The Bookman's Wake - Tapa blanda

Few novels have been as eagerly awaited as John Dunning's sequel to the award-winning Booked to Die, which was hailed by critics and readers for both its powerful writing and its fascinating glimpse into the world of rare book collecting. Now, Denver cop-turned-book-dealer Cliff Janeway is back, lured by an enterprising ex-cop into going to Seattle to bring back a fugitive wanted for assault, burglary, and the possible theft of a priceless edition of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven." The bail jumper turns out to be a young, vulnerable woman who calls herself Eleanor Rigby, and who happens to be a gifted book scout. Janeway finds Eleanor enchanting -- and is equally intrigued by the deadly history surrounding the rare volume. Stalked by people willing to kill to get their hands on it, a terrified Eleanor slips from Janeway's grasp and disappears. To find her, Janeway must unravel the secrets surrounding the book and its mysterious maker, for only this knowledge can stop the cruel hand of death from turning another page....

John Dunning's previous Cliff Janeway novel, Booked to Die, won the prestigious Nero Wolfe Award and was voted "Favorite Book to Sell in 1992" by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. His novels Looking for Ginger North and Deadline were both Edgar Allan Poe Award nominees. An expert on rare and collectible books, Dunning owned the Old Algonquin Bookstore in Denver for many years before opening an appointment-only, first-edition business. He is also a radio historian and former radio show host, and has just completed a comprehensive history of radio scheduled for publication in 1996. He lives in Denver.