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Aunt Dimity Mystery #20
Aunt Dimity and the Summer King
Cozy mystery lovers’ favorite paranormal sleuth is back with her twentieth otherworldly adventure
There’s trouble in Finch. Four recently sold cottages are standing empty, and the locals fear that a developer plans to turn their cozy village into an enclave of overpriced weekend homes. But for once Lori Shepherd can’t help.
Her infant daughter, her father-inlaw’s upcoming wedding, and the crushing prospect of her fortieth birthday have left her feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. Until, that is, she has a chance encounter with an eccentric inventor named Arthur Hargreaves. Dubbed the Summer King by his equally eccentric family, Arthur is as warmhearted as the summer sun. In his presence, Lori forgets her troubles—and Finch’s.
But Lori snaps out of her happy trance when she discovers detailed maps of Finch in the Summer King’s library. Next, a real estate agent comes knocking. Is Arthur secretly plotting Finch’s demise?
With Aunt Dimity’s otherworldlym help—and her new daughter in her arms—Lori mounts a crusade to save her beloved village from the Summer King’s scorching greed.
There’s trouble in Finch. Four recently sold cottages are standing empty, and the locals fear that a developer plans to turn their cozy village into an enclave of overpriced weekend homes. But for once Lori Shepherd can’t help.
Her infant daughter, her father-inlaw’s upcoming wedding, and the crushing prospect of her fortieth birthday have left her feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. Until, that is, she has a chance encounter with an eccentric inventor named Arthur Hargreaves. Dubbed the Summer King by his equally eccentric family, Arthur is as warmhearted as the summer sun. In his presence, Lori forgets her troubles—and Finch’s.
But Lori snaps out of her happy trance when she discovers detailed maps of Finch in the Summer King’s library. Next, a real estate agent comes knocking. Is Arthur secretly plotting Finch’s demise?
With Aunt Dimity’s otherworldlym help—and her new daughter in her arms—Lori mounts a crusade to save her beloved village from the Summer King’s scorching greed.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
219 people are currently reading
1689 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews
April 19, 2015
This is the same old plot. Lori jumps to a conclusion which is always wrong and then spends the entire book trying to prove it,but something always saves her from looking totally foolish and a major busybody. I have read all the books and I had hopes for this one, but same old, same old thing.
May 3, 2015
60% of the story is nappy changing infant adoration. Annoying and slogging.
April 26, 2015
Why does Lori stick her nose into things that are none of her business? That is what I was thinking throughout this entire book. She is becoming a character that is more annoying than endearing.
Early in the series, she was zany and found herself in one madcap adventure after another but now she has either become a stale characters or I have become bored with her. Nancy Atherton needs to broaden out this series and focus on the side characters more. Not necessarily lose Lori all together, but bring the people of the village more into the forefront.
A great deal of this book rehashes who each of the villagers are and their odd quirks. If you have been reading this series, all nineteen previous books, you already know who they are and there is no need to repeat what has already been said. Her twin boys should be about eight years old, but Lori constantly treats them as if they are four. Lori and Bill have recently become parents to a daughter and the weary reader will be told repeatedly how singularly fantastic this child is. By the way, thank goodness the word “diaper” was not being used in a drinking game since it would have involved taking approximately sixty-two shots.
Lori takes it into her own nosey ways to find out why two cottages in the village have not been sold. She is determined to find out whom or what are driving the buyers away. As she tries to unfold this mystery, she is also stressing over the arrival of her husband’s dreaded aunts. They are coming to Finch for the upcoming wedding of Willis, Sr., and their arrival is putting a damper on the festivities. Apparently, these women are awful, but by the end of the book, the table will be turned on these two and it does not involve extra strong martinis.
Deciding to take her daughter on a jaunt up a craggy trail, Lori meets the elusive Summer King. Arthur Hargreaves, the owner of Hillfont Abbey comes to her aid when the wheels literally come off the pram. They spend time together and this Hermit of Hillfont Abbey and his hoard of children and grandchildren that inhabit his family’s home enchant Lori. The Hargreaves have stayed to themselves ever since a feud began a century ago between Finch and neighboring Tillcote and Lori is finding out how deep this feud went and how Quentin Hargreaves, the original owner of Hillfont, was the puppet master behind the village of Finch.
Lori’s eyes may have been opened, but she loves Finch and its people so maybe she will be able to forgive what has happened in the past and love the Summer King for what he has created.
Early in the series, she was zany and found herself in one madcap adventure after another but now she has either become a stale characters or I have become bored with her. Nancy Atherton needs to broaden out this series and focus on the side characters more. Not necessarily lose Lori all together, but bring the people of the village more into the forefront.
A great deal of this book rehashes who each of the villagers are and their odd quirks. If you have been reading this series, all nineteen previous books, you already know who they are and there is no need to repeat what has already been said. Her twin boys should be about eight years old, but Lori constantly treats them as if they are four. Lori and Bill have recently become parents to a daughter and the weary reader will be told repeatedly how singularly fantastic this child is. By the way, thank goodness the word “diaper” was not being used in a drinking game since it would have involved taking approximately sixty-two shots.
Lori takes it into her own nosey ways to find out why two cottages in the village have not been sold. She is determined to find out whom or what are driving the buyers away. As she tries to unfold this mystery, she is also stressing over the arrival of her husband’s dreaded aunts. They are coming to Finch for the upcoming wedding of Willis, Sr., and their arrival is putting a damper on the festivities. Apparently, these women are awful, but by the end of the book, the table will be turned on these two and it does not involve extra strong martinis.
Deciding to take her daughter on a jaunt up a craggy trail, Lori meets the elusive Summer King. Arthur Hargreaves, the owner of Hillfont Abbey comes to her aid when the wheels literally come off the pram. They spend time together and this Hermit of Hillfont Abbey and his hoard of children and grandchildren that inhabit his family’s home enchant Lori. The Hargreaves have stayed to themselves ever since a feud began a century ago between Finch and neighboring Tillcote and Lori is finding out how deep this feud went and how Quentin Hargreaves, the original owner of Hillfont, was the puppet master behind the village of Finch.
Lori’s eyes may have been opened, but she loves Finch and its people so maybe she will be able to forgive what has happened in the past and love the Summer King for what he has created.
May 16, 2015
I enjoyed this latest instalment of the Aunt Dimity series even more than usual because this time Atherton, while maintaining the formula that she’s used for 20 books now (and who can blame her? It works - her readers love it, and it always makes for a great read) has added something a little bit extra, something I’ve been hoping for for some time.
As always, Lori is rushing off to investigate some mystery, and as always the same elements are introduced in the same way – there are the familiar descriptions of the familiar inhabitants of Finch, the familiar way Lori goes about consulting Aunt Dimity – in fact, even the wording is almost identical from book to book . This can be somewhat tiresome but is also deeply comforting as the reader returns to a much-loved world. The formula has been that the novel is very much set within the framework of the mystery and the world of Finch and doesn’t really touch the mystery of Aunt Dimity.
Now Atherton still hasn’t really gone outside this framework in this novel, but in bringing together a new piece of knowledge about both Finch (one that helps explain something fundamental about it) and a detail about Dimity Westwood’s life, she has broadened the framework just a bit, adding a piece of meta-knowledge in a way that I found very satisfying.
As always, Lori is rushing off to investigate some mystery, and as always the same elements are introduced in the same way – there are the familiar descriptions of the familiar inhabitants of Finch, the familiar way Lori goes about consulting Aunt Dimity – in fact, even the wording is almost identical from book to book . This can be somewhat tiresome but is also deeply comforting as the reader returns to a much-loved world. The formula has been that the novel is very much set within the framework of the mystery and the world of Finch and doesn’t really touch the mystery of Aunt Dimity.
Now Atherton still hasn’t really gone outside this framework in this novel, but in bringing together a new piece of knowledge about both Finch (one that helps explain something fundamental about it) and a detail about Dimity Westwood’s life, she has broadened the framework just a bit, adding a piece of meta-knowledge in a way that I found very satisfying.
February 24, 2024
I've been with this series for twenty books by now and they have just gotten better (for me) as they go along. As I am a Vibes and Characters reader, I am merciful to plot integrity because this one Does Not Hold Up, but the plot is also Kind of Nice? I read this on a long travel day when I was traveling Past My Bedtime [and my use of capitals inform me that a) I have not caught up on sleep yet and b) my concurrent reading of Yours Cheerfully is influential] and it was a comfort, which is all I want from Aunt Dimity.
May 5, 2015
This is a book a little outside my typical review genre but I loved the cover and the premise sounded interesting…..besides, anytime someone write 20 books in a series….there has to be something ‘good’ that brings people back. So I decided to expand my reading horizons and go for it.
I really liked Lori, she was no BS and a bit of a busy body mixed in one. I loved her. I was a little taken aback when I discovered this book was set in the modern age, but I think it worked well because the setting was more of the star of the book than the period. The setting added a lot to the story for me. Can I buy a cottage in Finch please?
I actually thought this was going to be a murder mystery…..because correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t a lot of cozy mysteries murder mysteries? Well, after 60% I gave up on the murder mystery and just enjoyed getting to the bottom of the empty cottage situation.
I liked the slight ‘magic’ twist with the Aunt Dimity character. It was unexpected and charming. It could have been ‘hokey’ but Lori only consults her on a few occasions….if she constantly consulted Aunt Dimity then I think it would have gotten hokey and weird.
While not a lot happened in the book (murder mystery, missing person etc), I still enjoyed my time with this book. It sucked me in and I was not expecting that. The characters were warm and fun and the setting just made it for me. I love books set in the English countryside and this book totally suited me.
I feel like I need to read more Aunt Dimity books so I can have the full experience with her cozy mysteries.
And on a final note….I adore this book cover. It’s whimsical and totally fits the fun and easy nature of this story. If you like cozy mysteries you should give this series a go!
See my full review here
I really liked Lori, she was no BS and a bit of a busy body mixed in one. I loved her. I was a little taken aback when I discovered this book was set in the modern age, but I think it worked well because the setting was more of the star of the book than the period. The setting added a lot to the story for me. Can I buy a cottage in Finch please?
I actually thought this was going to be a murder mystery…..because correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t a lot of cozy mysteries murder mysteries? Well, after 60% I gave up on the murder mystery and just enjoyed getting to the bottom of the empty cottage situation.
I liked the slight ‘magic’ twist with the Aunt Dimity character. It was unexpected and charming. It could have been ‘hokey’ but Lori only consults her on a few occasions….if she constantly consulted Aunt Dimity then I think it would have gotten hokey and weird.
While not a lot happened in the book (murder mystery, missing person etc), I still enjoyed my time with this book. It sucked me in and I was not expecting that. The characters were warm and fun and the setting just made it for me. I love books set in the English countryside and this book totally suited me.
I feel like I need to read more Aunt Dimity books so I can have the full experience with her cozy mysteries.
And on a final note….I adore this book cover. It’s whimsical and totally fits the fun and easy nature of this story. If you like cozy mysteries you should give this series a go!
See my full review here
August 7, 2015
I don't generally leave reviews, but this series is one of my favorites. I see people complaining about Lori sticking her nose where it doesn't belong or saying it's the same story different verse or whatever. To those people I say why are you still reading 20 books in if it isn't your cup of tea?
This series feels more like a catch up with an old friend to me. I'm always left feeling warm and happy after finishing one of these books. Though I do wish there was more than a passing mention of Nell in the books as she's one of my favorites, it was still exactly what I wanted it to be. A comforting cozy read, best enjoyed on a rainy day, in your Pj's with a messy bun and a cup of tea. It's not an intense mystery where something horrible happens, but they have a bit of mystery and plenty of gossip.
If anything Lori's propensity to stick her nose where it doesn't belong is exactly why she fits in Finch so well. And why she and her family belong there. I've read so many of these now (all of them) that it feels more like a visit than a book now and that's exactly what I'm looking for.
This series feels more like a catch up with an old friend to me. I'm always left feeling warm and happy after finishing one of these books. Though I do wish there was more than a passing mention of Nell in the books as she's one of my favorites, it was still exactly what I wanted it to be. A comforting cozy read, best enjoyed on a rainy day, in your Pj's with a messy bun and a cup of tea. It's not an intense mystery where something horrible happens, but they have a bit of mystery and plenty of gossip.
If anything Lori's propensity to stick her nose where it doesn't belong is exactly why she fits in Finch so well. And why she and her family belong there. I've read so many of these now (all of them) that it feels more like a visit than a book now and that's exactly what I'm looking for.
September 18, 2015
I regret to report the apparent final demise of Aunt Dimity.I loved the first books, but ever since "Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea", they have been ever so slowly declining. (Coincidentally, this is the same time the covers changed from the soft and whimsical one that featured Reginald to the harder, woodcut-type covers that were so much less appealing.)I just re-read "Aunt Dimity and the Duke" and was amazed at the difference in the quality of the writing, characterization and content of the later books. AD Down Under was okay, but the rest are just not very interesting, and it's my opinion that perhaps Aunt Dimity should be released to go with her Robbie.
This one seemed to have no plot or, indeed, a purpose of any substance. I regret it, and will miss the crowd in Finch, but I'm done. Rest in peace, Dimity.
This one seemed to have no plot or, indeed, a purpose of any substance. I regret it, and will miss the crowd in Finch, but I'm done. Rest in peace, Dimity.
December 18, 2015
I received an ARC of this book and thought I'd give the series another try. I think I should just accept the series isn't my cup of tea. The heroine is ditzy, the conceit of taking to a ghost through a book is wearing, and the setting is unrealistic. There is an explanation of how Finch came to be but it didn't make a lot of sense to me
October 8, 2015
The big reveal in the series is that Finch, Lori's beloved town, is protected from development because it is owned by the Summer King, who protects it and rents it out only to the perfect tenants. Lori is the only one who actually owns her cottage.
This is really stupid because several people earlier, like Bree, "inherited" their cottages from relatives. You can't inherit a lease!
Lori also supposedly did not know that her husband was leasing his office and did not own it. And supposedly no one in the entire town noticed that everyone but Lori was leasing their property.
This series used to be stupid but amusing, and now it is only stupid.
This is really stupid because several people earlier, like Bree, "inherited" their cottages from relatives. You can't inherit a lease!
Lori also supposedly did not know that her husband was leasing his office and did not own it. And supposedly no one in the entire town noticed that everyone but Lori was leasing their property.
This series used to be stupid but amusing, and now it is only stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2019
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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.
This one begins with a sour mood toward everyone, but eventually returns to normal. Doting on the baby seemed to be a hypnotic trance over those in its vicinity, detering from the normal compelling aspects of the series. Unfortunately, her aptitude for intelligence has also been dwindling and it makes Laurie's character less appealing.
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.
This one begins with a sour mood toward everyone, but eventually returns to normal. Doting on the baby seemed to be a hypnotic trance over those in its vicinity, detering from the normal compelling aspects of the series. Unfortunately, her aptitude for intelligence has also been dwindling and it makes Laurie's character less appealing.
It is appreciated that each book is able to stand on its own and usually concludes with an HEA.
May 15, 2015
Book #20 in the series. Lori is getting annoying. She jumps to conclusions, judging pretty much everybody. And what was the mystery? 2 houses aren't selling, and Lori charges off, questioning her neighbors, breaking into files, and generally being a pain in the ass. One more chance and that's it.
May 1, 2024
It's spring in Finch and Lori is basking in the glow of being a new mum to perfectly perfect almost four-month-old Bess. Now Lori is fully recovered from a difficult childbirth, she's ready to get out and ramble with Bess in her new all-terrain pram. Lori ponders the reasons why two, soon to be three, of Finch's cottages have not sold. She fears the real estate agent may be trying to sabotage the sales! While traveling down a little used cart path, the pram breaks an axel and a Summer King comes to the rescue. Eccentric recluse, Arthur Hargreaves, Willis Sr.'s neighbor, charms Lori with his delightful inventions and charming family. She vows to visit again as soon as possible but discovers the Hargreaves family is aligned with the village of Tilcotte in a feud between two villages that has gone on since Queen Victoria was on the throne and the Hargreaves and all people from Tilcotte are unwelcome in Finch. Could Tilcotte be the reason the cottages haven't sold? Meanwhile, Willis, Sr. is getting married and his two horrid sisters from Boston are arriving. Lori plans to bring her baby and help Amelia deflect the barbed comments but is secretly hoping the sisters will reveal their true nature and Willis, Sr. will kick them out.
I think this is my least favorite of the series so far. It's too baby-centric for me and if I had to read one more description of changing diapers and breast feeding... 🤢🤮 The mystery took too long to start and wasn't much of a mystery. It was confusing because Aunt Dimity had some knowledge she did not share with Lori. I knew it would come out all right in the end because this series is all sweetness and light. The subplot with the Willis family was funny and I was hoping to see the sisters introduced to Peggy and the Handmaidens and watch the sparks fly.
For once Lori is parenting her own child! She claims because Bill has cut back at work and is helping, plus one child is easier than two, but how would she know? She pawned the twins off on a nanny and still made one person do all the work. The new baby, Bess, is the most perfect baby that ever lived. She's beautiful, highly intelligent, super good natured and everyone loves her. (More 🤢) Hence the reason Lori can handle her own baby I suppose. At first I wondered what Lori was going to DO with a daughter- a stubborn, hysterical, conclusion-jumping daughter just like her! I guess Bess takes after Bill. I was glad Bill is helping out more, realizing what he missed when the twins were babies. They don't NEED the money so I don't see why he didn't give himself paternity leave to begin with. I missed the twins and their funny adventures.
As usual Lori jumps to wild conclusions and as in the last few books, she's actually egged on by Dimity. What happened to Dimity sticking around to continue raising Lori? She doesn't add anything to this story. Willis, Sr. is a lovely man but he can't see the mountain through the trees. He needs to stand up for his daughter-in-law and his bride. Bill doesn't really do anything either. He stands up for his sons and that's about it. The sisters, Honoria and Charlotte, are just horrid. They make snide comments with a smile as if they're making a compliment, move on to criticizing everything Lori does and then outright insult Amelia. Lori promised to stay with Amelia and help her but then takes off with the baby leaving Amelia alone. Luckily for Amelia, she has their number and makes excuses of her own. Let Willis, Sr. deal with his sisters. If I were Lori, I would make my own snide comments "Welcome to Finch! You will enjoy meeting the villagers. There are so many women your age here!" Then sic Peggy and the Handmaidens on the sisters and watch the fireworks. Bree isn't around to sass them, unfortunately. She's gone off to Australia and New Zealand with Jack.
Thank goodness for the Hargreaves family. They saved this book! Arthur is a wonderful, eccentric genius who loves his family. I especially loved how they allow the children free reign to explore whatever their minds and imaginations want. Harriet is so sweet and a lovely girl. I agree with her about the importance of imagination. I think Lori must too or she wouldn't have conversations with a plush bunny and a ghost! Lori's problem is she has too much imagination and not enough direction. Little Emily's parents are archeologists. Her imagination fills in what she thinks they must be doing so she's allowed to bury and excavate a chicken carcass. She has a purpose. Imagination with direction seems to be the way this family was raised and I really like that. Arthur, The Summer King, is a charming man, an adoring grandfather and proud former professor. He's very kind to Lori and Bess and creative in helping solve her problem. Yet, he's never met Willis, Sr. in the entire two years they have been neighbors. Their properties adjoin and Willis, Sr. can walk to a gate that opens onto Arthur's property. I agree with Lori that's a little weird.
I don't think the real estate agent, Marigold Edwards, is deliberately turning people off Finch. She married into a family of an old and respected firm. I would expect they wouldn't let her marry or work for them if she was an awful person. Plus, if she works on commission, why would she NOT want to make a sale? Or maybe someone is paying her NOT to sell the cottages? A developer? In Finch? Oh no! Lori blew her investigation there. All she had to do was tell the truth: my father-in-law is getting married and the guests have to stay in hotels in Upper Deeping. We were hoping to buy the cottages to use as guest houses when family comes to visit as we have turned our guest room into a nursery. She would have gotten the same information by being honest. Of course, being Lori, she has to invent a story and then snoop. That was mean because Marigold seemed nice and helpful.
I can think of a million reasons why families aren't moving into the empty cottages: money, no school, the extra 10 minutes taking time out of their busy schedule, no child care, no big box stores or malls or anything convenient, no young people. Yes you get fresh air but you also get nosy neighbors who demand all your time and attention as community members. Many people don't have time for that. There's a REASON Finch is populated by seniors. They like that idyllic lifestyle they knew from their youth. They have the time to participate in village life and gossip with their neighbors. Lori seems to have stopped doing anything except child care and gossip but even she used to work occasionally and volunteer. Then there's the church. Village life centers around attending service every Sunday and other times. The church is the social hub of the village. Most younger people are secular now and want to enjoy their leisure time on their days off, not be forced to attend church. I think Finch sounds like a retirement community and if they want to keep it the same, they should market it as such.
Charles and Grant are fun characters and an integral part of Finch but I don't like them very much. They relish drama. Both of them seem to see Finch as a stage and the inhabitants are the players, to paraphrase Shakespeare. Charles and Grant enjoy sitting back watching the drama unfold. I can see them sitting in lawn chairs passing popcorn while Sally and Peggy feud. That's rude and disrespectful to the village and even Peggy who does work hard to make Finch a nice place. I think they are inadvertently scaring away the potential buyers!
I suspect Arthur's ancestor, Quentin, the wealthy Victorian industrialist, may have been a ruthless businessman and as such, created the feud that's gone on longer than anyone remembers. Perhaps he left a will or a contract that locks his family into the feud and keeps the cottages from being sold. Lori has some experience handling old books and manuscripts, do the research! That would have made a better story.
Alas, we didn't get to try the pinwheel cookies. I will have to attempt to make them next time.
I think this is my least favorite of the series so far. It's too baby-centric for me and if I had to read one more description of changing diapers and breast feeding... 🤢🤮 The mystery took too long to start and wasn't much of a mystery. It was confusing because Aunt Dimity had some knowledge she did not share with Lori. I knew it would come out all right in the end because this series is all sweetness and light. The subplot with the Willis family was funny and I was hoping to see the sisters introduced to Peggy and the Handmaidens and watch the sparks fly.
For once Lori is parenting her own child! She claims because Bill has cut back at work and is helping, plus one child is easier than two, but how would she know? She pawned the twins off on a nanny and still made one person do all the work. The new baby, Bess, is the most perfect baby that ever lived. She's beautiful, highly intelligent, super good natured and everyone loves her. (More 🤢) Hence the reason Lori can handle her own baby I suppose. At first I wondered what Lori was going to DO with a daughter- a stubborn, hysterical, conclusion-jumping daughter just like her! I guess Bess takes after Bill. I was glad Bill is helping out more, realizing what he missed when the twins were babies. They don't NEED the money so I don't see why he didn't give himself paternity leave to begin with. I missed the twins and their funny adventures.
As usual Lori jumps to wild conclusions and as in the last few books, she's actually egged on by Dimity. What happened to Dimity sticking around to continue raising Lori? She doesn't add anything to this story. Willis, Sr. is a lovely man but he can't see the mountain through the trees. He needs to stand up for his daughter-in-law and his bride. Bill doesn't really do anything either. He stands up for his sons and that's about it. The sisters, Honoria and Charlotte, are just horrid. They make snide comments with a smile as if they're making a compliment, move on to criticizing everything Lori does and then outright insult Amelia. Lori promised to stay with Amelia and help her but then takes off with the baby leaving Amelia alone. Luckily for Amelia, she has their number and makes excuses of her own. Let Willis, Sr. deal with his sisters. If I were Lori, I would make my own snide comments "Welcome to Finch! You will enjoy meeting the villagers. There are so many women your age here!" Then sic Peggy and the Handmaidens on the sisters and watch the fireworks. Bree isn't around to sass them, unfortunately. She's gone off to Australia and New Zealand with Jack.
Thank goodness for the Hargreaves family. They saved this book! Arthur is a wonderful, eccentric genius who loves his family. I especially loved how they allow the children free reign to explore whatever their minds and imaginations want. Harriet is so sweet and a lovely girl. I agree with her about the importance of imagination. I think Lori must too or she wouldn't have conversations with a plush bunny and a ghost! Lori's problem is she has too much imagination and not enough direction. Little Emily's parents are archeologists. Her imagination fills in what she thinks they must be doing so she's allowed to bury and excavate a chicken carcass. She has a purpose. Imagination with direction seems to be the way this family was raised and I really like that. Arthur, The Summer King, is a charming man, an adoring grandfather and proud former professor. He's very kind to Lori and Bess and creative in helping solve her problem. Yet, he's never met Willis, Sr. in the entire two years they have been neighbors. Their properties adjoin and Willis, Sr. can walk to a gate that opens onto Arthur's property. I agree with Lori that's a little weird.
I don't think the real estate agent, Marigold Edwards, is deliberately turning people off Finch. She married into a family of an old and respected firm. I would expect they wouldn't let her marry or work for them if she was an awful person. Plus, if she works on commission, why would she NOT want to make a sale? Or maybe someone is paying her NOT to sell the cottages? A developer? In Finch? Oh no! Lori blew her investigation there. All she had to do was tell the truth: my father-in-law is getting married and the guests have to stay in hotels in Upper Deeping. We were hoping to buy the cottages to use as guest houses when family comes to visit as we have turned our guest room into a nursery. She would have gotten the same information by being honest. Of course, being Lori, she has to invent a story and then snoop. That was mean because Marigold seemed nice and helpful.
I can think of a million reasons why families aren't moving into the empty cottages: money, no school, the extra 10 minutes taking time out of their busy schedule, no child care, no big box stores or malls or anything convenient, no young people. Yes you get fresh air but you also get nosy neighbors who demand all your time and attention as community members. Many people don't have time for that. There's a REASON Finch is populated by seniors. They like that idyllic lifestyle they knew from their youth. They have the time to participate in village life and gossip with their neighbors. Lori seems to have stopped doing anything except child care and gossip but even she used to work occasionally and volunteer. Then there's the church. Village life centers around attending service every Sunday and other times. The church is the social hub of the village. Most younger people are secular now and want to enjoy their leisure time on their days off, not be forced to attend church. I think Finch sounds like a retirement community and if they want to keep it the same, they should market it as such.
Charles and Grant are fun characters and an integral part of Finch but I don't like them very much. They relish drama. Both of them seem to see Finch as a stage and the inhabitants are the players, to paraphrase Shakespeare. Charles and Grant enjoy sitting back watching the drama unfold. I can see them sitting in lawn chairs passing popcorn while Sally and Peggy feud. That's rude and disrespectful to the village and even Peggy who does work hard to make Finch a nice place. I think they are inadvertently scaring away the potential buyers!
I suspect Arthur's ancestor, Quentin, the wealthy Victorian industrialist, may have been a ruthless businessman and as such, created the feud that's gone on longer than anyone remembers. Perhaps he left a will or a contract that locks his family into the feud and keeps the cottages from being sold. Lori has some experience handling old books and manuscripts, do the research! That would have made a better story.
Alas, we didn't get to try the pinwheel cookies. I will have to attempt to make them next time.
February 20, 2017
This was a quick read, but barely any mystery to it. A lot of mysterious backstory about a quaint village and an age 'ole feud between villages. Those familiar with the series will already know that there is a touch of paranormal in the series, but I jumped into the series here because the cover fit some challenges I was working on. I think it might be cool to have a mysterious book that would write responses to your questions from a dear one that has passed on, having full conversations. I imagine I will visit other books in the series to match challenges over time.
May 18, 2015
This is the second book I have read in this cozy series. I was a little put off by the main character this time and the attitude she was giving out. Lori was putting her nose into things that were none of her business in a very annoying and self centered way. I would have liked to have seen more interaction with Aunt Dimity.
March 22, 2015
I've read the first two books in this series, and always thought I'd like to read through the rest. So, I jumped at he chance to win a First Reads proof for review, and was very happy to receive it. The book is a short and light cozy mystery. For a change it isn't about a murder or major crime, but figuring out what is behind the fact that two cottages aren't selling. It turns out that this is only a mystery because Lori thinks it is. No one else is surprised or concerned.
The book begins with a overview of how Lori came to live in the village some ten years earlier. The names of key characters in the series are also brought up. However, the main action revolves around Lori's family, the town in general, and a mysterious neighbor--the titular Summer King. While Lori decides something isn't right, she also makes negative assumptions about someone she hasn't met, and who everyone she trusts likes and respects. That seemed a bit willfully blind, but did lead her to position herself to learn key information and eventually solve the mystery.
One a side note, the drama surrounding the visit of Bill's harpy aunts was pretty entertaining. They were incredibly awful, and the reactions of the towns people funny. And the end of the story, while it came out of left field, was also fun.
The book begins with a overview of how Lori came to live in the village some ten years earlier. The names of key characters in the series are also brought up. However, the main action revolves around Lori's family, the town in general, and a mysterious neighbor--the titular Summer King. While Lori decides something isn't right, she also makes negative assumptions about someone she hasn't met, and who everyone she trusts likes and respects. That seemed a bit willfully blind, but did lead her to position herself to learn key information and eventually solve the mystery.
One a side note, the drama surrounding the visit of Bill's harpy aunts was pretty entertaining. They were incredibly awful, and the reactions of the towns people funny. And the end of the story, while it came out of left field, was also fun.
June 10, 2015
I have read all the books in this series, and very much enjoyed the earlier ones. But of late--and especially in this one--Lori, the main character--is just downright annoying (even more so than in previous books). She has no redeeming qualities at this point, butts in just for the sake of butting in, creates drama where there is none (gee...houses aren't selling...start the sleuthing...must be a conspiracy! Really?!). And the usual sane, albeit paranormal foil, Aunt Dimity, seems to have gone off track as well. This series may just have reached the end of its appeal, for me anyway.
January 21, 2018
I think I liked this the least of all books in the series. It's pretty boring, actually, and the baby Bess is mentioned far too often.....it was cute at first, but all that toe "gobbling," baby pushups, and pram prattle got old pretty quickly (not to mention that it was odd that an American used the word "pram" so often).
At least it's short.
At least it's short.
May 4, 2015
Fans of Nancy Atherton are just going to eat this one up. Lori, Bess and the Summer King are going to truly entice you into this adventure in whimsy and a wedding. I'd say more but I might accidentally give too much away.
July 20, 2015
Very disappointed, the first Aunt Dimity I haven't finished.
December 12, 2023
It was another cute installation, but it took a while to get to a mystery. Cute character additions
April 5, 2015
***I would like to thank Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking for an ARC of this book***
I have not read an Aunt Dimity book in years! I was so excited to read this book. I'm going to go back and buy all of the old ones and any new ones I missed and of course this one when it comes out! I have missed this series of books. I highly recommend them to people that love mysteries and the Cotswolds, quaint cottages, gardens and little villages.
In this book Lori and Bill have their new addition to the family, little Bess! How precious! Bill's father is getting married. There are some weird goings on with some of the cottages being empty and the real estate agent putting people off buying them. William, Lori's father-in-laws horrid sisters come to visit. Charlotte and Honoria have people fleeing the scene left and right because of how horrid they are!
Lori meets a wonderful new character to the book while taking Bess out for a walk. There is a whole big mystery with this person and the whole town. I'm not giving out any spoilers in this review.
I must say I enjoyed this particular book so much. I love the new character so much. There are so many rich themes to the story. I am so looking forward to reading more of this series, and like I said picking up all of the old ones. I can't say enough about this book. I love anything about the English countryside and this series of books makes you want to move right into Finch with all of the residents. :)
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
I have not read an Aunt Dimity book in years! I was so excited to read this book. I'm going to go back and buy all of the old ones and any new ones I missed and of course this one when it comes out! I have missed this series of books. I highly recommend them to people that love mysteries and the Cotswolds, quaint cottages, gardens and little villages.
In this book Lori and Bill have their new addition to the family, little Bess! How precious! Bill's father is getting married. There are some weird goings on with some of the cottages being empty and the real estate agent putting people off buying them. William, Lori's father-in-laws horrid sisters come to visit. Charlotte and Honoria have people fleeing the scene left and right because of how horrid they are!
Lori meets a wonderful new character to the book while taking Bess out for a walk. There is a whole big mystery with this person and the whole town. I'm not giving out any spoilers in this review.
I must say I enjoyed this particular book so much. I love the new character so much. There are so many rich themes to the story. I am so looking forward to reading more of this series, and like I said picking up all of the old ones. I can't say enough about this book. I love anything about the English countryside and this series of books makes you want to move right into Finch with all of the residents. :)
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
June 23, 2015
I've said before that I'm not quite sure why this series is now considered a mystery. I can see it called a cozy perhaps because of the setting, but there's really no mystery. There's no body, no crime committed. Not to mention, the main character is really getting annoying with her nosy, pushy behavior. You'd think with three kids, one of which is a baby, she's have plenty to keep her busy. Apparently that's not the case.
This one is about how she meets an eccentric guy in the woods who fixes her broken pram. When she talks about him back in the village of Finch, she finds out that he's mysterious and not well liked and that there's this ridiculous big feud between the village of Finch and this other town.
So, that's basically the whole novel, her just trying to figure out about the feud. The message is pretty clear that urban development and gentrification is bad and that Finch needs to stay frozen in time.
Again, the whole business of talking to her dead Aunt Dimity is weird. Those chapters are simply repetitive of what's already been said. It's a ploy used in all the books, but it's not really needed or effective anymore.
I do like the setting of the books and the liveliness of the characters of the village, but I have to say that it's not really a mystery when there's no mystery.
This one is about how she meets an eccentric guy in the woods who fixes her broken pram. When she talks about him back in the village of Finch, she finds out that he's mysterious and not well liked and that there's this ridiculous big feud between the village of Finch and this other town.
So, that's basically the whole novel, her just trying to figure out about the feud. The message is pretty clear that urban development and gentrification is bad and that Finch needs to stay frozen in time.
Again, the whole business of talking to her dead Aunt Dimity is weird. Those chapters are simply repetitive of what's already been said. It's a ploy used in all the books, but it's not really needed or effective anymore.
I do like the setting of the books and the liveliness of the characters of the village, but I have to say that it's not really a mystery when there's no mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 29, 2015There’s trouble in Finch. Four recently sold cottages are standing empty, and the locals fear that a developer plans to turn their cozy village into an enclave of overpriced weekend homes. But for once Lori Shepherd can’t help.
Her infant daughter, her father-inlaw’s upcoming wedding, and the crushing prospect of her fortieth birthday have left her feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. Until, that is, she has a chance encounter with an eccentric inventor named Arthur Hargreaves. Dubbed the Summer King by his equally eccentric family, Arthur is as warmhearted as the summer sun. In his presence, Lori forgets her troubles—and Finch’s.
But Lori snaps out of her happy trance when she discovers detailed maps of Finch in the Summer King’s library. Next, a real estate agent comes knocking. Is Arthur secretly plotting Finch’s demise?
With Aunt Dimity’s otherworldlym help—and her new daughter in her arms—Lori mounts a crusade to save her beloved village from the Summer King’s scorching greed.
Hargreaves owns the town to keep it the way it was, without big business. All are friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2015
It's been a long time since I've hated a book this much. I even stopped reading at one point, and only finished because weeks later there was a lag before my next book came in at the library. I picked it up from the library's recommendation (if you read that, you'll love this) and despite it being late in the series, it was the only one they had so I took it. Trite story, annoying characters that are two-dimensional caricatures, inexplicably hotheaded main character, a bizarre paranormal plot device, way too many diaper changes, and a ridiculously tidy ending made this book one of the worst I've read in a long time.
September 17, 2015
Not a mystery. The only redeeming quality for this entry into a very uneven series is the new character of the titular Summer King and his family (though oddly, we never meet or even know he has a wife until the end). At least we now have an explanation for why this perfect little village exists for perfectly whimsical Lori, her perfectly handsome and wonderful husband, perfectly boyish twin boys and perfectly adorable baby girl. I gave up on this cloyingly sweet series once, it's time to give it a rest again, I think.
December 5, 2015
I have enjoyed this cozy mystery series for many years, but this one is more cozy and less mystery than the earlier books in this series. Still enjoyable for readers who've gotten to know the town of Finch and its residents in previous books, but not the place to start for readers new to the series.
This is the first time I've listened to an audiobook version of a book in this series and I don't recommend it. The narrator's English accents are painfully fake.
This is the first time I've listened to an audiobook version of a book in this series and I don't recommend it. The narrator's English accents are painfully fake.
June 16, 2015
Perhaps I was not in the mood for this. Perhaps the story has run its course. However, I had to read about the people of Finch so I did finish this book. I didn't like the story but that still makes it an automatic two stars just for finishing the darn book.
June 11, 2015
Yawn. This was the first book I've read (actually listened to) in this series. The narrator's voice is quite relaxing and the story is pretty boring. It'd be a good book to fall asleep to but not such a great book for commuting.
April 21, 2015
Not her best effort.
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