Inconsistencies abound in this next installment of Why is Sarah Reading Books She Can't Stand?

Bree has a bit too much of a chip on her shoulder in this one. The author tries to set up a situation in which she falls for Jack despite her best intentions not to but this ultra-harsh character doesn't mesh with the mature and considerate Bree of the last book. Plus, the match-making trope is too obvious.

This one ended up coming in almost last place on my list of "favorites" by Atherton. The "mystery" was so ridiculous and far-fetched that it wasn't even fun and the perps came off as pretty creepy. (Of course, he/she/they are perfectly normal in the next book with no one seeing the creepy but me, I guess...)

I grabbed the rest of what the library had the other day and started the book after this one. I'm probably gonna need to be done after the one I'm on though because I'm starting to lose respect for myself... ( )

I always love visiting Finch and this time was no exception. Are these great mysteries? No, but if you've become a part of the village over the last 19 books then it is always enjoyable to go back. ( )

If you're looking for a cozy mystery set in the English countryside with a cast of likeable characters and an ending that will make you smile, this is your next read! In the 19th Aunt Dimity mystery, Lori Shepard and the tight-knit village of Finch are burying one of the townsfolk when they meet Jack MacBride, the surprise nephew of the gentleman who passed away. When Jack is given the task of fixing up his uncle's house in order to sell it, an old wishing well is discovered in the back yard. What ensues is a frenzy of wishes and the chaotic aftermath that only Aunt Dimity can help Lori sort through. Although this wasn't my favorite Aunt Dimity mystery, I still sunk right into it and closed it with a smile on my face as usual.

Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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Nancy Atherton should be crowned the Queen of the Cozy Mysteries. She has once again created a mystery- without have to have someone murdered- a much more genteel genre of books!

Her latest installment includes a wishing well that actually seems to grant wishes, though Lori and Dimity have their doubts, and that is where the mystery begins. Again the idyllic little town of Finch is besieged by the wishees (those who complete the wishes) and the wishers (the actual townsfolk). All seems fine until the wishes actually start coming true! You’ll have to read to find out what happens and how it all turns out in the end, but rest assured that it is great fun to live vicariously through this seemingly sweet little village’s upheaval.
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A wishing well and wishes are center to this cozy mystery set in the Cotswolds. A wishing well, long covered by overgrown vines, comes to light along with a place the says 'Speak and your wish will be granted'.

While helping newly arrived Australian, Jack MacBride, clear and clean up his late uncle's overgrown garden, Lori jokingly wishes for clear weather and her wish is granted the next day. This starts the parade of villagers to see the long closed off garden and surreptitiously make their wishes at the well. Wishes that are magically granted.

Getting their wishes may make them happy, but some of the repercussions have the opposite effect and cause major upheavals within the tight knit village.

How are these wishes being granted? Is the well really magical, or is there a puppeteer pulling strings and why. Questions without simple answers. Even mysterious Aunt Dimity can't answer them, but she can give Lori hints in an otherworldly way.

I find I have an older book by Nancy Atherton on my shelves, from this series and am looking forward to reading it very soon. ( )