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A Booklover's Mystery #4
Untitled
The perfume of old books and the smell of danger...
Publisher Alex Plumtree is in for the most astounding week of his life. First he comes into possession of a rare, centuries-old book, rumored destroyed on orders of King Edward IV. Then he receives an undreamed-of honor: an invitation to join a select society of book collectors...who are also some of the most powerful men and women in England.
But Alex's triumph quickly turns sour. The book vanishes from Alex's office. His initiation weekend with the Dibdin Club is rife with bizarre behavior, appalling accidents--and a death that sends Alex reeling. He quickly begins to suspect that his valuable find is even more than it seemed on first glance. For hidden in its pages is a shocking secret that could change the history of books forever...as well as the face of the modern world. And there are people--and foreign powers--who would do anything to keep this secret from coming to light.
All Alex has to do is figure out what that secret is. If he can stay alive long enough.
Publisher Alex Plumtree is in for the most astounding week of his life. First he comes into possession of a rare, centuries-old book, rumored destroyed on orders of King Edward IV. Then he receives an undreamed-of honor: an invitation to join a select society of book collectors...who are also some of the most powerful men and women in England.
But Alex's triumph quickly turns sour. The book vanishes from Alex's office. His initiation weekend with the Dibdin Club is rife with bizarre behavior, appalling accidents--and a death that sends Alex reeling. He quickly begins to suspect that his valuable find is even more than it seemed on first glance. For hidden in its pages is a shocking secret that could change the history of books forever...as well as the face of the modern world. And there are people--and foreign powers--who would do anything to keep this secret from coming to light.
All Alex has to do is figure out what that secret is. If he can stay alive long enough.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
2 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 21, 2017
Book #5 for 2017; Book #3 for the Mt TBR Challenge
Personal Challenge: A book with a key on the cover
Better World Books Prompts:
- A book set in a place you want to visit
- A book by a female writer
- A book about a historical event
GenreLand Game: Fiction
Read Harder Challenge: A book about books
Book Bingo Square: Free Space
Habitica Ultimate Reading Challenge: A book with a single-word title
PopSugar Challenge Prompts:
- A book that's been on your TBR list for way too long
- An espionage thriller
- A book with an eccentric character
Follow the Clues Challenge: Chain 1, Clue 2
I'm giving the book two stars because I learned some interesting trivia about the book world. And, um, yeah, that's about it. The first-person narrative voice was pretentious and grated on my nerves from the get-go, and while the premise seemed intriguing, the plot did not deliver. Which is not to say it didn't try. Boy howdy, did it try! I rather wished it hadn't. The result was just absurd, like Kaewert read everything by Dan Brown in one sitting while high on edibles and then decided to write a book. While still high on edibles.
Where the plot was ridiculous, the characters were dull-witted and, well, okay, they were ridiculous, too. And they couldn't seem to decide if they were English or American. Some of this blame can be laid at the feet of the editor, if there was one. I have my doubts about that, as there was a badly mangled bit where Kaewert clearly moved some dialogue to a different scene but forgot to remove it from the original scene. The publisher also markets this as the third book in the series, insisting that their reprint of an earlier book in the series is actually a new fourth book. Whaaa?
I can't in good conscience recommend this book to anybody. I was thinking, maybe to somebody nuts about Boccaccio, Giovanni. But no, anybody that fond of Boccaccio would find nothing new here. And if you are familiar with London's Bryanston Square, it might interest you to know that Thomas Frognall Dibdin was appointed to the rectory at St Mary's in Bryanston Square. But I just told you that, so you don't need to read the book to find that out.
Personal Challenge: A book with a key on the cover
Better World Books Prompts:
- A book set in a place you want to visit
- A book by a female writer
- A book about a historical event
GenreLand Game: Fiction
Read Harder Challenge: A book about books
Book Bingo Square: Free Space
Habitica Ultimate Reading Challenge: A book with a single-word title
PopSugar Challenge Prompts:
- A book that's been on your TBR list for way too long
- An espionage thriller
- A book with an eccentric character
Follow the Clues Challenge: Chain 1, Clue 2
I'm giving the book two stars because I learned some interesting trivia about the book world. And, um, yeah, that's about it. The first-person narrative voice was pretentious and grated on my nerves from the get-go, and while the premise seemed intriguing, the plot did not deliver. Which is not to say it didn't try. Boy howdy, did it try! I rather wished it hadn't. The result was just absurd, like Kaewert read everything by Dan Brown in one sitting while high on edibles and then decided to write a book. While still high on edibles.
Where the plot was ridiculous, the characters were dull-witted and, well, okay, they were ridiculous, too. And they couldn't seem to decide if they were English or American. Some of this blame can be laid at the feet of the editor, if there was one. I have my doubts about that, as there was a badly mangled bit where Kaewert clearly moved some dialogue to a different scene but forgot to remove it from the original scene. The publisher also markets this as the third book in the series, insisting that their reprint of an earlier book in the series is actually a new fourth book. Whaaa?
I can't in good conscience recommend this book to anybody. I was thinking, maybe to somebody nuts about Boccaccio, Giovanni. But no, anybody that fond of Boccaccio would find nothing new here. And if you are familiar with London's Bryanston Square, it might interest you to know that Thomas Frognall Dibdin was appointed to the rectory at St Mary's in Bryanston Square. But I just told you that, so you don't need to read the book to find that out.
May 20, 2010
I learned a lot about the history of book-binding and printing, as well as a few interesting snippets about Bocaccio's Decameron (which is a book I've always enjoyed.) I just found the protagonist written in a manner that screamed wish-fulfillment, and the set of eccentrics and circumstances into which he was thrust too outrageous to be believable. The only characters I had any affinity for, or even any belief in, were those who sought to avoid the protagonist when at all possible. The mystery itself was weak, and the historical/political intrigue far, far too far-fetched. I doubt I'll pick up any other books in this series.
July 12, 2016
Maybe I needed to start reading this series with #1 in order to buy into the totally outrageous plot and unbelievable series of events. The main character, Alex Plumtree, is an upper-class British publisher who is often mistaken for Pierce Brosnan (when he was 45). He has a brilliant, stunning girl friend and a loser brother. After discovering the last copy of an ancient secret book he is inducted into an exclusive club made up of the least likable group of British cliches you are likely to find shooting skeet (and each other) and riding to the hounds. If you know anything about helicopters skip pages 247 to 257. You have been warned.
March 16, 2019
A far better title would be: "Unresolved." Many books end in cliff-hangers but this is truly ludicrous. I can't give away anymore than that due to spoilers, but trust me, it is NOT a charming literary device used to entice readers into seeking out the next book in the series. It is just a very bleak, abrupt ending to a book which dug itself into an embarrassing morass of convoluted clues which led nowhere and finally, even the author didn't know what else to do except just quit writing.
After thoroughly enjoying the first entry in this series, " Unsolicited," I blithely began this book, (the 4th in the series) in a spirit of eager anticipation. And I was happy reading it until about half-way through when it went into a downward spiral of too many of every element: too many confusing antique books, too many near-misses accident-wise, too many English House Party cliches, too many drinks, too many unimportant secrets, too many secret rooms, too many kidnappings, too many exclusive societies, too many "practical jokes" gone awry, etc., etc! It became laughable, then pathetic, then downright annoying. Until the end, when there were FAR too many loose ends: red herrings which were never followed up, not to mention extremely weak "reasons" given for book theft, kidnappings and international intrigue. There were even too many culprits, although no one was ever "murdered" in the traditional sense. It reminded me a lot of Agatha Christie's book: "The Secret Adversary," where everything is so vague that the reader has no idea what is really going on except that "important papers" are involved.
I am unsure whether I will ever read another book in this series, but I certainly do not recommend this one!
After thoroughly enjoying the first entry in this series, " Unsolicited," I blithely began this book, (the 4th in the series) in a spirit of eager anticipation. And I was happy reading it until about half-way through when it went into a downward spiral of too many of every element: too many confusing antique books, too many near-misses accident-wise, too many English House Party cliches, too many drinks, too many unimportant secrets, too many secret rooms, too many kidnappings, too many exclusive societies, too many "practical jokes" gone awry, etc., etc! It became laughable, then pathetic, then downright annoying. Until the end, when there were FAR too many loose ends: red herrings which were never followed up, not to mention extremely weak "reasons" given for book theft, kidnappings and international intrigue. There were even too many culprits, although no one was ever "murdered" in the traditional sense. It reminded me a lot of Agatha Christie's book: "The Secret Adversary," where everything is so vague that the reader has no idea what is really going on except that "important papers" are involved.
I am unsure whether I will ever read another book in this series, but I certainly do not recommend this one!
November 15, 2021
It’s a quiet Sunday afternoon for Alex Plumtree, a London publisher, as this book opens. His brother rushes into the family library in search of an old and rare book. Both men are soon involved when Alex finds a hidden shelf. Inside is a book so rare and containing such explosive information that the modern world could suffer if that information got out.
Word of Alex’s find gets around fast, and soon he’s the recipient of an invitation to join an elite club of rare book collectors. The club’s members include some of England’s royalty and even the famed Archbishop of Canterbury.
Meanwhile, wedding plans for Alex and his American fiancé continue. Because she likes his handwriting, Sarah insists that he address the invitations by hand. Anything for Sarah, he reasons, and so that’s what he’s doing that fateful Sunday when his brother interrupts him.
He agrees to spend a weekend with the rare book collectors club even though it cuts into time better spent with Sarah. But even before he leaves, those who want his rare book burgle his place and put the life of a woman in danger who agrees to temporarily hold the book for Alex while she makes digital images of the text.
During the weekend with the collectors, someone murders a friend of Alex’s, and Alex receives threatening notes assuring him he is next.
I love this character and this series. It is both cerebral and action packed, and yes, the author proves you can do both successfully. This won’t get quite as high a rating as it perhaps deserves only because the information is dated and seems a bit of a far reach for me.
Word of Alex’s find gets around fast, and soon he’s the recipient of an invitation to join an elite club of rare book collectors. The club’s members include some of England’s royalty and even the famed Archbishop of Canterbury.
Meanwhile, wedding plans for Alex and his American fiancé continue. Because she likes his handwriting, Sarah insists that he address the invitations by hand. Anything for Sarah, he reasons, and so that’s what he’s doing that fateful Sunday when his brother interrupts him.
He agrees to spend a weekend with the rare book collectors club even though it cuts into time better spent with Sarah. But even before he leaves, those who want his rare book burgle his place and put the life of a woman in danger who agrees to temporarily hold the book for Alex while she makes digital images of the text.
During the weekend with the collectors, someone murders a friend of Alex’s, and Alex receives threatening notes assuring him he is next.
I love this character and this series. It is both cerebral and action packed, and yes, the author proves you can do both successfully. This won’t get quite as high a rating as it perhaps deserves only because the information is dated and seems a bit of a far reach for me.
July 4, 2020
"THE PERFUME OF OLD BOOKS AND THE SMELL OF DANGER
"Publisher Alex Plumtree is in for the most astounding week of his life. First he comes into possession of a rare, centuries-old book, rumored destroyed on orders of King Edward IV. Then he receives an undreamed-of honor: an invitation to join a select society of book collectors ... who are also some of the most powerful men and women in England. But Alex's triumph quickly turns sour. The book vanishes from Alex's office. His initiation weekend with the Dibdin Club is rife with bizarre behavior, appalling accidents -- and a death that sends Alex reeling. He quickly begins to suspect that his valuable find is even more than it seemed on first glance. For hidden in its pages is a shocking secret that could change the history of books forever ... as well as the face of the modern world. And there are people -- and foreign powers -- who would do anything to keep this secret from coming to light. All Alex has to do is figure out what that secret is. If he can stay alive long enough."
~~back cover
Although there's the familiar lietmotif of numerous and often attempts on Alex's life along with nefarious plots and schemes, this book differs from the previous ones in that his fiance Sarah has gone missing -- kidnapped by foreign terrorists and her return is dependent on England handing over the incunable to Iraq. And there is no HEA -- another departure from the norm.
"Publisher Alex Plumtree is in for the most astounding week of his life. First he comes into possession of a rare, centuries-old book, rumored destroyed on orders of King Edward IV. Then he receives an undreamed-of honor: an invitation to join a select society of book collectors ... who are also some of the most powerful men and women in England. But Alex's triumph quickly turns sour. The book vanishes from Alex's office. His initiation weekend with the Dibdin Club is rife with bizarre behavior, appalling accidents -- and a death that sends Alex reeling. He quickly begins to suspect that his valuable find is even more than it seemed on first glance. For hidden in its pages is a shocking secret that could change the history of books forever ... as well as the face of the modern world. And there are people -- and foreign powers -- who would do anything to keep this secret from coming to light. All Alex has to do is figure out what that secret is. If he can stay alive long enough."
~~back cover
Although there's the familiar lietmotif of numerous and often attempts on Alex's life along with nefarious plots and schemes, this book differs from the previous ones in that his fiance Sarah has gone missing -- kidnapped by foreign terrorists and her return is dependent on England handing over the incunable to Iraq. And there is no HEA -- another departure from the norm.
November 9, 2017
I love all the books in this series by Julie Kaewert! Bought the first four books many years ago, in a local bookstore, and searched out the rest of the series. Then I bought several of them a second time, after they were lost in a fire. The narrator reminds me of the best Dick Francis heroes ... he is polite, unassuming, honest, and stronger than he knows, with a great sense of humor. Alex has inherited a small publishing business in London, and he finds that the book business is more dangerous than he ever suspected. If you love books, and enjoy a good old-fashioned hero, this book is for you. I just wish there were more books in the series!
(This is a copy of my review posted on Amazon.com on March 9, 2017. I'm going to copy it into all the books of this series -- they are that good & you really have to read them all!)
(This is a copy of my review posted on Amazon.com on March 9, 2017. I'm going to copy it into all the books of this series -- they are that good & you really have to read them all!)
January 21, 2020
What a surprise read, so much better than I was expecting and I definitely want to read the other books in the series. Books about books is fast becoming my favourite genre! Combine some mystery and mayhem, one very rare book and 45 bibliophiles with a few unexpected murders and this novel rockets along in the vein of an Agatha Christie or Dorothy L Sayers. I really enjoyed the build up of excitement and tension that follows this exceptionally precious little - untitled book. First of all it is discovered mysteriously hidden in a private library, only to be stolen then amazingly recovered. During a helicopter flight to return it to safety it gets thrown out of the window, assumed lost forever, only to be picked up in the middle of a farmer's paddock! I loved it.
March 16, 2022
I abandoned this book. Another secretsociety. The opening here, with people attacking the main character within minutes of his telling someone about his new find was ridiculous. I loved the first book, liked the second, was middling on the third, and I can't get past page 50 on this one. No offense to the folks who really enjoy this series in its entirety, but I'm done at this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
I am on book 4 and I find it amazing that Alex Plumtree is still alive. You would think that he was agent 007. This time his fiancee is abducted by militants because of a book he has found. Who would have imagined that ancient books could be so dangerous.
October 13, 2021
Fun, easy read with plenty of twists. Also, excessively British.
June 16, 2022
If you love to collect rare books this is your read! The main plot is very interesting but there were too many subplots for my taste. Some of them were quite shocking and I’m not sure they were really necessary to drive the story along. An interesting read, just not for me.
February 21, 2023
Saladin .
October 14, 2023
Was just thinking it would be a light quickie, really found myself enjoying the characters and the predicaments they found themselves in.
March 28, 2025
This book in the Alex Plumtree series is a little more complicated than the previous ones. It also leaves us hanging at the end as to Sarah's fate.
September 7, 2010
All right, I admit that I bought this book for the "Booklover" premise, being a true bibliophile myself. However, I read over 100 novels each year, many of them mysteries and so I have learned never to judge a book by its cover (or the printed endorsements on the back). So it was with some trepidation that I began reading.
In short, I was astounded! I found the main character to be quite entertaining, bringing a common man's attitudes to an unusual life situation. Not only does he know the Prime Minister by his first name, and is able to carry on an overseas romance successfully, we find out even more interesting aspects of his ancestors in this volume. The other characters are all intersting as well.
I always admire authors who can mix genres together and come up with a great novel. This book is a perfect example. Not only are all of the classic mystery elements here, but she also mixes in a fair amount of thriller action ala James Bond or Dirk Pitt. Our hero is even reported to be a mirror image of Pierce Brosnan. I admit that some of the action sequences are a little far fetched, but somehow, that just adds to the enjoyment of the roller coaster ride. Contrary to another review below, I did not see any strings left untied, except for the cliffhanger ending, which is sort of like the Lady or the Tiger variety.
All in all, mystery readers, thriller readers, book lovers, and just about everybody else will enjoy this installment of the "Un-books"
In short, I was astounded! I found the main character to be quite entertaining, bringing a common man's attitudes to an unusual life situation. Not only does he know the Prime Minister by his first name, and is able to carry on an overseas romance successfully, we find out even more interesting aspects of his ancestors in this volume. The other characters are all intersting as well.
I always admire authors who can mix genres together and come up with a great novel. This book is a perfect example. Not only are all of the classic mystery elements here, but she also mixes in a fair amount of thriller action ala James Bond or Dirk Pitt. Our hero is even reported to be a mirror image of Pierce Brosnan. I admit that some of the action sequences are a little far fetched, but somehow, that just adds to the enjoyment of the roller coaster ride. Contrary to another review below, I did not see any strings left untied, except for the cliffhanger ending, which is sort of like the Lady or the Tiger variety.
All in all, mystery readers, thriller readers, book lovers, and just about everybody else will enjoy this installment of the "Un-books"
September 23, 2016
This was surprisingly good. I loved the idea of a mystery book about book lovers for book lovers, but i was worried it would be done badly. Mystery books can be wooden and cliche at times, but this one was not overtly so. The plot, of a book publisher and his newly discovered ancient tome embroiled in the doings of England's most notorious book society, was exciting and interesting. I even thought it had a rather satisfying conclusion (which doesn't always happen for mystery books).
*I do realize this is the third book in a series, but it was fine reading in on its own.
*I do realize this is the third book in a series, but it was fine reading in on its own.
May 13, 2009
Although the plot of this book is almost too wild to believe at times, I still very much enjoyed it. It was good to read a mystery that had a back-story with a literary theme, in addition to its placement in England, which I always enjoy. The remaining element of intrigue associated with the Middle East topped off a definite positive reading experience. I'll definitely be reading more of this author's books.
November 30, 2009
An enjoyable, engaging read. The subtitle is very accurate. This is for bibliophiles looking for a fun story to pass the time during an otherwise dull holiday....
The plot is a bit unbelievable, but very exciting. The discovery of a one-of-a-kind book written by Boccaccio brings a lot of danger into a book publisher's life. I wish I lived in a world where a book can influence important world events, and where extremely wealthy aristocrats are really 007 types!
The plot is a bit unbelievable, but very exciting. The discovery of a one-of-a-kind book written by Boccaccio brings a lot of danger into a book publisher's life. I wish I lived in a world where a book can influence important world events, and where extremely wealthy aristocrats are really 007 types!
Read
April 4, 2010This was a did not finish for me. Not sure why. I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it but that was years ago. Perhaps my tastes have changed. I just couldn't get into the story and gave up after 80 pages.
November 5, 2013
I've read several of Julie Kaewert's books about the book publishing business in London. They are light and airy, a little formulaic but each one a fun read with interesting tidbits about the book world.
August 14, 2009
nicely written
September 13, 2009
Slow moving. A "cozy mystery" unbelievable at times. The protagonist survives a near drowning, being pushed out of an airplane, and having a horse fall on top of him. Not the greatest of reads.
October 6, 2011
As with all of her books, I enjoyed reading this one, and it definitely had me not wanting to put it down. I have to read the next one now! I also want to read the Decameron now.
January 20, 2012
publisher owns rare book which causes murder and intrigue
December 2, 2015
I decided that I didn't have to finish this book. It just didn't grab me. So I read the very end and thought, good thing I didn't wade through the entire book for THIS.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews