Helpful Score: 4
The first in of the Cliff Janeway series, on which I AM NOW HOOKED! Dunning writes from a wellspring of experience in the antique first edition field. Fascinating information woven through a complex, believable plot by carefully drawn, engaging characters.
Helpful Score: 4
I couldn't put this book down! What fantastic writing and a really good story! I can't wait to read the next one.
Helpful Score: 2
John Dunning takes you into the world of rare books with a compelling story. I couldn't put it down and had to read all four in the series quickly and in successionl.
Be sure and read the intro on how this first in the series became a best seller,
Be sure and read the intro on how this first in the series became a best seller,
Helpful Score: 2
I loved it. An all around outstanding novel.
Helpful Score: 1
If you love books, this is a mystery with detective who loves to read and collect books. Fun as well as informative as to the used book trade.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first in the series involving Cliff Janeway. If you enjoy mysteries and love books, then this series is for you. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent book. I hated for it to end.
Helpful Score: 1
Fascinating subject...very suspenseful...likable characters. This would make a good "film noir."
Helpful Score: 1
A great book in a great series. This is a fascinating glimpse into the world of bookstores, book dealers and book scouts.
Helpful Score: 1
The more I read, the more I enjoyed this novel. I especially liked the theme of the bookscout, being a book lover myself. I like the detective Janeway and look forward to more offerings by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
What a fantastic read this was! Can't wait to read the next in the series!
Charlie M. (bookaddicted) -
Helpful Score: 1
First book in the series featuring bookseller, Cliff Janeway. Filled with insider info on the book world and an engaging mystery plot, too.
Helpful Score: 1
I had heard through a mystery list that this was one of the best mysteries ever. I have to agree. The main character, Janeway, has greater depths than most mystery detectives. He, like the author, is a collector of rare books. If you are a book-lover, as well as a reader, you will learn a great deal about the "trade." Loved the book the more I read and never guessed the killer, although all the clues were evident.
Helpful Score: 1
All Dunning's books are good. This one is great!
Helpful Score: 1
Read a couple of these Janeway novels and you'll be scouting thift shops for overlooked first editions.
Helpful Score: 1
Erudite, clever, witty and a great read. Enjoyed the entire series.
Helpful Score: 1
First book in Cliff Janeway series. Good mystery.
I really enjoyed this book and will now read all the rest of the books this author has written. Good mystery and great characters!
Denver homicide detective Cliff Janeway may not always play by the book, but he's an avid collector of rare and first editions. After a local bookscout is killed on his turf, Janeway would like nothing better than to rearrange the suspect's spine. But the suspect, sleazeball Jackie Newton, is a master at eluding murder convictions. Unfortunately for Janeway, his swift form of off-duty justice costs him his badge.
If you enjoy books, learning about books, what makes books collectible, you will pick up interesting information as you read this mystery series. I am thoroughly enjoying the characters and the writing style.
Any chance you get an opportunity to read a John Dunning book, do not hesitate. It guarantees you a good, fast pace mystery from a best seller who deserves that rate. His book Booked to Die is the first of many such book-related and later book/horse-related books Dunning has done. I've read them all. Booked to Die gives you the inside of some of the worst bookstores in big cities, dusty, no organization, boxes unpacked, the sort of stores we find treasures in and dead bodies.
This is his first and best, Bookman's Wake came behind with almost as much mystery as this one. Always pick them up when you see them and hide them in the cubbard because someday you'll read them all like I did.
This is his first and best, Bookman's Wake came behind with almost as much mystery as this one. Always pick them up when you see them and hide them in the cubbard because someday you'll read them all like I did.
As a bookseller myself, I so loved reading this book!
John Dunning spins another tale that keeps you turning pages & trying to guess the ending --- without results!
Like this one a lot! Have ordered his others. A real book lover's read.
Good writer.
This is the 1st of the Cliff Janeway books. My entire little reading circle (Mom, Husband, Friend & Me)all thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a cut above your normal, formulaic cop-murder-mystery books. Well-written with a tightly woven plot and witty dialogue. Well worth your time (and well-worth the credit!)
From Publishers Weekly
Denver cop and rare book collector Cliff Janeway is introduced in this engrossing whodunit from two-time Edgar nominee Dunning. A sensitive and introspective sort, Janeway chafes in the hard-edged role of law enforcer so often demanded of him. When a down-on-his-luck book scout named Bobby Westfall is murdered, Cliff at first suspects local thug and personal nemesis Jackie Newton. Newton's girlfriend, a victim of physical abuse, makes Cliff more determined than ever to nail Newton. Sensitivity notwithstanding, he goes after his quarry with both fists cocked and both barrels aimed, neglecting any semblance of correct police procedure. This ironic twist shapes the plot as Janeway delves further into his city's antiquarian book trade, whose practitioners display an expertise exceeded only by their greed. Crisp, direct prose and nearly pitch-perfect dialogue enhance this meticulously detailed page-turner. Mystery Guild alternate; paperback rights to Avon.
Denver cop and rare book collector Cliff Janeway is introduced in this engrossing whodunit from two-time Edgar nominee Dunning. A sensitive and introspective sort, Janeway chafes in the hard-edged role of law enforcer so often demanded of him. When a down-on-his-luck book scout named Bobby Westfall is murdered, Cliff at first suspects local thug and personal nemesis Jackie Newton. Newton's girlfriend, a victim of physical abuse, makes Cliff more determined than ever to nail Newton. Sensitivity notwithstanding, he goes after his quarry with both fists cocked and both barrels aimed, neglecting any semblance of correct police procedure. This ironic twist shapes the plot as Janeway delves further into his city's antiquarian book trade, whose practitioners display an expertise exceeded only by their greed. Crisp, direct prose and nearly pitch-perfect dialogue enhance this meticulously detailed page-turner. Mystery Guild alternate; paperback rights to Avon.
First book in this very popular and well-written series. What could be more fascinating than books and murder?!
A fun quick read. Plot is not as developed as the next one in the series -- The Bookman's Wake.
An entertaining mystery in an entertaining series.
A great book. I can't wait to read the next Cliff Janeway mystery.
From back cover - "A civilian once more, [ex-Denver homicide detective]Cliff Janeway now has time to pursue his true passion - the buying and selling of valuable first editions - and to get to the bottom of the unforunate bookscout's still unsolved slaying."
Excellent Book
My husband and I read this novel after a recommendation from a friend. We both enjoyed it. The characters and the subject matter (book sellers)are unique, and the ending is fun. Allison Hoover Bartlett's nonfiction book, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, concerns a similar topic and mentions Dunning several times. My husband has since read two more books by Dunning with the same main character and says he likes them even more
I don't know why its taken me so long to discover this author. "Booked To Die" introduces is to Denver homicide detective Cliff Janeaway. A recent homicide involving a bookscout has him trying to find the answers as to why this man is now dead.
Whats great about this book is that the people in the books are book lovers themselves, trying to find rare books that they can sell. Janeaway, himself is a book lover, which makes things even more interesting.
As the investigation progresses things in Janeway's life change a bit, but I won't divulge that. The investigation gives us several plausible suspects, which had me guessing til the very end.
I definitely will keep reading this series and recommend it anyone looking to begin a new series themselves.
Whats great about this book is that the people in the books are book lovers themselves, trying to find rare books that they can sell. Janeaway, himself is a book lover, which makes things even more interesting.
As the investigation progresses things in Janeway's life change a bit, but I won't divulge that. The investigation gives us several plausible suspects, which had me guessing til the very end.
I definitely will keep reading this series and recommend it anyone looking to begin a new series themselves.
A special author. Learn the book business while reading an entertaining mystery.
The first in the Cliff Janeway series, also called the Bookman series. Terrific story, wonderful writing. Worth any mystery fan's time. Dunning knows what he's talking about when it comes to collectible books. There's even a rare book quizz on the first page. The answers are in the story.
This is an excellent mystery. Along the way, you will learn a lot about rare books and the buying and selling of first editions.
Fantastic!
Excellent plot with enough twists to keep you on your toes. A very enjoyable read.
All I can say is "wow", I finished this book last night at 1:30, started it in the morning and I couldn't put it down. Excellent mystery and the author is great. First in the series of Cliff Janeway cop/book lover.
Excellent read. Kept my attention
I enjoyed this book very much. There was a lot of information about buying and selling used books which is one of my hobbies. The character of Cliff Janeway is very well developed and there were many twists and turns in the plot which kept the book interesting until the last page. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
The first in the Cliff Janeway series.
Denver homicide detective Cliff Janeway may not always play by the book, but he is an avid collector of rare and first editions. After a local bookscout is killed on his turf, Janeway would like nothing better than to rearrange the suspect's spine. But the suspect, local lowlife Jackie Newton, is a master at eluding the law, and Janeway's wrathful brand of off-duty justice costs him his badge.
Turning to his lifelong passion, Janeway opens a small bookshop -- all the while searching for evidence to put Newton away. But when prized volumes in a highly sought-after collection begin to appear, so do dead bodies. Now, Janeway's life is about to start a precarious new chapter as he attempts to find out who's dealing death along with vintage Chandlers and Twains.
Turning to his lifelong passion, Janeway opens a small bookshop -- all the while searching for evidence to put Newton away. But when prized volumes in a highly sought-after collection begin to appear, so do dead bodies. Now, Janeway's life is about to start a precarious new chapter as he attempts to find out who's dealing death along with vintage Chandlers and Twains.
Sorry, but I have to disagree with the other reviewers. This mystery book about a book mystery was a disappointment.
I read the Sign of the Book before I realized it was 4th in a series, so I set out to read the others and just finished Booked to Die. I see that Cliff Janeway has not yet found the girl friend he has in Book 4, although he did fall hard in Booked to Die and then let her get away. Can't say I blamed her. But I do like Cliff Janeway and look forward to the next book in the series. These are easy reads and very interesting. John Dunning writes well and knows his subject - books. Obviously, I am a book lover as are all Paperback Book Swap members I'm sure.
Lots of action; plot twists and turns. Good book.
Denver homicide cop turns bookseller when he loses his job after roughing up a criminal. Best of the Cliff Janeway books I have read.
First in the Cliff Janeway series. He is a retired homicide cop who now is an antiquarian book dealer. He investigates when one of his book runners is found dead.
