Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon-Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon
Nancy Atherton
Viking, Feb 2009, $24.95
ISBN 9780670020508

All the residents of Finch in the Cotswolds even transplanted American Lori Shepherd and her ghostly roommate Aunt Dimity is excited with the preparations for summer when Calvin Malvern announces plans to host a Renaissance Faire. Everyone is euphoric with the idea of wearing historical garb while Calvin as King Wilfred the Good and his team of misfits prepare his uncle’s land for the gala.

Everyone loves the fun except village manager and busybody Peggy Taxman and Lori’s husband Bill who detest the Faire concept. At the Faire Lori's twin sons have a great time jousting while she enjoys dressing in costume and eating the food. However, Calvin has several near lethal accidents that Lori believes is the work of an assassin while Aunt Dimity tries to slow her down from drawing false conclusions that could place her in danger too.

Die hard fans and newcomers of this paranormal English village cozy will appreciate the latest Aunt Dimitry and Lori collaboration although the expatriate Yank still recklessly jumps head first into the fire from the frying pan in spite of her spirit teammate warning her to be cautious. Still quirky and well written, AUNT DIMITRY SLAYS THE DRAGONS is a fine amateur sleuth mystery, and readers who have shared tea with the paranormal heroine and the curt American over the course of thirteen know what to expect.

Harriet Klausner