Showing posts with label John Dunning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Dunning. Show all posts

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Bookscout by John Dunning


First Line: His name was Joel Beer, but even that was partly made up.

I have to admit that I read this short story about a man who spends six days a week hunting for books in Denver simply because I miss John Dunning's books. A lot of the things I learned about the value of first editions, etc., I learned from reading Dunning's superb Cliff Janeway mysteries, and if you haven't read them, I do hope you'll give them a try. (The first one is Booked to Die.)

Joel Beer could make a good living as a bookscout if he were the only one in Denver, but he's not. He's got stiff competition, especially from Popeye Lamonica. But when Joel and his partner Lacy-- a slow-witted vagrant-- are facing eviction, Joel is determined to find that elusive book that will pay all the bills and set them up.

What happens is all about truth, the human spirit, and the magic of books. As a rule, I am not a re-reader, but I may have to make an exception for John Dunning. The man is Good.


"Bookscout" by John Dunning
eISBN: 9781480456396
Open Road Integrated Media © 2013
Originally published in 1984.
eBook, 35 pages

Short Story, Standalone
Rating: A
Source: Purchased from Amazon.