Description

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"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.

About the Author

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BERNARD J. FARMER (1902–1964) was a British writer whose books included a series of police-focused crime fiction novels, mystery tales for children, and nonfiction works exploring his passions for rowing and book collecting. Following the Second World War, Farmer joined the Metropolitan Police and gained experience which lent authenticity to his detective stories.

Praise For…

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"this outstanding biblio-mystery…vividly evokes the rare book trade without sidetracking the central question of whodunit. Those who treasure books won’t want to miss this." — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A persistent Middlesex police officer plunges into the surprisingly cutthroat world of bookselling in this savory reprint first published in 1956… a welcome pleasure for fans of classic British mysteries." — Kirkus Reviews