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John Dunning

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The Bookwoman's Last Fling (Cliff Janeway Novels Book 5) Kindle Edition

by John Dunning (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 536 ratings

Book 5 of 5: Cliff Janeway Novels

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A dead horse trainer draws a book-dealing detective into a deadly plot in this thriller from the New York Times–bestselling author.

Denver bookman Cliff Janeway is in Idaho for work. Wealthy horse trainer H.R. Geiger wants him to assess a collection of rare children’s books, a legacy left behind by Geiger’s long-dead wife, Candice. But the job turns dangerous when Geiger suddenly dies—and Janeway discovers several valuable titles have been replaced with cheap reprints. Now determined to track down the thief, Janeway must delve into Candice and H.R.’s life on the horse racing circuit.

The trail leads Janeway to California’s Golden Gate and Santa Anita racetracks, where he signs on as a racehorse hot walker. A novice at racetrack life, he tries to remain inconspicuous while listening to the chatter among the hands. He doesn’t like what he hears. And when he goes to the house where Candice died to look for answers, he finds more than he bargained for.

“An exhilarating adventure” —The New York Times

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Bestseller Dunning scores another triumph with his fifth mystery (after 2005's The Sign of the Book) to feature Cliff Janeway, a former homicide detective who has found a second career as an antiquarian book dealer but who hasn't quite lost his taste for police work. Janeway receives an invitation from wealthy horse trainer H.R. Geiger to come to Idaho to appraise his book collection, but by the time Janeway arrives, his host is dead. He winds up tracking down some rare volumes that have vanished and probing the decades-old death of Geiger's wife, a wealthy heiress who collected valuable juvenile fiction. When a fresh body turns up and Janeway himself almost falls victim to a killer, the bibliophile detective finds that his decision to pursue the truth puts him at odds with his longstanding significant other. Dunning's exceptional gifts at plotting and characterization should help win him many new readers, while the horse-racing angle is sure to lure Dick Francis fans. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine

John Dunning knows the horse and book worlds well. Before writing his first book, he worked for horse trainers in Denver, Idaho, and California, and he ran the Old Algonquin Bookstore in Denver. The Bookman's Last Fling offers a smart, authentic look into both worlds. Janeway, agreeably misanthropic as always, complements a cast of complex, fascinating characters, local color, and solid dialogue. Critics noted, however, an awkward plot mired by unoriginal details, which diminishes the force of the mystery. While equestrian fans will enjoy this thriller, Dunning's regular bibliophile base may want to wait for the next ride.

From Booklist

Sure, Dunning's Cliff Janeway series, starring the Denver rare-book dealer and former homicide cop, appeals to bibliophiles, but don't pigeonhole these surprisingly muscular novels into that wimpy PBS drawing room where murder is merely an excuse for intellectuals to talk fancy. Not only does Janeway bash heads with the best of the hard-boiled guys, he also solves cases that venture into decidedly unliterary venues. This time, for example, he agrees to examine the children's-book collection of the long-dead wife of a horse trainer, now also dead, but soon winds up working as a "hot walker" at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, hoping to discover who has been stealing the dead wife's books and who killed the trainer's disagreeable son. It's a long trail to the answers, but along the way, we're treated to enough backstretch detail to satisfy the horsiest of Dick Francis fans. Don't worry, bibliophiles, there's also this aside about some copies of A. A. Milne's Pooh books: "Oh, my pounding heart, the jackets, it made my scrotum tingle just to touch them." Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Dunning scores another triumph.... Sure to lure Dick Francis fans." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Terrific dialogue and some very nice writing.... A mystery that races to the beat of horses' hooves." -- Rocky Mountain News

"An exhilarating adventure that makes book-collecting seem as exciting as horseracing." -- The New York Times

About the Author

John Dunning (1942–2023) revealed book collecting’s most shocking secrets in his bestselling series of crime novels featuring Cliff Janeway: Booked to Die, which won the prestigious Nero Wolfe Award; The Bookman’s Wake, a New York Times Notable Book; and the New York Times bestsellers The Bookman’s Promise, The Sign of the Book, and The Bookwoman’s Last Fling. He also wrote the Edgar Award–nominated Deadline, The Holland Suggestions, and Two O’Clock, Eastern Wartime. An expert on rare and collectible books, he owned the Old Algonquin Bookstore in Denver for many years.

From AudioFile

George Guidall gives his usual polished performance in this installment of the Cliff Janeway mystery series. The cop-turned-bookman is hired to appraise the book collection of the newly dead widow of a deceased horse trainer. Murder soon occurs, and we follow Janeway into the world of Idaho horse breeding and California racetracks. Guidall shines in his characterizations of hysterical women, old drunks, irate rich people, and all the other denizens of the horse world, who prove to be an interesting and untrustworthy lot. His voicing of Janeway--Guidall has read four previous books in the series--is bemused, intelligent, and intriguingly world-weary. And his pacing, as ever, is superb. R.E.K. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000GCFXJ0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (May 23, 2006)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 23, 2006
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1322 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1416523391

Best Sellers Rank: #235,855 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #44 in Booksellers & Bookselling
- #1,080 in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
- #1,140 in Heist Thrillers

Customer Reviews:
4.3 536 ratings

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John Dunning

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Although I have been writing fiction since childhood (and publishing novels since 1975), it was BOOKED TO DIE (1992) that gave me the freedom to write full time. I have always written out of my own life. My Bookman novels came from my ongoing experience in the used and rare book trade, coupled with my life as a Denver Post police reporter in the 1970s. I have written five novels about my book detective, Cliff Janeway, including THE BOOKWOMAN'S LAST FLING, to be published by Scribner in May 2006.

We have lived in Denver, it seems, forever, though I am a refugee from Charleston, SC. I have also been a glass cutter, a groom at Santa Anita and other racetracks, a publicist for political candidates (which is the same general thing)and did a radio show for more than 20 years.

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4.3 out of 5

536 global ratings

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Rare books and horse racing

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024

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Cliff Janeway, former detective and rare book expert, is contacted to review a remarkable collection of rare books from the H.R. Geiger estate. He eagerly flies to Idaho to assess the books and decide whether or not he can except the job. The collection was amassed by Geiger's deceased wife, Candice, a bookwoman after his heart.

His meeting with Junior Willis, however, does not go well, and regardless of how thrilled Janeway is with the collection, there are problems to be resolved.

One of the problems: several of the original books of astounding value have been replaced with reprints. Another is that Junior Willis wants this done more quickly than is reasonably or responsibly practical. How can Janeway locate and return the missing books in the time allowed? Is he expected to just sign on the line?

Janeway is fascinating with Candice Geiger and her collection, but also with the suggestion that Candice was murdered twenty years ago. The deal with Junior goes south, but new possibilities arise with his meeting with Candice's daughter, Sharon. The former detective and the rare book expert in Janeway combine--leading through many twists and turns, including spending time as ginney (groom or stable hand in horse racing terms), a murder, and attempts on Janeway's life.

I learned a great deal about horse racing and shedrows (Dunning himself spent time as a ginney in his youth) and the plot kept me in the dark. Near the end, I thought I had it figured out by the Mad Hatter clue, then an abrupt shift through me off again. It wasn't until the concluding chapter that the bad guy was revealed.

The Bookwoman's Last Fling was engrossing, but I will certainly miss Cliff Janeway.

Helpful

Joan Leister

Bookwoman's Last Fling

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2007

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my husband's birthday. He enjoys reading this author and has read his book's before. Since my husbands enjoys book old and new the character is perfect for him. He enjoys the mystery.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Thoughly enjoyable: who done it!

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024

Verified Purchase

I loved it; who would think book lovers and thorobred race horses would be a combination in others. I had horses for about 20 yrs. (it's what made me lame in old age.) John Dunning a terrific author to find; with more books to read. Many people don't read now a days; just netflix, TV and Smart phones. I don't have a TV; but the only thing I watch is the Triple Crown! People think I'm crazy!

Helpful

HardBellSound

... book selling or horse racing this story will fit comfortably. As a mystery who-done-it the tale is so-so

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

If you are into book selling or horse racing this story will fit comfortably. As a mystery who-done-it the tale is so-so. I did not find the unfolding to be complelling. His writing is just fine and flows easily enough. The characters offer some interest and a little philosophy of life's challanges. It will keep your interest.

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

I loved this novel. I saw where others were ticked off with the horses. I love horses and books - no problem for me. I particularly love Mr. Dunnings characters - well drawn and very eclectic. I look forward to reading another of his books..

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015

Verified Purchase

Had not read a John Dunning in quite a while. Very happy to get reacquainted with Cliff Janeway, but this used a lot of cliches and became very redundant at times. But, still and all, I keep enjoy reading Mr. Dunning's books.

4 people found this helpful

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BAB

Hello Cliff,

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024

Verified Purchase

It's been a long time between reads about this book guy. Nice to come across this comfortable read. Time to check that I've read them all.

Helpful

Diana P

Sorry to see Cliff go.

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

I like Mr. Dunning's way with words. As a native Denverite I enjoy reading about places I know. In this book he also mixes in the world of horse racing. Another topic I'm familiar with including all the locales.

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The Bookwoman's Last Fling (Cliff Janeway Novels Book 5) Kindle Edition

Editorial Reviews

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John Dunning

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