The main character is a special agent who only takes cases that involve books and libraries. He is like the old tv show "Dragnet" but for the literary world. His team is made up for a male scientist who is the stereotpical nerd and a quirky female scientist whose speciality is fingerprints. Similar to the current tv show "CSI" the Bookhunter and his staff hace a lab that is specifically for the investigation of book forgeries, fraud, and theft.

The plot is simple but humorous. The Bookhunter is called to the Oakland Public Library to investigate a theft of John Quincy Adams' bible. The bible was said to have been given to Adams by the Mendi tribe as a thanks for helping them with the Amistad trial. It is believed that the book in the display case is a forgery and that the authentic bible was stolen by a book dealer or seller. The team goes on a crazy chase to find the culprit and investigates using records of libary cards, old microfilm and the Dewey Decimal system.

This graphic novel is not deep or introspective but it is a alot of fun! I was able to finish it in one sitting and laughed most of the time. Though the Bookhunter is not a superhero, it is great to see how he uses his "super powers" (aka knowledge about libraries) to find the criminal. It is light-hearted and the perfect read for any libarian, library lover, or book enthusiast. ( )

Kearsten says: Funny, sarcastic and tons of awesome. I want to be a sneaky, clever Bookhunter. Sigh.

Merideth says: In 1973, the library police keep books from disappearing. When a rare early Bible goes missing, it falls to Marshall Ball to find the perp; before the Library of Congress wants their book back. Using all of the technology at hand, the library police team of investigators narrow in on a suspect.

I love this book, it's funny and sarcastic. However, I don't know if anybody who doesn't remember libraries in the 1970's or know something about how libraries work today will find it nearly as entertaining as I did. I think this graphic novel was intended as a satire of police procedurals; I used it as a fantasy where police in riot gear knock down the door of book thieves.

Technically, this book is very well done. The sepia toned artwork, combined with the roundness of Shiga's art, really combine to give a sense of place and time. Although there is nothing in this to keep it out of the hands of teens, I don't know that they'd get the humor. ( )

http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/2008... ( )

In 1973, the library police keep books from disappearing. When a rare early Bible goes missing, it falls to Marshall Ball to find the perp; before the Library of Congress wants their book back. Using all of the technology at hand, the library police team of investigators narrow in on a suspect.

I love this book, it's funny and sarcastic. However, I don't know if anybody who doesn't remember libraries in the 1970's or know something about how libraries work today will find it nearly as entertaining as I did. I think this graphic novel was intended as a satire of police procedurals; I used it as a fantasy where police in riot gear knock down the door of book theives.

Technically, this book is very well done. The sepia toned artwork, combined with the roundness of Shiga's art, really combine to give a sense of place and time. Although there is nothing in this to keep it out of the hands of teens, I don't know that they'd get the humor. ( )

This book is pretty freakin' brilliant and funny. Not too wordy, nice art. ( )