Reviews

Detective by Nancy Atherton

deidrelj's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

emma_reading_love's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 The Aunt Dimity books are one of my favorite cozy series. Though, honestly, I fell in love with them by reading the most recent books first. Then I moved backward through the series for a few books, and then I read book one. Now I’m slowly catching up to where I left off when I was reading them backwards. Anyway, I say all this, because I enjoyed the more recent books much more than these first few. There are some tropes the author visits repeatedly in the first few books that get tiresome after a while. But I still loved being in Finch and hanging out with Lori Shepherd and hearing Aunt Dimity’s wisdom throughout this book. I would say if you've tried this series and put it down after a few books, then try reading Aunt Dimity and The Heart of Gold, that’s my favorite one, plus it’s a Christmas novel, which is always fun. 

crafalsk264's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is the 7th book in the Aunt Dimity Series. I have become a follower of this cozy mystery series and am spacing out the books so I am reading approximately one book per month.

Lori Shepherd has just returned from a 3 month trip to America. Coming home she is greeted by the first murder in the village of Finch since 1872. Unfortunately no one seems to be mourning Prunella (Prune-Face) who held the record as the worse gossip in Finch and its environs. She seeks out the most damaging secret of everyone and then dangling it over the person’s head or engaging in a gentle form of blackmail. Nicholas (Nicky) is the nephew of the vicar’s wife. Nick seems to be a wounded champion who it is easy to trust and to nurture. They set out to find Prune-face’s killer and neutralize the gossip she had been spreading.

My only complaint is that once again , we have a story with an absence of Bill (husband) and Lori becoming infatuated with a handsome young man who joins her as an investigative partner. This trope was sort of amusing in the first couple of books but it has not aged well. I am hoping that the next books will abandon this plot element and move on with something fresh. However the mystery plot was a nice theme and the conclusion was an entertaining resolution. Recommend to readers of cozy mysteries, paranormal, thriller and British literature.

marlo_c's review

3.0

Another quick, easy read following the same pattern as the others I've read. Not terrific, but a decent distraction.

morgan_watches_birds's review

3.0

This one had a slow start and really was a little silly, but I liked the cozy feel of Finch. Not great, not terrible. Hoping the next book is better, but this one wasn't a waste of time.

traeh's review

4.0

I find Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity books wholly charming. This one did not disappoint. I enjoyed learning more personal history of the residents of Finch. And I appreciate knowing when I open a Dimity book that I will close it with a happy sigh knowing everything has been tied up and resolved. I would not call it a moving work of literature, but it is an engaging, enjoyable, and generally lighthearted story.

whewtaewoon's review

3.5

Upon her return from a family vacation in the states, Lori finds out that one of citizens of her beloved Finch has committed murder. Who exactly did it no one knows, but when suspicion falls upon her friend Kit, Lori decides to get involved. 

Yet again Lori finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and feeling drawn to a man distinctly not her own husband. 

I thought this book was very funny & I was glad to spend more time with the citizens of Finch. 

cholderly's review against another edition

mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

felecia's review

3.0

An actual murder in the village. Lori and the vicar' s nephew are on the case. Minimal Dimity.

readmore's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5