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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
I came late to this series. This first Cliff Janeway mystery has completely captivated me. Intelligent and well-crafted. I'll keep reading.
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book since it is based around a business--Book Trading (Selling)--that has changed so very much since this book was written in the early 90's that it reads mostly as historical fiction now. It would be interesting to read a book that spoke to what happened to all these booktraders as time changed. I know most did not survive, but many may have moved online and I am curious if those valuable modern first additions have kept their value--grown in value and if books will become more valuable as fewer are sold and more books are read digitally.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
Really interesting story about a cop investigating a murder involving the used book trade. The book trade was actually more interesting than the crime itself. It almost makes you want to give up everything and become a book dealer. I've heard The Bookman's Wake (the next book) is much better.
ncostell's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
qu33nofbookz's review against another edition
4.0
A satisfactory mystery book about books :) While this book did have a lot of information in it concerning book collecting and buying/selling it wasn't an info dump and tied in well with the story. Some of the facts were rather interesting. The story was though out and well planned it at times it seems to be meandering away it isn't it all comes back and ties in to the overall mystery. The characters are good and there is just the right amount of growth you need to stay connected to them and feel as if they are real people. The dialogue can be witty at times and doesn't drag which is good. The pacing can lag for a few pages here and there but over all it was good and there is no desperate race to the finish to wrap things up. There are a few twists too that are quite good. I will be looking forward to the next book.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
Read this because Brad recommended the second in the series. Now he's reading it.
Second book in a row about a book seller / book store. Why not?
Second book in a row about a book seller / book store. Why not?
annemariep68's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook- fascinating look into the world of the people who buy old books and sell them to used bookshops- always looking for the something rare and special that will fund their “addiction” so they can get their own bookshop or buy more...as a book lover it resonated and the main character was fun to tag along with!
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
I read three of these books in quick succession and am now considering a career in antiquarian books. My favorite part of the mysteries was learning about the trade and the research that goes into provenance. Similar to art collecting, but different.
bikes_books_yarn's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book just as I started working in a bookstore that buys used books - and it was one of those books that syncs up with your life and you have to appreciate it. I loved that the thoughts of the author on used books and rare first editions (etc..) were the same things that were being taught to me out on the sales floor. Sadly there was no exciting murder mystery at my job so I had to rely on Cliff Janeway's excitement when the day was done.