DEATH OF AN AUTHOR

by E. C. R. Lorac

Death of an Author was another book I received as a member of the Cincinnati Book Bus Bookclub.  I approached it a bit tentatively, as crime mysteries aren’t typically my favorite genre.  But, as I’ve said before, one of the best features of book club membership is that it forces me to read books I wouldn’t otherwise choose.

Originally published in 1935 with the female author using a pseudonym, I wanted to like it.  But, despite its clever plotline including a recluse author, a secretary who impersonates her and a rival author, the book, for the most part, devotes much content to the two inspectors investigating the crime.  They have endless conversations, each positing a more clever solution of the crime than the other.

I realize these who-done-it and how-did-they-do-it stories are very popular as a genre of their own.  However, I find them tedious and just a bit precious.  For that reason, Death of an Author was not my cup of tea. (Liz)