The Sign of the Book

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

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.

THE SIGN OF THE BOOK about the former cop-turned used book dealer Mr. Cliff Janeway clearly is Mr. Dunning's best novel yet in this series. One would gather from this great thriller that once a cop, always a cop or something like that. Mr. Janeway gets right onto solving the strange murder of his silent partner/erstwhile sleeping companion's ex-boy friend who has become a collector of signed first editions. Mr. Janeway hasn't lost any of his temper, detective skills or his nose for smelling out a liar or has he? The story progresses with much ease for the reader and goes down as nicely as a fine French pastry. Unlike some mysteries, you don't get a glimpse of the least bit of scaffolding here. There are of course tidbits about rare books and their prices that Mr. Dunning's fans anxiously await with each new volume. Janeway prices signed first editions of Capote's IN COLD BLOOD, Frost's IN THE CLEARING, Larry McMurtry's THE DESERT ROSE, just to name a few. These references blend right in with the story line, never becoming just literary trivia for trivia's sake. There is also quite a poignant reference to A FAREWELL TO ARMS near the end of the book. Mr. Dunning also gives a very accurate description of the different kinds of judges-- the good, the bad, the ugly-- as well as good commentary about book fairs. Given the nature of what Mr. Dunning writes about here, it is appropriate that he signed the dust jacket of this book-- or is that his signature? I'm sure I speak for his other fans when I say that we are all ready for him to sign all our first editions of his Janeway stories-- to increase their resell value of course but only in the estate sales!

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.

Former Denver police officer Cliff Janeway has known his Twice Told Books bookstore partner, attorney Erin D'Angelo for two years so that he is capable of telling when she has something bothering her. He remains patient until Erin explains she needs Cliff to do her a favor. Laura Marshall is accused of killing her spouse and wants Erin to defend her. However, Erin informs Cliff she will never forgive Laura for stealing her lover who became her husband, but still the ethical side of her needs to know if Laura's confession that she killed Bobby is legal and true. Cliff would do anything for Erin so he journeys to Paradise to learn the truth and offer some assistance to Laura's lawyer Parley McNamara struggling to overcome the confession. In the Western Colorado town, Cliff aggravates the arresting officer, battles with bibliophiles who behave more like mob goons than book lovers, and begins to wonder if one of the three Marshall kids killed their father as Laura never seems to fully cooperate with her defense. THE SIGN OF THE BOOK is an excellent cleverly designed mystery filled with red herrings, and numerous twists and turns, but fans will still compare this to the already classic last year's THE BOOKMAN'S PROMISE, which few works can compare with. The story line is fantastic as readers go down a path thinking they know what will happen only to find a sudden yet logical detour that works quite well and is totally believable. The sidebars involving rare books are always a bonus, but that might be this reviewer's personal bias. The Bookman is terrific in this fine investigative tale. Harriet Klausner