I can't decide if I deserve to be publicly flogged for picking up another of these stupid books or if I deserve pity and compassion for deciding to put it down after 72 pages...

As soon as I read the description, I groaned. Really? Another story in which the fabulously disgusting Lori almost but not quite leaves her husband and kids for some dude who is ironically but of-course-ly drooling over her. Yuck. So sick of her. Why do I read these????

Why did the author even give Lori a husband and kids? She never spends any time with them. I stopped at page 72 and then read the last few pages. Super boring storyline and I have a big issue with Lori's mentality that it's ok for her and her husband to have "wandering eyes"....somehow this makes their relationship "stronger"?? I once read that Atherton says she bases Lori on herself. Guess I'm sad for her then... I really gotta be done. Really. Must be. Can't take it anymore. Sad, too, because Atherton's stories are fun, well-written, spunky...just can't stand the character of Lori. Maybe we could write her out, hmmm? ( )

2.5 stars

My blog post about this book is at this link . ( )

Lori Shepard has returned to Finch after a visit to the States for the holidays. How surprised is she when, expecting the answer to her question, "What happened while I was away?" to be the usual, "Nothing much," she learns there's been a murder in Finch. The victim is a newcomer to town, Prunella "Pruneface" Hooper, and you will be hard-pressed to find a more meddlesome and vicious gossip. Who killed Pruneface? Nobody in town liked her, many even had a motive to kill her, and nearly everybody feels the town is better off without her. But Lori--even though the deceased took aim at her beloved Kit and hit him squarely in his reputation--can’t not know the truth. A few consultations with Aunt Dimity will point Lori in the right direction, and when she accepts the assistance of the vicar’s nephew Nicky Fox and his unexpectedly good interview skills, she’s off.

Cozy and delightful. ( )

Typcial Aunt Diminty. A new character introduced. Another unrequited romantic interest for the ever flirtatious Lori Shepard. ( )

A murder in Finch?! Lori sets out to solve the mystery with the vickar's nephew who is visiting from London. A quick, friendly read. ( )