I just couldn't get into this book. I read maybe 40% but I was so bored so I can't recommend this one at all. I think I am just not one that likes older books.

Bernard J. Farmer's "Death of a Bookseller" unfolds as a gripping mystery, artfully blending the quaint charm of a small-town bookstore with the dark intrigue of a murder investigation. Set against the backdrop of the literary world and the idyllic English countryside, Farmer crafts a narrative that is both atmospheric and engrossing.

The novel introduces readers to the world of Ambrose Hardcastle, a bookseller in the picturesque village of Chalk Heath. The quiet life of the bookstore takes an unexpected turn when the body of a local man is discovered in the shop, casting a sinister shadow over the peaceful community. As Detective Inspector Marcus Learner delves into the investigation, layers of secrets, rivalries, and hidden motives emerge.

Farmer's storytelling prowess shines through as he weaves a complex tapestry of characters and relationships. The enigmatic Ambrose Hardcastle takes center stage, a character whose love for literature is surpassed only by the mysteries that unfold within the walls of his bookstore. The author skillfully builds suspense, keeping readers on their toes as the investigation unveils unexpected connections and hidden truths.

The charm of the small-town setting becomes a character in itself, with Farmer capturing the essence of village life and the nuances of its inhabitants. The exploration of the relationships between characters adds depth to the narrative, immersing readers in a world where everyone has something to hide and motives are often buried beneath the surface.

"Death of a Bookseller" masterfully navigates the balance between the classic cozy mystery and a more intricate, layered narrative. The prose is engaging, and the pacing keeps the reader invested in the unfolding drama. Farmer's affection for literature is palpable, enriching the story with references and insights that will resonate with bibliophiles.

As the plot unfolds, the twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the final reveal. Farmer manages to deliver a satisfying resolution while leaving room for contemplation about the nature of human relationships and the secrets we keep.

In "Death of a Bookseller," Bernard J. Farmer offers a delightful and thought-provoking mystery that will appeal to fans of classic whodunits and those who appreciate the charm of a bookstore setting. With its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and evocative atmosphere, this novel is a testament to Farmer's ability to craft a compelling and immersive mystery.

Thanks to NETGALLEY AND POISONED PEN PUBLISHERS for an advance copy for my honest review.

This was a good fun read, which I enjoyed more than I expected to, as I’m not really a reader of mysteries. First published in 1956 and now reissued by the excellent British Library Crime Classics series, it’s about the murder of a prominent book collector. Sergeant Wigan is on the case, and it seems at one point that the perpetrator has been successfully apprehended – but Sergeant Wigan is having none of it. He’s horrified at the thought of an innocent man facing the death penalty and is determined to hunt down the real culprit. Very much of its time and place, nevertheless it’s still quite readable of you make allowances for the attitudes prevalent at the time, and the mystery did indeed mystify me. A side-step into the occult most definitely didn’t work for me, but it’s integrated neatly enough into the main narrative. Most of all I enjoyed the glimpse into the world of bookselling and book collecting in that era – not at all a sedate profession as it turns out. Don’t expect too much of the novel and put your critical faculties to one side for a few hours, then sink into the murky world of second-hand books.

I enjoy delving into reprints just to try different types of older mysteries, and sometimes they do not always work the way I hope for them to.
I must admit that this is a good book, there is nothing wrong with the mystery or the people, but I struggled to be invested in the situations being described to me. I think the primary reason might be the main content revolves around the concept of 'collectors' and their 'collections'. I have never understood the concept of valuation of something based on how much someone wants it. I know that is how economies work, but for something like books (or related things), I cannot grasp the underlying importance. That may have played a part in how I felt about the book as a whole.
The story is straightforward in some ways. A policeman ends up helping a man one night - this good turn leads him into a new hobby. After a period of time, this new friend is found dead and leaves his entire book collection to the policeman in question.
I found the investigative process quite interesting. Sargent Wigan sticks his neck out to figure out the culprit, and the interactions he has with his higher-ups was new and entertaining. It solidified the character introduced to us and added an element of urgency.
The mystery itself was a proper police investigation with people helping along the way. I think fans of a certain type of older mystery series might better appreciate this than I did. I would not mind reading another book by the author since the writing style was well done, and I liked the way people drifted on and off the main stage.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Sergeant Jack Wigan just met Michael Fisk, a book-runner in an inconvenient state. Being a book-runner is like searching, picking up and selling rare/ first-edition/ most wanted books to other dealers or collectors. Instantly, they became close friends. Soon after that, Fisk was found stabbed surrounding his book in his own house. It was unlikely that he had any enemies other than books were the motive. From the time of his murder, Fredrick Hampton was accused. He happened to quarrel with the dead man and was seen at the Fisk's house. Fred denied it and claimed someone has framed him.

Sergeant Jack Wigan felt the man was innocent but hard to justify the feeling because there are so many loopholes in the case. The police had arrested the wrong person because circumstances seemed to implicate him. Wigan tried to find out general movements on the day of Fisk's death. He convinced all connected with the trade are suspect.

There are several potential suspects indeed.  I did think I had the ending all worked out, but obviously, I'm wrong. It does make the flow a little unbelievable. But guess what, it's fiction though. Originally published on January 1, 1956. This is the second of four detective novels that Farmer wrote featuring detective Sergeant Jack Wigan series.

Thanks to @netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for earc. My opinions are my own.

Sergeant Wigan is on his regular beat one night when he escorts a drunken man to his house. While seeing him safely home, Wigan notices his large, impressive collection of books. The two strike up a friendship with Mike, who gives him a tutorial on the second-hand trade. Between his police shifts, Wigan begins to enjoy the thrill of searching dusty shelves or going to auctions with the possibility of finding an unknown treasure.

The great Joel himself opened the door, a blue-chinned, black-haired man in the prime of life with the build of a prizefighter and the air of a buccaneer which clung to him from the days when he raided the auction-rooms and flogged his bargains in a sack. ~Loc. 1762

Just when it seems Mike is going to make a big sale, he turns up murdered. Further complicating the situation, Wigan is convinced that the wrong man has been convicted of the crime. Now the time is ticking for an innocent man on death row as well as Wigan trying to find the true killer of his friend.

This novel taps into a specific time and speciality. Set in England after WWII, life is still trying to return to normal. There are vestiges of late Victorian day-to-day life still hanging on. The analog nature of the book trade among sellers and clients has changed very little. With the exception of telegrams or the occasional phone call, it still requires intense knowledge, a good eye, and lots of miles on foot. This is juxtaposed with a new, emerging modernity in mid-century England.

The author, Bernard J. Farmer, was a Metropolitan police officer himself and had a penchant for book collecting, so the hero of this novel reflects the author quite a bit. Indeed, the strength of the story lies in the telling, rather than the overall plot. The mystery is secondary to the adventure within a world most of us had no idea existed.

This is the first time the book has been in print since its publishing in 1956, and it’s the 100th in the British Library Crime Classics series.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy. Read via NetGalley.

I definitely agree with the notion of this being a fun historical mystery read. I went into it a bit unsure and it took me until about 20% to begin enjoying it, but I’m glad I stuck through.

This mystery novel offers an intriguing glimpse into London's rare book trade of the 1950s. While the suspense kept me engaged, the portrayal of female characters felt unrealistic and disconnected from the story, detracting from the overall reading experience.

This was entertaining primarily for the peek into the world of London's rare book trade in the 1950s. The mystery was entertaining enough, and the suspense as the clock counted down to the possible hanging of a wrongly-convicted suspect in the case was genuinely stressful, but the author had apparently never talked to or met an actual woman ever in his life, and the female characters are so false and jarring as to take the reader right out of the scenes they feature in.

Death of a Bookseller is set in 1954, the original issued in 1956, and the tale features Sergeant Wigan, a policeman and a bookseller. Wigan's character is appealing and the tale has a uniqueness tat gives it charm. Overall, a very good, compelling and exciting mystery read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

What a marvellous murder mystery, this is a reprint of this book. The Death of a Bookseller is a brilliant example of the genre, reminiscent of Christie, Marsh and other great writers of the period. Full of red herrings and redirection, we meet many memorable characters all involved in the book trade. For anyone interested in how cut throat and deceptive was the rare book trade will be carried away by Farmers' tale. I had forgotten how very well written these books were and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. My thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an opportunity to read this most excellent book.

An excellent example of Golden Age mystery, a puzzle and a thoroughly enjoyable story.
I love Sergeant Wigan and love the story set in a bookshop that sells rare books.
There's a an interesting portrait of a bookselling, an intriguing investigation and a puzzle that I didn't solve even if I try to follow the clues.
It's the first book I read by Bernard Farmer and will check if there's other books.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Death of a Bookseller is a great example of classic British mystery fiction. The protagonist is a dutiful, honest, and kind police officer, Sergeant Wigan. He strikes up a friendship with a bookseller who introduces him to the art of collecting books. Wigan is enthusiastic and their friendship blooms until cut short when his friend is murdered. Wigan is seconded to the investigation which was led by one of those people who jumps to a conclusion and then assembles the evidence. He succeeds in winning the conviction of an unpleasant man who Wigan believes is innocent.

On his own time and at his own expense, Wigan looks for the real murderer, meeting people from every strata of the book collecting world from rich collectors who think nothing of making a transcontinental flight to track down a book to lowly and impoverished runners who scrounge estate sales and rummage bins. There are quite a few colorful characters and Wigan soon learns that bookselling is a cutthroat business, far less genteel than it may seem on the surface.



Death of a Bookseller is unlikely to keep you up reading through the night. It is a mental puzzle rather than a breakneck thriller. The imminent execution looms larger in Wigan’s mind than in the readers. The tension and the time crunch would be more powerful in a film than in Wigan’s painstaking investigation. I do have one complaint, though, the most likable people get killed. I mourned the victim of the last murder in the book and wish he could have just been unconscious or something, anything but profligately killed off by a cruel author.

I received an e-galley of Death of a Bookseller from the publisher through NetGalley.

Death of a Bookseller at Poisoned Pen Press | Sourcebooks
Bernard J, Farmer at Classic Crime Fiction

Honestly, I requested this completely thinking this was another book. Ironically for someone who spends 90% of their spare time with their head in a book, I can't seem to read!

That being said, I still decided to give it a go, and despite my scepticism, I enjoyed it! Crime classics aren't what I tend to go for but I was pleasantly surprised with this. I saw someone describe it as a 'fun vintage mystery read' and I couldn't agree more.

Highly recommended reissue of a 1956 classic crime novel involving a stolen rare book. For bibliophiles, a win-win.

I'm a big fan of the British Crime Classics series. The plots and settings of these books are always intriguing, and it is fun to discover these generally long-forgotten authors. "Death of a Bookseller" provides an interesting look back at the second hand and antiquarian booksellers of England. Sergeant Jack Wigan is an appealing character, and I wish more of Farmer's books were available.

Mysteries were a solace this month when I was ill with a constant cough.  I am a fan of Golden Age Detective fiction, and so naturally was captivated by Bernard J. Farmer's "Death of a Bookseller,  a charming novel in the British Library Crime Classics series. Full disclosure;  I am so bookstore-crazy that I  enjoy even frothy-light cozies in which impecunious booksellers solve crimes with the assistance of cats.  But Farmer's mystery is several cuts above these.
 

"Death of a Bookseller," published in 1956, is set in the cutthroat world of the antiquarian book trade.  It all begins when Sergeant Wigan, a sensible, dutiful police officer bicycling home from work, meets a drunk, who introduces himself as Mike Fisk, staggering down the sidewalk. Mike says he has been drinking to celebrate the find of a lifetime -John Keats' own copy of Endymion - worth millions.  Wigan courteously escorts him home, and the two get to talking about the book trade.



Mike is what is called a runner.  "I go here, there, everywhere, picking up what I can find in the first-edition line, and selling to other dealers or sometimes direct to a collector."

Soon Wigan is collecting books himself.  But when Fisk is murdered and the Keats book goes missing, a hot-tempered runner named Fred Hampton is arrested.  Wigan is sure Hampton is innocent.   Fred once tried to wrestle a book away from Wigan, but recovered his temper and apologized.  "'As a matter of fact,' he added frankly, 'I always quarrel with everybody sooner or later.'"



Wigan devotes himself to trying to prove Fred's innocence.  But it is uphill work, and his interviews with eccentric, crooked booksellers and unethical collectors make this a much more exciting read than you might think!

This was a out of my comfort zone read and I ended up relly enjoying it, will deffinantlt be stepping out of that zone more often now.

This is a great addition to the British Crime Library series. It will appeal to readers who enjoy mystery novels, as well as those who are bibliophiles.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These are my opinions alone.

*Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
It is always interesting to read one of the classics and to compare it with modern police procedurals ore detective stories. The series which Poisoned Press offers is a rare opportunity to read books long forgottena and not read, with the exception of collectors most probably.
Meet Sgt Wigan, a decent policeman who has doubts regarding the person accused of murder. The background for the story is the world of book collectors, especially first editions and it seems this world or rather underworld agrees that means are allowed if you are on a hunt for a rare book.
The plot is rather complicated with some extras such as occult theme which did not appeal to me, however, I liked Wigan and the atmosphere of the investigation light years away from the modern ones.
The cover is perfect, as always with the series.