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Aunt Dimity Mystery #8
Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday
The eighth installment of the beloved and bestselling Aunt Dimity series. Watch out for Nancy Atherton's latest, Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom , coming in July 2018 from Viking!
When Lori Shepherd’s husband, Bill, is summoned to the reading of a will at the resplendent country estate of Earl Elstyn, Lori jumps at the chance to come along. She didn’t expect, however, to find herself entangled in a messy—and dangerous—family dispute. The aristocratic earl has called together the entire Elstyn family to disclose the beneficiaries of his fortune, and all present will be affected. But someone has a grudge against the Elstyns and will stop at nothing for revenge. A burning topiary, a suspicious maid, family secrets, and threatening notes lead Lori to seek her phantom Aunt Dimity’s help in identifying the culprit before he or she can torch the whole house—with the guests in it.
When Lori Shepherd’s husband, Bill, is summoned to the reading of a will at the resplendent country estate of Earl Elstyn, Lori jumps at the chance to come along. She didn’t expect, however, to find herself entangled in a messy—and dangerous—family dispute. The aristocratic earl has called together the entire Elstyn family to disclose the beneficiaries of his fortune, and all present will be affected. But someone has a grudge against the Elstyns and will stop at nothing for revenge. A burning topiary, a suspicious maid, family secrets, and threatening notes lead Lori to seek her phantom Aunt Dimity’s help in identifying the culprit before he or she can torch the whole house—with the guests in it.
213 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
75 people are currently reading
1034 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Atherton
62 books1,181 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 179 reviews
November 23, 2022
Ideal light reading--this one felt shorter than the rest.
March 29, 2023
When Emma Harris discovers her husband Derek has been living under an assumed name and is actually the Viscount Hailesham, heir to the Earl Elstyn, she's terrified. The Harrises have been summoned to Hailesham Park and Emma is worried that one of the distant cousins might try to murder Derek! She asks Lori to accompany her on the trip to keep an eye on Derek. By sheer coincidence, Bill is headed to Hailesham Park as well for business and wants Lori to come too. As soon as they arrive, Lori is unnerved by a topiary that somehow caught on fire. She smells kerosene and suspects arson, no matter how much the Earl tries to deny it. She also gets caught up in family drama as she befriends Derek's cousin Simon who has been receiving threatening letters. When a life threatening accident occurs not once but twice, Lori is determined to find out who has been sending the letters. She fears the worst and doesn't know how to reveal the truth. What happens if she's right? If she's wrong, the consequences could be deadly.
This is a quick mystery. It's more of a mystery than some of the others. It lacks the murder element of the previous book but you do have a whodunit to solve. There's any number of suspects. The reveal turned out to be a weird surprise. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but I think it was handled sensitively, even if it came out of the blue. I could be nitpicky about Earl Elstyn living in the Regency era. A lot changed after the world wars but perhaps he's older, a contemporary of Aunt Dimity and clings to the old ways. It's really unrealistic for him to live that way AND also have money. Most of the peers I've heard of are land rich and cash poor unless they have TV come calling to film a popular TV series and movie there. I think the author is just going with the stereotype and she gets a pass because this was written before Downton Abbey and the influx of documentary shows showcasing the stately homes. Her American audience likely didn't know or care. (Watch Secrets of the Manor House on PBS https://www.pbs.org/show/secrets-mano...)
Lori manages to be slightly more likable in this one. I forgive her for being judgmental and jumping to conclusions because it IS a mystery but her suspicions are totally bonkers. Why would she suspect Lori is very maternal. Every man she's been attracted to has been sad or "wounded" in some way. She's still mothering Kit, who makes an appearance here. Lori finally manages to control her baser instincts in this one and dials it back to maternal care. She is worried about Bill cheating on her with Gina, the high powered Elstyn lawyer. If Bill cheats on Lori she can't really complain! How many men has she lusted after? What happened in Northumberland? Yes there were extenuating circumstances but still... I don't think Bill would even think about another woman while he was working. He might admire her beauty once but as he said before, he loves Lori. He's loved Lori longer than she's loved him so I don't think he'd cheat anyway. Bill and Gina both seem to be locked down in lawyer mode anyway. I don't even see her having an affair at that moment. As usual Aunt Dimity is on hand to lend an ear, offer advice and admonishments. She has insider information, knowing the family and the etiquette of the upper class.
I was glad to see Emma and Derek back. Emma is usually so practical and level-headed and here she's hysterical. It shows how much she loves Derek and is fiercely protective of her family. Derek is another story. He HATES his father and rejected everything about his family. Lord Elstyn is an old-fashioned patriarch. It's his way or the highway. He expects his heirs to marry well to enhance the family standing (and probably bank account) and NOT dirty their hands with manual labor. (He clearly doesn't understand what Derek does). He rejected Derek's first wife for not being blue blooded enough but curiously enough doesn't say ANYTHING about Emma to Derek's face- at least not on page. Derek's relationship with his father is complicated and I really didn't like that Lord Elstyn is an indulgent grandfather though. He seems to love Peter and Nell, whether because Peter is his only direct heir or he wants to gaslight them into wanting to be a part of his world or from genuine affection, we don't really know. He also seems to be a good uncle, taking in two nephews and a niece, allowing them to spend holidays there with Peter and Nell as one big happy family. I think it's time Derek have a civil conversation with his father with Nell (and Bertie) as mediator.
Nell is Nell. She's ethereal, otherworldly and wise beyond her years. She's been studying at the Sorbonne but has come home for this reunion. She still has a passion for Kit which HE knows is wrong and tries to discourage. Lori is beginning to think the relationship might be a good idea once Nell is older. This is where Lord Elstyn shows his true colors. He blows up over the idea of Nell marrying a "mere" stablehand. Jokes on him because Kit is from a good family too! Kit may have rejected all they stand for and their money but he's still Quality. Finally, Peter comes back from his travels! His time on page is short and he makes a drastic decision that will change everyone's lives. I'm not sure it works that way but I guess so.
The rest of the clan are a mixed bag. At first Simon seems like a flirt at best, a major sleaze bag at worst. I realize in hindsight he was teasing Lori when they first met. He may be a bit arrogant but when he drops his mask, he's pretty transparent with Lori. He becomes her latest cause and I actually rather liked him. I feel bad for Simon. He's not the heir or the spare unless his wife can make it so on paper but he loves Haliesham Park with all his heart. It sounds like he grew up there and has learned every inch by heart. It's in his blood and in his heart. I actually think Derek and Simon are a lot alike. They share a passion for the history of these old manor homes. Simon is different because he also has a passion for the family history. Simon's brother Oliver seems nice. He may be on the spectrum a bit or just socially awkward. I think a talent for observing and intuiting runs in the family because Oliver, like Nell, is very aware of undercurrents and things unspoken. He knows what's what in the family and where his place is even if he doesn't like it. Their cousin, Claudia Landover, is a mean girl and an airhead. She comes across as shallow and superficial, caring only for money, social life and her uncle's fortune. Appearances are everything to her. Yet she reveals hidden depths I never suspected from her and is great in a crisis.
Simon's wife Gina is a classic *itch. She's HORRID! I wouldn't want to run up against her in a legal battel. I'm sure she wins every case because she's so tough. She doesn't seem to love Simon so much as she loves his uncle's title and estate. Yikes! Poor Simon!
Giddings the butler is very proper. He seems to be doing the work of house steward/butler, housekeeper and footmen all at once. He's the old-fashioned type of servant, devoted to his master and tradition. The rest of the staff are hired from an agency. There's also Jim Huang, an archivist working in the library. He loves books and knows classic English literature. He's very nervous and doesn't allow Lori to see what he's working on. Could he be the letter writer? He's American though so I don't know what the motive would be. Derek Harris, the original, is a master carpenter on the estate. He's still running an apprenticeship program so new carpenters can learn how to repair historic buildings. This program must give jobs to those who live on the estate who in turn fix up the house and make it so the Earl can continue to live there. As long as someone is there, they keep the relationship going for generations.
Some readers may complain about how Lori dumps her kids on the nanny the second Anneliese comes back from vacation and then proceeds to forget about them until someone reminds her. I was more bothered by the inconsistency in Anneliese's background. First she's the sister of Francesca, the previous nanny and then she seemed to be the niece and now here she is again, the sister. That doesn't work. Francesca's sister, Anneliese, was Annie Hodge, a married woman with her own family. This Anneliese has a mother and a 21 year old brother Pietro. That makes her the niece of Annie and Francesca. The other weird thing I noticed was how Lori discovered the same supposedly rare set of antique Victorian era children's books by Edith Ann Malson. My heart hurt over what was done to them, even if they sound creepy.
This book contains an Americanized recipe for Treacle Tart. I've read a lot about it but never tried it. It was very sticky and gooey. I liked the texture but the lemon juice was too strong for my personal taste. Others said they couldn't taste it, it just cut the sweetness.
content:
off-page sex nothing described at all, one mention of something that happened in the past
mental health
elitist attitudes
This is a quick mystery. It's more of a mystery than some of the others. It lacks the murder element of the previous book but you do have a whodunit to solve. There's any number of suspects. The reveal turned out to be a weird surprise. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but I think it was handled sensitively, even if it came out of the blue. I could be nitpicky about Earl Elstyn living in the Regency era. A lot changed after the world wars but perhaps he's older, a contemporary of Aunt Dimity and clings to the old ways. It's really unrealistic for him to live that way AND also have money. Most of the peers I've heard of are land rich and cash poor unless they have TV come calling to film a popular TV series and movie there. I think the author is just going with the stereotype and she gets a pass because this was written before Downton Abbey and the influx of documentary shows showcasing the stately homes. Her American audience likely didn't know or care. (Watch Secrets of the Manor House on PBS https://www.pbs.org/show/secrets-mano...)
Lori manages to be slightly more likable in this one. I forgive her for being judgmental and jumping to conclusions because it IS a mystery but her suspicions are totally bonkers. Why would she suspect Lori is very maternal. Every man she's been attracted to has been sad or "wounded" in some way. She's still mothering Kit, who makes an appearance here. Lori finally manages to control her baser instincts in this one and dials it back to maternal care. She is worried about Bill cheating on her with Gina, the high powered Elstyn lawyer. If Bill cheats on Lori she can't really complain! How many men has she lusted after? What happened in Northumberland? Yes there were extenuating circumstances but still... I don't think Bill would even think about another woman while he was working. He might admire her beauty once but as he said before, he loves Lori. He's loved Lori longer than she's loved him so I don't think he'd cheat anyway. Bill and Gina both seem to be locked down in lawyer mode anyway. I don't even see her having an affair at that moment. As usual Aunt Dimity is on hand to lend an ear, offer advice and admonishments. She has insider information, knowing the family and the etiquette of the upper class.
I was glad to see Emma and Derek back. Emma is usually so practical and level-headed and here she's hysterical. It shows how much she loves Derek and is fiercely protective of her family. Derek is another story. He HATES his father and rejected everything about his family. Lord Elstyn is an old-fashioned patriarch. It's his way or the highway. He expects his heirs to marry well to enhance the family standing (and probably bank account) and NOT dirty their hands with manual labor. (He clearly doesn't understand what Derek does). He rejected Derek's first wife for not being blue blooded enough but curiously enough doesn't say ANYTHING about Emma to Derek's face- at least not on page. Derek's relationship with his father is complicated and I really didn't like that Lord Elstyn is an indulgent grandfather though. He seems to love Peter and Nell, whether because Peter is his only direct heir or he wants to gaslight them into wanting to be a part of his world or from genuine affection, we don't really know. He also seems to be a good uncle, taking in two nephews and a niece, allowing them to spend holidays there with Peter and Nell as one big happy family. I think it's time Derek have a civil conversation with his father with Nell (and Bertie) as mediator.
Nell is Nell. She's ethereal, otherworldly and wise beyond her years. She's been studying at the Sorbonne but has come home for this reunion. She still has a passion for Kit which HE knows is wrong and tries to discourage. Lori is beginning to think the relationship might be a good idea once Nell is older. This is where Lord Elstyn shows his true colors. He blows up over the idea of Nell marrying a "mere" stablehand. Jokes on him because Kit is from a good family too! Kit may have rejected all they stand for and their money but he's still Quality. Finally, Peter comes back from his travels! His time on page is short and he makes a drastic decision that will change everyone's lives. I'm not sure it works that way but I guess so.
The rest of the clan are a mixed bag. At first Simon seems like a flirt at best, a major sleaze bag at worst. I realize in hindsight he was teasing Lori when they first met. He may be a bit arrogant but when he drops his mask, he's pretty transparent with Lori. He becomes her latest cause and I actually rather liked him. I feel bad for Simon. He's not the heir or the spare unless his wife can make it so on paper but he loves Haliesham Park with all his heart. It sounds like he grew up there and has learned every inch by heart. It's in his blood and in his heart. I actually think Derek and Simon are a lot alike. They share a passion for the history of these old manor homes. Simon is different because he also has a passion for the family history. Simon's brother Oliver seems nice. He may be on the spectrum a bit or just socially awkward. I think a talent for observing and intuiting runs in the family because Oliver, like Nell, is very aware of undercurrents and things unspoken. He knows what's what in the family and where his place is even if he doesn't like it. Their cousin, Claudia Landover, is a mean girl and an airhead. She comes across as shallow and superficial, caring only for money, social life and her uncle's fortune. Appearances are everything to her. Yet she reveals hidden depths I never suspected from her and is great in a crisis.
Simon's wife Gina is a classic *itch. She's HORRID! I wouldn't want to run up against her in a legal battel. I'm sure she wins every case because she's so tough. She doesn't seem to love Simon so much as she loves his uncle's title and estate. Yikes! Poor Simon!
Giddings the butler is very proper. He seems to be doing the work of house steward/butler, housekeeper and footmen all at once. He's the old-fashioned type of servant, devoted to his master and tradition. The rest of the staff are hired from an agency. There's also Jim Huang, an archivist working in the library. He loves books and knows classic English literature. He's very nervous and doesn't allow Lori to see what he's working on. Could he be the letter writer? He's American though so I don't know what the motive would be. Derek Harris, the original, is a master carpenter on the estate. He's still running an apprenticeship program so new carpenters can learn how to repair historic buildings. This program must give jobs to those who live on the estate who in turn fix up the house and make it so the Earl can continue to live there. As long as someone is there, they keep the relationship going for generations.
Some readers may complain about how Lori dumps her kids on the nanny the second Anneliese comes back from vacation and then proceeds to forget about them until someone reminds her. I was more bothered by the inconsistency in Anneliese's background. First she's the sister of Francesca, the previous nanny and then she seemed to be the niece and now here she is again, the sister. That doesn't work. Francesca's sister, Anneliese, was Annie Hodge, a married woman with her own family. This Anneliese has a mother and a 21 year old brother Pietro. That makes her the niece of Annie and Francesca. The other weird thing I noticed was how Lori discovered the same supposedly rare set of antique Victorian era children's books by Edith Ann Malson. My heart hurt over what was done to them, even if they sound creepy.
This book contains an Americanized recipe for Treacle Tart. I've read a lot about it but never tried it. It was very sticky and gooey. I liked the texture but the lemon juice was too strong for my personal taste. Others said they couldn't taste it, it just cut the sweetness.
content:
off-page sex nothing described at all, one mention of something that happened in the past
mental health
elitist attitudes
October 22, 2022
I enjoyed this one much better than the last one. It was cozy and mysterious; the intrigue was gentle but didn't feel silly.
February 14, 2024
* I write seriously, with effort and look forward to comments the reward, please and thank-you. *
I am so fond of this cast, all sojourns are treats. Intrigue from mysteriousness rather than crimes is the most exciting. Discovering Dimity is a real person is the premise that drew us all in, isn’t it? Not all plots are so dynamic. I enjoyed the novel but the fine details didn’t mesh. A special trait about “Aunt Dimity Takes A Holiday” is that we visit Derek’s estranged Father. Derek married Emma and became a restoration carpenter, petty reasons for a rift.
It was fun meeting his Cousins in an opulent mansion, when it was necessary to discuss the earl’s estate. Near the end Peter joins us, his first participation since he was introduced as a child. I missed Willis Senior and the Pyms but this novel was peopled aplenty. Emma enlisted Lori, whose husband was the earl’s lawyer, to watch for malice; worried someone might resent Derek’s presence. There were threats but not for him. I like the new relative but the mischief didn’t make an urgent mystery.
A storyline that came into play was of the “figure from the past” variety that I love. Alas, it entered late. We knew so little about the tacked-on topic, that clues did not build up enough to truly contribute suspense. My dismay derived primarily from the source of the falling out and its handling not passing muster.
It was said Derek that didn’t know why his Mother died, only that she had been away to receive treatment. Would he not know the cause of death at the funeral? In an obituary? In public records as an adult? Speaking with relatives? His children summering there, for Pete’s sake? It was hogwash. With one conversation, Derek’s Dad suddenly adopted a caring stance? Nancy needs to credit readers with having an eye for detail.
I am so fond of this cast, all sojourns are treats. Intrigue from mysteriousness rather than crimes is the most exciting. Discovering Dimity is a real person is the premise that drew us all in, isn’t it? Not all plots are so dynamic. I enjoyed the novel but the fine details didn’t mesh. A special trait about “Aunt Dimity Takes A Holiday” is that we visit Derek’s estranged Father. Derek married Emma and became a restoration carpenter, petty reasons for a rift.
It was fun meeting his Cousins in an opulent mansion, when it was necessary to discuss the earl’s estate. Near the end Peter joins us, his first participation since he was introduced as a child. I missed Willis Senior and the Pyms but this novel was peopled aplenty. Emma enlisted Lori, whose husband was the earl’s lawyer, to watch for malice; worried someone might resent Derek’s presence. There were threats but not for him. I like the new relative but the mischief didn’t make an urgent mystery.
A storyline that came into play was of the “figure from the past” variety that I love. Alas, it entered late. We knew so little about the tacked-on topic, that clues did not build up enough to truly contribute suspense. My dismay derived primarily from the source of the falling out and its handling not passing muster.
It was said Derek that didn’t know why his Mother died, only that she had been away to receive treatment. Would he not know the cause of death at the funeral? In an obituary? In public records as an adult? Speaking with relatives? His children summering there, for Pete’s sake? It was hogwash. With one conversation, Derek’s Dad suddenly adopted a caring stance? Nancy needs to credit readers with having an eye for detail.
December 21, 2015
Book #22 for 2015
Shortly before reading this book, I had the lovely experience of meeting Nancy Atherton and learning more about the origins of Aunt Dimity, her people, and her world. Atherton explained that it's all wish fulfillment for her, and that makes tons of sense. It also makes the books easier for me to enjoy, knowing that nothing about them is supposed to be seriously realistic. They're just great fun.
With this installment, I was pleased to see Lori getting her libido in check and showing her Bill some long-overdue appreciation. The plot seemed to be going around in circles at times, and it was all a little far-fetched, as usual, but even though this isn't my favorite in the series, it was still well worth the read. I would probably recommend this one only to people who are already emotionally invested in the series. Anyway, it was nice to start getting back on track and I look forward to getting completely caught up.
Shortly before reading this book, I had the lovely experience of meeting Nancy Atherton and learning more about the origins of Aunt Dimity, her people, and her world. Atherton explained that it's all wish fulfillment for her, and that makes tons of sense. It also makes the books easier for me to enjoy, knowing that nothing about them is supposed to be seriously realistic. They're just great fun.
With this installment, I was pleased to see Lori getting her libido in check and showing her Bill some long-overdue appreciation. The plot seemed to be going around in circles at times, and it was all a little far-fetched, as usual, but even though this isn't my favorite in the series, it was still well worth the read. I would probably recommend this one only to people who are already emotionally invested in the series. Anyway, it was nice to start getting back on track and I look forward to getting completely caught up.
July 6, 2019
This is a very easy to read series and I always enjoy the settings and culture of the English country side.
June 16, 2021
Lori Shepard accompanies her lawyer husband and her best friend’s family to discover that Lord Elstyn has called the family together to determine the future of the family and estate. Can Lori and Aunt Dimity figure out what is happening before tragedy ensues? Another typical story in the series, red herrings that are implausible until the solution is provided. Rather sad and sweet. On to the next in this series. Pleasant but that’s all.
May 26, 2022
Another great installation. Nice getting to know Derek's background. Looking forward to future stories to see where some of these story arcs are headed
June 20, 2019
In this eighth book in the Aunt Dimity series, Lori and her lawyer husband attend a grand country house for the reading of the owner's will. The family's relationships are fractious and Lori finds herself caught in the middle of a long-running feud. When death threats appear and two family members have falls while horseback-riding, it's clear that something dangerous is afoot.
January 3, 2010
Light little mystery that you can read in one sitting or less. I'd read the first Aunt Dimity a month or so back and enjoyed it, and now this one which is further down the series. It seems that missing the intermediate 7 or so didn't hurt my understanding of characters or plots much, except that Lori and Bill seemed to have gained a pair of 3 year old twin boys. That's how life is, though sometimes -- going from the blush of a proposal to the toddler years in the blink of an eye.
Anyway, the story (more story than mystery, definitely) moves along with minimal help from Aunt Dimity's ghost (though she does help provide information on what to pack for a weekend in the country and which is the correct fork to use for fish.) All one has to do to find the baddie is note which character is only described, but never earns a name until the very end of the story. But one doesn't read this kind of book for the suspense, I suppose... all in all, though, I prefer it when Lord Peter takes a holiday.
Anyway, the story (more story than mystery, definitely) moves along with minimal help from Aunt Dimity's ghost (though she does help provide information on what to pack for a weekend in the country and which is the correct fork to use for fish.) All one has to do to find the baddie is note which character is only described, but never earns a name until the very end of the story. But one doesn't read this kind of book for the suspense, I suppose... all in all, though, I prefer it when Lord Peter takes a holiday.
December 1, 2016
I do enjoy spending time with Aunt Dimity and Lori and Bill. These cozy mysteries tend to have less blood and violence and more discussions of human nature and the quest for happiness/inner peace. Lori, as usual, is all over the place with her suspicions about the poison penpal and mischief maker, but her motives are rooted in love and loyalty to people she cares about. As us common in this series, misunderstandings are at the root of most of the problems and those are sorted out with the help of Aunt Dimity. I enjoyed the addition of Clumps to Bertie and Reginald in the cast of characters.
November 10, 2016
The Aunt Dimity series is comprised of fairly short books (~200 pgs). Aunt Dimity takes a Holiday is no exception to that. In this one Lori, Bill, Emma and Derek are off to Derek's family home as the family patriarch is aging and has invited his estranged son to visit along with several other family members.
One of Derek's cousins is receiving threatening letters and soon Lori is trying to help solve the mystery.
These books are good, but not great. We have familiar characters, a slight paranormal element, and somewhat non-threatening mystery plots. A nice, fast, light read.
One of Derek's cousins is receiving threatening letters and soon Lori is trying to help solve the mystery.
These books are good, but not great. We have familiar characters, a slight paranormal element, and somewhat non-threatening mystery plots. A nice, fast, light read.
July 11, 2011
I've only read a handful of books in this series so far, but one thing I love is the range of problems. Sometimes there isn't even a crime! This one is more like a traditional mystery, with suspicious accidents and a manor full of suspects.
September 2, 2016
Aunt Dimity's friends sure have histories!
March 5, 2025
Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday by Nancy Atherton is the eighth book of the Aunt Dimity cozy mystery series set in contemporary England. Lori Shepherd's husband Bill must go to Earl Elstyn's luxurious country estate to settle legal matters. Lori comes along for vacation. Besides stuffed animal Reginald, she brings the special blue notebook she uses to communicate with Aunt Dimity.
Lori knows there is conflict within the family; her best friend Emma is married to Derek, who hates his father so much he changed his name. Emma begs Lori to help her watch over Derek, fearing for his safety.
Shortly after arrival, Lori learns that Derek's brother Simon is the one at risk. From multiple poison pen letters the danger escalates to Simon being unexpectedly thrown from his beloved horse.
Lori frequently consults Aunt Dimity, who knew the Earl's family very well, so gives good advice.
When Lori finds the source of the poison pen letters at the Elstyn estate, she needs Simon's help to dig into the past, learn who could have festered hatred. After another member of the family is injured, Lori gets serious evidence of crime. It's time to call the police - but first, the Earl summons the entire family for a confrontation. Rather startling secrets are revealed; tragic, yet providing hope for the future.
A recipe for Winnie's Treacle Tart is included. Winnie was the boys' nanny when they were small.
Lori knows there is conflict within the family; her best friend Emma is married to Derek, who hates his father so much he changed his name. Emma begs Lori to help her watch over Derek, fearing for his safety.
Shortly after arrival, Lori learns that Derek's brother Simon is the one at risk. From multiple poison pen letters the danger escalates to Simon being unexpectedly thrown from his beloved horse.
Lori frequently consults Aunt Dimity, who knew the Earl's family very well, so gives good advice.
When Lori finds the source of the poison pen letters at the Elstyn estate, she needs Simon's help to dig into the past, learn who could have festered hatred. After another member of the family is injured, Lori gets serious evidence of crime. It's time to call the police - but first, the Earl summons the entire family for a confrontation. Rather startling secrets are revealed; tragic, yet providing hope for the future.
A recipe for Winnie's Treacle Tart is included. Winnie was the boys' nanny when they were small.
November 28, 2016
I enjoy the Aunt Dimity series so I decided to read some of the ones published earlier in the series- not in any particular order though! In Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday #8 by Nancy Atherton, Lori Shepherd, Aunt Dimity and Reginald take a holiday together. They are off to Earl Elstyn's country estate, Hailesham. Bill, Lori's husband, also comes as the earl needs his attorneys of which Bill is one. Lori discovers how beautiful the earl's estate is, but also finds herself and Aunt Dimity in the middle of a family 'war'. This Aunt Dimity adventure is different than the others I have read. This one enables the reader to get to know Lori more thoroughly, and there are many more characters who have also been invited to this get together at Earl Elstyn's country estate. Lots is going on - many mysteries to be solved! 4.5 Quite exciting!
May 19, 2025
Despite starting on book 8 of the series, I enjoyed reading this story. It is a pleasant, cozy mystery; easily enjoyed on a cold or rainy day with a nice blanket and a good cup of coffee. It is an easy read with a casual pace, so for the speed reader, it could be consumed in a matter of a day or two. I was a little confused on how Dimity spoke through the book, but I have set my confusion aside for now until I can read book 1 where I am sure Atherton explains this. Aside from this, one does not have to read the other books within the series to start with this one.
Again, due to its pleasantries and casual pace, I look forward to reading the others within the series. However, I may reserve them for when I am in between challenging, studious books to give my brain a relaxing break. In summary, I highly recommend this book, and I am grateful to have it as a part of my collection.
Again, due to its pleasantries and casual pace, I look forward to reading the others within the series. However, I may reserve them for when I am in between challenging, studious books to give my brain a relaxing break. In summary, I highly recommend this book, and I am grateful to have it as a part of my collection.
November 7, 2017
Lori Shepherd's neighbors Derek and Emma are summoned to Hailesham Park for a family reunion. But this is not an ordinary reunion since Derek has been estranged from his father for 20 years. Lori and her husband, Bill, will also be going as Bill is one of Lord Elstyn's lawyers. Soon after meeting all of the family Lori learns that Derek's cousin, Simon, has been receiving threatening notes. More notes arrive and a topiary is burned and accidents occur. Lori and Simon try to solve the mystery with Aunt Dimity's ghostly advise. Not a great mystery but all the regulars get a chance to unfold more of their background. And again Lori is momentarily tempted with an attractive man. I wish the author would leave this need for a triangle out of her mysteries.
August 8, 2018
Lori's best friend invites her to her husband's family estate. Lori agrees to go along to be emotional support for her friend, Emma, who has never met her husband's family. Then Lori finds out her husband Bill has been summoned to the same estate in his professional capacity as a lawyer.
Between poison pen letters, a burning bush and mysterious accidents is any safe at the estate? Lori has to uncover some family secrets to protect her friends.
This is a fun, quick-read series. The main character often jumps to conclusions way to soon, but don't we all. The use of Aunt Dimity's spirit living in a journal as Lori's guide and sometimes conscious is a unique twist on the cozy mystery formula.
Between poison pen letters, a burning bush and mysterious accidents is any safe at the estate? Lori has to uncover some family secrets to protect her friends.
This is a fun, quick-read series. The main character often jumps to conclusions way to soon, but don't we all. The use of Aunt Dimity's spirit living in a journal as Lori's guide and sometimes conscious is a unique twist on the cozy mystery formula.
August 7, 2024
I had read some Aunt Dimity mysteries (the first one is awesome) and enjoyed them but put them aside for several years.
Piked this one up in the library and it reminded me why I like them and why I don't.
Like- the wording. She's witty. "I wanted to savor the tranquility while it lasted. It lasted for precisely 7 minutes." Plots are tight, not too fluffy. Some food for thought.
Dislike- Why did the author have Lori get married if she is always going to be lusting after varied attractive men in every book?
Why is she a mother if she usually punts the kids off to a nanny every time she goes to solve a mystery?
Why is there a weird relationship between the underage Nell and Kit? Creepy to say the least.
Piked this one up in the library and it reminded me why I like them and why I don't.
Like- the wording. She's witty. "I wanted to savor the tranquility while it lasted. It lasted for precisely 7 minutes." Plots are tight, not too fluffy. Some food for thought.
Dislike- Why did the author have Lori get married if she is always going to be lusting after varied attractive men in every book?
Why is she a mother if she usually punts the kids off to a nanny every time she goes to solve a mystery?
Why is there a weird relationship between the underage Nell and Kit? Creepy to say the least.
April 9, 2020
This has been my least favorite book so far though I still really like the series.
I found the story was a little bit scattered, several red herrings, but the culprit was found at the 11th hour. Seems Derek’s old nanny (Winnie) was upset because she thought Cousin Simon was trying to become the next Lord, taking what rightfully belonged to Derek. She tried to kill Simon and mistakenly, Nell.
She was revealed at the end and place in a mental ward.
The lordship skipped Derek and Peter became next in line. He asked Simon to stay on and help him, giving conniving Gina the boot, Nell returned to Paris and Kit returned to Finch.
All wrapped up neatly.
I found the story was a little bit scattered, several red herrings, but the culprit was found at the 11th hour. Seems Derek’s old nanny (Winnie) was upset because she thought Cousin Simon was trying to become the next Lord, taking what rightfully belonged to Derek. She tried to kill Simon and mistakenly, Nell.
She was revealed at the end and place in a mental ward.
The lordship skipped Derek and Peter became next in line. He asked Simon to stay on and help him, giving conniving Gina the boot, Nell returned to Paris and Kit returned to Finch.
All wrapped up neatly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2021
In this outing of the Aunt Dimity cozy mystery series, Lori & Bill, Emma, Derek &Nell are all summoned to the country estate of Lord Elstyn, for the reading of the lord's new will. Derek has hidden that he is the son of Lord Elstyn. All the cousins descend and then a series of poison pen letters turn up and serious accidents start to occur. It's up to Lori and her spectral Aunt Dimity to solve the mystery. A thoroughly enjoyable read - in these trying times, sometimes I just want to relax into a comfortable book, a hot cup of tea and a pepparkakor cookie. Each book ends with a dessert recipe.
August 25, 2021
When Lori’s husband Bill is summoned to the reading of a will at the country estate of Earl Elstyn. When Bill & Lori arrive, they find the grounds ablaze, poison pen letters have been received. Does someone hold a grudge against the family? A suspicious maid who has serious mental problems as it turns out and family secrets abound. Nell is seriously hurt when she is thrown from a horse, the second such accident in two days. Lori as usual has brought Reginald, the fluffy pink rabbit and her trusty blue journal, that she uses to correspond with Aunt Dimity. Not a great story, but Aunt Dimity was more prominent than in previous books.
February 23, 2022
I got this from a "blind date" event at my local library and I was very pleasantly surprised to find how much I enjoyed this! I've never read an Aunt Dimity book, but I'm going to check out more in this series. I find it quite ironic that I've been learning about British aristocracy and I got a book that revolves around the inheritance of a manor- happy ironic, that is! It's refreshing to see how an American reacts to the world of wealth and decadence that's also not as decadent as it once was, as I've felt very similar in the past couple of months that I've been exploring the topic. I tried to solve the mystery along with Lori but I totally got it wrong, but I'm happy with the outcome!
January 26, 2024
Lori Shepherd accompanies lawyer husband, Bill to the Earl of Elstyn estate for a will reading. Lori is astounded to learn their neighbour, Derek Harris is the heir to the estate. This means her good friend, Emma Harris will be in attendance for the weekend at Elstyn estate also. When Lori and Bill arrive to fire, obviously lit by an arsonist, they begin to worry. This is followed by other incidents and Lori fears for the safety of her friends and neighbours. With Aunt Dimity's help (via the diary) Lori wades through the history of the family to learn the truth about the former Earl, the estate and rest of the Elstyn family. As usual, a great read.
January 29, 2018
I'm rounding up about half a star.
This installment in the Aunt Dimity Mystery series is much like the others. I enjoyed another visit with the main series characters and two of the more original secondary characters (Kit Smith and Nell Harris), and also got to meet a few new ones. Two of the series tropes -- Lori's wandering eye and her tendency to jump to conclusions -- turn up again, which I found a little tiresome. But the mystery is reasonably well handled and the conclusion, as usual, satisfactory.
This installment in the Aunt Dimity Mystery series is much like the others. I enjoyed another visit with the main series characters and two of the more original secondary characters (Kit Smith and Nell Harris), and also got to meet a few new ones. Two of the series tropes -- Lori's wandering eye and her tendency to jump to conclusions -- turn up again, which I found a little tiresome. But the mystery is reasonably well handled and the conclusion, as usual, satisfactory.
September 11, 2020
Challenge: RRRCs November 2019 (very belated)- moral fortitude (2); RRRCs Stacking the Series - Aunt Dimity Mysteries/Book 8. Five days of vacation finds Lori embroiled in the family life of her best friend Emma. Chaos, family misunderstandings, secrets, childhood memories, and mental illness reek havoc in the structure of a family. Yet, in this case, the strength of this series does not fail to heal all wrongs by bringing family together in truth, and to recognize the worth of all involved as each person seeks what he or she is meant to do in life. Another very satisfying read.
July 2, 2017
I guess if you like this kind of cheesy mystery, this is a great book. However, this book let me know that the cozy mystery category is not for me. There were a lot of characters. Some were married to each other's, some were siblings, some were children, ... it was tough at times to figure out the different relationships between all these characters at this estate. I was glad to finish and this 199 page book felt like 999.
June 8, 2018
Nice concept, a diary that can give you advice and help with problems because the once-time owner can now write her information when you write in your diary. This is the first Autn Dimity I read so I was not aware of much of the background suggested in the book. I did like the mystery and thought the ending was interesting. I will probably read more in this series. I do not particularly like English books, but this one was easy to follow and the vernacular clearer than many other books.
May 21, 2019
This is another in the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton. In this episode, a neighbor and dear friend asked for the heroine to come to her husband's family's estate for a family get together. When she arrives our heroine sees part of the prized topiary collection on fire. From that point, the story gets more dire and the mystery evolves. I've gotten fonder of the series as I go along and look forward to the next one.
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