A thoroughly delightful light mystery series. The first book, "Aunt Dimity's Death" (and yes, you should read it first) finds our heroine/detective, Lori Shepherd, working at temp jobs, depressed, and fairly broke. She gets a letter from a law firm, and learns that she has been left a bequest by Aunt Dimity, a woman Lori's mother met while on military service in England during WWII. Aunt Dimity and Lori's mom stayed faithful and frequent pen-pals over the years, and Aunt Dimity's letters contained stories which Lori's mom told her. The bequest requires Lori to re-read Aunt Dimity's stories, which are to be published, and write an introduction, and answer a series of questions about the stories. In the process, Aunt Dimity communicates supernaturally to Lori by writing responses in a journal to Lori's questions. Lori rediscovers her childhood, discovers many new and good things about her mother and her mother's love for her, and in the process finds a man whom she loves and marries. The series continues with a mystery in each one.

The stories are well-written, always with happy endings. Mostly the villains are not really villains, just misguided people who need help - from Lori with the guidance of Aunty Dimity - to change their lives.

I've enjoyed all of the stories, and recommend them for light, enjoyable reading.