| The
Wishing Well begins with the funeral of Hector Huggins
the only villager in Finch who was a stranger. Huggins wasn’t
mean, he just liked being alone. He also enjoyed bird watching
and fishing. Huggins nephew, Jack MacBride, arrives during
the funeral. He just flew in from Australia and his first
impression makes it clear he is nothing like his uncle. Jack
moves into his uncle’s cottage; his goal is to fix it
up and sell it. The villagers take to Jack and join him in
clearing the large yard. American Lori and New Zealander Bree
spend most of the time with him. When they clear the back
area of the cottage they find a Wishing Well. Lori decides
to have a little fun with it and make a wish. Everyone is
surprised to see her wish granted. Lori thinks it’s
a coincidence but the Villagers want to try it for themselves.
Things begin to happen and the village begins to change. The
late Aunt Dimity advises Lori to investigate the Wishes before
someone gets hurt or worse - murdered.
Lori
is the main character in the series. She moved to Finch with
her husband and twin boys. Her husband’s father also
lives in the village. Lori’s husband deals in international
law. Lori takes care of her family and, in essences, the village.
Lori feels over the years the villagers have come to depend
on her. They often arrive at her door with local gossip and
she gladly lets them in. Lori loves and appreciates the village
of Finch and wants to protect it, which is exactly what she
has to do in this mystery.
I’ve
read various titles in the Aunt Dimity series. The only problem
I’ve had when starting one was finding a stopping point.
This series is hard to put down; each time I visit the residents
of Finch I want to stay. Atherton gives me exactly what I
want in a “cozy” – a charming village, unique
characters, a likable sleuth, red herrings, and sometimes
surprise endings. With the Aunt Dimity series there may or
may not be a murder but there is always a spirited investigation
(so to speak). My favorite titles in the series have to be
Aunt Dimity: Detective, The Village Witch, and now,
The Wishing Well.
Reviews of other titles in this series
The
Family Tree, 6
The
Deep Blue Sea, 11
Goes
West, 12
Slays
the Dragon, 14
The Village Witch, 17 [review
1] [review
2]
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