Rare book dealer, ex–homicide cop, and private eye, Cliff Janeway learns about the late Candice Geiger's collection of first edition children's books when her elderly husband, a wealthy horse trainer, passes away and Janeway is asked to assess the collection's value. One look at the books tells Janeway something's wrong. Some are stunning, priceless children's classics that render the usually eloquent Janeway speechless. But other valuable titles are missing, replaced by cheap reprints. Janeway is convinced that someone has been cherry–picking the collection for personal profit, and the mystery may even involve murder. Soon he's off on the trail of Candice's shadowy past, to California's racetracks, where he discovers far more than he bargained for...
