The Bookman's Wake

Bookman Cliff Janeway hunts a rare edition of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" published by the Grayson Press in 1969. When a young book scout possessing a copy of this volume dies under mysterious circumstances, Janeway travels to Seattle to investigate the book's origins and the death. The investigation leads Janeway through the history of the Grayson Press and its enigmatic founder, who died in a fire that destroyed his printing operation. The search connects to a network of rare book dealers, collectors, and others who share dangerous knowledge about the press and its final days. The story moves between Janeway's present-day pursuit and flashbacks to events at the Grayson Press in 1969. The narrative incorporates extensive details about fine press printing, book collecting, and the technical aspects of creating limited editions. The novel explores themes of obsession and the lengths people will go to possess rare objects. It examines how books can hold both monetary and psychological power over those who desire them, while questioning the true value of art versus its market price.

Readers praise the depth of book collecting details and insider knowledge of the antiquarian book trade. Many note the authentic descriptions of rare book values, binding techniques, and collector culture. The mystery plot keeps readers engaged through complex twists. Specific praise focuses on the character development of Janeway and his natural dialogue. Multiple reviewers highlight the Denver setting and detailed descriptions of bookstores. Common criticisms include a slow middle section and occasional overload of technical book terminology that can interrupt the story flow. Some readers found the plot overly complicated. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.96/5 (3,478 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (191 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (678 ratings) Sample review: "The book collecting details add authenticity but sometimes overwhelm the actual mystery. Still, Janeway remains one of the most believable detective characters." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "You'll learn more about rare books than you expected, while enjoying a solid mystery." - Amazon reviewer

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🔖 Author John Dunning worked as a professional book scout and ran the Old Algonquin Bookstore in Denver, bringing authenticity to his protagonist Cliff Janeway's work as a bookstore owner. 📚 The novel's plot centers around a rare edition of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," published by the fictional Grayson Press—but many details about fine press publishing in the story are based on real practices. 📖 The book is the second in the Cliff Janeway series, following "Booked to Die," and was nominated for the 1996 Edgar Award for Best Novel. 🖋️ Before writing mystery novels, Dunning was a horse racing reporter and wrote non-fiction books about radio history, including the acclaimed "On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio." 📗 The author's deep knowledge of book collecting helped create a new subgenre of mystery novels known as "bibliomysteries," where rare books and the antiquarian book trade play central roles in the plot.