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series Reading Order

Aunt Dimity Books in Order

25 Books
1992 – 2015 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start the Aunt Dimity Series

For the best experience, readers should start the series with the very first book, Aunt Dimity's Death (1992). While the mysteries are cozy and gentle, the relationships, family dynamics, and the protagonist Lori Shepherd's personal life evolve significantly across the novels. Reading them out of order can lead to major spoilers regarding Lori's marriage, children, and her connection to the local villagers in the fictional English village of Finch.

The Prequel Question: Aunt Dimity and the Duke

The second book, Aunt Dimity and the Duke (1994), is occasionally labeled by retailers as a prequel. However, it is not a prequel in the traditional timeline sense. Instead of focusing on Lori Shepherd, it follows a different protagonist, Emma Porter, who travels to a gothic mansion and discovers her own connection to Aunt Dimity. This book introduces key recurring characters and establishes Finch as the central hub for the rest of the series. It is highly recommended to read it in its published position as book two.

Aunt Dimity Books in Publication Order

Follow this publication sequence to watch the cozy world of Finch expand and to track the growth of Lori's family:

  1. Aunt Dimity's Death (1992)
  2. Aunt Dimity and the Duke (1994)
  3. Aunt Dimity's Good Deed (1996)
  4. Aunt Dimity Digs In (1998)
  5. Aunt Dimity's Christmas (1999)
  6. Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil (2000)
  7. Aunt Dimity: Detective (2001)
  8. Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday (2003)
  9. Aunt Dimity: Snowbound (2004)
  10. Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin (2005)
  11. Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea (2006)
  12. Aunt Dimity Goes West (2007)
  13. Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter (2008)
  14. Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (2009)
  15. Aunt Dimity Down Under (2010)
  16. Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree (2010)
  17. Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch (2012)
  18. Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince (2013)
  19. Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well (2014)
  20. Aunt Dimity and the Summer King (2015)
  21. Aunt Dimity and the Buried Treasure (2016)
  22. Aunt Dimity and the Widow's Curse (2017)
  23. Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom (2018)
  24. Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold (2019)
  25. Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage (2022)

Aunt Dimity Series Characteristics

Nancy Atherton’s books stand out in the cozy mystery genre for several distinct reasons:

  • Murder-Free Mysteries: Unlike typical cozy mysteries, very few Aunt Dimity books feature a violent crime. The mysteries are instead emotional puzzles, historical secrets, missing heirlooms, or family misunderstandings.
  • The Ghostly Journal: Aunt Dimity is not a visible ghost. She communicates with Lori by writing in a blue leather-bound journal, with her words appearing on the pages in a graceful blue script.
  • Recipes Included: Every novel in the series features an appendix containing a recipe for a bread, pastry, or cake that is featured prominently in the story.

Series Status and Future Books

The latest published book in the series is Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage, which was released in 2022. Author Nancy Atherton has openly communicated with her fans regarding a long hiatus caused by writer's block and personal challenges. She has confirmed that the 26th installment is in progress, although no official release date has been set.

Frequently Asked

QDo I have to read the Aunt Dimity books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. While each mystery is self-contained, Lori's personal life, her family, and the relationships within the village of Finch progress continuously from book to book.

QIs Aunt Dimity a real ghost?

Aunt Dimity is the late Dimity Westwood, a family friend of Lori's mother. She acts as a benevolent spirit who communicates solely by writing in a blue leather-bound journal, helping Lori solve gentle mysteries.

QWhy is Aunt Dimity and the Duke called a prequel?

Some retailers label Aunt Dimity and the Duke as a prequel because it focuses on a different main character, Emma Porter, rather than Lori Shepherd. However, it fits chronologically as the second book and sets up the village of Finch.

QIs the village of Finch a real place?

No, the village of Finch, located in the Cotswolds, is entirely fictional. Nancy Atherton based its cozy, warm atmosphere on her own love for traditional English country life.

QAre there recipes in the Aunt Dimity books?

Yes, each book contains a tried-and-true recipe at the end, usually for a bread or pastry that plays a role in the story, such as Aunt Dimity's signature oatmeal cookies or seed cake.

QIs Nancy Atherton still writing the Aunt Dimity series?

Yes. While the latest book, Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage, came out in 2022, Atherton has confirmed on her official website that she is currently writing the 26th book after overcoming writer's block.