ISBN: 0-7887-4414-3 Order from: Recorded Books
A predictable romance with paranormal aspects, it features a likable protagonist but suffers from a contrived and predictable plot.
Reviewed by David on June 15, 2003
Genre: Romance (Paranormal)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Aunt Dimity's Death.
Lori Shepherd has run into tough times after her mother's death. Widowed early, Lori's mother raised her by herself, and was always Lori's example of strength and love.
Now divorced, out of work, and almost out of money, it is the loneliness that strikes Lori the hardest.
When a prestigious firm of attorneys contact her, Lori is flabbergasted. It seems that a fictional character, the indomitable Aunt Dimity featured in so many of her mother's stories, was actually based on a real person, one her mother met decades ago. And now, after Dimity's death, her estate is willing to pay Lori to collect and publish the Aunt Dimity stories.
Stunned by the secrets that her mother kept from her for decades, Lori agrees to the request. Her trip to England allows her to discover many things about her mother, Dimity, and even the attorneys that handle the unusual request.
Full Review: The book starts off with some suspense—Lori discovers new things about her mother, and is then asked to investigate a secret in Dimity's life. Alas, the mysteries soon become obvious to the reader, and leave the narrative with little suspense. The romantic aspects of the case predominate, but even that seems to lack in tension and energy. The old secret, that Lori strives to uncover, is unfortunately also fairly apparent, and the supernatural aspects associated with it lack excitement or fear.
On the whole, the book seems contrived, with characters forced to act out predictable and melodramatic plot. While there are some nice descriptions of war-time Britain, there are more exciting paranormal romances on the shelves.
Overall: 4; Plot: 4; Characters: 5; Style: 4.5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1992, Recorded Books, 2000, Audio cassette, 5 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-4414-3 Order from: Recorded Books