On my shelf since: Inherited Mom’s hardcover mystery collection in 2022. I tried to make good on her dreams of selling the collection and making a fortune, but alas, no such luck. Kept this one and a few others, but the rest flew out to lucky readers in our Little Free Library.
My copy’s origin story:
(First Edition Hardcover, 2001) Mom loved a potboiler and a first edition. She probably bought this from a mystery bookshop or online specialty shop which she started doing after she read John Dunning’s “Bookman” series.
Why not until now: No reason, but now I wish I hadn’t waited.
Review:
Dear John Dunning, I am so sorry! You wrote what is probably a lovely book and I totally screwed up the reading of it.
Several years ago I read and loved both Booked to Die and The Bookman’s Wake. I love your fast-paced, plot-forward, suspenseful, unspooling narrative. You managed to make the (I can only imagine, dull and dusty) inner workings of the rare book world into — what else? — a real page-turner.
So I was very much looking forward to Two O’ Clock, Eastern Wartime with its intrigue and deep dive into your second love — old-time radio shows. But I’m embarrassed to say, I went and made an audiobook rookie error.
I own your book, of course, and started reading it, but I also checked out the audiobook, as I am wont to do so I can continue with a book while I do the dishes and walk the dog, etc. What I didn’t realize is that I had checked out — gasp — an abridged copy! I didn’t think about it too hard as the book clipped along at a rapid pace, but I did notice that I wasn’t really getting caught up in the story as I had with your earlier books. The characters weren’t as deep, the story not as fleshed out, the inner workings not as riveting — and none of it was your fault! It wasn’t until I was mostly done with the audiobook (only 40 minutes, but two long chapters left?) that I realized my grave mistake. By that time, so much of the book had flown by, along with my interest, that I just couldn’t see myself going back and rereading any of it.
Please forgive me, Mr. Dunning! After I’m done with all this shelf-reading nonsense, I will go back and read another one of your books the way it was meant to be read. With eyeballs.
(Finished reading the book April 6, 2026)
Payoff (pages I read per stars I gave):
This doesn’t seem fair to do
Misc Ratings (Out of 5):
- Regret: 5
- Embarrassment: 4
- Plans to reread: 0
Bechdel Test: Fail – at least not in the version I read heard.
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