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John Dunning
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The Bookman's Wake: A Mystery With Cliff Janeway Hardcover – April 10, 1995

by John Dunning (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 337 ratings
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Surprised by a visit from a difficult-to-manage former cop from his old precinct, bookstore owner Cliff Janeway is unable to resist Slater's invitation to help recover a stolen edition of a rare and valuable book. 30,000 first printing. Tour.
Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 5
    Cliff Janeway Novels
  2. Print length
    350 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Charles Scribner's Sons
  5. Publication date
    April 10, 1995
  6. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0684800039
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0684800035
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the long-awaited sequel to Booked to Die, Denver policeman-turned-bookdealer Cliff Janeway is hired by sleazy ex-cop Clydell Slater to retrieve Eleanor Rigby (really), who has jumped bail and fled to Seattle. Things get complicated when she turns out to be young, pretty and a talented book scout. The latter, almost by itself, seems to convince Janeway that she is innocent. Rigby may have the key to the location of a previously unknown fine press edition of Poe's The Raven. When Eleanor disappears, Janeway teams up with reporter Trish Aandahl, biographer of the Grayson brothers, who produced the rare Poe volume. Aandahl is convinced the brothers were both murdered over 20 years ago. To find Eleanor and The Raven, Janeway and Aandahl must connect the killing of the brothers with five other violent deaths. Dragging at the narrative are frequent long passages that either provide extensive background or serve to show off Janeway's bookhunting knowledge. While not uninteresting, these sections interrupt the novel's flow. Readers who loved the first Janeway appearance may find this entry somewhat disappointing. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Unexpected danger and chilling intrigue attend a Denver bookstore owner's trip to Seattle for the purpose of escorting a purported book thief to jail. Ex-cop Cliff Janeway, introduced in Booked To Die (Scribner, 1992), agrees to act as bounty hunter only because of his interest in rare books; he soon realizes, however, that his employer has a hidden agenda involving the years-ago murder of two brothers who were owners of a publishing company known for its limited editions. Seattle marks the beginning of Janeway's physical and mental journey, a quest described with finely textured prose, knowledgeable bibliographical details, and full-bodied characterization. A definite plus for any collection.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charles Scribner's Sons; First Edition (April 10, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0684800039
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684800035
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 337 ratings

About the author

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John Dunning

John Dunning

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Although I have been writing fiction since childhood (and publishing novels since 1975), it was BOOKED TO DIE (1992) that gave me the freedom to write full time. I have always written out of my own life. My Bookman novels came from my ongoing experience in the used and rare book trade, coupled with my life as a Denver Post police reporter in the 1970s. I have written five novels about my book detective, Cliff Janeway, including THE BOOKWOMAN'S LAST FLING, to be published by Scribner in May 2006.

We have lived in Denver, it seems, forever, though I am a refugee from Charleston, SC. I have also been a glass cutter, a groom at Santa Anita and other racetracks, a publicist for political candidates (which is the same general thing)and did a radio show for more than 20 years.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
337 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Sholders
5.0 out of 5 stars Book Collectors Dream is a Nightmare
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2015
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This is quintessential Dunning, writing a fascinating story about a valuable book whose value was rendered by the publisher. The publisher was an eccentric genius who hand crafted his books to perfection and had them illustrated by outstanding artists. This publisher produced books that book collectors drooled over. Not only were they impeccable pieces of publishing, but there was not many of each made since they were not mass produced. One book, The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe was a special find for the serious book collector. So special it became the focal point of murder, thievery, chicanery, and serial fibbing amongst a rather large cast of characters. Dunning was able to take a very esoteric subject; one of publishing, book binding and artisanship and script a story that was not only a taut adventure, but is educational and descriptive about how books are published. In between murders and kidnappings, there of course is a story behind the story about the publisher, Darrel Grayson. I could almost smell the publisher’s ink as I read this tale. Loved the book, loved the characters and loved the protagonist, Cliff Janeway. I will read another one of these tales by John Dunning. He is good.
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K.G. ONell
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, but, not as great as it could have been
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
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Janeway is a cop turned bookseller. A former colleague, cop turned bounty hunter, convinces Janeway to take a job to find a skip named Eleanor Rigby. Oh, and there’s a rare book, Edgar Allen Poe’s the Raven attached. Digression: immediately I had a problem with this plot device. The Raven was a poem and not a book. If a small press wanted to make a book out of it, they might stretch it out with illustrations but even then it would be maybe 20 or 30 pages ar most. Possibly the size of a children’s board book. Hardly the kind of thing people would spend thousands of dollars on much less murder dozens of people over. But apparently Dunning sees things differently.

Nonetheless, Janeway accepts the job and is thrust into a complicated mystery over the book, serial murders, and the grim reality of psychopathic book collectors,

The characters are confusing. There are two Rigbys whom are often referred to simply as Rigby. There are two Graysons. Just as often each are referred to as Grayson. There is Patricia Aandahl who became Trish without any context for the nickname, it just happens. So the reader is pained to retrace their steps to find out which “Rigby” Dunning is referring to, which “Grayson” is at center stage and who the heck is “Trish”. The rest of the cast includes characters that come and go, get murdered, or are simply forgotten.

The narrative itself is very compelling, until Dunning starts to talk about book collecting. I’m a collector myself, so at first I found his take on it to be quite interesting. But by the third mention of it I really wished Janeway was a cop turned baker instead of bookseller. I would much rather have learned a few recipes about cookies and cruelers during the book.

Overall, a really good book. Just wish Dubnings editor, if not Dunning himself, had weeded out all the superfluous detail about books and found a better way to identify the characters.
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Donald Binkley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery for Book Lovers and Graphic Designers
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
The search for the solution to the possible murder of a famous typeface designer is just great. I like the chosen name for the woman Eleanor Rigby, you can't help thinking that John Dunning had lots of fun writing this mystery. This is the second time that I have read this book in 2 years. Great, I have read all the Janeway mysteries and this is possibly the best. I just wish that Dunning would write some more of the Janeway series as I miss him.
3 people found this helpful
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A Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars A bit convoluted
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2013
Verified Purchase
Like other reviews, I found interesting the insights on the rare book collecting world. The main character, Cliff Janeway, is pretty likeable. However, the mystery built around this world seemed to require suspending too much disbelief. I find it difficult to believe that the book collecting world would generate this level of intrigue and violence. Also there were so many characters in the book introduced in random ways such that their connection to the story is easily lost. Then when the same character is mentioned again several chapters later, you forget why they are integral to the mystery, or even if they are integral to the story, because some aren't...for example, the blind woman in Baltimore. She is mentioned, and a small bit of her role in the story is told, but then she is quickly dropped and forgotten. Her role in the story is completely unnecessary...merely mentioned and explained away. Typical questions I found needing to remind myself while reading were, "Were they from Georgia or Washington or New Mexico?" "Which brother did they sleep with?" "Which woman is the mother of whom?" "Who is looking for these books? Scofield? Pruitt? Eleanor?" Also I thought the way the mystery was wrapped up in the end was very unsatisfying. One main piece of the mystery is not solved at all. Maybe it's to be set up for the next book in the series which I won't be reading. Lastly, the editing was terrible. There were WAY too many typos! Seriously, in a digital age there should be no reason to find typos in any book. Cheap and clumsy. While the book offered some interesting insights regarding a particular obscure subculture and the main character was likeable, as a mystery this book is totally mediocre.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

R.M.Shrigley
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2017
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A pity that an interesting book on books, where accuracy is important had so many typographical or proof-reading issues.
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J.J.
2.0 out of 5 stars Undesirable format for me
Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2021
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I personally don’t like the format of the book which is sub standard to the mass media format. I love Amazon and I buy everything at Amazon. But……I am often dissatisfied with the books I buy. Maybe I need to be more careful with the publication details
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