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3.0 

Death of a Bookseller

By Bernard J. Farmer & Martin Edwards
Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer & Martin Edwards digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

"Those who treasure books won't want to miss this." Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A welcome pleasure for fans of classic British mysteries." — Kirkus Reviews

An honest policeman, Sergeant Wigan, escorts a drunk man home one night to keep him out of trouble and, seeing his fine book collection, slowly falls in to the gentle art of book collecting. Just as the friendship is blossoming, the policeman's book-collecting friend is murdered.

To solve the mystery of why the victim was killed, and which of his rare books was taken, Wigan dives into the world of 'runners' and book collectors, where avid agents will gladly cut you for a first edition and then offer you a lift home afterwards. This adventurous mystery, which combines exuberant characters with a wonderfully realised depiction of the second-hand book market, is sure to delight bibliophiles and classic crime enthusiasts alike.

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21 Reviews

3.0
“This book gives a really interesting look into the rare book world of the 1950s, wrapped up in a mystery that keeps you hooked. The main character, Sergeant Jack Wigan, is an honest, down-to-earth cop who befriends a bookseller named Michael Fisk. Fisk has an incredible collection of old books, and he even gets Wigan into book collecting as a hobby. But things take a dark turn when Fisk is found murdered—stabbed while supposedly trying to raise the devil with an old book on demonology! The occult plays a role in the plot, though Wigan, who’s a churchgoing guy, isn’t too fond of it. The real heart of the story is Wigan’s determination to prove the innocence of Fred Hampton, a simple book runner who’s been accused of the murder. Wigan is convinced Fred didn’t do it, and with help from some quirky characters, including kind-hearted booksellers and a psychic expert, he investigates the case in his spare time (his bosses aren’t exactly on board). The author’s background as a policeman really shines through, giving the story an authentic feel. While Bernard Farmer’s writing may not be as polished as George Bellairs, I still found this to be a great read. The introduction offers some interesting tidbits about Farmer’s life, and overall, it’s an enjoyable mystery with a unique backdrop.”
“3 I enjoyed this classic British mystery which featured the world of book collecting and the people who scour the book stores/auctions/ and antique shops for rare old books. The protagonist changes 80% of the way through which was kind of unusual but somehow not alarming.”

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