Of the four Aunt Dimity books I've read, this was definitely my least favorite. The plot and "big surprise" at the end were both predictable from almost the very beginning. But more than that, there was some things that really irritated me about the author's take on certain things.

#1: Nell. Nell is a 12 year old friend of the family. We learn about her in book two when we're introduced to the unimaginable character of 5 year old Nell. At 12, she's even more unbelievable. I'm a mother of 9. I've known a LOT of 12 year old kids. None of them think, react, or reason the way Nell does. At times, she's more mature than I am. By no stretch of the imagination can her character possibly be believable and that makes every encounter with her extremely irritating.

#2: Lori. Newly married Lori can't seem to see that her husband's "workaholic" behaviour is for her. Because that's what guys who are supporting their families on one income do---they work hard. Further, it's extremely hypocritical, immature, and self-centered of her to be galavanting all over England and making out with other guys while reaming out her hard-working husband at every opportunity. If this author is trying to endear me to her characters, she's doing a sucky job of it.

#3: Stuffed Animals. What is it with the stuffed animals? Why does adult Lori feel the need to take her stuffed rabbit everywhere? Why, if super-mature Nell is so much more enlightened than the rest of the cast of characters, does she still carry her bear everywhere, dress him up, and talk to him as if he were human? Why do the other adults indulge this by talking to her through the bear? Then there's the English nobleman...with a stuffed giraffe. PLEASE.

I disliked this book so much that if I hadn't already read bad reviews on the first few books in the series by people who said the later ones get way better, I'd probably abandon the series right here. I do have books 4-6 sitting here from the library but I have something else to read first for a review. I'm almost welcoming the break. ( )

Good deed, indeed. This installment was enjoyable only for my love of the characters and the charm of making one believe again in childhood things. Things just got a little too goody-goody this time, even for a cozy. Regardless for my love of Nancy Drew, I don't like to see such fluff in an adult mystery. It reminds me of ND hunting down a clock.
No dead bodies this round, just Lori on a ridiculous quest to hunt down her father in law via a long chase. Next time call ahead, Lori, and save a good deal of trouble. ( )

I didn't like this one at all. The protagonist is a brainless twit, there isn't really a mystery, and it was so slight I wonder why the author even bothered. The only good thing about this book was the butterscotch brownie recipe at the end, which I made this evening, and they turned out pretty well. ( )

I had fun with this. It fit my mood. A very quick read. Solutions easily sussed early on. ( )

I have read about 10 of the books from this series, and if this book was the first one I had read, it would have been my last. Nothing happens. It is a serious non-event. YAWN. ( )