The Booktaker

A Nameless Detective Mystery

By: Bill Pronzini

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

Length: 1 hr and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The Nameless Detective is called upon to find out how rare books and maps are being stolen from an antiquarian bookshop with a faultless alarm system. He goes undercover in the store, only to be foiled when a theft occurs right under his nose. Then, as he ponders the case (while on a date with the lovely Kerry), he’s violently struck from behind by a car that seems bent on driving him off the road. Will Nameless survive this attempt on his life and solve the case?

Murder anonymous: solve another case with the Nameless Detective.

©1982 by the Pronzini-Muller Family Trust. All rights reserved. (P)2011 BBC Audiobooks

Weak writing and weaker reading

Would you try another book from Bill Pronzini and/or Nick Sullivan?

No.

What was most disappointing about Bill Pronzini’s story?

The writing was clumsy, not up to modern standards for genre prose. Not quite in the category of

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The reading was monotone, giving none of the

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Booktaker?

The detective's off-duty time was neither interesting nor enlightening.

Any additional comments?

The title is a bit misleading. While the subject matter is thefts from a bookstore, it's thefts of rare maps, etchings, etc., not books.

Great story

What did you love best about The Booktaker?

A good mystery - well written

What about Nick Sullivan’s performance did you like?

Character voices

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A theft you will not imagine

Kinda 'cutsie' fun.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It's a short story, nothing dramatic with twisted deceptions, so it was fun for a couple of hours.

What could Bill Pronzini have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Maybe the characters went unnoticed, I lost interest in finding the thief.

What three words best describe Nick Sullivan’s voice?

Bold Overstated Pass

Could you see The Booktaker being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Forget it. Neither Movie nor TV would this story be... not enough 'what the' and it's not about gore or sex or disaster. The stars wouldn't do it anyway.

Any additional comments?

It was light entertainment for a couple of hours audio, but the story fell into cliches with a predictable ending.

an old-fashioned puzzle

I enjoyed The Booktaker. The writing and plot reminds me of the paperbacks (pulps) of the 50's and 60's. With a single focus plot puzzle and a very little bit of romance to mellow the nameless detective, it's a quick, fun story and very agreeably read by Nick Sullivan. It is like meeting Ellery Queen again.

Mystery with a twist at the end

Where does The Booktaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an interesting, quick read that really held my interest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Booktaker?

I read a lot of police procedurals and this one made me concentrate and think. I liked the end a lot. Ended with action and wit.

What about Nick Sullivan’s performance did you like?

He has a great voice. Many sale books have mediocre narrators but Mr. Sullivan was very easy on the ears.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! It was the best short story or novella that I have listened to in a long time.

Any additional comments?

I will gladly listen to this author again.

Very Bill Pronzini

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. A fun to listen to Nameless vignette.

Which scene was your favorite?

No response.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

I like Nick Sullivan's voice.

Classically structured mystery

What did you like best about The Booktaker? What did you like least?

This is a classic mystery with clear clues along the way leading to a conclusion that you might reasonably be able to figure out before you get to the final paragraph. For example, I thought in the early paragraphs that a physical characteristic of a central character was likely an important clue. Unfortunately, I set that aside and didn't use it appropriately - thus missed getting the answer until the author revealed it. I enjoyed the book but would not place it on my list of favorites.

Would you ever listen to anything by Bill Pronzini again?

Yes

Have you listened to any of Nick Sullivan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - not that I recall.

Do you think The Booktaker needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

Good Story

Not one of my all-time favorites but enjoyed the story. Would download more from this author.

Super simple plot

Not even close to a Cristy mystery. Simplistic and short. Mostly descriptions. Won’t read another.

interesting with great Narration

Good writing. Good characters. Original story. Just long enough. Great Narration. Enjoyed the main detective character.

Loved it!

Where does The Booktaker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Another short story, but right up there with my fav listens...

What did you like best about this story?

Quite a good 'who done it' type story.

What about Nick Sullivan’s performance did you like?

A good performance

Amusing Listen

I was looking for cheap listens and this fit the bill. Quite short but amusing and I do keep listening for clues to his name, even though I know I won't get one.

Probably one of the best freebies

Any additional comments?

This is a rather good short audiobook, which is set in an antiquarian bookstore. The owner of the store employs a private investigator to work undercover and solve the mystery of how rare books and maps are being stolen. It’s an excellent freebie; great when you want a short listen or have a few minutes to spare.

Good, easy listening.

Good story. Easy to listen to. Characters uncomplicated but interesting. Will read more from author.

Loved it

Great book really enjoyed it listened to it on a recent journey it made the miles fly by. World class

Boring

What would have made The Booktaker better?

This book was boring as it is a short story you would expect it to be a bit fast paced, but at the half way point we still handt got anywhere, i gave up it is not captivating or intriguing

I Know it was free but....

I'm probably being churlish, I downloaded this because A- it was Free and B because I had heard good things about the Nameless Detective series but boy was this a major diasppointment. The story was fine, a bit dated but not dated enough to be classic, but the narrator was really dull, it sounded as if he knew it was a free download and thought he probably shouldn't bother making an effort. His voice was just mono- tone, even when doing other characters. I fell asleep twice on different attempts to listen so just as well I wasn't driving!
I feel a good story spoiled by dull narration.

Good decent story.

This was a freebie story and I like it. Its told very well and a decent story specially as it was free.

The Booktaker

I was cooking a batch of scones the other day and wanted to listen to a short story whilst doing so. Found 'The Bookmaker' in my library and found it most enjoyable. I sometimes find the American reader a little "abrasive" but Nick Sullivan read in a style most apt for reading, as a private tec, who had seen and done it all and was mulling over things whilst enjoying a beer with a few minutes to spare.

Novel Theft

If you want to put your foot into the crime investigation world of books, this is where to begin. You might not want to consign yourself to 16 hours of dark fear straight away.This short story is well constructed to tease your thoughts. It is long enough to add bones to a mystery. It is a fun listen with good turns of phrase. You can solve the crime yourself if you pay attention.