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beth_menendez's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book rather interesting. Maybe it's because I listened to it instead of reading it, but the narrator's voice made me think of a 1940's saga. That sort of slowed me down at the beginning, but by the end of the book I was hooked. I cannot say that I think Cliff Janeway is a great guy. I do not like how he breaks rules wily nily and that he seems to lack self control. The fact that he leaves a rather great police career suddenly kind of rubs me the wrong way too. BUT I do like that he has a solid sense of morals and he is good about following up with those he can perceive as fragile. I liked the book enough to hunt up book 2 in this series. I am amused that the time the book is set (mid 1980's) is an era that has telephones, answering machines with actual tapes and no cell phones. You can hear how frustrated people get at not being able to get a hold of one another. We can do that now and I don't know that it's an improvement.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
A great mystery focuing on the rare and used book world. Cliff Janeway is a former Denver police officer and rare book collector who operates his own book shop. The murder mystery--while really good--for me was overshadowed by all of the information presented about the used book trade. Loved the combination of police experience and knowledge of the antiquarian book trade both being used to solve the mystery. Really good book.
lizdbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I heard about this book on the podcast Strong Sense of Place, and I'm so glad I read it! It's extreme backlist, a book I never would have discovered otherwise.
Cliff Janeway is a homicide detective in Denver, and a book collector on the side. When a local book scout is murdered, Cliff is on the case. Unfortunately, the trail goes cold, and later Cliff finds himself quitting the police force and opening a bookstore (of course!).
When a new lead arises in the old murder case, Cliff can't resist the pull to figure out what happened, so cop-turned-bookseller ends up dragged back into the mystery. As they say...shenanigans ensue.
Murder mystery is not my typical genre, but the cop-turned-bookseller shtick sold me. I loved when Cliff gave it all up to follow his dream of opening a bookstore, the camaraderie between he and the neighborhood booksellers, the hunt for priceless books, a mystery around valuable books that someone would kill over (?!!), and so much more bookish content that would bore you if I listed it here but is entirely fascinating in the book.
This novel would make a great fireside or beach read; it's cozy and entertaining in the best ways. And if you love this one, it's the first in a series of Cliff Janeway novels!
Cliff Janeway is a homicide detective in Denver, and a book collector on the side. When a local book scout is murdered, Cliff is on the case. Unfortunately, the trail goes cold, and later Cliff finds himself quitting the police force and opening a bookstore (of course!).
When a new lead arises in the old murder case, Cliff can't resist the pull to figure out what happened, so cop-turned-bookseller ends up dragged back into the mystery. As they say...shenanigans ensue.
Murder mystery is not my typical genre, but the cop-turned-bookseller shtick sold me. I loved when Cliff gave it all up to follow his dream of opening a bookstore, the camaraderie between he and the neighborhood booksellers, the hunt for priceless books, a mystery around valuable books that someone would kill over (?!!), and so much more bookish content that would bore you if I listed it here but is entirely fascinating in the book.
This novel would make a great fireside or beach read; it's cozy and entertaining in the best ways. And if you love this one, it's the first in a series of Cliff Janeway novels!
gbethurum's review against another edition
I wanted to love this book. I just couldn’t get into it. I have nothing negative to say - the book just wasn’t for me.
_sophieee_'s review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
ladyinpnw's review against another edition
3.0
Couldn’t really make up my mind about the rating of this book. I liked the stories about book selling - I found that very interesting. But the narrator, a cop who sometimes does wrong things for the right reasons rubbed me the wrong way.
Also his attitude of frustration towards a rape victim refusing to press charges because the rapist was a criminal with deep pockets rubbed me the wrong way as well.
Also his attitude of frustration towards a rape victim refusing to press charges because the rapist was a criminal with deep pockets rubbed me the wrong way as well.
marlisenicole's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
swfountaine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75