Synopsis
Rachel Hennings, investigating the murder of a 1930s writer of crime novels, becomes convinced that a crime story from the past has not been laid to rest and is connected to the writer's demise
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Reviews
Bookstore-owner Rachel Hennings is understandably intrigued when she learns that Wilbur DeMarco, a leading crime writer in the '30s, wants to sell his collection of books published in 1937. She finds DeMarco's entire house, in Idyllwild outside L.A., is a shrine to 1937, from appliances to magazines. The author doesn't explain his interest in the year, nor his sudden willingness to sell his memorabilia. When he is killed the day after she has agreed to buy his books, Rachel decides to solve the mysteries of his murder and obsession. A present-day land development scam mixes with movie industry secrets from a half-century ago, providing plenty of red herrings for the amateur detective, seen before in The Gathering Place. The solution involves a pre-WW II left-wing political organization in Hollywood, a murder in Times Square on New Year's Day, 1938, a suicide, embezzlement and a daughter's zealous guarding of her father's good name. Although Breen's dialogue is stiff, pleasant characters, careful plotting and period detail redeem this satisfying mystery.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Touch Of The Past
Published by
Walker and Company, New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Willis Monie-Books, ABAA, Cooperstown, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Printing. The dustjacket features a protective mylar cover. Seller Inventory # 191473
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Touch of the Past
Seller: D&D Galleries - ABAA, Somerville, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Hardbound, with the DJ, VG/VG. Seller Inventory # mon0000169632
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Touch of the Past
Published by
Walker & Co, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Avenue Victor Hugo Books, Newmarket, NH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Nearr Fine. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, 8 1/2" tall, 197 pages, gray boards. A near fine, clean, neat hard cover edition with light shelf wear; gently read, binding tight, paper cream white. In a near fine, lightly worn dust jacket with the original price present. Seller Inventory # 90040
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Touch of the Past [SIGNED COPY, FIRST PRINTING]
Published by
Walker & Company, New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: MostlySignedBooks, Kensington, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Very good in fine dust jacket. SIGNED by the author on title page (signature only). 1st edition, 1st printing, complete number line. Review copy. As new except for faint soiling to edge of page block. In protective mylar sleeve. Text in Chinese, English. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 196 p. Audience: General/trade. By the Edgar Award-winning author 'Triple Crown' and 'Hot Air'. Where possible, all books come with dust jacket in a protective mylar sleeve, sealed in a ziplock bag, wrapped in bubble wrap, shipped in a box. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # Alibris.0001994
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Touch of the Past
Published by
Walker & Co September 1988, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Organic Books, Albuquerque, NM, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Used - Good. Seller Inventory # 29211
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TOUCH OF THE PAST
Published by
Walker & Co., New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: H. W. Gumaer, Bookseller, Canandaigua, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition, First Printing. Edgar Award-winner Breen's second bibliomystery featuring Los Angeles bookseller Rachel Hennings; previous owner's name on fep o/w a Fine copy in like dustjacket. Seller Inventory # 000997
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Touch of the Past
Published by
Walker & Co, New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: NWJbooks, Lancaster, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First printing. Grey covers in a black dust jacket. 8vo, 196 pages. Dust jacket back panel rubbed. Seller Inventory # 90609
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Touch of the Past
Published by
Walker & Co, New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: MLC Books, Northfield, MN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hard Cover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. Bookstore owner Rachel Hennings finds a retired mystery writer living a strangely insulated life, surrounded by artifacts from 1937. On the morning he plans to sell this treasure trove he is murdered. First printing. Spine heel gently bumped, jacket lightly rubbed with flaps a bit tanned, in Brodart. Inscribed on the front end paper "For Carol and Marv (Lachman), Wonderful hosts! All the best, Jon L. Breen. Santa Fe. November 15, 1991.". Inscribed By the Author. Seller Inventory # 190851
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TOUCH OF THE PAST
Published by
Walker & Co., New York, 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: H. W. Gumaer, Bookseller, Canandaigua, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition, First Printing. Edgar Award-winner Breen's second novel featuring Los Angeles bookseller and amateur sleuth Rachel Hennings, this time investigating the murder of a retired writer with a collection of vintage mysteries and 1937 memorabilia. A collectable copy in like dustjacket. Scarce. Seller Inventory # 002853
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TOUCH OF THE PAST **BIBLIOMYSTERY**
Published by
Walker and Company, N.Y., 1988
ISBN 10: 0802757049
ISBN 13: 9780802757043
New
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: MURDER BY THE BOOK, Warwick, RI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hard Cover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. First edition with complete number line beginning with 1. Fine in fine dust jacket, lightly rubbed, not price clipped, in protective mylar. "Bookstore-owner Rachel Hennings is understandably intrigued when she learns that Wilbur DeMarco, a leading crime writer in the '30s, wants to sell his collection of books published in 1937. She finds DeMarco's entire house, in Idyllwild outside L.A., is a shrine to 1937, from appliances to magazines. The author doesn't explain his interest in the year, nor his sudden willingness to sell his memorabilia. When he is killed the day after she has agreed to buy his books, Rachel decides to solve the mysteries of his murder and obsession. A present-day land development scam mixes with movie industry secrets from a half-century ago, providing plenty of red herrings for the amateur detective, seen before in The Gathering Place. The solution involves a pre-WW II left-wing political organization in Hollywood, a murder in Times Square on New Year's Day, 1938, a suicide, embezzlement and a daughter's zealous guarding of her father's good name." -- Publishers Weekly. Book. Seller Inventory # 002172