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Dido Hoare has the best job in the world and she knows it. She is the proprietor of the Antiquarian Books and Print shop that bears her name. Along with her father, former Oxford professor, Barnabas Hoare, and her toddler son, Ben, she is enjoying her role as a respected member of the antiquarian booksellers of London. One of her favorite customers, Timothy Curwan, a collector of Victoriana, has been stopping by on and off for over two years. Timothy always bought a book, in excellent condition and usually paid cash. He was always courteous and beautifully dressed and even Dido's father was impressed. On his last visit, he paid by check, which unfortunately bounced. Then Dido learned that Timothy had apparently committed suicide. When she contacted his executors to collect on the check, she is hired to value his collection. After an interview with the local police, Dido is given the name of reporter Chris Kennedy, a friend of Timothy's. He and Dido form an uneasy alliance in their desire to discover the truth when they learn that Timothy was murdered. An old flame from the CID, Paul Grant, comes back into Dido's life when his department becomes interested in the crime. Dido is relieved to know there are no hard feelings and to discover that she is no longer romantically interested in Paul. This is the sixth in the on-going series with Dido and her adventures as an amateur sleuth. Always fun to read, the books are fast-paced and Dido is an interesting and sympathetic character. There is antiquarian book lore to interest the bibliophile, but there is always room for more. Book-lovers might like to see Dido spend more time in the store and with her books, but that is a minor complaint when the story telling is fun and engrossing. A little bit on the cozy side, but if you like British mysteries and love books, donít miss this one.
Reviewed by Lorraine Gelly, June 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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