The Sign of the Book: A Cliff Janeway "Bookman" Novel (Cliff Janeway Novels) (Hardcover)

by John Dunning (Author) "Two years had passed and I knew Erin well..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Bailey, Laura Marshall, Deputy Walsh (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
As an antiquarian book dealer and sometime private investigator, Cliff Janeway is unique in contemporary crime fiction, and no doubt that accounts for a good part of his popularity among the book community. But it's the sure hand with which Dunning renders him (and a large cast of other characters) that makes the Bookman novels so compulsively readable. In this fine fourth volume in the series (after 2004's The Bookman's Promise), Janeway is sent, by his lover and partner, criminal defense attorney Erin D'Angelo, to the mountain town of Paradise, Colo., to look into the murder of Robert Marshall, a mysterious figure with a massive collection of signed first editions. But the connection to Erin extends well beyond Marshall's library: the victim was Erin's first real love, and his wife, Laura (who confessed to the crime when she was found at the scene, covered in blood), was her former best friend. Naturally, the antiquarian book world serves both as background and plot element, and Janeway combines his experience as an ex-cop and knowledgeable dealer to unravel the mystery. The book-related plot is somewhat arbitrarily grafted onto the main narrative, but Dunning writes with such confidence and assurance the reader cannot help being drawn into this compelling whodunit.
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From Bookmarks Magazine
In 2004’s The Bookman’s Promise, Janeway searched for a valuable book-and a killer. Here, Janeway explores the murder of a man with a valuable library. Dunning, also an antiquarian bookseller (www.oldalgonquin.com), is a bibliophile whose Bookman novels rise above the standard crime fare. This fourth installment updates readers on Janeway’s personal life and fills in gaps from the previous volume. The elaborate plot, convincing red herrings, and pitch-perfect dialogue eclipse the book’s few stock characters and unbelievable dream scene. Critics disagree on the role of books in the novel-one wanted more; another thought the rare-book dealing theme superficial. Either way, you’re in for a smart literary surprise.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1st Printing edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743255054
• ISBN-13: 978-0743255059
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #541,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Cliff Janeway Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking person's thriller mystery!, March 8, 2005

By	Shauna King "Happy Mom!" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I did not think a thriller about an antiquarian book dealer who moonlights as a PI would be my cup of tea, but I was wrong! The main character Cliff Janeway is something different then the typical cardboard hero typical of this genre. The author draws out this character, and the large supporting cast in masterful way, making each seem like a real person. I now look forward to going back and reading Dunning's earlier books.

In this story Cliff Janeway heads to the mountains of Paradise Colorado to investigate the murder of a Mr. Robert Marshall a shadowy figure with a giant book collection worth millions. Adding mor intrigue is the fact that Marshall was the first love of DA Erin D'Angelo -- Janeway's curret lover! Erin was also best friends with Robert's wife who is found at the murder scene bathed in blood and confesses to the crime! The book takes off frrom here and of course the world of antiquarian books is woven into the plot.

My one complaint is that the plot device mixing the collector book world into the murder plot is stretched, but I think the reader expects this (kind of like you know the story will be set in the horse world when reading a Dick Francis novel) Plus the author does such a masterful job of combining these elements it becomes a minor point.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dunning's Fastest Moving - and Best, January 28, 2006

By	Richard A. Mitchell (candia, new hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For those who have never read a book in this series (and this one stands alone just fine), the main character, Cliff Janeway, is a retired (for disciplinary reasons) Denver policeman who is now making his career book sales. In every novel, Janeway gets involved in crimes that include rare books. There are frequent references not only to particular books, but also the state of the industry (Dunning obviously hates the internet).

This book has all of Dunning's best traits at their best. The book and book-selling references are captivating. Cliff Janeway, his very human hero, has moments of hero and goat. The way that Dunning melds the bookseller's knowledge of books into the plot is terrific. The supporting cast is completely fleshed out. There are no cardboard characters here. The country lawyer is a loveable, easy to underestimate compatriot.

The plot has plenty of twists and turns. Although one of the plot's central "mysteries" is obvious, it does not detract from the overall plot for reasons that can not be told in a review for fear of ruining the book for readers.

What separates this book from Dunning's other Janeway novels is its pace. The book builds almost to "thriller" status while still retaining the cerebral nature of the good mystery.

Highly recommended whether you've read all or none of the Janeway series.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really, really love Cliff Janeways' books. The ultimate in smart mysteries...., November 14, 2006

By	K. L Sadler (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Sign of the Book: A Cliff Janeway "Bookman" Novel (Cliff Janeway Novels) (Paperback)

Janeway has opened an entire new world to me. As an avid reader who has a book in almost every room in the house including the garage, bathroom, and who reads during ironing, doing homework, or waiting for sugar to boil for making English Toffee, I can almost assuredly recognize not only genres but also the various nuances within the genres. JUst as women in this day and age tend to head towards tough broads who can fend for themselves in a man's world, Janeway brings in a cop whose adoration of written materal causes him to leave his probably more steady job as a policemen, to enter the world of rare books. An occasional job will bring in enough money to support his chosen lifestyle for a while, but more than that, his introduction into the interesting and secretive world of bibliophiles. These books not only whet my appetite for this world, but also introduces me to both real people and real books that helped to shape our world from behind the scenes.

Janeway's current flame has an old friend (who also delved into books) killed, and she wants him to find out who did it an what t he motive was. In doing so he ends up becoming involved in his lover's old friends and flames, so of which should be left undisturbed. But Janeway never is one to back down from a fight over 'rights and wrongs', and he doesnt' do that in this book either. I get the feeling when I read other reviews that the readers want something less complicated than what Janeway provides. If uncomplicated is what the readers want then they should go to other books, becasue there are times in Janeway's books that you just have to go back and understand why certain things are said or done in a true historical background and reality.

I wish Janeway could write fast than he does, because I thoroughly enjoy these very educated mysteries, but then, if he did write that way Janeway would not be as enjoyable as he is.

Karen L. Sadler