Death’s Autograph. Marianne Macdonald. 1999. Dido Hoare is an antiquarian book dealer in London. On a rainy night coming back into town from a buying trip, a mysterious car follows her; a few days later her shop is turned upside down, and her ex-husband shows up, and thus begins a cozy mystery involving forged documents, I found this book on crimereads.com in list of books involving book shops. It is not as good as the John Dunning books, but it is a nice easy read with interesting tidbits about the business. The first of a series. ( )

Dido Hoare runs an antiquarian bookstore in London. When her ex-husband Davey turns up suddenly and is soon murdered Dido becomes involved in the police investigation. I liked the characters of Dido and her father Barnabas, a retired Oxford professor. There's a twist at the end that makes me want to find more books in this series. ( )

This is one of those mysteries where nothing makes sense. All of the things that take place don't seem to relate to each other. This is probably the way it seems if you are inside the events in real life, so I guess in that respect it is a well written mystery book. From a reader's point of view, I want to know more than the characters do. Yes, I am one of those people that always reads the last page first.

The ending was a little confusing. I don't know if I was too tired or it was too complex, but I didn't understand how 1) the police didn't get the bad guys if they had all of the exits surrounded; 2) the bad guys got what they wanted and were searching for and 3) how Dido and Barnabus got to keep what they received. I may have been reading the book too quickly.

One thing that bugs me about this book is Dido's name, Dido Hoare. The reasoning behind her first name is explained in t his, the first installment of the series, but it just seems too precious to me. I think the book would have been just as effective with the main character being named Jenny Smith. ( )

Dido Hoare owns an antiquarian bookstore in London. Her ex-husband comes back into her life and soon ends up dead. It's apparent that the murderers are seeking something but haven't yet located. What are they after? Dido along with the police and other authorities must find out. I expected more of a cozy mystery, but this one is more of a thriller with a few cozy aspects mixed in. The plotting was not as strong as it could have been. I really did not like the ending. ( )