Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil

This series is light and airy, a real pleasure reading. A great difference from the classic English mystery but just as interesting. A great gift for the mystery lover. A wonderful read.

Any Aunt Dimity is a ghost story of course but this one is much more. Nancy Atherton has woven a perfect gothic plot. All the elements are present: forbidden stirrings, revenge, lost loves, war, death, mysterious stranger, a bad marriage, a fainting virgin and things that go bump in the night. The author leaves nothing out. I was hooked from the first few pages and couldn't put it down. As Lori falls under the thrall of the spirits of the house and the seduction of the mysterious stranger I found myself shouting, "Listen to your aunt! Don't do this!" I was completely involved in the tale. This plot is more action filled than some of her earlier Dimity novels. It ventures a bit away from the sweet English cozy adding a pinch of spice to the mix.I recommend this to all the fans of the series and new readers too.

My title says it all - I read this during Inauguration Weekend (in DC - wet, cold, snow, sleet) hunkered down on the couch with hot chocolate and popcorn. The story was believable; Lori's familiarity with "unearthly" things was fun but there was just enough of a spook there to give you a little chill up the spine. Aunt Dimity wasn't present that much and I thought I would miss her and Lori's family but didn't. The mark of a great series to me is when the main character can go to another setting without the supporting characters and keep my attention. You know, like when Jessica Fletcher leaves Cabot Cove I'm not that interested. But in Maine, she shines like a jewel. Hope this helps.

When Lori Shepard leaves her home to evaluate a library in the wilds of the border country, she does so to do a favor for her friend Stan, and to take a little time away from her twin toddlers. She doesn't expect to be influenced by another less friendly ghost. Once again, Aunt Dimity comes to the rescue, but not without alot of plot twists and turns. This is a great book and I recommend it highly.

Expatriate American Lori Shepherd leaves her Cotswold home to drive to Northumberland to evaluate the Wyrdhurst library rare book collection. However, instead of arriving safely at the Hall, a landslide caused by a torrential storm leads to an accident. Writer Adam Chase takes the unconscious Lori to his hovel. When Lori awakens, she feels an attraction to her rescuer that in turn makes her feel guilty since she just left her beloved spouse with their twin toddlers.Still, Lori goes about her business and begins to scrutinize the collection. Soon, Lori hears eerie laughter and finds a cache of love letters written by Claire Byrd and W.W.I vet Edward Cresswell, who died in combat. However, an apparent ghost and someone knocking out Adam disturb the serenity of her work. With hints of treasure hidden in the castle, Lori with the help of her spirited Aunt Dimity begins a different type of investigation that could prove dangerous to this amateur sleuth.On first glance, AUNT DIMITY BEATS THE DEVIL sounds inane, but talented Nancy Atherton turns the tale into an entertaining otherworldly cozy. The story line is simply fun to read due to the strong support cast enabling the lead couple (Lori and Aunt Dimity) to excel. The "dialogue" between Lori and Aunt Dimity is often humorous, but also retains a seriousness that embellishes the plot. Unlike many English cozies, AUNT DIMITY BEATS THE DEVIL contains plenty of action, but the novel as with the previous five books in this series belongs to its two stars.Harriet Klausner