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    Review of BLOOD LIES by Marianne MacDonald

    A DIDO HOARE MYSTERY

    Thomas Dunne, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2001/August 2002 (U.S.)

    When her friend Lizzy calls for her help, Dido Hoare drops her old book business and heads for the English countryside. Lizzy's brother-in-law is coming home from years served in prison--for killing a woman he mistook for a thief. Worse, Lizzy's father-in-law is gradually losing his memory--and his sanity. With a precious first edition of PETER RABBIT somewhere in the picture, Dido decides to investigate and find out the truth.

    Although the English village appears peaceful and bucollic, Dido soon learns that crime is not limited to big cities. Stories of prostitution and drug dealing abound. When a long-dead skeleton turns up, Dido decides that two bodies is a little much for just one homocide. Someone has been lying--but Dido can't think of a single motive to justify murder. Even help from the town gossip and from Dido's father doesn't seem able to break through the wall of lies and silence.

    Author Marianne MacDonald delivers an enjoyable and properly English tale of decaying families and secrets. Dido balances her detecting with raising her young son and worrying about her bookshop--and becomes more human with every page. BLOOD LIES makes for an enjoyable and page-turning mystery.

    Three Stars

    Reviewed 9/29/02

    Purchase BLOOD LIES from Amazon.com (hardback).