Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold

Aunt Dimity Mystery #24

by Nancy Atherton

In the newest installment of the bestselling Aunt Dimity series, a dreary Christmas leads to hidden treasure and new friendships

It's almost Christmas in the small English village of Finch--and everyone is sick. Though many of the villagers regretfully decline their invitations to Emma Harris's annual Christmas bash, Lori Shepherd has no intention of missing it. When the winter weather takes a turn for the worse, it's agreed that none of the guests will leave until morning. There's general merriment as the Christmas party becomes a pajama party--until a car appears in the winding driveway and promptly slides off the slick pavement and into a ditch.

Matilda "Tilly" Trout--a lost and scatterbrained, middle-aged woman--is mercifully unhurt and invited to stay the night. While she catches her breath, Emma asks her other guests if they would like a tour of the Manor--including an odd room that puzzles her. Several guests put forth guesses as to its purpose, but it's Tilly who correctly identifies the room as a chapel. Placing a palm on one of the ornately-carved panels, Tilly finds a hidden compartment concealing a pile of glittering treasure--including an exquisitely decorated heart made of solid gold. Where did it come from, and why does it look so different from everything else in the chapel? Why didn't Emma even know about this hidden compartment in her own home until now--and how did Tilly?

With Aunt Dimity's otherworldly help and Tilly's bewildering store of knowledge, Lori and friends set out to unravel the mystery behind the heart of gold. And, against all odds--and Christmas finally comes to Finch!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Christmas, Cozy, Audiobook, Fantasy

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 2019

About the author

Nancy 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

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically lovely , A cozy Mystery that doesn’t Involve a murder ?! 🤷‍♀️😳

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Dimity is one of my all-time favourite series! It's an automatic "add" to my to read list when a new book comes out.

These books are filled with quirky fun characters, gentle sweet small-town shenanigans, a little bit of mystery and adventure, and just a touch of magic, and I love them!

I've said this before, but this series is like that old, stretched-out, soft fave sweater that you pull out and put on when you want to be comfortable and enjoy yourself. This series - while by no means stretched out - is wonderful, and I highly recommend it!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold sees the citizens of Finch iced in with a stranded guest, a mysterious discovery in a priest hole, and some ancestry sleuthing. This one lived up to its title--it did have a heart of gold--and I enjoyed the setting and new characters.

[Literarischunterwegs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Bücher rund um Lori, ihre Familie und ihre Freunde aus dem kleinen Dörfchen Finch in den Costwolds gelegen, sind immer ein Garant für schöne gemütliche und unterhaltsame Lesestunden - unaufgeregt, harmonisch, herrlich Klischee beladen (hier ein absolutes Muss für mich) und wunderbar warmherzig und liebevoll. Nancy Atherton ist ein nie versiegender Ideen - Quell für ihre Bücher und ich bin ein dankbarer nimmer müder Leser dieser Bücher.

Auch im Band 24 dieser Reihe schafft es die Autorin, mich sofort in die vertraute Wärme dieser Geschichte hineinzuziehen. Lori und ihre Freunde entdecken dieses Mal ein verstecktes Priesterloch, dessen Geheimnis sie natürlich lüften wollen und werden. Während dies geschieht erfahren wir Leser Hintergründe zu diesen Räumlichkeiten, die Anfang des 19 Jahrhunderts in katholischen Anwesen durch aus gängig waren, um in England heimlich seinen katholischen Glauben leben zu können, da dies nicht öffentlich möglich war und unter Hochverrat stand.

Wer die Reihe noch nicht kennt und Cozy - Bücher mag, sollte sich die Tante Dimity Bücher unbedingt anschauen.

Ich bin schon gespannt auf Band 25., der hoffentlich bald erscheinen wird.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not resist reading this delightful book any longer. Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity & the Heart of Gold (Aunt Dimity Mysteries #24) places me in my favorite spot in England - The Cotswolds - and I just needed to go for a visit even if it is ‘an armchair’ one. With the holidays upon us and the characters of the village of Finch plus a few extra, Emma, Lori’s best friend, is preparing to give her annual Christmas party at her ranch, and Lori is not going to miss it. Many of the villagers of Finch are fighting off a cold, virus, whatever, but Lori’s family is just fine. The day of the Christmas party arrives, and Lori and her family are off to celebrate. Unfortunately, the English weather is not in a holiday mood, and heavy fog then a ice storm turn the Christmas party into a slumber party as well. As the party is in full swing, a car slides into a ditch on the side of Emma’s driveway. Enter Matilda ‘Tilly’ Trout. Once everyone has settled down, Emma suggests a house tour in addition to identifying a room that has only been used for storage. Tilly possesses a wealth of knowledge on just about all things, and as all enter the ‘storage’ room , Tilly identifies it correctly. The Finch gossip lines are open for business. Then another space is found, and Tilly explains this space and its function, but a stunning ‘find’ sends all to a higher level. English weather or not, excitement reigns. The hunt is on for answers, and no, it is not a murder investigation. Have I whetted your appetite? I certainly hope so. I so enjoy this series, and Aunt Dimity’s sage commentary ‘from the beyond’. 4.75 stars.

[Roslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another comforting (if formulaic) foray into the familiar world of Aunt Dimity. One quibble about the story:

Bree gets dumped by her fiancé and is heartbroken, and something like days or possibly weeks later, she's already fallen in love? I don't really buy it. Or ws it that did her love for her fiancé just didn't go terribly deep? But that would be out of character.

A touch sugary and preachy, and I do wish the author would do more with Aunt Dimity herself, but I can't help enjoying these books!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story about Aunt Dimity. It is Christmas time and half the town is sick and the weather is bad, sounds like the Christmas where I live every year. Most things have been cancelled but a house party. Lori has no intention of missing so she, her husband and kids go to the party. The hostess is remodeling the old house and wonders what a certain room was used for. Lori thinks it was a chapel. A woman gets lost and drives into the ditch, when they bring her in she knows the history and says there must be a priest hideway in it. After finding the hideway, they find a golden heart it and set out to find who it belonged to. Romance is also in the air.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019 bk 234. Nancy Atherton does it again. She keeps us up to date with her many characters, adds new characters, and finds mystery in a small English village that do not necessarily require a murder. I wish other mystery authors would find in themselves to write non-murder mysteries and for publishers to publish them. This time the mystery centers around an odd shaped room, a mystery art object, and a woman new to Finch. All of this in the midst of the worst outbreak of colds and flu mixed with an ice storm. Lori and her friends set out to solve multiple mysteries in the weeks before Christmas and succeed admirably. I love this series.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Christmastime in Finch and a virus has ravaged the village! Even Peggy Taxman has succumbed to laryngitis and is sick in bed. Fortunately the Shepherd-Willis household and the Harris-Anscombe-Smith household are perfectly fine. Emma is busy preparing her annual Christmas fete for the villagers who are well enough to come. As everyone is enjoying after dinner treats and the twins are happily ensconced in the stables, the fog turns to ice and a car crashes in front of Anscombe Manor. Miss Tilly Trout is dazed and confused but not concussed. She's just overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the villagers, especially Mr. Barlow. As the road conditions are too dangerous for people to drive or walk home, Emma invites everyone to stay. For those who don't wish to go to bed, she has a mystery to solve. While preparing a day nursery for Peter and Cassie's baby-to-be, the Harrises discovered a mysterious room they've never noticed before when it was filled with junk. Not even Kit knows what it is. Tilly is the only one to correctly identify the room as a Tudor era Roman Catholic chapel and as such, it should have a hidden priest hole. The next day when Tilly, Lori and Emma explore the chapel, they discover the priest hole and behold "wonderful things!" The priest hole contains something no one ever expected and Emma becomes obsessed with finding out who last used it and what happened to them. The trio set out in search of answers and discover a connection to the Indian sweet in Emma's manuscript cookbook she found in the manor house when she and Derek first moved in.

The first half of this book is slow. There's too much info dump and I already knew about priest holes. EVERY Georgian novel has a hidden priest hole. You press on the carved rosette on the fireplace mantel and voila! secret passageway. Or not. Northanger Abbey Then there was too much info dump on why there was a need for one, the builder turned Saint who made the hole-in-hole priest holes BEFORE it gets to the mystery. I have to say the priest hole did not at all contain what I expected. Like Lori, I half expected human remains or at least some reminder the priest had been there. It was a pleasant surprise to discover a Hindu shrine perhaps set up to pray for a happy outcome for a clandestine romance. The search for answers was interesting and I was so happy it took them to an archive! Like Lori, I was fascinated by the news stories of the day. I especially love ads. 19th-century ads are so funny and unbelievable, as is the story Lori found fascinating. My big complaint is how much treasure can Lori find in a lifetime? I think this is the third treasure.

I really liked Lori so much better in this story. She's such a different mom with Bess than with the twins. With the twins she wrapped the furniture in cotton batting and worried endlessly. Now she worries what havoc the twins will wreak on the house and village next. With Bess, she lets everyone else hold Bess, she lets Bess toddle around the dining room without worrying about knives and sharp corners or foods Bess might choke on. She lets Bess play with wooden blocks without fretting about splinters! She still seems to forget she has children though but she's dialed back her adventures so she's home for dinner and Bill is happy to parent his own children. It was nice to have Bill as a stay-at-home dad but parenting his children is what he's supposed to do. It always drove my sister crazy when she went somewhere without her now ex-husband and the kids and people asked if he was babysitting. She replied "No, he's parenting!" Lori should be allowed to have adventures. She does most of the household chores, keeps the kids from killing themselves and has stopped running off and lusting after other men. She's still Finch's #1 nosy neighbor and gossip. With the handmaidens, Peggy and Sally all sick, it's up to Lori to find out what's going on with all their neighbors.

Poor Bree is upset about something. She's not her usual cheerful self. With Peggy out of commission, she doesn't even have anyone to antagonize. Lori is nosy and Lillian Bunting is nosy but knows how not to pry. I feel so bad for Bree that she had to announce her private business in front of the whole village. She feels as if she disappointed everyone and it's not her fault. She's still young and has a whole future ahead of her. No need to live up to the elderly snoops' expectations. She did it once and can do it again. Good thing Mr. Barlow is looking out for her. He treats her like the son he never had and she's learned all kinds of new things under his tutelage. With his support, she can sparkle once again. Mr. Barlow is a dear man. I think he has tumbled head over heels in love at first sight with the damsel in distress, Tilly Trout. I hope she ends up returning his love. They have something in common so maybe it will be a good match.

In this book, it's Emma who leaps to conclusions and goes crazy pursuing a mystery. She's so obsessed she's become cranky and rude to everyone around her. It's up to Lori to be the sensible one. I was happy to see Emma have an adventure. She hasn't had one since she married Derek. She seems to have retired from her IT job to start the riding school which keeps her busy. Emma is a good woman and she's stressed, feeling the pressure of preserving the historic house, keeping everyone safe, and the impending arrival of Peter and Cassie's new baby. I'm with Emma on babies. BARF! Nell was already an old soul at 5 and Peter too at 10. She doesn't know anything about babies but that's not her role. She's Gran and not Mummy. The mystery is a good distraction. It's not what I expected and a little predictable at the same time. Aunt Dimity doesn't really have anything to add to the story. She's just there.

Tilly Trout is a lovely woman but helpless. She exudes an air of damsel in distress - until she's on the hunt for answers about the mysterious room. How does she know what it is? Lori asks a million questions about Tilly's background but Tilly answers in the negative. She's a bit secretive and doesn't share her story right away. She is clearly not used to village snoops! Tilly is really smart and has a retentive memory. She knows a lot about history, especially of the Roman Catholic church. Then she seems to know a lot about another religion. Is she a scholar of religion? What she is, is melancholy. She had nowhere to go for Christmas but a hotel alone and hasn't mentioned family, friends or co-workers. Tilly is a woman of a certain age and as such is a bit mysterious. If she stays long enough, she'll learn that a Finch trained snoop can scoop anything and then the whole village will know soon enough. Tommy Prescott seems like an exemplary young man. He's Mr. Barlow's nephew and it sounds as if Uncle has been a big influence on his nephew. Tommy is about to learn that his private business is about to become public knowledge and in this case, I don't think that's right. It's not Mr. Barlow's story to tell, it's not Lori's story to share and it's no one's business. He can choose to share on his own. Bree seems to like him and he enjoys letting her boss him around.

The one thing the snoops don't know is the identity of Miss Cecilia. Who was she? What was her connection to India? And the priest hole? How did she know where it was? The answers surprised me a little. I expected something slightly different. The history was fascinating. I kind of knew some of that. She sounds like a very lovely young woman and her story is not uncommon. Alfred sounds like a dolt. Typical second son and ex-military of the British Raj period. Mrs. Hilliard/Aunt Rose is a fabulous character. I hope we see more of her in the future. She's an old me. I love that she's a published academic historian. Good for her! Her family is delightful and they all seem a bit eccentric.

The epilogue advances the timeline too much but I look forward to seeing what's in store next for the villagers in Finch!

[Kunni Biener · Rating 5 out of 5]

not a book I would usually *review* but I have been trying this year to list everything I read. This is what I call a palate cleanser. And it is a lovely book in which no one dies and everyone ends up happier than to begin with. Her characters are interesting, including the village. I would start from the beginning if you have not read this series.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming #ChristmasinJuly selection increased my anticipation as a solution to the mysterious historical discovery appeared a possibility.

Aunt Dimity's input kept Lori's sleuthing on pace and abundance of Christmas food offered reminders of seasonal enjoyment.

Quick read with a timely message of "goodwill to all".

[Patricia English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized that somehow I read this book out of order and then read it again. Now I see that I read it in 2020. lol Well it was just as good as the first time I read it.

[Andijkl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and quick beach read. I will read more of these.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love the Village of Finch. Everyone in town is sick at Christmas, leaving only a healthy few to unravel a sweet and gentle mystery discovered at Emma and Derek's castle abode. The thing that sometimes makes me snicker behind my hand about these books is also the thing I find most comforting. I could see the romantic couplings coming up fast and thick in the present and I knew there would be a bittersweet tale about the past--which was what I needed as an antidote to some hardboiled flicks I was watching.

If all things were equal, I would happily move to Finch, just so I could hang out with these lovely, kind hearted (if occasionally grumpy) people, eat their spinach tartlets and trade stories with a ghost who writes from a blue journal.

You cannot go wrong with Aunt Dimity.

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is formulaic but cozy. Lori annoys me, but I like the villagers and it’s enjoyable, easy reading. The ghost writing of Aunt Dimity seems to have run its course; not sure what purpose it serves other than forcing the reader to rehash Lori’s days as she gives Dimity updates. But the inhabitants of Finch are entertaining and amusing. And I did like the historical research angle of this story and Lori and her friends trying to discover Cecilia’s identity and more about her life. 8/23/19
Re-read 11/23/25

[Kim Engle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, as always, but extremely short on mystery, suspense, and complexity. Very linear, no red herrings, no Lori getting into trouble, not much for Dimity to do/suggest. Almost totally oriented toward relationships. And with the relationships, there was a lot of potential, but it did not get explored. I feel a little cheated in that regard.

I'm beginning to wonder if Aunt Dimity books are now being written by a ghostwriter who doesn't have much experience with mysteries.

[AuntieJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet triumph

These books always take me back to my childhood. Watching "murder she wrote" with my grandmother. They have become my own little blue journals to reconnect with a soul I treasure. Thank you

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be a light, fun read- I spent a hot summer day reading this Christmas mystery in the air conditioning! (Library)

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful. It takes place around Christmas in Finch. The story involves a recipe, love, a secret room, a gold heart, and family. The mystery is from 1865 and doesn't involve murder. I like that the last two books haven't had murder in them. I also like the history in this story. There is also romance, old and new.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit with Aunt Dimity and Lori and family.

[Barbara Cromer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these low key mysteries. No violence. No shock. Good to read all in one day.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery series is a nice change from the thrillers and historical novels in my reading list. And I do love Aunt Dimity.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book. Picked up randomly from the library. Seems like there’s a whole big series to get into if I wish. And maybe I will.

[Esther Bouchillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book didn't feel quite as Christmasy as I was hoping in the second half. It's definitely a clean, cozy mystery. Aunt Dimity is a ghost that writes in a journal to the lead character, Lori. One comment about all religions being equal.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery is in the nature of historical research, but this cozy is packed with delights: charming Christmas customs, pleasant characters, and an idyllic setting.

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author conveniently forgot John 14:6 in conveying her message, but it was a sweet story. As with the first of the series, this is not a mystery, but a romance.

[Barbara Robarts · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, charming. Tale of friendships and romances, old and new.

[Glen U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure romantic, teary eyed, tug at your heartstrings, schmaltz but I love it. After reading the likes of Lee Child, John Sanford, and the Kellermans, all great writers, I needed a mystery with no blood (except for some gruesome facts about the religious intolerance in Britain during the Tudor Era), no bodies and an abundance of feel good vibes. Nancy Atherton and her Aunt Dimity series is the perfect answer. Written incredibly well, it only approaches the saccharine level, occasionally, and the mystery she incorporates is always well thought out and conceived. Even her use of the ghostly writings of Aunt Dimity are not overwhelming in this book (which can't be said of some of her previous offerings) and her main protagonist is not overly emotional (as has been seen in the past). I know the storybook endings rarely happen in real life but after the reality of the divisive and violent times we live in, I for one, enjoy slipping into the land of "cozy" fiction to enjoy a respite from the horrors of CNN and the Internet. Isn't that what the escapism reading is for? Anyway, a very good read (for those fans of this type of gentle mystery) and I will continue to be a fan of Aunt Dimity and Nancy Atherton.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the least favorite of this series. This book seems to be an effort to fill the pages with words in order to get it over the curb. When a single storyline has to be repeated for friends, family, and aunt dimity, ... well I got bored listening to the repeat. There are too many pages filled with descriptions of food, decorations, and friendly chit-chat.... As I said, not as good as previous books in this series.

The history presented and the mystery were worth the effort. For that, it gets a 3* from me....

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the early Aunt Dimity books a lot. But after wading through description of bad weather & winter colds to page nine in this book, I wondered if I should go on. I did, hoping that the book would liven up. Nope. Next we dress the family, arrive late at the party, and go through thorough descriptions of how people are dressed and what they ate. DNF It's possible fans of English village stories will like this.