About five years ago I read Aunt Dimity's Christmas which I had picked up at a charity book sale. All I really remember about that book was that there was a spirit that gave advice. Even though I haven't read any other books in the Aunt Dimity mystery series, I decided to pick up the latest book in the series Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage. It's book 25 in the series but I don't need to read the previous books.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.
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| May 2022; Dreamscape Media; audio (6h 26m), ebook, print; cozy mystery |
I love cozy mysteries but I don't read a lot of "paranormal" cozies which is probably why I haven't really sought out this series. But I wouldn't really classify this series as paranormal. Yes, there is a spirit that lives in a journal where the main character Lori shares details of the mystery. Aunt Dimity was a friend of Lori's grandmother. There is some explanation about Aunt Dimity and the journal - I didn't fully get it but decided just to go with the flow. Other than this spirit there is nothing else that would be close to "paranormal" in the book.
Another difference between this cozy mystery and others that I read is that there isn't a murder - there isn't really even a crime. The village of Finch has a new resident. He has rented a cottage where previous occupants have found love, hence the reference to the enchanted cottage. The older gentleman is mysterious - moving in with a few boxes (some oddly shaped) and keeps to himself. It is driving the curious residents crazy. I would call them busybodies. A group of them sits across the street at the tea shop to watch his front door. They do seem to have good intentions as they fear that he is lonely and may harm himself. But getting to know their new neighbor is just the first step in the mystery.
I liked that there wasn't a death to investigate - I'm sure it helps to keep this long-running series from feeling a bit silly with residents, visitors, etc dying in each book. I also liked that Lori is a mom. A lot of cozy mystery sleuths are single or empty-nesters. She has a toddler who is with her a lot.
Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage had a vibe similar to M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series. If you are a fan of Agatha Raisin and haven't given the Aunt Dimity series a chance, you should definitely pick it up.
The story was easy to follow as an audiobook. Christina Moore did a good job as narrator. All the characters have their own voice and it was easy to tell them apart. She also read Lisa Lutz's Spellmans series which I listened to.
If you are looking for a light read in a charming English village, then you should read this book.
Buy Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage at Amazon
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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