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A Crang Mystery #7
Booking In: A Crang Mystery
Mystery-solving criminal lawyer Crang returns to investigate the disappearance of two rare books.
Mason Davis is a Toronto antiquarian book dealer, internationally respected in the business. One night, someone blows the safe in his office and makes off with the contents, which include reputed first editions of Jane Austen s Mansfield Park and Emma. Davis, who was still in the process of verifying the stolen books, doesn't even know whether they were the real thing or clever forgeries. But rather than summon the cops to investigate the theft, he turns to his pal Crang, the nervy criminal lawyer, hoping he can retrieve the books before their owner gets wind of the crime. The owner who, by the way, happens to be the richest woman in Canada and a tough cookie who can ruin Davis s career.
Crang gets on the hunt, learning much about the trade in musty books and the lucrative business it makes for forgers. Just as he seems to be getting close to answers, a shocking development makes things much more complicated and much more dangerous."
Mason Davis is a Toronto antiquarian book dealer, internationally respected in the business. One night, someone blows the safe in his office and makes off with the contents, which include reputed first editions of Jane Austen s Mansfield Park and Emma. Davis, who was still in the process of verifying the stolen books, doesn't even know whether they were the real thing or clever forgeries. But rather than summon the cops to investigate the theft, he turns to his pal Crang, the nervy criminal lawyer, hoping he can retrieve the books before their owner gets wind of the crime. The owner who, by the way, happens to be the richest woman in Canada and a tough cookie who can ruin Davis s career.
Crang gets on the hunt, learning much about the trade in musty books and the lucrative business it makes for forgers. Just as he seems to be getting close to answers, a shocking development makes things much more complicated and much more dangerous."
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
3 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Jack Batten
53 books25 followersJack Batten, after a brief and unhappy career as a lawyer, has been a very happy freelance writer for many years. The author of thirty-five books, Batten writes the weekly Whodunnit column in the Toronto Star, has reviewed jazz for the Globe and Mail, and has reviewed movies on CBC Radio for twenty-five years. He has written over thirty books on subjects that include biography, crime fiction, law and court cases, and sports. Not surprisingly, jazz, movies, and crime turn up frequently in Crang’s life. He lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 23, 2017
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Booking In is the 7th outing for lawyer/fixer and sometimes sleuth Crang. He's a likeable, intelligent jazz fanatic and martini lover. He is stable and has a great relationship with a woman he cares for and a house and home life he enjoys.
He has a loyal group of friends and associates with particularly 'interesting' (not necessarily strictly legal) talents which play a part in his freelance consulting. When one of his legal client's safe gets burgled and some potentially very valuable documents are stolen, he calls in his friends, a former safe-cracker and a burglar, to help figure out who/what/how (and maybe why).
The secondary cast of characters include some memorable comic relief and provide a foil for Crang's witty repartee and occasional fisticuffs.
There are several interwoven stories and the way they're resolved form the basis for a really solid mystery. The writing is top notch and the characterizations and dialogue are very well written and a lot of fun to read. It's cleverly written and the denouement is satisfying.
I just really enjoyed reading this book. As a bonus, there are a lot of great jazz, literature and poetry references. Well worth a read! Anyone who enjoys Robert Parker's Spenser books, or John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books will definitely find something to please with these books. I read Booking In as a standalone, you get all the necessary background without having to read the other books first.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
Booking In is the 7th outing for lawyer/fixer and sometimes sleuth Crang. He's a likeable, intelligent jazz fanatic and martini lover. He is stable and has a great relationship with a woman he cares for and a house and home life he enjoys.
He has a loyal group of friends and associates with particularly 'interesting' (not necessarily strictly legal) talents which play a part in his freelance consulting. When one of his legal client's safe gets burgled and some potentially very valuable documents are stolen, he calls in his friends, a former safe-cracker and a burglar, to help figure out who/what/how (and maybe why).
The secondary cast of characters include some memorable comic relief and provide a foil for Crang's witty repartee and occasional fisticuffs.
There are several interwoven stories and the way they're resolved form the basis for a really solid mystery. The writing is top notch and the characterizations and dialogue are very well written and a lot of fun to read. It's cleverly written and the denouement is satisfying.
I just really enjoyed reading this book. As a bonus, there are a lot of great jazz, literature and poetry references. Well worth a read! Anyone who enjoys Robert Parker's Spenser books, or John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books will definitely find something to please with these books. I read Booking In as a standalone, you get all the necessary background without having to read the other books first.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
December 18, 2017
Visit the locations in the novel
A story about old books, a bookshop and the love of books. When the store is invaded and a possibly valuable one goes missing, then the race is on to find what is really at stake.
What’s better than a book about books? Biscuits? Well, there’s a character called Biscuit, who is a renowned safecracker. Without Crang knowing it, Maury and Biscuit break into Marshall’s business and Biscuit breaks into the safe in no time flat.
There’s a lot of old fashioned sleuthing in this book and it was a whole lot of fun. Books which may be forged, ink which needs to be investigated, letters with secrets which have gone missing…oh joy. Then there’s the plot within the plot! Joy of Joys!
And then there’s the setting – great book feel to the entire novel, with snippets of such gems as Kensington Village and the oldest fire station in the city.
I’ve not read the others in the series but if this one is anything to go by, I’m in for a treat!
December 7, 2017
This is the first Crang novel that I have read – and will probably not be the last. It is more a ‘Cosy Mystery’ than a hard-boiled crime novel, with everyone acting rather civilly, and not much sex or violence. Even the current criminals are approachable (if not always likeable), and the ex-con safe-crackers that Crang uses in his bid to solve the case(s) really are quite loveable. Most of the women in the book are strong characters, and any sexism is dealt with appropriate measures. There are definitely a few aspiring village idiots, but most of the characters act rationally most of the time. It all chugs along quite nicely, enough mystery to keep you interested – and then suddenly, a bloody murder and it all gets a lot more dangerous for Crang and those helping him.
The plot is quite convoluted, but generally believable. The writing is good, and amusing rather than laugh-out-loud hilarious. Crang is certainly not your normal lawyer, but definitely someone you would want to hire when things get a little sticky.
A very enjoyable read.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The plot is quite convoluted, but generally believable. The writing is good, and amusing rather than laugh-out-loud hilarious. Crang is certainly not your normal lawyer, but definitely someone you would want to hire when things get a little sticky.
A very enjoyable read.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
December 12, 2017
Antiquarian bookstore owner Fletcher Marshall hires nosy lawyer Crang to find stolen literary letters and an infamous forged edition of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese. Both pieces were taken from a safe in Marshall’s Toronto bookstore and Fletcher wants Crang to quietly find the stolen items before his wealthy client Meg Grantham finds out. With the help of his seedy associates, burglar Maury and retired safecracker Freddie Biscuit, and his girlfriend Annie, Crang goes on the hunt. Suspects include Grantham's adult sons and Fletcher's bookstore staff. Then a murder occurs and some thugs decide to give Crang a warning to stay off the case. This is a fun caper-like read and Batten fills the book with detailed scenes of Toronto neighbourhoods that I know very well.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Dundurn with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Dundurn with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
December 11, 2017
An unorthodox criminal lawyer Crang mystery.
This is the seventh in a series of mysteries featuring quirky criminal lawyer, Crang, who mixes in rather unorthodox circles.
The novel opens with an unusual burglary from the safe of Fletcher Marshall, an antiquarian bookseller from Toronto. The problem is extreme, as very rare and important documents and poems have been stolen. Some may even be forgeries, albeit valuable collectors’ items.
Rather than involve the police, Fletcher Marshall seeks help from his old pal Crang, the quirky criminal lawyer. Crang turns to his acquaintances; a safecracker and a burglar and many others along the way.
After a simple start, the novel accelerates to become a far deeper affair of plots within plots, especially when a murder occurs. The characters are varied and the reader has to decide who the protagonist is. The author also has cleverly written this as a stand-alone novel even though it is one of a series. There are several references to the antiquarian book trade in Toronto which didn’t particularly hold my interest, possibly because I’m resident in the UK, not Canada.
Galadriel.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
This is the seventh in a series of mysteries featuring quirky criminal lawyer, Crang, who mixes in rather unorthodox circles.
The novel opens with an unusual burglary from the safe of Fletcher Marshall, an antiquarian bookseller from Toronto. The problem is extreme, as very rare and important documents and poems have been stolen. Some may even be forgeries, albeit valuable collectors’ items.
Rather than involve the police, Fletcher Marshall seeks help from his old pal Crang, the quirky criminal lawyer. Crang turns to his acquaintances; a safecracker and a burglar and many others along the way.
After a simple start, the novel accelerates to become a far deeper affair of plots within plots, especially when a murder occurs. The characters are varied and the reader has to decide who the protagonist is. The author also has cleverly written this as a stand-alone novel even though it is one of a series. There are several references to the antiquarian book trade in Toronto which didn’t particularly hold my interest, possibly because I’m resident in the UK, not Canada.
Galadriel.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
September 24, 2017
4 and 1 / 2 stars
Crang receives a telephone call from antiquarian bookseller Fletcher Marshall. He reports that he does not want to go to the police, but his safe has been broken into. Crang collects his old buddy, Maury who is a retired safecracker and thief to assess the situation. Stolen are two sets of documents. The first are letters that detail a literal fight between two literary giants, and the other is a forged forgery of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poems. The owner of the forged Browning poems is said to be the richest woman in Canada, so Marshall definitely doesn’t want that information coming to light. Maury makes short work of the digital safe and doesn’t see any signs that the door locks were forced.
Crang and Maury hook up with Biscuit, a renowned safecracker. Without Crang knowing it, Maury and Biscuit break into Marshall’s business and Biscuit breaks into the safe in no time flat.
Charlie, Marshall’s store assistant, comes to Crang’s office with a rather suspicious story. Crang and Maury decide to tail her when she won’t tell him who her mysterious boyfriend is. They tail her to a very expensive home. Before Crang can identify the man, he is accosted by two thugs. The identity of the person who employed the pair is very thought-provoking.
Crang and Maury investigate further and discover a very convoluted story. Crang takes some documents to Ish, a man who specializes in ink and paper, and discovers some interesting things about the document. When the man who is Charlie’s boyfriend is identified, the plot thickens, so to speak. There turn out to be plots within plots in this story.
Anita “Acey” Carmen Hickey is the owner of the series of the letters that have gone missing. The letters were a back and forth exchange about a boxing match that took place between her father, a Canadian writer named Hickey, and Norman Mailer, who was at the time a very famous American author.
Then a murder occurs. The suspense and the speed in the story pick up. The name of the killer is somewhat of a surprise, until the reader figures out how they did it.
This novel is very well written and plotted. It read like a dream. The suspense starts immediately and only ratchets up from there. The plot within plots is a very interesting method of pulling the reader in. I truly enjoyed this book, more so than the previous one. The characters were very interesting, and I liked the relationship between Crang and Annie. I will definitely look into the Crang books that I have not read in the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this enjoyable book to read.
Crang receives a telephone call from antiquarian bookseller Fletcher Marshall. He reports that he does not want to go to the police, but his safe has been broken into. Crang collects his old buddy, Maury who is a retired safecracker and thief to assess the situation. Stolen are two sets of documents. The first are letters that detail a literal fight between two literary giants, and the other is a forged forgery of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poems. The owner of the forged Browning poems is said to be the richest woman in Canada, so Marshall definitely doesn’t want that information coming to light. Maury makes short work of the digital safe and doesn’t see any signs that the door locks were forced.
Crang and Maury hook up with Biscuit, a renowned safecracker. Without Crang knowing it, Maury and Biscuit break into Marshall’s business and Biscuit breaks into the safe in no time flat.
Charlie, Marshall’s store assistant, comes to Crang’s office with a rather suspicious story. Crang and Maury decide to tail her when she won’t tell him who her mysterious boyfriend is. They tail her to a very expensive home. Before Crang can identify the man, he is accosted by two thugs. The identity of the person who employed the pair is very thought-provoking.
Crang and Maury investigate further and discover a very convoluted story. Crang takes some documents to Ish, a man who specializes in ink and paper, and discovers some interesting things about the document. When the man who is Charlie’s boyfriend is identified, the plot thickens, so to speak. There turn out to be plots within plots in this story.
Anita “Acey” Carmen Hickey is the owner of the series of the letters that have gone missing. The letters were a back and forth exchange about a boxing match that took place between her father, a Canadian writer named Hickey, and Norman Mailer, who was at the time a very famous American author.
Then a murder occurs. The suspense and the speed in the story pick up. The name of the killer is somewhat of a surprise, until the reader figures out how they did it.
This novel is very well written and plotted. It read like a dream. The suspense starts immediately and only ratchets up from there. The plot within plots is a very interesting method of pulling the reader in. I truly enjoyed this book, more so than the previous one. The characters were very interesting, and I liked the relationship between Crang and Annie. I will definitely look into the Crang books that I have not read in the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this enjoyable book to read.
June 6, 2021
I was not impressed with this book right away. It had to grow on me. I found the writing style a bit off putting. I found the style rather sarcastic and a bit smart mouth. It took me a while to warm to the hero of the book, a lawyer by the name of Crang. As well he has a life partner named Annie who seemed a bit smart for her britches.
As I read more of the book I realized it was reminding me of the Thin Man movie series, which I quite enjoy watching. Nick and Nora Charles are a couple of wisecracking, smart alecky rich people. Who have a lovely dog named Astor. I quite like Nick and Nora and the Thin Man movie series is based on Dashiel Hammet’s novels. I have read a couple of Dashiel Hammet and enjoyed them so how could I not enjoy this book. With that attitude adjustment I looked at this book in a whole different light.
I finally learned to like Crang and Annie. He is a lawyer and she is a writer. He has been hired by a bookshop dealer who has had some valuable letters between Norman Mailer and some guy named Hickey stolen from his safe along with a rare fake book of Emily Bronte poems. The letters are worth about 2 million and the fake rare book is worth about 6 million. It is too long to explain why a rare fake book is worth so much, you will have to read the book. It was certainly an interesting premise.
What reminded me of the thin man was the way Crang and Annie talked to each other and the fact that they always had martinis together and they ate out a lot. Crang also talked in this smart guy way to his colleagues and the bad guys.
I also enjoyed this book because the story was based in Toronto. Crang and Annie live on Major Street in Harbord Village. Crang and Annie also have the best garden in all of Toronto.
Despite some of the light hearted moments in the book there is a brutal murder that Crang is involved in. How is he, a lawyer, going to justify his actions in this murder?
September 20, 2017
Jack Batten admits to following Robert B. Parker’s lead in assigning some of his personal likes to his protagonist, Toronto criminal defense attorney, Crang. The smart-mouthed center of Batten’s stories likes his vodka martinis, is a sports fan, and a rabid jazz aficionado. That trend continues in “Booking In,” the author’s seventh Crang adventure.
There’s a lot to like about Crang. I’m most impressed with his lack of personal demons. The new wave crime novels seem to be featuring protagonists who suffer from a multitude of personal problems that, frankly, I tire of. Crang has no such millstones. He’s also not above bending a few rules when he finds it necessary.
His jazz compunction is refreshing. He is smart, has a bunch of talented cronies who do much of his dirty work, and lives with a lady friend who has her own interests, gives him space, and supports and drinks with him.
In this story, Crang gets involved with a noted book dealer who reports that some first editions of Jane Austen, or valuable forgeries, have been lifted from his safe and asks his old friend, Crang, to find them. So begins a hunt among people who deal in musty antiquarian books, some genteel and others seedy. Crang uses some old acquaintances in the breaking and entering profession to both replicate the crime and give him insight as to who the dirty dealers might be. He enters a world of forgery, deceit, and greed.
Batten does a good job in telling this story. It’s a gentle session, much like a Sunday-afternoon jazz radio program being deejayed by a smooth-voiced and knowledgeable host. It’s filled with good food, refreshing drink, and underhanded dealings. Batten also reviews jazz and movie in real life, so you can rely on the authenticity of his references. I liked the book.
November 18, 2017
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
3.5* rounded up. I gather this is the latest in a series featuring Crang, a Toronto lawyer who behaves more like a maverick PI. I have not read any of the earlier instalments, but this one worked fine as a stand alone story. Crang is employed by an antique bookseller whose safe has been broken into. It is unclear which of the items in the safe was the burglar's real target and Crang, with the help of a friendly former burglar and a former safe breaker, starts investigating.
I enjoyed this story, which was told in a humorous, light tone throughout. The breezy tone did grate occasionally, On the other hand I did very much enjoy the scene where Crang gets Charlie's neighbour some Fruit Loops.
Pleasant enough, with a coherent plot and lots of twists and turns, but I don't think I'd rush to read another.
3.5* rounded up. I gather this is the latest in a series featuring Crang, a Toronto lawyer who behaves more like a maverick PI. I have not read any of the earlier instalments, but this one worked fine as a stand alone story. Crang is employed by an antique bookseller whose safe has been broken into. It is unclear which of the items in the safe was the burglar's real target and Crang, with the help of a friendly former burglar and a former safe breaker, starts investigating.
I enjoyed this story, which was told in a humorous, light tone throughout. The breezy tone did grate occasionally, On the other hand I did very much enjoy the scene where Crang gets Charlie's neighbour some Fruit Loops.
Pleasant enough, with a coherent plot and lots of twists and turns, but I don't think I'd rush to read another.
January 23, 2018
Crang is a Toronto lawyer who owes a favor to antiquarian bookdealer Fletcher Marshall. Marshall isn't likeable, but that doesn't mean it's all right for someone to break into his safe and steal two potentially valuable items--one, letters to and from a recently dead Canadian novelist, the other a copy of a famous forgery which Marshall is verifying for the richest woman in Canada. Crang uses his underworld friends to find out more about the theft; he also meets some rich people, at least one of whom is as unpleasant as some of the crooks. The book was amusing in places, but for me Crang, apparently the hero of a whole series (who knew?) was more like a checklist of character traits than a convincing character.
November 27, 2017
I would classify this a cozy mystery. Although the story takes place in Toronto, it could just as well have been in England. The story is full of eccentric characters, bungling dolts and lovable fuddy-duddies. The mystery is a little hard to unravel as Crang works for a number of people he doesn't really like to track a burglar. The story grows more interesting as one of Crang's helpers is killed in a gruesome manner. While the story is short, the book is long due to the delightful side trips into the architecture and neighborhoods of Toronto. It is not terribly demanding, but a well-written and fun to read book.
December 30, 2017
Love Batten's use of Toronto as a backdrop- the details and his characters. A very small dismay was his wonderful Annie ordering veal. I thought she would be a little more knowledgeable-'bout the horrors of producing such a meal- I'm not a vegetarian alas- but that is one thing I could never eat. The two seem like they would be a bit more sensitive about that. They are such a lovable couple and the green tea was hilarious. Spoiler alert- wasn't sure why Biscuit had to return the papers? Why not get Charlie to put it back in the safe..? Anyhow - one of my fave Toronto writers. Always look forward to a book by Crang.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2017
You'll learn a bit about the antiquarian book business in this Toronto based mystery starring Craig, a lawyer and his buddies, who include safe crackers. The plot is a tad convoluted in spots but stick with it and it will pull together. There are a number of interesting characters, including Fletcher, who was robbed of some manuscripts, his assistant Charlie, Acey, who owns the documents, and best of all Maury and Biscuit. I'd not read Batten before so thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's great that Canadian mysteries are now available in the US!
February 6, 2019
This book had some good funny moments. In my opinion, it'd be a good idea to try and familiarise yourself with the books that came previously in order to properly enjoy this book but it can be enjoyed to a degree on its own.
*won as a GoodReads Giveaway*
*won as a GoodReads Giveaway*
January 8, 2022
I very much enjoy the Crang series. He's a fun character who wins me over with wit, wile and, sometimes, a little dumb luck.
I think I have read eery novel in this series and wouldn't hesitate to pick, up a new one.
I think I have read eery novel in this series and wouldn't hesitate to pick, up a new one.
October 25, 2017
This novel is well done!!
It holds your interest from the start to the finish.
Highly recommended. :)
It holds your interest from the start to the finish.
Highly recommended. :)
December 7, 2017
Another great Crang mystery - actually 2 or 3. Recommended.
February 6, 2018
A rather silly book but fun. Lots of Toronto geography.
February 9, 2018
Far from the best of the series, but it was good to reconnect with Crang. The Toronto details are a mild bonus.
July 14, 2018
It's really 3.5. I enjoyed the Toronto setting and the gentle humour. A fun read.
January 15, 2019
I like this book because it is about a bookstore and stolen manuscripts and it was very interesting.
October 16, 2017
This is the seventh in a series of mysteries featuring Toronto criminal lawyer "Crang". (Does he have a given name? If so, I've missed it). I've not read any of the earlier ones, but picked this one up because I was interested in the setting - the antiquarian book trade in Toronto. I found it a quick light read which worked perfectly well as a standalone. Some fun twists and quirky characters, but the humour is pretty corny, e.g a running gag about halitosis and an episode in which the protagonist becomes an inadvertent peeping Tom - and enjoys it. Moderately entertaining, but I doubt I will bother with the rest of the series.
(With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an advanced reading copy in return for an honest review.)
(With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an advanced reading copy in return for an honest review.)
December 11, 2017
Antiquarian bookstore owner Fletcher Marshall hires nosy lawyer Crang to find stolen literary letters and an infamous forged edition of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese. Both pieces were taken from a safe in Marshall’s Toronto bookstore and Fletcher wants Crang to quietly find the stolen items before his wealthy client Meg Grantham finds out. With the help of his seedy associates, burglar Maury and retired safecracker Freddie Biscuit, and his girlfriend Annie, Crang gets on the hunt. Suspects include the Grantham's adult sons and Fletcher's bookstore staff. Then a murder occurs and some thugs decide to give Crang a warning to stay off the case. This is a fun caper-like read and Batten fills the book with detailed scenes of Toronto neighbourhoods that I know very well.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Dundurn with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Dundurn with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
Want to Read
February 2, 2019Synopsis: Fletcher Marshall is a Toronto antiquarian book dealer; one night a book is stolen from his safe. He turns to Crang to get answers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews