Aunt Dimity's Christmas - Hardcover

Atherton, Nancy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1574902601 ISBN 13: 9781574902600

Publisher: Thomas t Beeler, 2000

Synopsis

Cozy mystery lovers' favorite ghost brings the spirit of Christmas to a story of secrets, love, and renewal. "Immerse yourself in delight." --Caroline Hart

This latest in the Aunt Dimity series offers Nancy Atherton's fans the perfect treat to top their Christmas list. Never has her "irresistible blend of romance, suspense and the supernatural" (Minneapolis Star Tribune) held more appeal than in this touching tale of her lovable heroine's Christmas wish and the truths it teaches her.

Lori Shepard's plans for a perfect family Christmas are derailed when a mysterious charismatic stranger collapses in the driveway of her cozy English cottage. While the nearby village of Finch prepares to celebrate the season with a nativity play on Christmas Eve, Lori teams up with Julian Bright--a devilishly attractive Roman Catholic priest--to search for the stranger's identity. Their journey takes them from hospital wards to homeless shelters to insane asylums, places where the Christmas star shines dimly, if at all. As Lori unveils the tragic secret that led the stranger to her door, she confronts painful truths about herself and discovers the real meaning of a perfect family Christmas.

"How do you describe an Aunt Dimity mystery . . . the real magic is in the storytelling. This enchanting series is as cozy as a warm fire on a winter's night."--The Denver Post

About this title

About the Author

Nancy Atherton is the bestselling author of eighteen other Aunt Dimity mysteries. The first book in the series, Aunt Dimitys Death, was voted One of the Centurys 100 Favorite Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

From Kirkus Reviews

Lori Shepherd lives in England, in the village of Finch, with husband Bill and nine-month twins. She owns her pretty cottage and a considerable fortune besidesa legacy from her mother's long-dead friend Dimity Westwood, who still gives advice and support via ghostly writing in a blue leather journal (Aunt Dimity Digs In, 1998, etc.). Christmas is near and Lori is deep in elaborate preparations when, one snowy morning, a man is found on the ground outsideskeletal, shabbily dressed, and barely alive. Airlifted to the nearest hospital, he shows few signs of recovery, but Lori is intrigued, not to say obsessed, by the mystery of his appearance and is determined to ferret out his identity. Her interest is shared by Father Julian Bright, a local priest who runs St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter. Christmas plans take a back seat as Lori and Julian track their quarry back through a series of men's sheltersall near WWII bomber bases. What is the connection to the war medals and ribbons found with the derelict? Finally, research helpers bring Julian and Lori to London and the home of Lady Haverford, daughter of bomber hero Sir Miles Anscombe and sister of Christopher, the ailing tramp. She refuses to help her brother and accuses him of having driven their father to suicide. Back in Finch, Lori finds that her neighbors have done all the work for her Christmas party and that Aunt Dimity is eager to provide answers to all her unanswered questions, leaving Lori to contemplate some major changes in her own life. Interesting ideas narrated in a bright, literate style, but burdened by much treacly preaching and an obsession that remains unconvincing throughout. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thomas t Beeler
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1574902601
• ISBN 13: 9781574902600
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 209