The Detectives Beyond Borders magical mystery bookstore tour ...
I have some vacation time coming up, and I thought I might spend it visiting mystery/crime-fiction bookstores, looking up from my books occasionally to see the country between stops.Where should I go? What are North America's can't-miss mystery and crime-fiction bookshops?
© Peter Rozovsky 2011
Labels: bookstores, Detectives Beyond Borders magical mystery bookstore tour
posted by Peter Rozovsky at 5:46 PM
39 Comments:
Partners in Crime, NYC.
The Mysterious Bookshop, NYC.
Seattle Mystery Bookshop, Seattle, WA.
I Love A Mystery, Mission, Kansas.
Grave Matters, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Poisoned Pen, Phoenix, Arizona.
How's that?
Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor. They are the best.
Likewise, Patti. Except for changing planes once in Detroit, I've never so much as set foot in Michigan. Thanks.
Yvette, that's a fine start. I've been to the two New York stores but not the others. Thanks.
Once Upon A Crime in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Winner of the 2011 Raven).
Thanks, Gary. I knew there was one in Minnesota, but I didn't know the name.
Whodunit Mystery Bookstore, 165 Lilac Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba
&(&*&%! I could continue to BC and hand-deliver you a book!
Hmm, not too many in warmer parts of the continent, are there?
I'm sorry there isn't one on my island, Peter! It would certainly be warm enough!
I visited the two in New York for the first time in September, and I really liked The Mysterious Bookshop. It's very welcoming, with the big comfy couches.
Check out Murder by the Book (www.murderbooks.com) in Houston if you get that far south.
May, I like those couches. And customers can climb the ladders, too!
Chuck, I love Murder by the Book. I visited Houston for a few days a couple of years ago, and I made Murder by the Book my hangout. It's a hospitable place with a staff that knows its books.
You may know that I think very highly of Roger Smith. It was the late, great David Thompson at MBTB who introduced me to his work. I was paying for a pile of books, and David said: "Here, you might like this," and he gave me an ARC of Wake Up Dead for nothing. He was an evangelist for crime fiction.
Mysterious Bookstore of course. Murder Ink NYC is gone, but I liked them a lot.
Uncle Edgar's in Minneapolis was a good one I remember, and they're still around.
Blogger, king of the comment eaters!
OK, let's try again:
Thanks. I would have preferred a couple of Californias to a pair of Minnesotas this time of year, though.
Peter
Yeah you should go to Scottsdale. Poisoned Pen is a terrific store.
Also they have orange trees just growing there on the sidewalks.
I've lived in an apartment where an orange tree grew in the courtyard. I've seen the world, my friend. But thanks. I won't have enough time to visit all the stores in this trip, and I'm at a bit of a loss about how to choose which ones to visit.
There seems to little happening in the way of author events as the holiday season nears, so that's not the consideration it might otherwise be.
Here is a list of mystery bookstores in California. There are some in warmer climates listed here:
http://www.mysterynet.com/bookstores/directory/california/
Peter
Also after half an hour in Scottsdale you'll feel like a kid again. You'll be at least thirty years under the median age.
Thanks, Kathy. I’ve also just found this list.
Adrian, before I interviewed for my current job, I visited the St. Petersburg Times for an interview. I know the feeling.
I echo the sentiments about The Poisoned Pen.
If you schedule the trip right, you could attend events with authors. They have a lot of those.
I get their emails, and it sounds like a terrific bookstore.
Mystery on Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont.
With your impeccable credentials, Peter, perhaps you could meet pirsona pirsonalmente with the folks who operate the online-sales-only Saratoga Books in Langley, Washington. Specializing "in mid 20th century crime fiction (1920-1970) for the discerning collector. Our emphasis is high quality, hard-to-find titles with unique associations."
The crime fiction books that dreams are made of.
Saratoga as in Saratoga Passage, off the coast of Whidbey Island, where Langley is located.
Kathy, most of the stores seem not to be doing many events as the holidays approach. But I'll keep looking.
John, did you and Declan Burke sign there three years ago?
I like this itinerary I'm developing: Vermont, California, and Washington. Anyone know any good crime-fiction bookstores in Key West?
Elisabeth, I had not heard of Ssratoga Books, but I shall investigate. That sounds like your idea of eternal bliss. It even has a name that could put you in mind of horses.
Yikes! Look what I did with "Saratoga." I type like Catarella talks.
Some nice-looking editions on the Saratoga site, and a few authors listed as separate categories in their catalogue. You'll have noticed that Raymond Chandler is one. You may be less thrilled that another is Charles Willeford!
One of Hawai'i's flaws is that it has no specialty books stores (well, except for a few which carry Hawai'iana). No mystery, no SF. In fact, there aren't too many general new books stores around now, with the loss of Borders. There are several pretty good used (pre-owned?) bookstores.
So I guess you needn't add Hawai'i to your prospective itinerary.
Linkmeister, I believe a previous commentor from your state noted the lack of crime fiction stores there, or at least on your island. Too bad. I've never been out that way.
The Harvard COOP, Harvard Square, Cambridge Mass.
I sent a link to an independent bookstore in Key West, with mostly used books, but they have tens of thousands, and website has a featured 4 local mystery authors.
Poisoned Pen in Arizona, here is link to calendar of events. Martin Limon scheduled for Dec. 1.
http://poisonedpen.com/events/month/
Sean, I used to shop at the Coop all the time, before I started reading crime fiction in a big way. I bought lots of albums there -- vinyl! But I'll browse their books the next time I'p that way to visit friends. Thanks.
Thanks, Kathy. I'm pretty sure that Dec. 1 and Arizona would be incompatible with my schedule. Martin Limon is worth a listen (and worth reading). I could have asked him a question or two I had left over from Bouchercon.
Never been but:
http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2011/11/16/spotlight-on-bookstores-hole-in-the-wall-bookstore-in-wall-south-dakota/
Not your style perhaps but I liked this:
http://randomactsofreading.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/spotlight-on-an-indie-bookstore-blue-manatee-childrens-bookstore-and-decafe/
Also:
http://randomactsofreading.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/spotlight-on-an-indie-bookstore-boulder-bookstore/
Thanks, Liz. I could also trie the Indie Bound list. I don't if one can search by category, but I might be able to search by key word, which might help.
Peter: If you are coming north the Sleuth of Baker Street store in Toronto is best. I have a couple of posts on the store.
Back in Minneapolis Uncle Edgar's is another excellent store. Minneapolis has been fortunate with a pair of fine mystery bookstores.
Bill, I don't know if I'll get to Toronto this trip, but I love Sleuth of Baker Street and have written about it several times. There is even a picture somewhere on this blog of me buying books from J.D.
I knew Minneapolis had one good crime fiction store, but I've found out since I made this post that it has two. That's a reason to consider moving to Minneapolis.
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