Reviews from VIKKI WALTON

JANUARY - FEBRUARY  REVIEWS

NANCY ATHERTON*

AUNT DIMITY: VAMPIRE HUNTER
NANCY ATHERTON
Viking  February, 2008

Lori Shepherd is finally home in her beloved village of Finch in the Cotswolds, a region in England ’s West Midlands . Even though both Lori and her husband, Bill are American, they have lived long enough at the cottage to have been accepted by the local residents.  The cottage was a gift to Lori from her late mother’s friend, Dimity. However, Dimity also left a blue journal for her which, when Lori opens it, turns into a means of communication with Dimity from the other side of death. Dimity has always been a big help in providing guidance for the mysteries that Lori finds herself drawn into. However, for right now, Lori has only one mystery on her mind and that is discovering how she can get Kit Smith to realize his love for much-younger Nell Harris, who absolutely glows with love for Kit. A solution to having time to speak with Kit presents itself when Lori’s two boys, Will and Rob, emphatically state that they saw a vampire as they were riding their horses. Kit and Lori head off into the hills to discover a barrage of different characters. As each person reveals a bit of their story, Lori is more convinced that something sinister is going on and she needs to find out what it is. But she has to work quickly because Nell has a few tricks of her own to get Kit to pronounce his love for her.

One of Atherton’s best, this story in the Dimity sequel has it all — romance, suspense, mystery — and best of all, a wonderfully surprising and satisfying ending. Kudos!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

 - Vikki Walton
*PHOTO CREDIT:  GREG TAYLOR

MURDER BY NUMBERS
KAYE MORGAN 
Berkley Prime Crime  PBO 1/08

Torn between her job as a Hollywood P.R. person and her small-town role as a columnist for Sudoku puzzles, Liza Kelly’s life is always a mess. When the producers of the movie “Counterfeit” select Liza’s town as the perfect spot for filming, Liza is less than enthusiastic. However, it does allow her easy access to her client, Jenny Robbins, who is one of the main characters in the show. Before long though, the “Counterfeit” crew starts to outstay its welcome. The revenue they are supposed to bring into the town has yet to materialize and the residents are getting antsy. On top of that, the boardwalk restoration must be postponed due to filming, which will end up costing residents more money. Vandalism wrecks havoc on both sides, but it is nothing compared to the head that Liza finds on the beach while walking her dog.  When Liza finds out the head and buried body are that of Oliver Chissel from the production company, she must wonder if this has to do with the film or with something more sinister.   Morgan weaves in Sudoku puzzles and clues to pull the reader into a puzzle full of twists and turns. RECOMMEND.

 - Vikki Walton

Vikki's review of AUNT DIMITY GOES WEST by
Nancy Atherton appears on the PAPERBACK PAGE.

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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER  REVIEWS

Hex Marks the Spot
MADELYN ALT
Berkley Prime Crime PBO 12/07

Margaret Mary-Catherine O’Neill (Maggie for short) is an intuitive. Hardly anyone in Maggie’s sphere of influence — especially her not-quite-yet boyfriend, Deputy Tom Fielding -- knows about her insight. However, there are two people who do know her gifts: storeowner and friend, Felicity (Liss) Downing and hunky, guy pal, Marcus Quinn.

Arriving at a much anticipated auction, Maggie is introduced to an Amish Adonis, Luc Metzger, who she is certain is sending other women’s hearts racing as fast as her own. Friend Eli Yoder tells Maggie that Luc has helped carve the beautiful armoire that is coming up for auction, and that Liss so desperately wants for her shop, Enchantments.

The winning bid on the fine piece of furniture has Maggie and Liss leaving the auction empty-handed.  However, it’s not before Maggie meets Mrs. Metzger who stuns Maggie by saying, “We who see must be very wary and vigilant.”

Maggie, as well as Liss and Marcus, part of the N.I.G.H.T.S group, have been feeling evil in the air for weeks. Is Luc’s wife confirming that or is this something else? Mrs. Metzger’s revelation comes to fruition when Luc Metzger is murdered not far from his farm the same day. A strange hex symbol is discovered near where his body is found. Is it a sign that leads to the murderer? Maggie must now face one of her greatest demons — truly allowing her gift to manifest itself to catch a killer.

Alt brings us a different, one could say “light-hearted,” look at the occult. Intertwining mystery into a mystical brew, Alt bewitches the reader to partake.

- Vikki Walton