An odd mixture of mystery, romance, and supernatural. The basic story is not too bad although it is much more romance than mystery - a bit smarmy. Now, the supernatural portion (ghost writing in diary?) just does not work for me. It doesn't fit with the contemporary, realistic setting of the story - completely unbelievable and just plain weird. ( )

Lori Shepherd is shocked when she discovers her "Aunt" Dimity has died. Shocked because she thought Aunt Dimity was a character her mother made up in bedtime stories. When Lori visits the law firm handling Dimity's estate, she discovers that Dimity wants her to travel to England and stay at her cottage while reading letters sent by her mother and Dimity and write a forward to Dimity's collection of stories. Lori can use a change; she is still reeling from the end of her marriage and her mother's unexpected death. Little does she realize this trip will change her life in many ways.

"Aunt Dimity's Death" is surprisingly multi-layered for the first book in an ongoing series. It's billed as a mystery, but it's more of a love story: not only a new romance for Lori; but romance during World War II (some of which end happily and many that don't); the love between a mother and child; and love between people who never met yet know of each other. It also has a touch of the supernatural, as Aunt Dimity's spirit is very much alive and, in a clever gimmick, is able to "talk" to Lori by writing in a journal. Finally, it's a novel about discovery, as Lori learns many things, not only about herself but also about her mother.

This is an excellent start to the Aunt Dimity mystery series. ( )

A cosy mystery, and by 'cosy' I mean 'vomit inducing'. I actually bought it because I thought it might do for my mother, but it arrived too late for her birthday, so I read it instead. Just as well, as she wouldn't have enjoyed it. Not that my mother likes anything much. Oh … wait. ( )

Easy reading, light and good

Charming mystery. Very cozy. ( )