What neither Bill nor Lori know is that while they were off in the colonies, Prunella Hooper, more affectionately known as Pruneface, was attacked with a blunt object and killed. Prunella was a local busybody with a vindictive streak and most everyone in town had a reason to hate her. The prime suspect becomes the groom, Kit Smith, from the manor estate that adjoins Lori's cottage. Lori and Kit have been close friends for sometime and she immediately rushes to his defense with the help of Aunt Dimity.

Aunt Dimity is the former owner of Lori's cottage, and Lori's mother's best friend from their younger days. Aunt Dimity is also now a ghost who communicates with Lori through a blank journal that has pages that fill with the old woman's sage advice as Lori muses to her out loud. This time, Lori also has the help of the vicar's nephew, Nicholas, a self-defense instructor who expresses an attraction to the young housewife. The two set out making calls in the village under the guise of delivering gilded gingerbread for Easter, trying to determine who had the biggest secret that Prunella may have been holding over them. The duo's investigation raises more than suspicions, it also raises the eyebrows of quite a few residents who suddenly find themselves concerned for Lori's virtue.

Aunt Dimity: Detective is a delightfully old fashioned cozy set in a town many might wish to live in. Even though everyone knows everyone's business, there is an undercurrent of sincere caring for the neighbors in the small town. Lori shows a very human side as she admits her attraction to Nicholas to both Nicholas and her husband. yet Lori feels that she and her husband benefit from such frank honesty and believes their relationship cannot be harmed by these feelings. While there are many petty squabbles among the neighbors, what Lori and Nicholas learn helps Lori get the neighbors to confront their grievances, air them and realize what is really important.

Though there are many viable suspects with a variety of motives, the murder does not take center stage, especially since there are very few people sorry to see Prunella dead. When Lori has seen all differences settled and reveals her theory, the police and townspeople alike feel abashed at not seeing the truth sooner and suspecting their friends and neighbors. Aunt Dimity offers loving wisdom on both the murder investigation and Lori's possible entanglement with Nicholas. As with all good cozies, all's well that ends well and Bill returns to Finch where all will live happily ever after…until Aunt Dimity writes again.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry