I've read all the Aunt Dimity books and I have to say Lori is getting on my nerves a bit. Not much mystery in this one either - more a case of just following someone round New Zealand. But it maybe it's worth reading for that. It's almost a mini travel guide to the country. From Auckland to Queenstown, Lori flies around, taking in a few tourist sights on the way.

There are irritations - I certainly don't know any real Kiwis who'd spontaneously explain the history of the island, or complex meanings behind Maori words, or anyone at all who'd thinking driving from Takapuna through the city to Auckland airport so you could fly up to Dargaville was a good idea... But the author has obviously spent a bit of time in the country and gets a lot of atmosphere right. It does feel a bit forced at times though - let's go here so we can name drop another place/attraction/cram in a bit more of the country. It could have been more subtle.

A light and completely brainless read that doubles as a good advert for New Zealand. Anyone who knows the country might enjoy it for the 'I've been there' factor.