Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday (Aunt Dimity Series #8) » (~)

Nancy Atherton is the author of twelve other Aunt Dimity mysteries, many of them bestsellers. The first book in the series, Aunt Dimity's Death, was voted "One of the Century's 100 Favorite Mysteries" by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

When Lori Shepherd's husband, Bill, is summoned to the reading of a will at the resplendent country estate of Earl Elstyn, Lori jumps at the chance to come along. She didn't expect, however, to find herself entangled in a messy—and dangerous—family dispute. The aristocratic earl has called together the entire Elstyn family to disclose the beneficiaries of his fortune, and all present will be affected. But someone has a grudge against the Elstyns and will stop at nothing for revenge.

A burning topiary, a suspicious maid, family secrets, and threatening notes lead Lori to seek her phantom Aunt Dimity's help in identifying the culprit before he or she can torch the whole house—with the guests in it.

Author Biography: Nancy Atherton is the author of nine Aunt Dimity mysteries, including Aunt Dimity: Snowbound.

The Washington Post

The setting is delicious: Readers get to spend a weekend at a posh English manor via descriptions of everything from the furnishings to the dresses, meals and even the closet space. But Atherton wastes few words and maintains a rapid pace as she gradually reveals the truth, making for a very enjoyable read. — Katy Munger