Death of a Bookseller

By: Bernard J. Farmer

Narrated by: Nick Rawlinson

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 into 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.

©1956, 2022 The Estate of Bernard J. Farmer, Martin Edwards (P)2022 Soundings

Fun mystery

Excellent narrator for a quirky British dry-humor mystery.
There's not a ton of "mystery," in the sense that there's nothing for the reader to try to figure out; if I had to issue a complaint about this book, it's that the ending felt ad hoc. But I still felt like I was watching a silly old British sleuthing movie.

Thoroughly enjoyed the listen.

I had heard about Bernard J. Farmer in the forward of another mystery book and was intrigued. I’m glad I took the chance and ordered this book.

The detailed information on the world of book collectors, at least as it was in ‘54, was fascinating. The intrigue, the subterfuge, the emotional attachments to wanted volumes, all of it was fun.

It’s a great mystery written with insight and skill. It was expertly performed and I never had a problem knowing what character was speaking. Something I can’t say about every book I listen to sadly.

I wish the author’s other Wiggens books were available. I hope so.

Great plot twist!

England, antiquarian-books, bibliomystery, 1954, bookseller, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, wrongful-conviction, trial, paranormal, framed, personal-mission, lawyers*****

The copper and the bookseller.
The bookseller gets murdered, the police detective takes the easy out with the assailant, yet Wigan is promoted to assist with the investigation because of his knowledge of the book trade. Remember, it is set in 1954, original issue in 1956, so it is historical to us but contemporary for the writer. Despite the most meticulous diligence both before and after sentencing, it looks grim. The copper also becomes a bookseller on the side. The basics are intriguing, but it's the ingenious plot twists and diabolical red herrings that make this an exceptional Classic!
I requested and received an EARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. I am thankful, but I did find it in audio and gave my eyes a break.
Nick Rawlinson is an excellent voice actor.

The horrible narrator vocals

The horrible job of the narrator trying to do vastly different voices for characters. I have hundreds of audible books and I can’t get through the first 2 chapters I wish I’d never bought this