul.
Read
April 6, 2014This is my first Aunt Dimity book, the first of what looks like many. Throughout the book I could not help but wonder about the history of the many different characters that live in Finch. I wanted to belong to this small quaint village and be part of the gossip and neighborhood. This town was the perfect getaway for me every time I picked up Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well.
Lori is the main character. I loved her. She seemed like the neighbor who would always go the extra mile to help someone out and she knew when to share secrets and when to keep them quiet. The mystery of who the puppeteer was kept me interested. I had ideas and I loved Lori and Aunt Dimity’s theories. The fact that when she found out who was behind granting all the wishes she let that person tell the town instead of running and spilling the gossip made her a great friend and neighbor to all. Watching her mull over the clues and search for hidden agendas kept me reading late into night and into the early morning.
The town of Finch is amazing. I loved how Nancy Atherton described the different houses, the stores, and the other scenery. I could picture the town and loved every part of it. Finch is a place I would love to visit and maybe even live.
I certainly will be checking out the rest of this series and will recommend them.
Lori is the main character. I loved her. She seemed like the neighbor who would always go the extra mile to help someone out and she knew when to share secrets and when to keep them quiet. The mystery of who the puppeteer was kept me interested. I had ideas and I loved Lori and Aunt Dimity’s theories. The fact that when she found out who was behind granting all the wishes she let that person tell the town instead of running and spilling the gossip made her a great friend and neighbor to all. Watching her mull over the clues and search for hidden agendas kept me reading late into night and into the early morning.
The town of Finch is amazing. I loved how Nancy Atherton described the different houses, the stores, and the other scenery. I could picture the town and loved every part of it. Finch is a place I would love to visit and maybe even live.
I certainly will be checking out the rest of this series and will recommend them.
May 31, 2014
There are Big M Mysteries full of murder, mayhem, and page-turning, nail-biting thrills. And there are small m mysteries like the Aunt Dimity series, the coziest of all cozy mysteries.
Although this current book starts with a death, it's the all too natural death of Hector Huggins of Ivy Cottage in the village of Finch, a man of whom the villagers know little to nothing. His Australian nephew arrives to settle the estate. In the course of reclaiming the overgrown gardens, a wishing well is discovered and the first wish made comes true. Soon most of the villagers are making wishes & having them come true, upsetting the natural order of the village & causing strife & chaos. It's up to Lori Shepherd with the help of Aunt Dimity to figure out what's going on & return life in the village to its peaceful ways.
If you're looking for blood & guts, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a loving look at a sweet mystery focused on why people behave the way they do, then welcome to Finch!
Although this current book starts with a death, it's the all too natural death of Hector Huggins of Ivy Cottage in the village of Finch, a man of whom the villagers know little to nothing. His Australian nephew arrives to settle the estate. In the course of reclaiming the overgrown gardens, a wishing well is discovered and the first wish made comes true. Soon most of the villagers are making wishes & having them come true, upsetting the natural order of the village & causing strife & chaos. It's up to Lori Shepherd with the help of Aunt Dimity to figure out what's going on & return life in the village to its peaceful ways.
If you're looking for blood & guts, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a loving look at a sweet mystery focused on why people behave the way they do, then welcome to Finch!
November 11, 2023
An odd one. I wish the lead had been more proactive. I guessed who did it very quickly (though I’ll admit I did not expect the explanation as to why). I appreciate the idea here- a mystery novel where the mysterys not a murder is always cool.
Still, I wish our lead had done more. I feel like if the aunt was around she’d be a lot quicker on her feet.
Edit: It's been nearly a year since I read this and I've been unable to get it out of my head, mostly because I found the reveal at the end so disappointing I'm kind of in shock. Maybe some of the other ones are better but this was head-scratchingly simple for a mystery novel
Still, I wish our lead had done more. I feel like if the aunt was around she’d be a lot quicker on her feet.
Edit: It's been nearly a year since I read this and I've been unable to get it out of my head, mostly because I found the reveal at the end so disappointing I'm kind of in shock. Maybe some of the other ones are better but this was head-scratchingly simple for a mystery novel
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