John Dunning Books In Order

Publication Order of Cliff Janeway Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Writing both fiction and non-fiction, the American author John Dunning has been a detective and mystery fiction novelist for some time now, as well as creating reference books on old time radio too. Employing a variety of different interests, he has proven himself to be a highly gifted and versatile writer over the years, building a legacy that’s become extremely respected throughout the industry as a whole. Gaining a huge amount of acclaim for his work, both critically and commercially, he’s crafted a voice that’s highly unique, something which has brought in readers from far and wide on a global scale.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on the 9th of January, 1942, the American writer John Dunning spent the first three years of his life in the city before moving to Charleston in South Carolina, this being his father’s home town. It was here that he was going to grow up, as he spent his formative years here taking in inspiration from the surrounding environment for his writing career to follow. With a strong passion for both reading and literature from an early age as well, he was constantly building his voice as his talent gradually began to emerge.

Moving to Denver in Colorado on his own accord, he moved out of his parent in 1964 where he first started working as a stable-hand upon a horse racing track. Soon after taking up this role though he took up a position at The Denver Post newspaper, which is where he began to develop his talent for writing even further. Giving him a sense of the craft through a more formal training he was able to apply his craft in a highly professional setting, gaining the experience required for his future novels.

It was then in 1970 that he finally went off on his own whereby he embarked on his career as a novelist, all the while working a number of odd jobs with which to help provide for him, as he attempted to make a name for himself. Then in 1984, feeling that he was facing difficulties with his publishers, he finally stopped and opened a second-hand bookstore specializing in rare offbeat literature, which was called the Old Algonquin Bookstore. Then, in 1992, he returned to the world of writing once more at the bequest of his fellow authors, as he transferred his second-hand business online and through mail order.

Dunning has also hosted a long-running radio show titled ‘Old Time Radio’ which was devoted to his other passion of radio programming, as he charted its rich and vibrant history throughout the years. This interest has also led to him writing a number of non-fiction and reference books containing his encyclopedic knowledge upon the subject. Over the years he has managed to build himself a niche within the industry that’s become highly respected, something which he maintains to this day, as he continues writing from his home in Denver where he lives with his wife Helen.

Writing Career

Making his debut in 1975 with ‘The Holland Suggestions’, John Dunning made his initial impact upon the scene with his mystery suspense novel, a book which has since been republished with a forward by the author himself. Marking his arrival on the literary scene, he quickly turned heads, as those within the industry sat up and took notice, along with gaining the approval of both his peers and his contemporaries. Following it up the year after with a non-fiction book titled ‘Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio, 1925-1976’, which quickly established his passion for the subject.

In 1981 he was given his first award as he received the Edgar Award for ‘Best Paperback Original’ for his 1980 detective novel ‘Looking for Ginger North’. It was then in the following year that was to receive the award again, this time for his 1981 novel ‘Deadline’, followed by a Nero Award and a 1993 nomination for the Anthony Award. With his reputation and legacy firmly cemented he still writes to this very day, something which he’ll do for some time yet, as his writing career continues growing from strength-to-strength for many years to come.

The Holland Suggestions

First published in 1975 marking the arrival of John Dunning as a presence on the literary scene, this book was again published in 1997 through Pocket Books with a forward from the author himself. Showing the writer in the early stages of his career, it’s easy to chart his progress as an author and how he has managed to work his voice over the subsequent years. Creating a style and a tone that was all his own he has created a legacy that is now very well established and it all started here with this particular book.

Jim Ryan, the protagonist of this novel, finds himself flung headfirst into a world of suspense and intrigue after finding a mysterious photograph that brings back a plethora of memories. Learning the truth behind the mother of his daughter and what really happened, he is taken back into his past to discover the reality behind all the lies. With a previous experiment in terror haunting his life now, he must work hard to uncover what’s really going on, as he immerses himself in the hypnotic suggestions that continue to plague him. What is really going on? Why are they doing this? Who is pulling all the strings with the Holland suggestions?

The Bookman’s Promise

Marking the third installment of his ever popular Cliff Janeway franchise, this was initially published in 2004, as it continued the long-running series that now includes five novels. With the arch protagonist of Cliff now well and truly established for his many readers, it wastes no time in delving straight back into the action as the cop takes on his next case. Using both the style and the tone too, it manages to once again capture the essence of what made the previous books work so well for his audience.

Mirroring the life of John Dunning himself, the Denver ex-cop and antique bookseller Cliff Janeway this time finds himself hot on the trail of both a book and a killer. After winning a signed edition of a rare Richard Francis Burton book at an auction, Cliff Janeway comes into contact with Josephine Gallant who says the book is a family heirloom. As she’s now dying he soon finds himself on a quest for the remaining books, learning the truth behind them, as he finds himself in a world that’s more dangerous than he originally anticipated. Who is willing to kill to keep the secrets in the past? Where are the remaining books? Can he keep the bookman’s promise?