The Mysterious Bookshop

Sally's Weekly Update for 01/27/12

2012-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

I was up at an ungodly hour this morning watching the semi-final match from Australia between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Worth losing the sleep.

Meanwhile, here is Update number 300!!!

Sally Owen

The Mysterious Bookshop

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
Ph: 212-587-1011
Fax: 212-587-1126
Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. *
Weekly Update 1/27/12
* Soon to read "Open Six Days, Monday thru Saturday, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m."

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE
Taken, the much anticipated Elvis Cole/Joe Pike thriller from Robert Crais is here. Nita Morales hires Elvis Cole to find her missing daughter when she gets a ransom note. But Morales isn’t really worried: she thinks her daughter has run off with her boyfriend and that they need money. But Morales is wrong. Her daughter and boyfriend have indeed been kidnapped Cole and Pike find the place where the couple were taken and they think it looks as bad as it can possibly be. But they too are wrong. A Crime Collector’s Club Main Selection (January). $26.95
Elmore Leonard was here signing copies of Raylan, featuring his character Raylan Givens, who is also the star of the hit TV series Justified. U.S. Marshal Givens is the laconic, Stetson-wearing, fast-drawing lawman who juggles dozens of cases at a time and always shoots to kill. A Crime Collector’s Club Main Selection (March) $26.99
Walter Mosley was also here (at the same time as Leonard) signing copies of his latest Leonid McGill mystery, All I Did Was Shoot My Man. Eight years ago Zella Grisham shot her fella, Harry, when she found him in bed with her friend (I should think so!), although she doesn’t remember doing so. The district attorney was inclined to be lenient until $50,000 from a recent heist was found in Zella’s storage unit. When Zella gets out, she hires McGill, who for several reasons, is convinced of her innocence. A Crime Collector’s Club Main Selection (February). $26.95

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.
The interest in signed U.K. editions has obviously increased. We received a shipment from the U.K. earlier this week, so full of goodies, that we have very few copies left of each title. It will be first come, first served, although I am fairly confident we can reorder. So....
The Diamond Chariot by Boris Akunin features Erast Fandorin. It is 1905 and Russia and Japan are locked in a bloody war. Fandorin is called in to investigate an explosion on a railway bridge. We then return to 1878 when Fandorin arrived in the port of Yokohama where, with O-Yumi he investigated rumors of a plot to kill a minister. He also met the deadliest sect of ninjas in Japan. These two tales converge in a thrilling finale. $45.00
Finders Keepers is Belinda Bauer’s third thriller set on the outskirts of Exmoor. I think I’ve expressed my enthusiasm for this series and am anxious to read this, written by the woman who Val McDermid calls "the most disturbing new talent around." I’ll say! We do still have signed first editions of Bauer’s previous thriller, Darkside. Darkside is $35.00, Finders Keepers is $38.00
John Harvey is one of Britain’s best and most successful writers. Good Bait finds DCI Karen Shields of the Homicide & Serious Crime team investigating the murder of a teenage boy on Hampstead Heath. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, DI Trevor Cordon is preparing to travel to London to trace the daughter of another tragic fatality. These cases overlap in unexpected ways. A British Crime Club Main Selection. $35.00
The Child Who is the third novel from Simon Lelic, a writer who has not quite caught on in the United States - yet. When twelve-year-old Daniel Blake brutally murders a schoolmate, defense lawyer Leon Curtice knows that the case will be high-profile and morally challenging. But he’s not prepared for the public fury - or that of his teenage daughter. This will be published here in the U.S. next month, but as a paperback original. $35.00
Also available is Lelic’s second book, The Facility. $35.00
FOR COLLECTORS
No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker, Norton, NY. 1973. First Edition. $750.00 The basis for the film Straight Time, directed by Ulu Grosbard and starring Dustin Hoffman. Very scarce. Previous owner’s name, else an exceptional copy.
The Keeper of Black Hounds by Nicholas Carter, Street & Smith, NY. 1941. First Edition. $35.00 A small chip at the base of the spine, else near fine in the original full-color pictorial wrappers.
The Drop by Michael Connelly, Mysterious Bookshop, NY. 2011. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00 We announced that this was sold out and had numerous orders beyond the 100 copy limitation. However, we have just found a copy with very slight bumped corners. The true first edition, numbered and signed. First call or email gets it.
Black Echo by Michael Connelly, Little Brown, Boston. 2012. $35.00 There was a special event to celebrate Connelly’s 20 years with Little, Brown and the publisher issued a tiny facsimile of the first edition of the first book, identical to the first edition in every way except for a line on the copyright page noting that it was reprinted in 2012. Probably fewer than 100 copies were produced. As new in dust jacket.
The Red Widow Murders by Carter Dickson, Heinemann, London. 1947. Reprint. $30.00 First published in 1935. Fine.
To the Hilt by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol. 1996. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00 Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by Margaret Yorke. As new in glassine dust jacket.
Second Wind by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol, 1999. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00 Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by Simon Brett. As new in glassine dust jacket.
"Kenyon’s Innings" by E.W. Hornung, in Longman’s Magazine, vol. 19 (1891-1892) and "The Unbidden Guest" in Longman’s Magazine, vol. 23 (1894). $20 for the two.
Two stories in bound volumes. Interiors fine, bindings worn.
I’ll Kill You Next by Day Keene, Ramble House, MS. $19.95 A new collection of pulp stories by one of the best noir writers of the 1940s, with an introduction by Ed Gorman. Trade paperback.
Blood from a Stone by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2005. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00 As new in dust jacket.
Through a Glass Darkly by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2006. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00 A new in dust jacket.
Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00 As new in dust jacket.
About Face by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2009. First Edition. SIGNED. $42.50
A new in dust jacket.
Jack & Jill by James Patterson, Little Brown, Boston. 1996. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00 The third Alex Cross mystery. Fine in dust jacket, which has an "Autographed Copy" sticker on the front panel. Signed on the title page.
The Nautical Chart by Arturo Perez-Reverte, Harcourt, NY. 2001. First English Translation. $26.00 Very fine in dust jacket.
The Score by Richard Stark, Gregg Press, Boston. 1981. $65.00 First hardcover edition of the fifth Parker novel. With a new introduction by William L. DeAndrea. Fine in near fine dust jacket with minuscule wear to two corners.
The Ransomed Madonna by Lionel White, Dutton, NY. 1964. First Edition. $45.00 Fine in about fine dust jacket. Rubbing to top of dust jacket spine, ink mark on front panel.

Sally
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Elmore Leonard and Walter Moley at The Mysterious Bookshop!

2012-01-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Mysterious Bookshop was thrilled to have both Elmore Leonard and Walter Mosley drop by yesterday! Here they are with our own Otto Penzler! Mr. Leonard signwed copies of his new novel RAYLAN and Mr. Mosley signed copies of his new novel ALL I DID WAS SHOOT MY MAN.

The Mysterious Bookshop Winter Sale Special

2012-01-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

The return of one of our most popular sales. The $10 Sale.

The list only goes to the letter D.

Sally Owen

The Mysterious Bookshop

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

WINTER SALE SPECIAL

All Books Only $10 Each!

Now that winter seems finally and truly arrived, what better time to stay toasty with a good book? Here is a list of great reading in all genres that have been on our shelves for a while. Every book listed is a hardcover first edition, published in the United States, in dust jacket in as-new condition.

Abella, Alex, Dead of Night, 1998. Charlie Morell, a Cuban-American lawyer and PI, faces evil cloaked in the rituals of African-American santeria, which is as scary as voodoo.

Adcock, Thomas, Drown All the Dogs, 1994. NYPD Detective Neil Hockaday tries to learn why his father vanished during World War II.

Albert, Susan Wittig, Witches’ Bane, 1993. It is Halloween in a small Texas town and, when one of the holiday celebrants is brutally murdered, lawyer and herbalist China Bayles is accused of practicing witchcraft.

Albert, Susan Wittig, Hangman’s Root. 1994. Lawyer-turned herbalist China Bayles finds herself in the middle of an animal rights dispute in Texas that ends in murder.

More sales after the jump!

Albert, Susan Wittig, Rosemary Remembered, 1995. Lawyer-turned herbalist China Bayles finds plenty of suspects when her accountant is murdered, including an abusive husband.

Alexander, Helen L., Zachary Burke, Private Detective, 1991. Adventures of a Bogart-like PI who tries to find a woman long believed to be dead.

Allen, Irene, Quaker Witness, 1993. The clerk of a Quaker Meetinghouse in Cambridge is asked to solve a murder and must battle mighty Harvard University.

Allen, Steve, Murder on the Atlantic, 1995. The famous comic and TV host investigates murder on a luxury cruise to which he and his actress wife Jayne Meadows have been invited.

Allen, Steve, Wake Up to Murder, 1996. The famous comic and TV host investigates multiple murders with his wife, actress Jayne Meadows, and makes it all seem like fun.

Andreae, Christine, A Small Target, 1996. Professor, poet and housesitter Lee Squires take a temporary job as a cook on a llama pack trek in Montana and becomes an amateur sleuth when members of the tour begin to die.

Andrews, Russell, Gideon, 1999. Author Carl Granville is hired to turn explosive documents of a national cover-up and turn them into fiction, for which he’s paid $250,000. When he realizes the nature of the conspiracy, he is framed for murder.

Andrews, Sarah, Only Flesh & Bones, 1998. The wife of an oil millionaire dies of a drug overdose and professional geologist Em Hansen learns it wasn’t an accident.

Andrus, Jeff, Neighborhood Watch, 1996. Newly licensed private investigator John Tracer is hired to find a former femme fatale who now communes with flying saucers and drunkenly wanders around town. Things heat up when the home of the woman’s family is burned down.

Anthony, Michael David, The Becket Factor, 1991. A quiet cathedral turns into a place of violence, deceit and murder when a madman stalks the cloisters. Meanwhile, the opening of a coffin believed to contain the remain of Thomas a Becket poses even graver threats.

Ashford, Jeffrey, A Question of Principle, 1986. A struggling author with liberal ideas and a successful barrister despise each other but their wives are sisters so they are often in contact. When all the evidence points to the lawyer having been a hit-and-run killer, his brother-in-law must decide if justice is more important than family.

Atherton, Nancy, Aunt Dimity’s Death, 1992. A broke and recently divorced Lori Shepherd learns that her Aunt Dimity has died and left her a fortune—if she can find a secret hidden in a trove of letters in her English cottage.

Aveline, John C., A Death in the Senate, 1990. The apparent murder of Lucius Appius Catulus, an ambitious but pedestrian Roman senator, is investigated by his slave.

Ayres, E.C., Night of the Panther, 1997. When a wildlife officer is murdered in a Florida swamp, a PI and his Crow Indian friend investigate only to become the prey themselves of poachers and a local militia group.

Babbin, Jacqueline, Bloody Soaps, 1989. Love and death in the afternoon as murders occur on the set of the country’s most popular soap opera, written by a producer of All My Children.

Bahr, Arthur W., Certifiably Insane, 1999. The police find a woman bathed in blood, calmly munching a bunch of grapes, while her husband is dead on the couch with four bullets in the head and her infant son dead in his crib. She killed them, but is she responsible?

Ballard, Mignon F., Final Curtain, 1992. A vibrant woman of 20, happily in love, falls to her death—some say the victim of music played on a fiddle by the ghost of a Confederate soldier.

Banks, Carolyn, Patchwork, 1986. When a man is found murdered and wrapped in a quilt, his widow flees, knowing that the killer is her sociopathic son and she is the next target.

Barnao, Jack, Locke Step, 1987. Canadian bodyguard John Locke served for years in the British army’s elite SAS corps and he needs all his skills to protect a Mexican drug dealer-turned-informant.

Barnes, Linda, Hardware, 1995. Boston PI Carlotta Carlyle is caught between her old world of a .38 revolver and the more treacherous world of computers and their potential crimes.

Barrow, Adam, Flawless, 1995. A flawlessly handsome and intelligent 30-year-old cannot control his compulsion to kill again and again.

Barth, Richard, The Condo Kill, 1985. The 70-year-old Margaret Binton comes to the aid of her neighbors, an elderly woman and her husband whose landlord wants to evict after 42 years so that he can build a highrise condo and relentlessly intimidates them.

Barth, Richard, Blood Doesn’t Tell, 1989. The 70-year-old Margaret Binton takes on the foster care of a 15-month-old child who is a valuable prize for those who want to adopt.

Barthelme, Peter. Tart, with Silken Finish, 1988. (Second printing). The second adventure of the Texas advertising executive Beaumont, involving his major client, a bank with a set of books that is highly suspicious.

Bartholomew, Nancy, The Miracle Strip, 1998. A friend calls on the knockout Florida stripper and part-time detective Sierra Lavotini to find out who kidnapped her dog and left a $100,000 ransom note.

Barwick, James, The Devil at the Crossroads, 1986. The highways of France in 1940 are jammed with millions fleeing the German invasion, and an American is drawn into a bizarre and terrifying adventure when a gorgeous young woman is mistakenly murdered.

Bateman, Colin, Cycle of Violence, 1996. A smart-aleck reporter is transferred to the violent city of Belfast as punishment and he decides to sacrifice his journalistic integrity in the interest of staying alive. The decision doesn’t keep him out of trouble, however.

Batten, Jack, Crang Plays the Ace, 1987. A criminal lawyer in northern Canada who usually deals with petty crooks is baffled when a millionaire wants him to investigate a company in which he’s invested and believes the return is way too high. (The Canadian edition; the true first)

Batten, Jack, Riviera Blues, 1990. Crang, the jazz-loving loving, is on vacation with his girlfriend when his ex father-in-law asks for a favor that will soon involve a sophisticated computer, a very tall burglar, and murder. (The Canadian edition; the true first)

Bean, Gregory, Grave Victory, 1998. After leaving his stressful job as a homicide detective in Denver, Harry Starbranch takes a job as the sheriff of a small Wyoming town, planning to spend more time fly fishing than fighting crime. Things don’t work out quite that way.

Becklund, Jack, Golden Fleece, 1990. Harry Potter (no, not that one) disappears in his fishing boat in Minnesota. Soon, a lumberjack is found murdered and both crimes are tied to a six-foot-tall emerald-eyed blonde known as Big Charlie.

Beechcroft, William, Secret Kills, 1988. A bomb explodes in New York’s Penn Station. An Oscar-winning film star, currently in a Broadway play, dies in a weird, erotic ritual. NewsLeak’s crime reporter cover the two disparate crimes and finds they are connected.

Beechey, Alan, Murdering Ministers, 1999. A lay preacher appears to be guiding some of the church’s young members into a separate cult. When Communion wine is passed out at a Sunday service, the preacher falls to the floor, convulses, and dies. Because the Rev. Piltdown passed him the glass, he is the prime suspect.

Benchley, Peter, "Q" Clearance, 1986. The author of Jaws has written a comic thriller in which a quiet presidential speechwriter is inadvertently give top-level clearance for atom bomb secrets and becomes a target of Soviet spies.

Berenson, Laurie, Underdog, 1996. A Connecticut single mother and dog handler with a rambunctious poodle puppy uncovers murder among the elite world of pedigreed dogs and competitive dog shows.

Berg, Barry, Hide and Seek, 1989. A fifteen-year-old from a wealthy Connecticut suburb has just returned from a South American vacation with his dad. When he gets off the plane and wanders around Times Square, he learns that the jacket his dad gave him just before boarding has four pounds of cocaine sewn into it.

Berman, James Gabriel, Uninvited, 1995. A pretty girl is building sand castles on a beach when a boy offered her a sea shell, beginning a lifelong obsession for her. Twenty years later, the girl, her husband, her son and her daughter, are murdered in their home. The only suspect is the now grown boy.

Berry, Carol, The Letter of the Law, 1987. Bonnie Indermill, a law firm temp on Manhattan’s West Side, known for her acerbic tongue and abilities as a tap dancer, is the firm’s police liaison when the senior partner is shot to death with his pants down in a seedy Times Square hotel.

Berry, Carol, Good Night, Sweet Prince, 1990. When a famous Russian ballet dancer defects to the United States, his flying apparatus is tampered with, causing his death, and Bonnie Indermill undertakes an investigation.

Berry, Carol, Island Girl, 1991. In the fourth novel about Bonnie, she gets a dream assignment as an aerobics instructor at a Bahamas hotel, but someone inexplicably tries to kill her. When her roommate is trapped underwater during a routine scuba excursion, life gets even scarier.

Bickham, Jack, Breakfast at Wimbledon, 1991. Former tennis champion and part-time CIA agent Brad Smith is asked to go to Wimbledon to keep an eye on a young Irish star whose political opinions have made him a target for IRA terrorists.

Bishop, Paul, Citadel Run, 1988. Try to drive from L.A. to Las Vegas, take a photo in front of a casino, and get back to L.A.—all in eight hours, and not get caught. That’s the challenge facing to LAPD uniformed cops when they see a crime going down on the Strip.

Black, Veronica, Last Seen Wearing, 1991. When she becomes pregnant, a woman is deserted by her lover. She takes in typing by day and works in a restaurant at night. An ordinary life—until her child is kidnapped.

Blackmur, L.L., Love Lies Slain, 1989. When a freelance writer drives her old Alfa Romeo to the estate of a wealthy and famous artist to write his memoir, she must confront the questions of the fate of the previous ghostwriter and what really happened in the plane crash that killed his wife and eldest son.

Blake, Michelle, The Tentmaker, 1999. When Lily Connor, an Episcopal priest in Texas, is asked to take over a wealthy Boston parish that has just lost its priest, she happily agrees. When she arrives, however, she becomes suspicious of the cause of death—and those who swear to its truth.

Blake, Sterling, Chiller, 1993. In the tradition of Michael Crichton and Dean Koontz, this thriller involves cutting-edge science and a sinister serial killer who targets the scientists who are trying to cheat death.

Blank, Martin, Shadowcase, 1989. Owen Anderson appears to be a superior human being in every way, worshipped by his timid theology student. When the demi-god becomes the prime suspect in the violent bludgeoning murder of a woman, the student holds the secret that will determine his guilt or innocence.

Bland, Eleanor Taylor, Tell No Tales, 1999. The African-American policewoman Marti MacAlister must solve the murder of a wealthy Chicago family’s mentally ill son who kept entirely to himself, then try to learn the secrets of a mummy in the closet of a long-shuttered historic theater: Who was she, and how did she get there?

Blankfort, Michael, Take the A Train, 1978. Franklin Gilboa, the king of Harlem’s underworld, takes a smart young Jewish lad under his wing to teach him all about the rackets. When the kid falls for a mulatto whore, Gilboa tries to break it up and fails, so he cuts him loose. Soon, the two men must confront each other in the midst of a moral crisis.

Bogart, Stephen Humphrey, Play It Again, 1995. The son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall writes a noir novel about a tough "matrimonial detective" (the son a movie star couple) who becomes involved in the investigation of the murder of his glamorous mother, found dead in a Manhattan love nest.

Bogosian, Eric, Mall, 2000. A 30-something speed freak shoots his mother, torches her house, and heads to the mall with a sack of weapons with plans for more mayhem. Here, his life intersects with four other people with their own set of issues.

Bond, Michael, Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Secret Mission, 1984. The detective duo of Pamplemousse and his canine companion are asked to investigate the mysterious activities at the posh Hotel du Paradise, where a strange substance in the air works as an immediate aphrodisiac. By the creator Paddington Bear.

Bond, Michael, Monsieur Pamplemousse Aloft, 1989. Pamplemousse is asked to prepare a sumptuous meal on a dirigible for the French and English heads of state. On the way to its maiden voyage, he and his companion, Pommes Frites, are run off the road by a van of nuns and they hitch a ride with a traveling circus, whose beautiful trapeze artist appears to be in danger.

Bond, Michael, Fire Like the Sun, 1985. An American guide in Nepal sees his client’s pack fall open to reveal an atomic weapon, putting him into grave peril.

Bonsack, Cornelia, The Parody Murder Case, 1987. A whirlpool of events surrounds the discovery of the 300-pound body of Peregrine Parody, a suspected drug courier, who happens to be related (by Marriage) to the ambassador to the tiny island nation of Beaulinia.

Bowen, Gail, Verdict in Blood, 1998. A teacher and her friend find the body of a judge at the Boy Scout Memorial. Famous for her harsh sentences, the judge lately had tried to find those she had put away in an effort to help them. Did she have a change of heart, or was she senile?

Bowman, Clell Edgar, Human Equation, 1976. Rex Holmes, the 60-year old author of 13 mystery novels, sets out to solve the murder of a co-ed who disappeared two years earlier.

Boyd, Donna, The Passion, 1998. A tale of murder and passion in contemporary Manhattan has its roots in 19th century Paris and a pack of werewolves.

Boyer, Rick, The Whale’s Footprints, 1988. In the fifth mystery by the Edgar-winning author, Doc Adams has brought a young future medical student to help him study whales on Cape Cod and he turns up dead the next morning, with Adams accused of murder.

Boyle, Gerry, Cover Story, 2000. A popular and charismatic New York City mayor is stabbed to death in a hotel restroom and the police reporter on the case, and his cop buddy, are suspects.

Boyle, Thomas, Only the Dead Know Brooklyn, 1985. "The Creep" is a pathological serial killer of women who connects his murders to holidays. He calls in exclusive clues to the good-looking reporter for a third-rate radio station and the police decide to use her as bait.

Braddon, Russell, Funnelweb, 1990. A virtuoso violinist and pathological genius uses Australian funnelwebs—the world’s deadliest spiders—as his weapon of choice to kill a brilliant dancer, an aristocratic playboy, and the lead singer of a punk rock band. Scotland Yard must find the connection between these disparate victims and prevent further murders.

Brandon, Jay, Defiance County, 1996. In a quiet little town in east Texas, a matriarch runs the town’s only business, an apparel factory. Her daughter and her husband have been shot to death and their infant snatched from its crib. The local D.A. is the brother of the leading suspect so a young assistant D.A. is sent from Austin to handle the case.

Brandon, Ruth, Out of Body, Out of Mind, 1987. After a pioneering breakthrough linking telepathic communication to behavior modification, an academic is lured to the more lucrative job of business speculation but soon disappears, so his young assistant begins to search for him and uncovers an extraordinary plot that attempts to guarantee that political and financial predictions come to pass.

Brandt, Charles, The Right to Remain Silent, 1988. A clean cop is framed and spends two years and then must flee the country. He is exonerated 15 years later and returns to a police force that he doesn’t understand due to such changes as the Miranda decision. He goes after those who framed him—criminals who now thrive because of the new police department rules.

Brandt, Nat & Yanna, Land Kills, 1991. A small Vermont town is divided about the controversy of a proposed ski resort and those who will profit from it and those who want to retain the status quo—divided enough to cause several mysterious deaths.

Branon, Bill, Let Us Prey, 1994. (A New York Times Notable Book of the Year when self-published, this is the first commercial edition.) Set in the near future, a tax-weary America, plagued by government waste and corruption, leads some to the notion of violent revolution to bring an out-of-control government to its senses—or its knees—by targeting the IRS: its collection centers, its administrators, and its web of ever more intrusive oversight systems.

Braun, Lilian Jackson, The Cat Who Went Underground, 1989. Reporter Jim Qwilleran heads to his vacation cottage and hires a carpenter to build an addition. Partway through the job, he disappears. Two other carpenters in the small town have also disappeared, and two others have died in freak accidents. Qwilleran investigates, assisted by his cats, Koko and Yum Yum.

Braun, Lilian Jackson, The Cat Who Moved a Mountain, 1992. Reporter Jim Qwilleran has inherited a fortune and wants to think what to do next he heads to the peaceful Potato Mountains, where a rich developed has been murdered and the wrong man convicted. Qwilleran investigates, assisted by his cats, Koko and Yum Yum.

Breen, Jon L., Listen for the Click, 1983. Olivia Barchester, a life-long devotee of mystery novels, puts her knowledge to use when the jockey who rode her greatest racehorse to numerous victories is found dead at her estate.

Brennan, Carol, Full Commission, 1993. New York’s real estate market can be murder, and one firm has a problem. People trying to sell their apartments also have a problem: a society woman’s face is burned by her face cream, a movie star is almost blinded by the contents of his shampoo bottle, a dentist’s Scotch puts him in the hospital. Then things get really nasty.

Bringle, Mary, Little Creatures Everywhere, 1991. A New York City book editor flies to the Pacific Northwest for a vacation, staying at an historic hotel owned by an old friend. But the vacation becomes less peaceful when a body is discovered stuffed in a linen closet.

Bringle, Mary, Murder Most Gentrified, 1988. A greedy landlord forces a much-loved bookstore to close its doors for good. Soon, the shop’s window displays a plastic skeleton that seems to be snorting cocaine, and, later, on a frosty January evening, a dead body. (One corner is bumped.)

Bringle, Mary, The Man in the Moss-Colored Trousers, 1986. In a village seven miles north of Dublin, a group of children discover the body of a man stuffed in the derelict grandstand of a ramshackle racecourse. He has no identification, but the case soon takes on international flavor with questions involving the IRA, the British Secret Service and the United Arab Emirates.

Briody, Thomas Gately, Rogue’s Justice, 1996. A Rhode Island reporter encounters numerous crimes and a bizarre cast of characters in his second case: a mob enforcer who sits on people, a state worker who collects body parts, and a very hungry reptile.

Brod, D.C., Masquerade in Blue, 1991. The best journalist in Foxport, Illinois, is in jail in connection with the murder of a developer. The top suspect is The Blue Fox, a zealous environmentalist who is said to stop at nothing for the good cause. Convinced that the Fox had nothing to do with the crime, the journalist refuses to reveal his identity and faces contempt of court chanrges and more time in the clink.

Brod, D.C., Paid in Full, 2000. When a private investigator is sent to collect a delinquent payment from a wealthy stockbroker, he finds his quarry has disappeared—as have the funds of many of his clients. (Issued without dust jacket.)

Brown, Alan, Princess, 1989. On holiday in Spain with Prince Charles, Princess Diana goes on a motorcycle ride with the King of Spain. They are stopped by three gunmen who beat the king and kidnap Di. The terrorists have huge demands and Charles fails to pull off a secret bargain. Two undercover agents, one British, one Spanish, have only five days to find Diana alive.

Brown, Rita Mae, & Sneaky Pie Brown, Murder on the Prowl, 1998. The town is shocked to read the obituary of the popular principal of an exclusive private school, and is even more stunned when they learn that he’s alive. Then another fake obituary of the principal appears. The local cats band together to learn that the malice behind the pranks will lead to murder.

Brown, Rita Mae, & Sneaky Pie Brown, Pawing Through the Past, 2000. A 20th high school reunion turns sinister when all the alumni receive letters that read "You’ll never get old." After two murders, no one can take the notes as a prank. It’s up to Mrs. Murphy, the tiger cat, and her feline friends to prevent further trouble.

Brown, William F., Thursday at Noon, 1987. It is October of 1962 and the Cuban missile crisis is only one problem facing the world. Egypt is sinking into chaos and Nasser has a German scientist building him a rocket. Spies and counterspies are everywhere—Israelis, Germans, Americans, Soviets, and British. And, at noon on Thursday, the world will tilt on its axis.

Browne, Dennis James, M, 1992. In this modern day version of Wuthering Heights, Miles Spaulding, a wealthy but handicapped teenager, falls in love with Clare, who loves the poor James Andreos. She gets pregnant but Andreos leaves town without her. Twenty-three years later, Miles and Clare have lunch--served by Andreos. Miles recognizes him and seeks revenge for the long-ago slight, but Andreos , not what he seems, has his own plans for vengeance.

Bruno, Anthony, Bad Guys, 1988. The first novel about Mike Tozzi and Bert Gibbons, two renegade agents who are at the center of a war between the FBI and the Mafia. It’s simple for Tozzi, who decides to simply kill the criminals he arrested and who were released on technicalities. But, of course, it’s much more complicated, since there is ample evidence that an FBI agent is inside the Mafia and caused the murder of three other agents.

Bruno, Anthony, Bad Blood, 1989. Mike Tozzi and Bert Gibbons, the FBI’s most colorful agents, find themselves in a battle with the deadly partnerships of the Mafia and its Japanese equivalent, the Yakuza. Warned to fight the bad guys strictly by the book, they are forced to circumvent the law when the case begins with two teenagers in a VW big sliced nearly in half.

Bruno, Anthony, Bad Business, 1991. The D.A. gets a break on a racketing trial when one of the mob defendants decides to turn state’s evidence. It’s not such a big break for the two FBI agents whose job it is to keep the crook alive until he testifies, especially when he is brutally murdered and they are suspected of the hit.

Buchan, James, Davy Chadwick, 1987. In a small town in southern Italy, Dawn and John Chadwick pursue a marginal and slightly shady lifestyle. When Davy, their five-year-old-son disappears, their lives are brought into focus, resulting in rage, suspicion and hysteria.

Buchanan, Edna, Never Let Then See You Cry, 1992. True crime stories in Miami by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist of The Miami Herald.

Buchanan, Edna, Suitable for Framing, 1995. Miami Herald crime reporter Britt Montero becomes suspicious when the ambitious new crime reporter keeps getting headline stories, but are some of the victims being manipulated.

Buchanan, Edna, Garden of Evil, 1999. Miami Herald crime reporter Britt Montero goes after the story of a woman as the Kiss Me Killer who has murdered a sheriff and lures men into having sex with her before killing them, dumping their bodies in ditches, woodlands and along highways, having stolen their cars, money and valuables.

Buchanan, William J., Present Danger, 1986. America’s best pilot is assigned to take the Air Force’s newest, most secret spy plane on a final test flight. The pilot and the plane crash into the Pacific Ocean for no apparent reason but a tough general doesn’t believe in the unknown and sets out to find what caused the mysterious disappearance.

Bunn, Thomas, Worse Than Death, 1989.Nora and Dirk Toland tried for years to adopt a baby and finally succeed when they give a sleazy baby broker an under-the-table $20,000. Their joy abruptly ends three months later when the baby is kidnapped and the broker demands another $10,000 for her return—money they simply don’t have. They hire a PI who wonders why Dirk wants him off the case and what happened to the baby sitter who witnessed the kidnapping.

Burke, Alan Dennis, Dead Wrong, 1990. An experienced carpenter ambitiously becomes an independent contractor whose partner has involved him in a "can’t miss" project of a dozen homes in a seaside development. Cash flow problems ensue and he believes they are the fault of his partner, who is killed with nails fired from a carpenter’s gun, making him the prime suspect.

Burke, Jan, Dear Irene, 1995. Still hobbling from her last case, reporter Irene Kelly’s first day back on the job brings a note signed "Thanatos," the ancient Greek name for Death. A series of murders terrorize a beach town while Irene receives further letters containing mythological puzzles as clues.

Busch, Frederick, Don’t Tell Anyone, 2000. A mixed collection of short stories by a brilliant fiction writer. In "Heads," a mother is haunted by her own past when her daughter is accused of murder.

Byrne, Robert, Thrill, 1995. The fastest, scariest, most dangerous amusement park ride in the world is "Thrill." When a teenage girl is thrown to her death in a chilling manner, the owner of the park agrees to make it slower and safer. But the designer is outraged than anyone would tamper with his masterpiece. The first ride of the redesigned roller coaster is filled with dignitaries and officials who want to reassure the public that it’s safe. But is it?

Campbell, Robert, Nibbled to Death by Ducks, 1989. Chicago sewer inspector Jimmy Flannery finds some suspicious deaths at an old age home but no one wants to investigate because some powerful politicians have investments in old age homes. This is the first hardcover in the series that won an Edgar for The Junkyard Dog.

Campbell, R. Wright, Malloy’s Subway, 1981. Malloy, a former NYPD cop who took four slugs to the gut, now works in the New York City subway system and hunts for a serial killer who kills subway riders. Review slip laid in. The author (Robert Campbell) was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay of The Man of a Thousand Faces.

Campbell, R. Wright, Honor, 1987. A man in a homburg lies dead in the snow of Belgrade, murdered, and a policeman tracks the killer into party headquarters itself.

Cannell, Dorothy, God Save the Queen!, 1997. Sir Henry Gossinger has shocked his beloved old family by changing his will and leaving everything to Hutchins, the butler. Sadly, all Hutchins will inherit is a place in the cemetery when he’s found murdered in the privy. The author is an Edgar nominee.

Canter, MacKenzie, The Indictment, 1994. Kendall Wilkinson is a small town Southern lawyer who is afraid that the murder of his friend and cousin will reveal his affair with the victim’s wife and make him a suspect with a motive.

Caputi, Anthony, Storms and Son, 1985. Hugh Storms, a Buffalo lawyer whose wife ran off with another man years ago, is pleased to receive letters from his son in New York who tells him of kicking drugs, taking acting lessons, and getting his life together. When he is found murdered, Storms comes to New York to learn that the letters were all lies and he goes into the drug underworld to find the murderer, but justice will be hard to find.

Carlon, Patricia, The Souvenir, 1996. This novel by an Australian writer reveals a foolproof plot—two suspected murderers who have accused each other and, as a result, neither can be found guilty.

Carlson, P.M., Bad Blood, 1991. Maggie Ryan, a statistician and mother (as well as the heroine of seven previous novels), comes home with her husband to find a runaway teenager on her doorstep. Wanted for questioning in the murder of a widower popular with the bridge-playing ladies of the of the local church.

Carmello, Charles, La Mattanza and the Sicilian Madness, 1986. An accurate portrayal of the Mafia and the violent crimes associated with the cases that became known as "The Pizza Connection."

Carnell, Jennifer, Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, 1988. In the slumbering village of Penton, a reputable spinster sells everything she owns to buy a used Rolls-Royce to set out on an adventure. She arrives at the Waddington Castle Hotel in time for Christmas of 1936 but soon there is a corpse. Then another, and another…

Carrier, Warren, Death of a Chancellor, 1986. When the university chancellor in a small Wisconsin town is murdered, there are plenty of suspects, including a campus cop with a questionable past, an American Indian who claims discrimination and organizes sit-ins, and a math professor dismissed for sexual harassment.

Caswell, Robert L., Death Wore Skis, 1991. A skier dressed in black emerges on the slopes of a Colorado resort, kills suddenly, and disappears just as quickly.

Caverly, Carol, Frogskin and Muttonfat, 1996. A reporter for Chicago’s Western True Adventure Magazine heads to Wyoming to vacation with an old flame and also to interview Kid Corcoran, last of the old-time bandits, who was recently released from prison. When another reporter is murdered, the logical suspect is the Kid.

Champion, David, Nobody Roots for Goliath, 1996. Mega-lawyer Bomber Hanson takes on the tobacco industry. The plaintiff is a blind Pennsylvania Dutch father who has lung cancer and twelve adorable young daughters.

Chapman, Sally, Raw Data, 1991. A talented rising star of Silicon Valley’s nascent computer industry becomes in a murder investigation when an employee of the important Project 6 is found stuffed into the back of a huge mainframe.

Charnee, David, Party Till You Die, 1991. D.L. Blacker is no ordinary attorney. After work, he can be found trying on wigs and applying makeup. He is a clown who, with his struggling juggler friend, tries to find a murderer who has infiltrated their little band of performers.

Charyn, Jerome, The Black Swan, 2000. A non-mystery memoir of growing up in the Bronx by one of the most original writers of our time, mainly focused on his youth when he worked for a local gangster.

Clark, Mary Higgins, I’ll Be Seeing You, 1993. A television news reporter sees a young woman who has been stabbed to death and knows she must find the murderer because her missing father is assumed to be the killer. Inscribed and signed (To Otto & Carolyn, just because I love you! Mary. (with a small sketch), also signed in full and dated 5/11/93). This is a duplicate from Otto’s collection.

Clark, Mary Jane, Do You Want to Know a Secret?, 1998. A newsman is killed at the station and his recently widowed thinks she has the inside track on a big story until she realizes it’s bigger than she thought, possibly going all the way to the White House.

Cluster, Dick, Return to Sender, 1988. A Boston-based foreign car mechanic and part-time detective is asked to retrieve a package recently mailed to Germany before it reaches its destination, not knowing he was getting involved in a drug underworld that will threaten his life.

Cluster, Dick, Repulse Monkey, 1989. A Boston-based professional auto mechanic and part-time detective comes home to find his daughter’s babysitter missing, having left saying that someone was dead. Soon, she is a suspect in the death of her boyfriend. Inscribed and signed (To Carolyn and Otto), another duplicate from Otto’s collection.

Coburn, Andrew, Sweetheart, 1985. An FBI agent recruits a Boston policeman to infiltrate the local Mafia and soon the honest cop finds himself sympathetic to the charming capo.

Coburn, Andrew, Love Nest, 1987. A charming and beautiful young prostitute touched the lives of many in a small New England town, not least the policeman investigating her murder.

Coburn, Andrew, Goldilocks, 1989. In a corrupt New England town, where the cops are on the take and people who runs things are the crooks, a tall, good-looking blond man moves in—a man so vicious that he makes everyone know that life was a fairy tale before he showed up.

Coburn, Andrew, Voices in the Dark, 1994. The police chief of an idyllic New England town investigates the death of a 16-year-old boy, trying to determine if he died by accident or suicide. Then, an eccentric drifter in town announces that he is a child killer.

Cody, Liza, Backhand, 1992. Gritty London private eye Anna Lee is hired to investigate shady dealings in the world of high fashion, an assignment that soon turns far more sinister and dangerous.

Coel, Margaret, The Lost Bird, 1999. Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden gets a visit from a Hollywood star who turns out to be involved, albeit not directly, with the murder of a frail old priest on a reservation in the middle of Wyoming.

Cohen, Stephen Paul, Heartless, 1986. When an alcoholic finds his junkie friend murdered, he realizes the NYPD don’t really care who killed him, so he sets out to solve the crime himself.

Colbert, James, Skinny Man, 1990. A Tulane dropout who has recently been suspended from the New Orleans police force, Skinny becomes involved with a luscious blonde, an arsonist-for-hire, and a phalanx of other questionable types.

Coles, Katherine, The Measurable World, 1995. Trying to reconcile with her estranged husband in a dark parking lot, botanist Grace Stern sees him shot to death but can’t identify the killer. The dust jacket describes this as "An erotic urban thriller."

Collee, John, Kingsley’s Touch, 1984. A strange Indian mystic claims that a pragmatic surgeon is the Messiah of an ancient sect and has the power to heal with a single touch. When three of his patients miraculously develop a resistance to cancer, he looks for the suddenly elusive mystic, setting of a series of chaotic and violent events.

Collins, Eliza, Going, Going, Gone, 1986. An art dealer, forced to sell her favorite painting in order to keep her gallery open, is desperate to buy it back when it appears at auction ten years later. But the sale is filled with back-stabbing, a possible Master painting, and murder.

Comfort, Bonnie, Denial, 1995. An attractive single therapist takes a client who is pleased with his role as a Lothario. Although she is drawn to him, she rebuffs his advances, making him more and more determined. When he begins to stalk her, engineering "chance" meetings and stealing small objects from her office, she realizes she may be in trouble.

Conant, Susan, Gone to the Dogs, 1992. Holly Winter, columnist at Dog’s Life, becomes involved in a Christmas-time mystery when a New Hampshire poet-veterinarian disappears soon after getting into a fight with the owner of a sled dog that died in his care.

Conley, Martha, Growing Light, 1993. A woman founds a New Age software company, Growing Light, only to have her husband take it away from her. When he is found dead, she is only one of countless suspects who are happy to see him gone.

Connolly, Cyril, and Peter Levi, Shade Those Laurels, 1990. This manuscript of a literary whodunit by one of the great literary figures of the 1940s and ‘50s was left unfinished at his death and is here completed by his friend, a renowned Oxford scholar.

Connor, Beverly, A Rumor of Bones, 1996. Forensic anthropologist Lindsay Chamberlain is doing a dig of an ancient Indian village when she discovers the bones of a woman that have been buried for only 50 years. Then she turns up another skeleton…and another.

Conroy, Richard Timothy, The India Exhibition, 1992. An old-school gentleman in charge of an important exhibition at the Smithsonian finds himself tempted by a pretty young woman, and the next thing he knew was that the half-ton gold statue of Chandra with its girdle of rubies was gone.

Conroy, Richard Timothy, Mr. Smithson’s Bones, 1993. A middle-aged foreign services officer has been relegated to humdrum duty at the Smithsonian until he takes on the role of amateur detective to learn who is decimating the executive staff of "the nation’s attic"—and why.

Cook, Bob, Fire and Forget, 1991. A president makes a joke that the U.S. is on the way to war with the Soviet Union. It is accidently broadcast over national airwaves and an automatic response is triggered in a satellite that does not take orders from base. Americans, British and Soviets team to try to stop its response.

Cook, Bruce, Rough Cut, 1990. Chico Cervantes, a gun-shy former Los Angeles cop turned private eye, agrees to protect a German filmmaker’s daughter, who is threatened with kidnapping. He doesn’t realize that he is taking on an L.A. street gang.

Cook, Bruce, The Sidewalk Hilton, 1994. Chico Cervantes is hired to find a missing Chicago millionaire in Los Angeles. Traced to a posh hotel suite, he appears to have brutally murdered but his daughter proves it wasn’t the missing man, who turns up in a park with a group of homeless men.

Cook, Robin, Acceptable Risk, 1994. A neuroscientist grows a poisonous mold taken from the site of the Salem witch trials to create a new designer drug that works as an amazing antidepressant with unintended consequences.

Cooper, Natasha, Poison Flowers, 1991. Private detective and best-selling novelist Willow King investigates when a retired school matron in Newcastle, an upwardly mobile young couple in Fulham, and a popular actress in Islington all die of poisoning with a few months—the work of a suspected serial killer.

Cooper, Natasha, Sour Grapes, 1997. True first U.K. edition. Private detective and best-selling novelist Willow King visits a man in jail who claimed his car had been stolen when it was involved in a hit-and-run accident. Then he admitted he was the driver. Now he insists his first story was the truth. Willow must find out why he lied.

Cooper, Natasha, Fault Lines, 1999. True first U.K. edition, second printing. When a key social worker, the key witness in a case of child abuse, fails to show up at court to testify, barrister Trish Maguire rushes to her flat, only to find her savagely murdered.

Cooper, Susan Rogers, Chasing Away the Devil, 1991. Oklahoma sheriff Milt Kovak has finally worked up the courage to ask his longtime girlfriend to marry him. He is shocked when she rebuffs him with no explanation. The next day, she is found murdered.

Coovelis, Mark, Gloria, 1994. In a noir style reminiscent of James M. Cain, the author explores the story of a man who investigates the death of his beloved younger sister and discovers mysteries for which he hadn’t bargained.

Corman, Avery, Prized Possessions, 1991. A wealthy, happy family appear to have created a perfect life when their beautiful, friendly, outgoing daughter goes off to a good college and is raped in the first week by a star tennis player. Her father is driven to see that he is brought to justice as the act destroys his family. By the author of Kramer vs. Kramer.

Cormany, Michael, Lost Daughter, 1988. A typical alienated teenager disappears from her affluent family, which hires an off-beat private eye who is afraid of guns and is a part-time rock musician. He quickly finds her, only to have her become the logical suspect in a murder as soon as she returns and she disappears again—this time without a trace.

Corpi, Lucha, Eulogy for a Brown Angel, 1992. A Chicano civil rights march is disrupted by the LAPD and, when the tear gas settles, a young Chicana activist finds the body of a four-year old child dead in the street. Before long, two other people are dead, and the inexperienced young woman determines to find out what happened.

Cory, Desmond, The Catalyst, 1991. When the student of a mathematics professor is found dead, and then his much younger wife and her friend are also murdered, he is the most likely suspect.

Cose, Ellis, The Best Defense, 1998. A high-powered defense attorney who is a rising media star is opposed by her former boyfriend, an underdog assistant district attorney in a trial that explores the difference between justice and revenge.

Costopoulos, William C., Guilty of Innocence, 2000. A divorced attorney lives with his beloved 11-year-old daughter until she suddenly disappears, sending him off on a furious cross-country quest until he finds her, kidnapped by his former wife—and now in grave danger.

Craft, Michael, Flight Dreams, 1997. A Chicago socialite disappears and, seven years later, a reporter who has insisted all along that she was alive is given an assignment by his editor: prove it or lose your job. His quest puts his own life in danger.

Craig, Alisa (the pseudonym of Charlotte MacLeod), A Dismal Thing to Do, 1986. A Detective Inspector of the Mounties searches for his missing wife, who has narrowly missed being crushed by a falling truck, been trapped by falling timbers in a blown-up barn, had her car stolen, and narrowly escaped a fate worse than death by burned to a crisp inside a supposedly empty farmhouse in the middle of nowhere.

Crane, Caroline, The Foretelling, 1982. Reluctantly agreeing to tell fortunes at a charity carnival, a palm reader sees too much, including the imminent deaths of two people.

Crane, Caroline, Circus Day, 1986. A woman and her two children are kidnapped at gunpoint by two bank robbers and ordered to drive them for hours to safety. She knows that when they reach their destination, she and the children will be killed.

Crane, Caroline, Man in the Shadows, 1987. A recently divorced fashion model bids goodnight to a friend and goes to her apartment and waiting children. A threatening phone call immediately follows. The next day, her friend is found shot to death. Then one of her children is nearly killed.

Crane, Caroline, The People Next Door, 1988. A couple move to a nice new home but soon realize that their neighbors are not quite what they seem, having endured a tragedy that soon threatens their own children.

Crawford, Max, Six Key Cut, 1986. Two drug dealers abscond with $10,000,000 worth of cocaine, burning the Columbian who fronted the deal. They try to fake their deaths, but they’re in deeper waters than they knew, and there are those who want to exact very serious revenge.

Crawford, R.H.E., Fifty/Fifty, 1994. There was the judge, a Jaguar, U.S. Highway 50, and a girl. How could a prudent man guess that a mere slip of a girl could carry so much trouble? The judge and the girl made a deal: 50/50. Did the deal include murder and mayhem?

Crichton, Michael, Disclosure, 1994. An up-and-coming executive is called to a closed-door meeting with his new boss, a woman who had been his lover ten years earlier. Accused of sexually harassing her, he finds himself trapped between the truth and what others will assume.

Crider, Bill, Shotgun Saturday Night, 1987. Texas Sheriff Dan Rhodes knows it’s going to be a bad day when Bert Ramsey drops a neatly wrapped arm on his desk and tells him he has another one in the truck, and "a couple of legs, too, but they don’t match up." Things only get worse when Ramsey is shot to death.

Crider, Bill, Cursed to Death, 1988. Sheriff Dan Rhodes calms down the local dentist and real estate entrepreneur who claims that one of his tenants is a witch who has laid a curse on him—that all his teeth will fall out. Instead, his wife is found bludgeoned to death.

Crider, Bill, A Ghost of a Chance, 2000. Sheriff Dan Rhodes has encountered many bizarre situations but none wackier than his prisoners complaining that the jail is haunted, an assertion supported by a group of teenagers who burst into the jail to say they’ve seen ghosts in the cemetery.

Criscuolo, C. Clark, Wiseguys in Love, 1993. The author’s first novel features a law school dropout who is inducted against his will into the neighborhood mob, difficult for him because his mother has a strict curfew and hides his bullets. He meets a wholesome girl from the Midwest who another mobster wants to introduce to his mother.

Criscuolo, C. Clark, Bank Robbers, 1995. A reformed but bored former bank robber, a newly widowed woman petrified of having to move to Florida because of her children, and a sweet older New York woman looking for a little fun meet up after 30 years and decide the solution to their problems would be to rob a bank.

Crockett, Linda, Carousel, 1993. A woman inherits the estate of her mother’s husband but knows they never married, the fortune rightfully someone else’s. Not really a mystery.

Crombie, Deborah, All Shall Be Well, 1994. The second adventure of Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James brings Kincaid home to find his terminally ill friend and neighbor dead. An autopsy shows that she died from a lethal dose of morphine. Did she commit suicide or was she murdered as, if so, why would someone kill a person with months to live?

Crombie, Deborah, Mourn Not Your Dead, 1997. First U.K. edition. Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James investigate the murder of Commander Alastair Gilbert of the Metropolitan Police, beaten to death in his own home. Did he interrupt a burglary in process, or was there another motive?

Curtis, Jack, The Confessor, 1997. True first U.K. edition. A man has made a lifetime career out of killing people, enjoying the process of selecting his victim, watching the life ebb. But it’s a lonely profession, and he wants someone to share it with, so he calls the police station to confess to being a murderer, planning to take as his partner the person who takes the call.

Cutler, Judith, Dying on Principle, 1996. True first U.K. edition. A woman takes a temporary research post at a strange college that seems to lack students. A colleague is murdered, and she finds both her office and her home have been bugged.

Cutler, Stan, Best Performance by a Patsy, 1991. The great macho detective who had cracked one of Hollywood’s most infamous murder cases has retired and plans to write a tell-all autobiography with the aid of a hip, gay novelist. As the story of his case evolves, it seems he might have overlooked a few points and sent the wrong guy to jail. Meanwhile, they are stalked by someone willing to do anything to prevent the publication of the memoir.

Dain, Catherine, Angel in the Dark, 1999. A woman grief-stricken over the death of her husband, visits a psychic to be reassured that his spirit is healed on another plane of existence. She learns that his death may not have been a random act of violence, so she becomes involved in the world of psychics and soon a series of accidents befall her new friends.

Daley, Robert, Man with a Gun, 1988. Life in the New York City Police Department with its numerous intrigues and various crimes are brought to life by the multiple best-selling author of Prince of the City; does for the NYPD what Joseph Wambaugh did for the LAPD.

D’Amato, Barbara, Hardball, 1990. In the first adventure of Chicago journalist Cat Marsala, she is at a staid sherry reception at the University of Chicago when a packet cigarettes explodes, killing the controversial but sweet, grandmotherly lady next to her and hospitalizing Cat. She knows something happened just before the bomb went off but can’t quite remember what it was.

D’Amato, Barbara, Hard Luck, 1992. Chicago journalist Cat Marsala is writing a story about the state lottery when the advertising manager asks if she would like to do an expose. When she arrives the next day to get the lowdown, the whistle-blower plummets from a high window.

Dams, Jeanne M., Trouble in the Town Hall, 1996. Town snoop Dorothy Martin sees movement in the closed Town Hall and stops to see what it is. She meets the cleaning lady and together they find a body. Soon afterward, they see the body has had its eyes closed and arms moved.

Daniel, David, The Skelly Man, 1995. Former Lowell, Massachusetts, cop turned private eye Alex Rasmussen becomes involved with a TV personality who is getting hate mail.

Daniel, David, and Chris Carpenter, Murder at the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1996. While visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, an ex-NYC cop witnesses the death of a former major leaguer and his investigation uncovers life lived at the edge, which may explain why his once-promising career went into sudden decline. And may have led to his death.

Daniel, Mark, The Bold Thing, 1990. If you liked Dick Francis, you’ll like Daniel, who often wrote about horse racing. A former big-time trainer who lost it all when he killed someone in a drunk driving accident gets a new start at the farm where a world class stallion lives. He soon finds himself dealing with an extortionist and a freelance gunman on the lam from the police.

Davidson, Diane Mott, The Grilling Season, 1997. Goldy Schulz is hired to cater a hockey party and things get hotter when her client tells her she blames Goldy’s ex-husband, an ob-gyn, for the death of her baby. Although she likes the idea of revenge, she didn’t expect him to be arrested for killing his current girlfriend.

Davies, Linda, Nest of Vipers, 1995. A successful currency trader in London is asked to go undercover at a corrupt bank but gets more than expected when she learns that the Mafia is involved. The author’s first book.

Davies, Linda, Wilderness of Mirrors, 1996. The author’s second big novel of international financial wheeling and dealing involves drugs and arms trading, racing from London to Southeast Asia.

Davis, Dorothy Salisbury, The Habit of Fear, 1987. A former actress and now newspaper columnist is hurt and angry when her husband asks for a divorce. Blindly walking into a dangerous neighborhood, she is grabbed and raped by two men, but works with the police to find them. Davis is an MWA Grand Master.

Davis, J. Madison, White Rook, 1990. A Pittsburgh P.I. is hired to go to New Orleans to investigate a murder when the victim’s widow finds a circled ad for a hired killer named Castle in a mercenary magazine. He soon learns that there is more than one castle, leading him to a white supremacist group called White Rook.

Davis, Rankin, Abuse of Process, 1996. The true U.K. first edition. A truck driver is arrested and accused of murdering seven teenage girls. Although the trial is already a foregone decision, a court sketch artist sees something that convinces him the man is innocent in this fine legal thriller.

Davis, Thomas D., Suffer Little Children, 1991. Life in a small California town revolves around a church. When the son of the minister disappears, he calls in a private eye who learns that neither the minister nor his son were universally loved.

Davis, Thomas D., Consuming Fire, 1996. An author of books on grief and healing receives anonymous threats and hires a private eye to find out who is making them. A simple case becomes entwined with a series of murders of children who have been kidnapped, knocked out, accuses the P.I. of the murders.

Davis, Victor, The Ghost Maker, 1996. The true first U.K. edition. Captain Jack Boulder was a top marksman in the British army but he was busted when he overstepped in Northern Ireland. Now running a gun club in New York, he gets a call offering 500 pounds just for listening and is then told he’s the only man for a very special job. A thriller similar to The Day of the Jackal.

Dawson, David Laing, Double Blind, 1992. A doctor putting in late hours at a Baltimore hospital suddenly realizes that an inordinate number of patients have shown to be psychotic and HIV positive. Convinced it is not a coincidence, he investigates and someone with crucial evidence dies and he comes under relentless attack.

Dawson, Janet, Take a Number, 1993. A woman who has been battered hires Jery Howard to protect her when she seeks a divorce and half of everything her husband has—including the small fortune he amassed illegally.

Dawson, Janet, Don’t Turn Your Back on the Ocean, 1994. A beautiful young woman was last seen arguing with her boyfriend, and now she’s dead of a drowning that was not an accident. The suspect is Jeri Howard’s cousin and she is convinced of his innocence, wondering if the murder is connected to a series of recent mutilations of pelicans and a vendetta against a restaurant.

Dawson, Janet, A Credible Threat, 1996. A pleasant old shingle house in Berkeley becomes the target of vicious anonymous phone calls, and then the plants in the garden are mutilated. It seems like vandalism until a pipe bomb is thrown through the window. P.I. Jeri Howard investigates.

Dawson, Janet, Witness to Evil, 1997. Private Investigator Jeri Howard is hired to go to Paris to bring back an 18-year-old who has gone to visit Holocaust memorials and find the French family who sheltered her grandmother during WWII. But back home in the San Francisco Bay area, she finds that Nazism is still alive and that she needs to protect her young charge.

Day, DeForest, August Ice, 1990. A stranger comes to a small Pennsylvania town, asking about a drowning that occurred 35 years earlier. When he turns up dead, a vacationing former Naval Intelligence officer helps investigate and it soon becomes evident that many people have reason not to discuss the long-ago death. Review material laid in.

Day, Dianne, Beacon Street Mourning, 2000. Fremont Jones takes her gravely ill father home and he dies soon after, even though he had been improving. Fremont suspects her detested stepmother, but then she is shot to death—which may exonerate her.

Day, Marele, Lambs of God, 1998. Nuns living in a forgotten monastery on a remote island live their lives in quiet peace until a priest shows up with plans to turn the island into a resort for the wealthy. Although the author has written numerous crime novels, this doesn’t appear to be one.

Dean, S.F.X., Nantucket Soap Opera, 1987. When the sleepy world of Nantucket and the glossy world of Hollywood collide, Prof. Neil Kelly is caught up in the death and destruction that follow.

Debin, David, Nice Guys Finish Dead, 1992. A popular author of the counter-culture 1960s has had little success since. When he argues with his environmental activist girlfriend and she turns up dead, he is the prime suspect and the police haven’t forgotten who he was.

DeGrave, Philip, Keep the Baby, Faith, 1986. A mild-mannered TV listings editor becomes involved with a society blonde with a secret past (and a husband), an unorthodox police lieutenant, and two dramatic but mysteriously inefficient murders. DeGrave is the pseudonym of two-time Edgar-winner William L. DeAndrea.

Delahaye, Michael, Stalking-horse, 1988. A huge jet with 254 passengers mysteriously plunges into the Atlantic when all three engines flamed out. There may be a connection to the assassination of a Bulgarian foreign minister—apparently with the complicity of other officials in Sofia. Review material laid in.

Delaney, Frank, The Amethysts, 1997. The true first U.K. edition. A successful English architect mourns the murder of his lover in a discreet Swiss hotel where he is befriended by an elegant Hungarian couple. They show him pictures of a villa they are remodeling and in one of the photographs sees a small amethyst carving of the Eiffel Tower—the only object missing from the victim’s apartment.

Delman, David, A Week to Kill, 1972. A former football star, now a cop, returns to his home town and starts asking questions about the "accident" that killed his best friend. Is he resented because he’s black or because he’s asking the wrong people the wrong questions?

Delman, David, The Last Gambit, 1991. An internationally ranked chess player is a bit of a rogue and a ladies man, earning him some enemies. When he is threatened, he turns to a Chicago cop who is playing in the same chess tournament that he is—but is it too late?

Denham, Bertie, Foxhunt, 1988. The true first U.K. edition. Combine a vivid description of a day’s foxhunting with an inside look at the machinations of Whitehall and Westminster, and the tale of an idolized politician who turns out to be a blackmailer is filled with rich suspense.

Denhart, Jeffrey, Just Bones, 1996. A small town in Iowa that seemed idyllic, with everyone friendly and close, is turned upside down when the sheriff finds seven skeletons in an old hotel that is being torn down.

Dentinger, Jane, Death Mask, 1988. Josh O’Rourke is directing a stage performance of George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara when one of the actors take his final bow—definitely his final bow—on stage at the opening performance.

Dentinger, Jane, Dead Pan, 1992. Josh O’Rourke, a smart and sassy young actress hasn’t worked in eight months when she goes to Hollywood for a television movie. No sooner does she arrive at the set when the director of photography is found dead and foul play is suspected.

Deverell, William, Street Legal: The Betrayal, 1995. The team of young lawyers created for the hit television series Street Legal become involved when Toronto’s summer heat wave boils over with, among much else, a mob hit over a bowling alley and a serial strangler and rapist.

Dewey, Donald, Reasonable Doubts, 1991. A man is arrested yet again for burglary and faces seven years if convicted. He pleads not guilty, which baffles everyone as a plea bargain would have resulted in a light sentence. The resulting case has far greater consequences than the principals could ever have imagined. There is a small tear at the base of dust jacket’s spine.

Sally's Weekly Update for 01/20/12

2012-01-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

I hate winter!! I have been out sick with the dreaded lurgie (as we Brits say - I think you call it the 'flu).

I'm feeling better thank you but I am way behind with my emails and wanted to let you know that I will be answering you all in the order your emails were received.

I also wanted you to know that, every now and again, I lose one of your emails. I can't explain it, but I usually find out when you follow up asking where your order is. 99% of the time I acknowledge emails so if you feel that far too long has passed since you wrote, please don't hesitate to give me a nudge.

Now on to the good stuff....

Sally Owen

The Mysterious Bookshop

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
Ph: 212-587-1011
Fax: 212-587-1126
Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. *

Weekly Update 1/20/12

* Open Seven Days until Monday, February 27^th. From then on we’ll be open six days, Monday thru Saturday, 11.00 a.m.- 7.00 p.m. THE EDGAR AWARD NOMINEES ARE ANNOUNCED
Here are the first three categories:
BEST NOVEL
The Ranger by Ace Atkins
Gone by Mo Hayder
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
1222 by Anne Holt
Field Grey by Philip Kerr BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR
Red on Red by Edward Conlon
Last to Fold by David Duffy
All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen
Bent Road by Lori Roy
Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
The Company Man by Jackson Bennett
The Faces of Angels by Lucretia Grindle
The Dog Sox by Russell Hill
Death of the Mantis by Michael Stanley
Vienna Twilight by Frank Tallis Other categories may be found on the Mystery Writers of America website: www.mysterywriters.org
Winners will be announced at the Edgar Award Banquet on April 26^th. SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE
A Study in Sherlock edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger is a collection of stories inspired by everybody’s favorite detective. We have first editions signed by the two editors plus Jerry Margolin, S.J. Rozan, Neil Gaiman (whose story has been nominated for an Edgar Award) and Jan Burke. This paperback original is now in its third printing, so first come... $15.00
The Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus is a novel about how far we will go, and the sorrows we will endure, in order to protect our families. A terrible epidemic has struck the country: the sound of children’s speech has become to lethal to adults. For Sam and Clare it seems the only way to escape their daughter’s malevolent speech is to run away. But that’s not so easy. They still love her and in a few years she too will be susceptible to the language toxicity. Rave reviews from Michael Chabon and Jonathan Saftan Foer for this. The stunning dust jacket was designed by Peter Mendelsund. An Unclassifiable Crime Club Main Selection. $25.95
What It Was by George Pelecanos, a thriller featuring Derek Strange, has been published as a paperback original ($9.99), but also as a limited, signed and slipcased edition for $35.00.
Cell 8 by Roslund & Hellstrom is here. In Ohio, a young man is awaiting execution for the murder of his girlfriend. When he dies of a heart disease it would seem that the case is closed. Six years later on a ferry between Finland and Sweden, a man attacks a drunken lout leaving him in a coma. Detective Superintendent Ewert Grens is assigned to this seemingly straightforward case and finds that there is a shocking connection between his case and the closed case in the United States. Signed by both authors. $24.95
Tom Rob Smith signed the U.S. edition of Agent 6, his third novel featuring Leo Demidov who, this time out, must struggle with a devastating conspiracy that shatters everything he holds dear. $25.99
FOR COLLECTORS
The Man with Three Chins by Delano Ames, Regnery, NY. 1968. First U.S. Edition. $35.00 Juan Llorca mystery. One neat "Withdrawn" stamp, else about fine.
Death Dives Deep by Michael Avallone, Signet, NY. 1971. First Edition. $45.00 8vo, paper. Fine in wrappers.
London Bloody London by Michael Avallone, Curtis Books, NY. 1972. First Edition. $45.00 8vo, paper. Fine in wrappers
Deceiver’s Door by Christopher B. Booth, Chelsea, NY. 1929. First Edition. $100.00 The adventures of a gentleman who has proclaimed himself "the greatest criminal in the world." Front hinge cracked, else about fine in fine pictorial dust jacket with minor chipping at spinal extremities.
The Stoat by Lynn Brock, Collins Crime Club, London. 1940. First Edition. $85.00 A very scarce book in first edition. Very good-near fine in orange cloth binding.
The Animal Factory by Edward Bunker, Viking, NY. 1977. First Edition. SIGNED. $750.00 The basis for the Steve Buscemi-directed cult favorite of the same title. Very fine in dust jacket.
High Sierra (W.R. Burnett), Edited by Douglas Gomery, U. Of Wisconsin Press, WI. 1979. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00 The very scarce hardcover edition. Fine in dust jacket. Signed by Gomery.
The Asphalt Jungle by W.R. Burnett, Knopf, NY. 1949. First Edition. $1,000.00 Basis for the legendary noir film directed by John Huston starring Sterling Hayden. Very fine in dust jacket.
Killed on the Rocks by William L. DeAndrea, Mysterious Press, NY. 1990. First Edition. $15.00 Under-valued author who won Edgars for his first two books. He was also one of the last practitioners of "impossible crime" stories, of which this is one - when a body is found on a crest of newly fallen snow, dozens of yards from the nearest house, with no footprints leading to or from the body. Very fine in dust jacket.
The Plague Court Murders by Carter Dickson, Morrow, NY. 1934. First Edition. $75.00 Lending library stamps, some pages wrinkled due to a binding error, else very good.
Unidentified Woman by Mignon G. Eberhart, Random House, NY. 1943. First Edition. $20.00 Fine in dust jacket, which has a tiny chip at top of spine.
The Blind Pig by Jon A. Jackson, Random House, NY. 1978. First Edition. $175.00 Author’s second book. Very fine in dust jacket without the ubiquitous remainder mark.
Uniform Justice by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2003. First Edition. SIGNED. $50.00 As new in dust jacket.
Doctored Evidence by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2004. First Edition. SIGNED. $40.00 As new in dust jacket.

The Killing Floor by Arthur Lyons, Mason/Charter, NY. 1976. First Edition. $500.00 Fine in dust jacket.
Dead Ringer by Arthur Lyons, Mason/Charter, NY. 1977. First Edition. SIGNED. $85.00 Near fine in dust jacket.
The Judas Goat by Robert B. Parker, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1978. First Edition. $100.00 Fifth Spenser novel. Page tops dusty, else fine in dust jacket.
Triangle by Teri White, Charter, NY. 1982. First Edition. $45.00 Author’s first book, an Edgar-winning paperback original. A minor bump at top of the spine, else very fine, unread copy and scarce thus. Laid in is a signed letter from the editor.
69 Babylon Park by Harry Whittington, Avon, NY. 1962. First Edition. $45.00 Paperback original. About fine in wrappers with some light rubbing to extremities.
Poontang and Other Poems by Charles Willeford, New Athenaeum Press, FL. 1966. First Edition. SIGNED. $3,000.00 In stiff, gray wrappers. Fine with small bump to bottom corner. By far the rarest of Willeford’s works.
Sally
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Preorder Your Featured Titles to be signed in January!

2012-01-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Please call (212) 587-1011 or email info@mysteriousbookshop.com to preorder.

Sally's Weekly Update for 01/13/12

2012-01-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Sherlock rules!

Meanwhile, here's the Weekly Update.

Have a great weekend.

Sally Owen

The Mysterious Bookshop

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious BookshopOpen Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. *

Weekly Update 1/13/12* We Are Changing Our HoursAs of Monday, February 27^th, The Mysterious Bookshop will be closed on Sundays. When we first moved to our new location, we thought we would benefit from the foot traffic in this area. That has not happened, to our satisfaction, and the staff is stretched thin.
Sunday, February 26^th will be the last Sunday that we will be open. We will then revert to our original schedule: Monday through Saturday 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
We’ll remind you of this from time to time during the next few weeks.
SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLEThe Crown
The Grand Game: A Celebration of Sherlockian Scholarship Volume 2 1960-2010 Edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger. SIGNED. $39.95This second volume completes the carefully selected sampling of the best and most important pieces of Sherlockian scholarship. Signed by both editors.
In, IDW Publishing, 2011, First Edition. SIGNED. $16.99Classic Detective Fiction 1862-1910. Twenty stories published during the earliest days of detective literature. Introduction and annotations by Holmes scholar, Leslie S. Klinger. Fine in wraps as issued.

The Chalk Girl
Gideon’s Corpse
William Gillette, America’s Sherlock Holmes by Henry Zecher, Xlibris Corporation, 2011. First Edition. SIGNED. $34.95A biography of one of the world’s premier actors and playwrights who was the stage’s original Sherlock Holmes. Also available, signed, in paperback for $23.95
by Preston & Child again features Gideon Crew who has ten days to track a mysterious terrorist cell before a major American city is vaporized by a nuclear attack. The bomb was assembled in New York City, but his journey takes Gideon to the mountains of New Mexico where he learns that the end may be something worse - far worse - than mere Armageddon. A Thriller/Espionage Crime Club Main Selection. $26.99by Carol O’Connell once again features Mallory. When a young girl appears in New York’s Central Park with blood on her shoulders and a story about her Uncle Red who has turned into a tree, the police are, at first, skeptical, until they find the body in the tree. Mallory, newly returned to the Special Crimes Unit, sees something in the girl that she understands. Mallory is damaged; some say she is dangerously unstable, but she can tell a kindred spirit when she sees one. For those of you who thought Lisbeth Salander was an original, think again. Mallory has appeared in nine previous novels. $25.95 The Shadow of Sherlock Holmes: Classic Detective Fiction Edited by Leslie S. Klingerby Nancy Bilyeau is set in 1537 during the bloody schism between Church and State. Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned to burn at the stake. Defying the rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side and finds herself reluctantly in the service of the Bishop of Winchester. She must find an ancient relic - a crown so powerful, it may hold the ability to end the Reformation. A First Mystery Club Main Selection. $24.99FOR COLLECTORS.38 Fine in dust jacket.
The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll, Viking Press, NY. 1980. First Edition. $40.00Author’s first book. Stamp on endpaper, else fine in dust jacket with a one inch closed tear on front.
The Chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret Service by Dick Donovan, Chatto & Windus, London. 1897. First Edition. $150.00Original decorated dark blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in silver. Cases of the celebrated Russian detective related to fellow detective Dick Donovan. Listed in Glover and Greene, Victorian Detective Fiction, and Queen, The Detective Short Story. Apart from very minor rubbing at spine ends and corners, a fine, fresh copy.
Sherlock Holmes for Dummies by Steven Doyle and David A. Crowder. Wiley, NY. 2010 First Edition. SIGNED. $19.99The Edgar-nominated guide to all things Sherlockian. Signed by Doyle. Fine in wraps as issued.
The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1982. First Edition. $200.00An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket. Advance copy with a review slip laid in.
The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1985. First Edition. SIGNED. $300.00An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket.
The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1998. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00Limited to 250 numbered copies. As new in slipcase.
Fallen Angel by William Hjorstberg, Harcourt, NY. 1978. First Edition. $100.00A fine copy of this ground-breaking mystery novel in a bright, unrubbed dust jacket.
The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter, Simon & Schuster. 1954. First Edition. $65.00Important novel that inspired the successful film of the same title. Library stamps on front and rear endpapers, else very good in like dust jacket.
The White South by Hammond Innes, Collins, London. 1949. First Edition. $75.00Adventure-mystery novel. Small stain on fore-edge, else a fine copy in a bright pictorial dust jacket with a closed tear on the front panel and light wear at top of spine.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King, St. Martin’s Press, NY. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $350.00Introduces Mary Russell. Fine in fine dust jacket.
A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King, St. Martin’s Press, NY. 1995. First Edition.SIGNED. $35.00Second Mary Russell mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket.
Matters of Suspense by Ruth Rendell, Eurographica, Helsinki. 1986. First Edition Thus. SIGNED. $100.00First of this edition of short stories, limited to 350 numbered copies. Signed and dated 1986 on the title page, thought the copyright page states 1982, 1983. Very fine in stiff card covers.
The Mummy or Ramses the Damned by Anne Rice, Chatto & Windus, London. First U.K. Edition. 1989. $50.00Part of bookstore stamp and residue on front inside board else fine in like dust jacket.
A One-Page Typed Letter by Rex Stout SIGNED. $300.00Dated August 14, 1945. On the letterhead of the Writers’ War Board, of which he was president, written to Lewis Mumford in which he tells Mumford how fabulous his piece in the Saturday Review of Literature was. A great association between two cultural icons. Fine condition.
The Way We Die Now by Charles Willeford, Ultramarine Press, 1988. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00Limited to only 99 copies. Signed and numbered. Fine without dust jacket as issued. A very handsome edition.

Sally

by William Ard, Rinehart, N.Y. 1952. First Edition. $65.00sally@mysteriousbookshop.com
58 Warren Street
New York, NY. 10007
Ph: 212-587-1011
Fax: 212-587-1126

New books from The Mysterious Press: David Housewright and James Carlos Blake

2012-01-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Looking for something new to read? The folks at our digital publishing imprint have got you covered. Today they've got five new books--three Holland Taylor mysteries from David Housewright, and two frontier noirs from James Carlos Blake.

Housewright is a former reporter and ad-man whose debut novel, Penance, was a wide success, winning him an Edgar award for Best First Novel. He produced two more Taylor novels--and we've got all three of them. Click here to go to his author page.

Blake is one of the America's most highly regarded living authors of Western fiction. His first novel, The Pistoleer, was released to wide acclaim, and since then he's produced some amazing work that deals with real-life characters from the American west. Click here to go to his author page.

See these, along with many more wonderful titles available for your ereaders at MysteriousPress.com

New Mysterious Bookshop Publications Catalogue.

2012-01-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

For the past five years, The Mysterious Bookshop has been publishing books and pamphlets in modest quantities for mystery aficionados and collectors. Many have sold out (and now fetch premium prices), some are available in very limited quantities, and a few are still available in quantity.

Here is the full list of all books published by the Mysterious Bookshop.

This catalogue includes our Mysterious Profiles, in which authors such as Lee Child and Ken Bruen describe their famous characters in detail, our on going Bibliomystery Series, as well as our extensive collecion of limited editions, witch titles from Lawrence Block, Robert Lehane, and James Ellroy.

Please contact us at info@mysteriousbookshop.com with any questions!

Sally's Weekly Update 1/06/2012

2012-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

Next week is known around here as Sherlock Week! Every year, the Baker Street Irregulars descend on New York for their yearly shindig (I mean formal dinner) to celebrate the great sleuth’s birthday. The emphasis for the week will be on all things Sherlockian and next Friday, January 13th, we will be hosting our annual Open House from 11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Hope to see you here.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George will go on sale next Tuesday. The latest mystery featuring Inspector Lynley is signed on a tipped-in page. A Soft-Boiled Crime Club Main Selection. $28.95

So we can’t count! We thought we had ordered the correct number of copies of the U.K. Edition of The Drop by Michael Connelly to fulfill our pre-orders. However, it seems that we have some left over. If you ordered a copy and didn’t receive it, please let us know. The U.K. Edition is the true first trade edition of this title. $48.00

More after the jump!

FOR COLLECTORS

The Prisoner by Boileau & Narcejac, Hutchinson, London. 1957. First English Edition. $350.00

Translated from the French by Geoffrey Sainsbury. By the authors of the books on which such films as Vertigo and Diabolique were based. A very fine, tight copy in a bright, fresh dust jacket with a bit of wear at spinal extremities and corners. Very scarce.

Deceiver’s Door by Christopher B. Booth, Chelsea, NY. 1929. First Edition. $100.00

The adventures of a gentleman who has proclaimed himself "the greatest criminal in the world." Front hinge cracked, else about fine in fine pictorial dust jacket with minor chipping at spinal extremities.

The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton, John Lane, NY. 1911. First U.S. Edition. $100.00

Important Queen’s Quorum title. About fine with no wear.

Fatal Descent by Carter Dickson (with John Rhode), Dodd Mead, NY. 1939. First U.S. Edition. $450.00

A sliver of darkening at top of spine, else exceptionally fine and bright copy in a price-clipped dust jacket that is quite chipped at top and bottom of spine. Very scarce in jacket.

Wild Horses by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by H.R.F. Keating. As new in glassine dust jacket.

"C" Is for Corpse" by Sue Grafton, Holt, NY. 1986. Advance Proof Copy. $450.00

Author’s third Kinsey Milhone novel, preceding the hardcover first edition by several months. A very fine, clean, fresh copy in the original wrappers.

Black Sunday by Thomas Harris, Putnam, NY. 1975. First Edition. $125.00

Author’s first novel preceding his Hannibal Lecter thrillers. A fine copy with two dust jackets, neither of which is price-clipped. One jacket is clean but has a triangular chip out of the front panel; the other has general wear with small chips and nicks and a closed tear.

Finding Moon by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

The limited edition of 300 copies signed by Hillerman. As new in slipcase.

The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1996. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

The limited edition of 300 copies signed by Hillerman. As new in slipcase.

Number Seven Queer Street by Margery Lawrence, Mycroft & Moran, Sauk City, WI. 1969. First Edition. $75.00

One of 2,000 copies. Five stories featuring psychic detective Miles Pennoyer. Very fine in dust jacket, which is slightly tanned at the spine.

The Dead are Discreet by Arthur Lyons, Mason & Lipscomb, NY. 1974. First Edition. $450.00

Fine in dust jacket.

Odds Against Tomorrow by William McGivern, Dodd, Mead, NY. 1957. First Edition. INSCRIBED. $300.00

The basis for the 1959 film starring Harry Belafonte, the first film noir of the classic era to feature a black actor. Very good in a lightly chipped and soiled dust jacket. Scarce. With a long inscription on the front endpaper by the author.

Death in Ecstasy by Ngaio Marsh, Sheridan, NY. 1941. First U.S. Edition. $250.00

A fine, fresh copy in dust jacket, which is lightly worn at corners and spine ends. Scarce in dust jacket.

God Save the Child by Robert B. Parker, Andre Deutsch, London. 1975. First U.K. Edition. $150.00

Author’s scarce second novel. Fine in dust jacket.

The Judas Goat by Robert B. Parker, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1978. First Edition. $100.00

Author’s excellent fifth Spenser novel. Page tops dusty, else fine in dust jacket.

Looking for Rachel Wallace by Robert B. Parker, Delacorte, NY. 1980. First Edition. $125.00

Top corner of spine bumped, else a fine copy in dust jacket.

Cockfighter by Charles Willeford, Chicago Paperback, Chicago. 1962. First Edition. $45.00

Paperback original. Precedes revised hardcover edition. Book is cocked, previous bookseller stamps on first page and front cover, price marked in red in large numbers also on cover. General creasing and rubbing. Still, text is clean and tight. An opportunity to get the true first edition at a great price.

A Guide for the Underhemorrhoided by Charles Willeford, Star Publishing, FL. 1977. First Edition. SIGNED. $350.00

Limited to 1,000 copies, privately printed by the author. Fine in dust jacket. Signed on front end-paper. An unusual memoir from this popular noir author.

Tucker’s People by Ira Wolfert, Fischer, NY. 1943. First Edition. $1,250.00

Basis for the famous noir film, Force of Evil, directed by Abraham Polonsky and starring John Garfield. A fine copy in the scarce second issue dust jacket, which is price-clipped, chipped at the head of the spine, and has tan stains on rear panel.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Weekly Damage 1/3/12: P.D. James, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sequel, Megan Abbott and more!

2012-01-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

Image Courtesy of Animal

My New Year's Resolution is to post the weekly damage in a timelier manner.... Welcome to 2012!

1) As a recently graduated English major, I definitely know two things: That T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” is about the modern man’s inability to either create or reappropriate antiquated culture to create contemporary meaning after WWII, and that I hate Jane Austen. I hated the books in high school and in college, and despite what American culture thinks about my certain demographic, I hate the movies. The only thing I ever liked about Jane Austen “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” my heart went pitter patter at the idea of Darcy’s brains begin devoured like a fine delicacy by a child missing a jaw (how this would happen, I’m not sure). However, after reading this review of P.D. James’ new mystery novel, “Death Comes to Pemberly,” I might give the Austen genera another shot, although it doesn’t look like Darcy gets serial-killer-murdered…. Also, I’m putting faith in James’ ability to help me to distinguish any character besides Darcy from each other, as they all seem like hysterical women hell bent on marriage. (via The New York Times.)

2) Despite a less-than-enthusiastic reaction to the film adaptation of Girl with a Dragon Tattoo—jury is still out on whether releasing a sexually violent attack on misogyny during Christmas week was smart marketing-- there seems to be just enough buzz circling to spark interest in a sequel. Ignoring the qualms of whatever emotionally out-of-touch mother brought her sugar-plums-dancing-in-their-heads children to this film: I personally thought it was amazing, thought provoking etc etc. I can’t wait for the next one. Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, according to Slash Film, David Fincher (yes please) has expressed a mere interest in shooting The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. I mean, does the man really need convincing to frolic through Sweden with an anorexic and punked out Rooney Mara while filming emotive motorcycle trips? The girl did pierce every part of her body for this role, David… ahem. (via Flavorwire)

More After the Jump!

3) Yay stereotyping! Flavorwire has made a list of the 2011’s top selling books and what they say about you (insert-tongue-in-cheek here). They included a surprising number of our staff pics for 2011, notably, Zone One by Colson Whitehead, 10Q4 by Haruki Murakami, 11/22/63 by Stephen King, and The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht. Check it out if you want to see your literary taste reduced to a short summation which is both humiliating and true. I’m sure Ian will be pleased when he discovers his book taste characterizes him as a “Slave to fashion,” or a “Girl who desperately wants a certain kind of surreal magic to exist in the world.” (Via Falvorpill).

4) I don’t think I’m alone here in saying that if I hear once more Adele phoenix-from-the-ashes-love-ballad, I might rip out my eardrums and use them to form my own (tiny) band. In response to America’s (the world’s?) infatuation with the feverish beginning and then the death rattling end of romance, my band would dedicate itself strictly to murder ballads. You think a broken heart is bad, what about a mouth full of broken teeth (am I right?)?? In hunting for lyrical inspirations, I stumbled up this article by Megan Abbott and Sara Gran musing on their two favorite murder ballads: “Knoxville Girl” by Louvin Brothers, and “Ladies in Love” by Jon Derosa based on American serial killer, Chrales Schmid, Jr. Check it out here. A quick list of personal favorite murder ballads: Sufjan Stevens’ “John Wayne Gacy Jr.”, “The Kindness of Strangers” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and “Carolina Drama” by The Raconteurs. (via The Abbott Gran Medicine Show).

5) In celebration of the New Year, Marcia Clark has written an original Rachael Knight story for Mulholland Books. Get a head start on your new year's resolutions to read more by starting with her story! (via Mulholland Books).

Have a good one everyone. Alex

Now Available Online: MBS tshirts and totes!

2012-01-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

FINALLY!
I know you've all been clamoring for our Tshirts and Totes to hit the interweb. I'm excited to announce that at mysteriousbookshop.com, you can shop for our personalized merch. Have plans for an indulgent vacation anytime soon? Send us pictures of you wearing our shirts/carrying our totes and we'll put 'em up.

Happy New Year MBS customers.

--Alex

The Mysterious Bookshop Staff Favorites of 2011!

2011-12-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

Adios 2011! Here's the words we loved the most this year.

Otto’s Top 10:

Block, Lawrence, The Night and the Music. I love the Matthew Scudder series, I love short stories, and this is the complete collection of Scudder stories. One of the great stories of all time is the Edgar-winning “By Dawn’s Early Light.”
Crais, Robert, The Sentry. Is there a better, more consistently outstanding mystery writer than Crais? Whether writing about Elvis Cole, a stand-alone or Joe Pike, Crais polishes every book into a flawless gem. This is Pike at his scariest.
Connelly, Michael, The Drop. What more can be said about Connelly and Harry Bosch? The worst book in the series is still a masterpiece. Readers only have to worry, as Bosch does here, that he’ll be forced to retire someday.

Woodrell, Daniel, The Outlaw Album. Country noir (a term Woodrell invented a decade ago) at its finest. The characters live hard lives in ramshackle homes, with little law enforcement, so the locals take care of themselves, and their problems, on their own.

Morrow, Bradford, The Diviner’s Tale. This unique work has all the accoutrements of the literary novel but it also spans two forms of genre fiction: the mystery and the supernatural tale.

Manfredo, Lou, Rizzo’s Fire. I am convinced that Manfredo’s realistic police stories about Joe Rizzo will soon be mentioned in the same breath as the great 87th Precinct novels by Ed McBain.

Cook, Thomas H., The Quest for Anna Klein. Without changing his sublime style, Cook has written a book with a plot that is different from his other books—a masterpiece of espionage fiction.

Horowitz, Anthony, The House of Silk. As an ardent aficionado of Sherlock Holmes who has read hundreds of pastiches, I will aver that this is the best of them all. Great suspense, impeccable use of language, and the characters are right.

Hunter, Stephen, Soft Target. On “Black Friday” a group of terrorists shoot Santa Claus and take more than a thousand hostages in Minnesota’s Mall of America. One hero stands between the killers and a bloodbath.

Block, Lawrence, A Drop of the Hard Stuff. Well, I said I love the Scudder series. This, the first novel about him in many years, is one of the best, taking him back to when he was first forced out of the NYPD and trying to get sober.

Dan, Ian and Sally's favorites After the Jump!

Dan’s Favorite Paperbacks of 2011:

Crimes in Southern Indiana by Frank Bill

Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks edited by John Curran

Volt: Stories by Alan Heathcock

Charlie Chan by Yunte Huang

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

The Big Book of Adventure Stories ed. by Otto Penzler

Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop ed by Otto Penzler

The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch

The Informationist by Taylor Stevens

Ian’s Favorite:

Tea Obreht, The Tiger's Wife
Alexi Zentner, Touch

Manuel Munoz, What You See in the Dark
Donald Ray Pollock, The Devil All the Time
Sara Gran, Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead
John Hart, Iron House
Alan Heathcock, Volt
Alex Shakar, Luminarium
Hannah Pittard, The Fates Will Find Their Way
Keigo Higashino, The Devotion of Suspect X
Honourable Mention:

John Connolly, The Burning Soul
Richard Kadrey, The Sandman Slim Series (Sandman Slim, Kill the Dead, and Aloha from Hell)
Haruki Murakami, 1Q84
Daniel Woodrell, The Bayou Trilogy
S.J. Bolton, Blood Harvest

Sally’s Favorites:

This is the easy month:

Bauer, Belinda, Darkside. It is important to read Bauer's books in order. This is her second and it took me by surprise. When I read the synopsis of the third book (coming out in February 2012), my jaw dropped. This author is audacious.

Brockmeier, Kevin, The Illumination. This book was overlooked I think. It is beautifully written and follows the fate of a diary as it moves through the hands of people who live in a world where pain manifests itself as a light that can be seen by others.

Boyle, T.C., When the Killing's Done. Told from the perspective of a National Park Ranger and a group trying to preserve the habitats of the wildlife in that National Park. You'd think their goals were the same, but noooooo. Done so well.

King, Stephen, 11/22/63. I've only just read this and I had to throw another author off to fit him in (don't ask). I was reluctant to read this, much as I like King, but he has done an extraordinary job with the subject and deserves all the kudos he's been receiving for this masterly tale.

Munoz, Manuel, What You See in the Dark. Another overlooked book I believe. It is Bakersfield in the late 1950s and there has been a murder. But that is overshadowed somewhat by the arrival of The Director and The Actress. It doesn't take long before you know who they are.

Palma, Felix J., The Map of Time. I didn't think I would like this - but it was utterly charming. The Time Machine has just been written by H.G. Wells and time travel is on everybody's mind - even Herbert George, who wonders if traveling back in time will capture the imagination as traveling forward has. Steampunk!

Adler-Olsen , Jussi, Keeper of Lost Causes. My pick for the best book to come out of Scandinavia in 2011. A disillusioned cop who has lost his partner in a shoot-out is confined to the basement where he works on cold cases with the help of this Muslim guy who also happens to work in that basement. I hope this is the start of a series with these two unlikely partners.

LaPlante, Alice, Turn of Mind. Possible my favorite book of the year, this debut is about a murder. The victim is the best friend of a prominent female surgeon who is also a suspect. Only trouble is, she has early onset Alzheimers which gets progressively worse as the story continues. A frightening subject made fascinating by this author. It is also a great mystery with a terrific ending.

Mullen, Thomas, The Revisionists. OK, time travel got me this year. This tells the story of a visitor from The Perfect Present (in the future) who must return to our time to make sure that the Great Conflagration takes place and does not interfere with the time he inhabits. His life tangles with a lawyer and an ex-CIA agent. Thought provoking and very well told.

Whitehead, Colson, Zone One. Also set in the future where the population is gradually turning into Zombies. Mark Spitz is one of a group who must round up the stragglers in lower Manhattan. But this is by Whitehead, so the story is about so much more than zombies menacing the world.

There are never enough women on my lists. How about these non-mysteries:

Hoffman, Alice, The Red Garden. I'll read anything by this author, anything. She never disappoints.

Patchett, Ann, State of Wonder. I'll read anything by this author, anything. She never disappoints.

McHugh, Maureen F., After the Apocalypse. The best collection of short stories of the year for me. Can't wait to read her other work.

Sally's weekly update 11/30/2011

2011-12-30T12:15:00.000-08:00

We Love to Hear From You!
In our January newsletter, under Staff Favorites, you will find our favorite reads of the year. If you would like to share your favorite reads with us, we’d love to hear from you.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Lots of good buzz about The Whisperer, a first novel by Donato Carrisi. When severed arms are discovered in a circle in the woods, Inspector Mila Vasquez joins a team of dedicated detectives who have a track record of catching serial killers. But the killer is way ahead of this group, and he’s just getting started. This thriller has become a bestseller in Europe. The author is not touring and we have SIGNED BOOKPLATES ONLY. $25.99

Birthdays for the Dead by Stuart MacBride is a stand alone crime novel. Five years ago Rebecca, the daughter of Detective Constable Ash Henderson, went missing on the eve of her 13th birthday. Every year, on her birthday, a card arrives at the Henderson house, showing Rebecca - and each one is more gruesome than the last. This psycho has been snatching girls for 12 years now and the tabloids call him The Birthday Boy because he takes girls as they are about to turn thirteen. What Ash Henderson won’t tell anybody is that he has been receiving these cards (his colleagues think Rebecca ran away from home) -. He doesn’t want to be taken off the investigation. He want to be there when they catch him! A British Crime Club Main Selection. $38.00 (approx).

Please note: There is a strict on-sale date for this title. We will take your orders but will be unable to send them to you until after January 5th. Note also that we will be unable to order more copies of this title. British Crime Club Members will receive their copies, after that it will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Otto all the time! We have received copies of the U.K. edition of Zombies (published here as Zombies, Zombies, Zombies - in case you didn’t get it the first time). Otto will sign copies of this edition which has the same content as the U.S. edition but which, to my mind, has a more appropriately gruesome cover. $25.00

Our third Bibliomystery is here. The Scroll by Anne Perry is limited to 100 hardcover editions at $50.00, and is available in paperback for $4.95 ($1.00 to Crime Club Members).

We do have a subscription list for our Biblios. As of now we have copies available of the Anne Perry story, as well as a few copies left of Biblio # 2, The Book of Ghosts by Reed Farrel Coleman.

The Innocent by Taylor Stevens once again features Vanessa Michael Munroe, introduced in The Informationist. Eight years ago, five-year-old Hannah was spirited out of school and into the cult known as The Chosen which has, under its leader The Prophet, hidden the child and shielded her abductor. Now several childhood survivors of the cult have escaped and they turn to Vanessa to help them free Hannah. $24.00

More After the Jump!

FOR COLLECTORS

Dead Drunk by George Bagby, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1953. First Edition. $20.00

Inspector Schmidt novel. Fine in dust jacket, which has a small chip on front panel.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, Doubleday, NY. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00

Fine in dust jacket.

Incredible Ink by Howard Browne, McMillan, Tucson, AZ. 1997. First Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Giant volume of stories from the pulps, a new autobiographical essay, a bibliography, etc. Limited to 350 copies in a slipcase, numbered and signed by Browne, one of the best of all pulp writers and the closest in style to Raymond Chandler.

The Butterfly by James M. Cain, Knopf, NY. 1947. First Edition. $125.00

Fine in dust jacket. Review copy with publisher’s slip laid in.

The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr, Harper, NY. 1939. First Edition. $300.00

A fine copy of this Dr. Fell mystery in the scarce tennis-related dust jacket, which is lightly worn along edges and spine ends, with a small chip at the bottom of the front panel.

The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie, Dodd, Mead, NY. 1930. . First U.S. Edition. $5,000.00

Apart from the ubiquitous bit of fading to the pink spine (much less than usual), this is a fine, fresh copy in a dazzling dust jacket - possibly the best copy on earth (or elsewhere). Twice as expensive as most copies in the scarce dust jacket, but 20 times better.

Alias the Dead by George Harmon Coxe, Knopf, NY. 1943. First Edition. $85.00

An early title by this underrated Black Mask writer. Previous owner’s name inside front cover, else fine in dust jacket.

The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis, Hutchinson, London. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $175.00

Fourth Marcus Didius Falco novel. Very fine, as new copy, in dust jacket.

Time to Depart by Lindsey Davis, Century, London. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $65.00

Very fine, as new copy, in dust jacket.

Deadline by John Dunning, Cahill, Huntington Beach. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $65.00

Very fine, as new copy, in dust jacket.

The Case of the Murderer’s Bride and Other Stories by Erle Stanley Gardner, Davis, NY. 1974. Second Printing. $35.00

A surprisingly scarce paperback original. Very fine.

"B" is for Burglar by Sue Grafton, Holt, NY. 1985. First Edition. INSCRIBED. $1,500.00

Author’s second Kinsey Milhone mystery. Very fine in dust jacket. Inscribed on the title page: "To — warmest regards from Kinsey and me. 5-5-85. Sue."

Carrie by Stephen King, Doubleday, NY. 1974. First Edition. $3,000.00

Author’s first book. An absolutely perfect copy in a pristine dust jacket and very rare in this condition.

The Devil to Pay by Ellery Queen, Stokes, NY. 1938. First Edition. $650.00

A bit of foxing, and the pale gray linen cloth has darkened, as usual - this is not soiling, but oxidation causing discoloration as on all copies - else about fine. The scarce dust jacket is dazzling, without a hint of wear, except that the rear flap inexplicably has been excised and replaced with a photocopy. It looks like the best copy in the world - but it’s not. Still, a difficult book in this condition.

Over My Dead Body by Rex Stout, Farrar & Rinehart, NY. 1938. First Edition. $375.00

Seventh Nero Wolfe novel. Some modest cover fading, else a very good-near fine copy.

Death Out of Thin Air by Stuart Towne, Coward-McCann, NY. 1941. First Edition. $350.00

An impossible crime story by Clayton Rawson under this pseudonym. The character is Don Diavolo, a magician. Contains two novellas, originally published in the very rare pulp magazine Red Star. Near fine copy of this very scarce book.

(Yellow Peril) The Vengeance of Fu Chang by Winifred Howard, Oxford University Press, NY. 1932. First Edition. $25.00

Appears to be a young adult novel. Illustrated. Bookplate and gift inscription, else a fine copy.

(Yellow Peril) The Death Gong by Selwyn Jepson, Grosset & Dunlap. 1927. Reprint. $20.00

"Out of the dark of an Oriental monastery into the daylight of an Occidental laboratory came a strange instrument to change many lives." Near fine in a lightly chipped and rubbed dust jacket with a great sinister Oriental shadow.

(Yellow Peril) The Green God by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Watt, NY. 1911. First Edition. $125.00

By a writer who became a mainstay of the pulps. A fine copy in a handsome pictorial binding.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Toby Peters Affair by Greg Rucka

2011-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

Greg Rucka wrote this stunning piece for The Mysterious Press Blog. Check it out.

Stuart Kaminsky changed my life.

This is not hyperbole. This is not a rhetorical gambit. It's God's honest Truth.

Until I was ten years old, mysteries were, to me, Encyclopedia Brown and a handful of aborted attempts to read The Hardy Boys. I fought through The Tower Treasure, got a dozen pages into The House on the Cliff, and gave it up for good. I fared slightly better with Nancy Drew, but not much. While I enjoyed the idea of a mystery, the concept of it as a narrative form, I was bored to tears by the execution.

To hear my mother tell it - and I've asked her about it - she went into the now-passed-into-memory Cloak and Dagger Mystery Bookshop in Santa Barbara, California, looking to buy some new reading for herself, and maybe a book for me. She asked the bookseller for a recommendation for her ten year-old son. What she left with was Murder on the Yellow Brick Road, which she then blithely handed to me.

To this day, I wonder what that bookseller was thinking. My best guess is that he or she hadn't actually read the book, and was rather looking to make the sale. Hey, that one there, it's got a Wizard of Oz reference. That'll be safe.

So very, very wrong.

So very, very right.

Read the rest of the post here.

Want to win cool stuff from Ken Bruen and John Harvey?

2011-12-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

If you help us spread the word about MysteriousPress.com, you could be eligible for two very cool, very exlusive publications from MysteriousPress.com authors.
Here's how the contest works:

Tell your friends to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

And that's it.

All you have to do is make the case for why we're awesome--and c'mon, aren't we?
On Thursday (Dec. 22) at noon, we're going to name six winners – three from Twitter, three from Facebook. Recommend us at least once on either of these social networks, and you're eligible.

Each winner gets Mysterious Profiles for Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor and John Harvey's Charlie Resnick. These are exclusive publications commissioned by Otto Penzler through The Mysterious Bookshop, written by the authors about their fictional detectives, and not available anywhere else.

Click here for more info.

Staff Favorites for December 2011

2011-12-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

Our staff here at The Mysterious Bookshop are always on the prowl for a new must-read mystery. Dan, Sally, Ian and, of course, Otto Penzler, have selected the cream of the crop, the cherries on top, the best mysteries of December 2011. Check ‘em out.

Otto’s Favorite:

Woodrell, Daniel, The Outlaw Album. Little, Brown. Very few American mystery writers have enjoyed more critical acclaim with less popular success than Daniel Woodrell, though he slowly is finding a larger readership, partly because of the excellent film made from his novel Winter’s Bone. His new collection is a thing of beauty, encompassing all the elements of “country noir,” a term he invented about a decade ago. Like his novels, the stories in The Outlaw Album are set in the poor countryside of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. His characters live hard lives in ramshackle houses or trailers, working at whatever jobs they can find in a region where no one can afford to pay them very much. There isn’t much in the way of law enforcement in the vast rural terrain, so the local populace has learned its own code of honor and administers justice as it sees fit. Only when despair is taken for granted could someone utter this line, as one character does: “Ma wants to be buried on the farm. She’d been happy here when she was too young to know better.” This worldview pervades the 12 tales in The Outlaw Album, each of which is a small polished jewel, and not a bad way to become acquainted with this poetic storyteller. Signed copies available. $24.99

Check out more of Otto's faves, as well as Dan, Ian and Sally's picks after the jump!

Also recommended:

Block, Lawrence, Afterthoughts, Mysterious Bookshop. Block had often considered writing an autobiography but finally admitted to himself that he would never do it. Instead, he collected introductions that he had written for reissues of various books over the years, many containing very personal stories and anecdotes which, when gathered in one place, form a loosely structured autobiography. Signed copies available. This is the only hardcover edition. $35.00

Block, Lawrence, The Night and the Music, The Mysterious Bookshop. The first collection of all the Matthew Scudder stories, including one specifically written for this volume and the Edgar-winning “By Dawn’s Early Light,” which he later expanded into the novel that is often regarded as his masterpiece, When the Sacred Gin Mill Closes. Block’s friend Brian Koppelman, the well-known Hollywood producer (The Illusionist), screenwriter (Walking Tall, Ocean’s Thirteen, Runaway Jury) and director (Solitary Man) wrote the introduction. The only hardcover published is a deluxe edition of 100 numbered copies, signed by Block and Koppelman. $150.00

Connelly, Michael, The Drop, Little, Brown. I hate being predictable and recommending yet another book by Connelly, but what do you want me to do? Ignore the fact that this amazing author has done it again and produced another compelling, non-stop adventure? Few writers have ever been as consistently terrific as Connelly. Here, Bosch is looking at a career that has only three more years before he’s forced into retirement. His sense of morality and justice makes him hungry for a bigger workload and he gets his wish: two complex cases with roots in the distant past, one a political conspiracy and the other an investigation that raises the possibility that a serial killer has been preying on the innocent for three decades. Signed copies available. $27.99

Dan’s Favorite:

Here are some of my favorites that also make great and unusual gift ideas for the holiday season!

Moore, Graham, The Sherlockian. Hachette. Last year's surprise bestseller is now doing gangbusters in paperback. In 1893 Arthur Conan Doyle made his famous decision to kill of the legendary Sherlock Holmes and fans everywhere were horrified. Years later he famously resurrected Holmes but what led to the decision remained a mystery. Supposedly he wrote about his reasoning in his journal but that diary went missing upon his death. Now in the present day the same famous diary holds the only key to an all to real murder involving a famous Sherlockian. Moore beautifully mixes fact, fiction and speculation in this wildly popular novel. $14.99.

Christie, Agatha, Star Over Bethlehem. Harper. This beautiful collection of Christmas writings by the Queen Crime makes a fabulous stocking stuffer. Many of these writings have been out-of-print for decades. There are lovely poems and Christmas stories with their original illustrations. A must for Christie fans. $12.99.

Coben, Harlan ed., Otto Penzler, series ed., The Best American Mystery Stories 2011. Mariner. The series is consistently the finest annual anthology of it's kind and this year is no exception. Includes stories by Lawrence Block, Loren D. Estleman, Ed Gorman, Brendan DuBois, S. J. Rozan and more. There's something here for every reader. $14.95

du Maurier , Daphne, The Doll. Harper. This new collection of previously lost stories by the brilliant writer of Rebecca and Jamaica Inn is a fabulous gift idea. The stories were written early in her career but her classic themes are all here. These are tales of jealousy, obsession, suspense and the dark side of love. $14.99

Ian’s Favorite:

This has been a banner year for the Rural Noir sub-genre and I wanted to take this opportunity to point out a few of the most noteworthy titles. First off, I was very glad to see Tom Franklin get nominated for the Edgar Award for Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Harper Perennial, $14.99), and then go on to win the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter is the tale of two childhood friends reunited through crime. What could be more heartwarming this holiday season? Secondly, Donald Ray Pollock, the author the brutal collection of stories Knockemstiff, came out with his first novel. The Devil All the Time (Doubleday, $26.95) continues Pollock’s special attention to depravity, but meshes with a sense of lyricism that is not unfamiliar to fans of James Lee Burke or John Connolly. I’m going to keep a close eye on this author.

Then we have the great Daniel Woodrell, so long the benchmark for quality rural noir. This year we’ve seen the reissue of The Bayou Trilogy in one volume (Mulholland, $16.99) and the release of Woodrell’s new collection of stories, The Outlaw Album (Mulholland, $24.99). Keep an eye out for some gorgeous reissues of his other novels in 2012, as well as a new novel if I’m not mistaken. Finally we come to two outstanding collections of short stories. Alan Heathcock’s Volt (Graywolf, $15.00) will certainly make my best of the year list. This is probably the standout volume of short stories for me this year. It’s hard to follow-through and have one great story after another, but Heathcock pulls it off. Coming in at a close second is Frank Bill’s Crimes in Southern Indiana (FSG, $15.00). Bill pulls no punches and his gritty, stripped-down language will knock you for a loop. I’m sad to say that the only signed copies we have are Pollock’s Devil All the Time and Woodrell’s The Outlaw Album, and not many at that, but take my word for it and read them all, signed or not. Or order them as gifts for those in your life who like to read about bad people doing bad things for all the wrong reasons (you know who they are). Happy Holidays!

Sally’s Favorites:

When I was a small child (as opposed to the large child that I have become) I used to hang a pillowcase at the end of my bed on Christmas Eve. This was because a stocking just would not accommodate the presents I was hoping to receive. Stockings hold candy and fruit and very small toys. OK, but dull. Pillowcases hold books! And lots of them. I was never disappointed. Santa obviously knew me well.

So here's a list of what I want to find in my pillowcase on Christmas morning:

Afterthoughts by Lawrence Block
The Drop by Michael Connelly
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Soft Target by Stephen Hunter
The Corn Maiden by Joyce Carol Oates
A Killer's Essence by Dave Zeltserman
11/22/63 by Stephen King

All but the King are signed books. And I have not read them yet.

They are here at the store and I am suggesting that you follow my example and stow some of these gems in your pillowcase - or even those of your loved ones. It doesn't even have to be Christmas!

You can purchase all of our's staff's picks at mysteriousbookshop.com or stop on by our brick and mortar store at 58 Warren Street (between W. Broadway and Chruch) in Manhattan.

Sally's Weekly Update 12/16/11

2011-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

After living in Brooklyn for twenty years, I shall be moving to Manhattan next week. Once I get over the trauma of moving my books, this will be a good thing! I'll be away from the store from Sunday, December 18th until Friday, December 23rd. I'll be back on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th. There will be no Weekly Update until Friday, December 30th.

Please send your emails to info@mysteriousbookshop.com or call the store. Ian, Dan, even Otto, will be able to help. If you are a Crime Club member please identify yourself as such - your files are set up in a different way and we wouldn't want your information to be lost.
So. Whatever you plan on celebrating this coming holiday season - from Christmas to Festivus - have a wonderful time. Please note that I will be away from the store from December 18th until December 24th. Yes, I will be BACK for Christmas! How perverse.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Reed Farrel Coleman signed copies of his latest Moe Prager novel, Hurt Machine. Hardcovers ($24.95) and paperback editions ($15.95) were published simultaneously.

Colin Cotterill’s publisher has sent along signed bookplates for his latest Dr. Siri mystery, Slash and Burn. $25.00

More after the Jump!

PRE-ORDERING

I have already ordered from the U.K. a few signed copies of Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, the sequel to Wolf Hall, the Man Booker Prize-winning story of Thomas Cromwell. This is in no way a mystery, but there are one or two of you who will want a copy I know. Maybe more than one or two of you. Let me know. We can’t guarantee unlimited copies, but we’d like to see how many we should be ordering.

FOR COLLECTORS

Me Tanner, You Jane by Lawrence Block, Macmillan, NY. 1970. First Edition. $200.00

An exceptionally fine copy in dust jacket without the ubiquitous remainder mark. A review copy with a slip laid in.

Sometimes They Bite by Lawrence Block, Arbor House, NY. 1983. First Edition. $75.00

Very fine in a very fine dust jacket.

In the Midst of Death by Lawrence Block, Delavan, WI. 1995. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Matthew Scudder. With a new introduction by Martin Cruz Smith. Limited to 500 numbered copies. Very fine in a very fine dust jacket.

Two for Texas by James Lee Burke, Pocket, NY. 1982. First Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Paperback original. Very fine.

Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke, Hyperion, NY. 1994. First Edition. $100.00

A special edition of 1,525 copies presented to booksellers in advance of the trade edition. Fine without dust jacket, as issued, in slipcase. Very fine.

Red Wind by Raymond Chandler, World, Cleveland. 1946. First Edition. $45.00

Small stain at lower spine, else very good in chipped dust jacket.

Omnibus by Raymond Chandler, Knopf, NY. 1964. First Edition. $45.00

Collection of Chandler’s first four novels. Very fine, tight copy in a bright dust jacket with a small closed tear on front panel and trivial rubbing at top of spine.

Persuader by Lee Child, Delacorte, NY. 2003. First Edition. SIGNED. $60.00

A Jack Reacher novel. Very fine in dust jacket.

Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis, Crown, NY. 1989. First U.S. Edition. $45.00

First ancient Rome novel introducing poet and private investigator Marcus Didius Falco. Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

A Body in the Bath House by Lindsey Davis, Century, London. 2001. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

Hammett by Joe Gores, Putnam, NY. 1975. First Edition. $45.00

Fine in dust jacket, which is rubbed at spine ends.

The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1982. First Edition. $200.00

An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket. Advance copy with a review slip laid in.

Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1990. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

Limited edition of 500 numbered copies signed by Hillerman. As new in slipcase.

The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1954. $65.00

Important novel that inspired the successful film of the same title. Library stamps on front and rear endpapers, else very good in like dust jacket.

Uniform Justice by Donna Leon, Heinemann, London. 2003. First Edition. SIGNED. $50.00

As new in dust jacket.

The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything by John D. MacDonald, Hale, London. 1974. First U.K. and First Hardcover edition. $50.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Black Money by Ross Macdonald, Knopf, NY. 1966. First Edition. $250.00

A fine copy in dust jacket, which has light wear at spine ends.

The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker, Delacorte, NY. 1983. First Edition. $45.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Concourse by S.J. Rozan, St. Martin’s, NY. 1995. First Edition. $45.00

Author’s second books. Fine in dust jacket.

The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout, Farrar & Rinehart, NY. 1934. First Edition. $250.00

Second Nero Wolfe novel. A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. Dust jacket flaps cut out and pasted to front endpapers, spine lettering faded, else a very good copy.

The Rubber Band by Rex Stout, Grosset &Dunlap, NY. 1936. Reprint. $300.00

An about fine copy in a beautiful dust jacket, which replicates the artwork of the first edition; one small chip at top of spine, a small rubbed spot at top of front flap, else about fine and very scarce thus.

Not Quite Dead Enough by Rex Stout, Farrar & Rinehart, NY. 1944. First Edition. $375.00

Bookplate of famed collector Adrian Homer Goldstone inside front cover, else fine in dust jacket, which has a thumbnail-sized chip at top of spine and chips and tears along edges.

The Final Deduction by Rex Stout, Viking, NY. 1961. First Edition. $125.00

Fine copy in a bright, fresh dust jacket with the merest trace of wear at top of spine.

The Weekly Damage 12/15

2011-12-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

It’s been a busy week here at the shop, what with the holiday season sneaking up on us and all. Between decking the halls with boughts of fury, watching mommy killing Santa Claus and kissing underneath the missing toe, I’ve managed to gather the top 5 tales of mysterious happenings.

More after the jump!

1. Longtime friend of The Mysterious Bookshop, Jason Pinter, has started a twitter tag called #booknerd. For a book enthusiasts like you and me, this is equivalent to seeing your name in lights, now all we need is an “Empire State of Mind”-esque tribute— ideally orchestrated by Trent Reznor. So all of those nights you spend hiding under covers reading Nancy Drew, the heavy handed thesis on Agatha Christie you wrote at your liberal arts college, and the Friday nights you spent twitching in glee at book signings have come to fruition in the most divine, the most modern way: #booknerd. My favorite tweet so far?: My bookshelves at home are arranged by emotional attachment #booknerd @jasonpinter. (via Huffington Post)

2. If I had a child, I can 98% guarantee that she/he would throw the chesty Barbie doll or equally as chesty ( … disturbing) GI Joe action figure into the fire upon seeing these handmade dolls. These creepily accurate dolls include the likes of Joyce Carroll Oates, JR Tolkien and others. The dolls come fully equipped with props and tiny versions of their most famous books, the only thing missing, as pointed out by a macabre commenter, is Sylvia Plath’s miniature oven… too soon?

3. Independent bookstores have had a long standing in the foundation of culture. From Shakespeare & Co in Paris, City Lights in San Fran, Powells in Portland, The Strand in NYC and, obviously, The Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca, indie bookshops offer more than just the penned products of today and yesteryear. If you are reading this blog, then clearly I’m preaching to the crime fiction choir when I say that independent bookstores offer an essential lifeblood and sense of community in the literary world. As you may have heard, Amazon.com is bringing out the big guns in the battle for world word domination in their new app, where a potential customer can scan a barcode at any brick and mortar shop to get an online discount. Slate’s technology columnist, Farhad Manjoo has published an argument in support of this customer-poaching scheme, claiming indie bookshops to be “cultish, moldering institutions.” (crickets, crickets). But despair not, my ferocious book warriors, I expect the end of this war to be like the final scene in Braveheart… FREEDOM!

4. Jury is out on the recently-announced remake of the cinematic adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis’ serial killer masterpiece American Psycho, I personally think that no human can trump Christian Bale’s portrayal of Patrick Bateman (not to mention his abs, I mean come on!). But none the less, the remake has sparked a renewed interest in both Ellis’ novel and Jim Thomson’s The Killer Inside of Me. Joseph Dargue has published a very interesting article entitled Fractured Reflection on crimeculture.com. Check it out. (via Mulholland Books).

5. Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell has been picked for a new drama series with HBO. The show is being penned by Brian Koppleman (who, if you remember, was in the shop about 2 weeks ago signing copies of Block’s Afterthoughts) and David Levien of Ocean’s Thirteen, and is being produced by Leo DiCaprio. As if I didn’t already have Dexter, American Horror Story and Walking Dead episodes to catch up on! (via Deadline).

Have a good one.

--Alex

Reed Farrel Coleman Event 12/12

2011-12-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out of the Reed Farrel Coleman Event yesterday. Check out all of the pictures on our Facebook Page.

Sally's Weekly Update for 12/09/11

2011-12-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

I'm still recovering from the drama on last night's edition of The X Factor. If you don't watch it, do tune in. Beats the body count in many of our books here. There's nothing quite like live television!

But I digress. The reality show here is holiday shopping. Here's the latest update.

EVENTS

Monday, December 12^th 7.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.
Reed Farrel Coleman will discuss his latest Moe Prager novel
Hurt Machine ($24.95 hardcover, $15.95 trade paperback)
Moe searches for his estranged sister-in-law and turns up a hornet’s nest of corruption.
Coleman is the winner of the Shamus, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony awards.

Michael Connelly will be here today signing copies of The Drop, his latest Harry Bosch novel. Michael is only going to four bookstores to sign copies of this title, so if you have not already ordered this book, do it soon. A Crime Collectors Club Main Selection. $27.99

Neon Panic is Charles Philipp Martin’s first novel. The body of a woman washed up in Hong Kong harbor, her identity unknown. But Inspector Herman Lok of the Hong Kong Police Force discovers that the woman is linked, not just to the triads, but also to an organization not usually connected with murder and conspiracy - the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra. A Trade Paperback Original. $14.95

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.
I Am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley is the fourth novel featuring Flavia de Luce. Finances are tight at the de Luce family home of Buckshaw so Colonel de Luce rents out the stately home to a film company. Filming is slowed by a series of nasty accidents , then brought to a halt by a heavy snowstorm that cuts off the house from the outside world. Flavia, who is designing a scientific experiment to prove the existence of Father Christmas, has another mystery to solve. $50.00

Carnival for the Dead by David Hewson is set in Venice at carnival time. Forensic pathologist Teresa Lupo is in the city to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her Aunt Sofia, but from the moment she is met off the vaporetto by an anonymous masked man dressed as the Plague Doctor, Teresa starts to suspect that all is not well. $43.00
We do have a few (very few) extra copies of Prague Fatale by Philip Kerr. This Bernie Gunther thriller is a British Crime Club Main Selection. $48.00
SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

More After the Jump! JUST IN BUT UNSIGNED

Some of our favorite authors have books out this week - just in time for the gift-giving season. Please note that none of the following are signed:
Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell is the nineteenth entry in her Kay Scarpetta series. Nobody does forensics like Cornwell - and Scarpetta.. First Edition. $27.95
Slash and Burn by Colin Cotterill is the latest in the Dr. Siri series set in Laos. First Edition. $25.00

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James begins six years after Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy finally discovered that they were soulmates. Their blissful lives are interrupted by a frightening mystery when Lydia Wickham tells them that Wickham has been murdered. First U.S. Edition. $25.95

The Forgotten Affairs of Youth by Alexander McCall Smith features Isabel Dalhousie who helps a new friend discover the identity of her father. First U.S. Edition.
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo is the much anticipated latest Harry Hole thriller. $26.95

FOR COLLECTORS

The Silver Sickle by Lynn Brock, Collins, London. 1938. First Edition. $65.00 An extremely scarce title. Name on front endpaper, else near very good in orange cloth, stamped in gold on the front cover with the logo of Cunard Lines.

Jack Taylor by Ken Bruen, Mysterious Bookshop, NY. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED. $60.00 A biography of his famous series character. Limited to only 100 hardcover copies, numbered and signed. Very fine without dust jacket, as issued.

Philo Vance, Correspondence School Detective by Ellis Parker Butler, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1918. First Edition. $45.00 Queen’s Quorum title. Yellow covers a bit soiled, else a very good or better copy.

The Convict by James Lee Burke, Louisiana University Press, LA. 1985. First Edition. SIGNED. $4,000.00 The reported first printing of only 500 copies were mainly shipped to libraries. An early collection of stories.

The Long Escape by David Dodge, Random House, NY. 1948. First Edition. $45.00 A good suspense thriller by the author of To Catch a Thief. Erasure on front endpaper, else fine in dust jacket, which has minor wear at spine ends and corners.

Keep Cool, Mr. Jones by Timothy Fuller, Little Brown, Boston. 1950. First Edition. $45.00 A fine copy in dust jacket, which has minor wear at covers.

The Caribbean Account by Alan Furst, Delacorte Press, NY. 1981. First Edition. $500.00 Author’s third book. Spine ends tapped, else fine in fine dust jacket.

Shadow Trade by Alan Furst, Delcorte Press, NY. 1983. First Edition. SIGNED. $500.00 Author’s fourth book. A touch of rubbing to the jacket corners, but none of usual spine fading. Fine in near fine dust jacket.

Dark Star by Alan Furst, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1991. First Edition. $400.00 World War II spy thriller. Fine and unread in fine dust jacket.

Doctor Izard by Anna Katharine Green, Putnam, NY. 1895. First Edition. $450.00 Very good copy in the original wrappers. Very scarce in collector’s condition in this fragile binding.

Words, Weather, and Wolfmen by Tony Hillerman, Southwesterner Books, NM, First Edition. 1989. SIGNED. $750.00 One of 26 lettered copies, this being a non-lettered presentation copy, with a full color drawing by Ernie Franklin laid in. Signed by Hillerman, Franklin, and the publisher. Fine in fine slipcase.
Shoedog by George P. Pelecanos, St. Martin’s Press, NY. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $350.00 Review copy with publishers announcement laid in. Fine and unread in a fine dust jacket.

Let It Bleed by Ian Rankin, Orion, London. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $800.00 Rebus. Signed by Rankin along with his trademark knots-and-crosses drawing. Fine and unread in a fine dust jacket.

Black and Blue by Ian Rankin, Orion, London. 1997. First Edition. SIGNED. $550.00 Rebus. Fine and unread in a fine dust jacket.

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson, Blood and Guts, LA. 1991. First Edition. SIGNED. $650.00
First hardcover edition. One of 26 lettered copies Signed By Stephen King, who contributes to the introduction. Fine with no dust jacket and black leather-bound slipcase as issued.

"30" Manhattan East by Hillary Waugh, Doubleday, NY. 1968. First Edition. $20.00 The under-appreciated author was a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and was one of the first to invent the police procedural. Fine in dust jacket.
The Damsel by Donald E. Westlake (writing at Richard Stark), Macmillan, NY. 1967. First Edition. $200.00
Fine in dust jacket.

Sally
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Ken Bruen Headstone Event 12/2

2011-12-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Ken Bruen party for his new Jack Taylor novel, Headstone on Friday. See all the pictures on our Facebook Page.

Literary Maps and Flow Charts, Just in Time for the Holidays.

2011-12-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Le sigh

So here they come, the dreaded, anticipated holidays. One can only hope to spend them cuddled up with our boyfriend/girlfriend/mother/cat in front of a glowing fire that fills the room with joy and tenderness, but there is the (slight) possibility that your boyfriend/girlfriend/mother/you will get drunk on eggnog/tequila shots and end up in some sort of uncomfortable situation. And if I've known one thing since childhood, it's that the perfect retreat from a family smack-down brawl is found in a book. So here's to hoping for the best, and being prepared for the worst.

If you are more of a DIY reader and tend to mistrust the "Best Ofs" lists that always come out around this time of year, I've hunted down two new methods for finding your next favorite novel.

1. Check out this literature map that threatens to suck hours out of your day. You just type in your favorite author and BAM, this site generates 20+ authors that you should like as well. The map is an interactive experience of sorts, the closer the name of the author is to your favorite, the more you will like them. You can click on any of the names and the site will generate an entire new map. Happy hunting!

2. I like the Hunt your Way Through Horror concept with this Gothic and Horror Novel Flow Chart. It reminds me of a choose-your-own ending childrens book, but instead of finding a faerie holding a golden crystal of love at the end, you find Carrie, or We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (A book I had entirely forgotten about until I stumbled upon this flow chart, you should all read it, it's quite amazing).

--Alex

The Weekly Damage 12/07/2011

2011-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

It's December, everyone! Sometimes this month is a God send to the obsessive crime fiction readers, for once, we can be sure that the cold chill running down your spine is from the weather and not from the watchful eye of a stranger. Well, this week is ripe with murder, murderers, and the rest of us that love them. After the jump you will find a couple true crime tales, including my favorite ob-knox-ious white girl, some literary musings, and the first of many favorites lists!

1. I think you all remember Jonathan Santlofer’s wonderfully weird story, The 74th Tale that he wrote for The Mysterious Bookshop’s Christmas Story Series in 2008, in which a man buries his neighbor alive because of his deformed finger? Well if you don’t— shame on you— there is a certain British husband and father who does. According to Gawker: a Polish immigrant living in England, “tased (his wife), then bound and gagged her with packing tape, and "imprisoned her in a box," prosecutor Jonathan Sharp told the court. It was a computer box, into which two air holes had been cut. The two men then loaded the box in the trunk of their car, drove it to a wooded area, and buried it in a shallow grave. They placed a tree, weighing approximately 85 pounds, on top of the grave, then drove to a supermarket ATM and withdrew money from Lewandowska's bank account.” Okay, so maybe Santlofer’s story didn’t directly influence this nutter, but still. Read the rest of the article here. (via Gawker).

2. Amanda Knox is trading in her handcuffs for a pen, and an estimated seven-figures with the release of her memoir. Just in case you need a little reminder, Amanda Knox is the American exchange student who served 4 years in an Italian prison for murdering her roommate and was recently acquitted, or something… In signing with lit agent Robert Barnett, Foxi Knoxi will join the ranks of Prez. Obama, Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney, who are also represented by Barnett. Here’s to hoping for the veil of fallacy to be lifted from the shining face of truth, and that we learn how to say “Don’t drop the soap” in Italian. Also, what do you think they eat in Italian prison… g-KNOX-e? (Sorry…)

3. With the upcoming film “Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy” in mind, The New Yorker has revisited John le Carre’s 1974 novel that inspired the movie. “We love to lurk in their midst, to learn their codes, and to be initiated into the circle of their charm; hence the delicious slang that salts the Smiley books, and that every reader quickly comes to relish—all the moles, lamplighters, scalp hunters, babysitters, reptile funds, mothers, Cousins, inquisitors, and joes. At the same time, the secrets that lie beyond our field of vision are a wellspring of great disquiet; they tell at best of unknowable national security, at worst of unreachable loneliness, or of a kingdom that has been hollowed out, like a marriage, without our even noticing. Hence the inventory, in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” of all the minutiae that have never ceased to encircle Smiley, and to menace his peace of mind” Beautifully put, Read the full article here.

4. A couple of weeks ago, Megan Abbot spoke about her new novel, The End of Everything at The Mysterious Bookshop with Duane Swierczynski and, well, QR Markham. Anyways, besides being the cutest-thing-I-ever-did-see, Abbot was fascinating in her discussion of the nature of memory and the existential anxiety of childhood. She elaborates on these thoughts on her blog, as well as citing some juicy insights into stranger dancer. Read it here.

5. December is my favorite time of the year for many reasons: all the best and most depressing movies hit the theaters (ahem… Shame), my favorite bar lights their fireplace in back, and all the literary go-to sources pack the yearly slew of crime fiction into bite size favorites lists. The New York Times has posted a list of notable crime books of 2011, and lo and behold, the staff at TMBS have already been singing the glories of these titles all year. What can we say? It’s a gift. Check it out.

Have a good week everyone.

--Alex

This just In: Joyce Carol Oates is Awesome

2011-12-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” — Joyce Carol Oates

Sally's Weekly Update 12/02/11

2011-12-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

December's here. Don't know about you, but I'm in a mild panic - time to finish (or start) the holiday shopping! As you know, books make perfect gifts. Here's the update.

EVENTS

Friday, December 9th 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Charles Martin will discuss and sign copies of his first novel, Neon Panic ($14.95 trade paperback). Set in Hong Kong, Inspector Herman Lok must solve the murder of a young woman and prove the ties between the triads and the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra.

Monday, December 12th 7.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.

Reed Farrel Coleman will discuss his latest Moe Prager novel, Hurt Machine($24.95 hardcover, $15.95 trade paperback). Moe searches for his estranged sister-in-law and turns up a hornet’s nest of corruption. Coleman is the winner of the Shamus, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony awards.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Ken Bruen will be here this evening to sign copies of Headstone, the latest Jack Taylor mystery. Jack must tackle his most ruthless opponent yet, a group known as Headstone. Jack is also trying to track down a man of the cloth who has absconded with the church’s money. $24.00

Ken will also sign paperback copies of The Book of Virtue, our first biblio mystery. This little gem is $4.95 ($1.00 if you’re a member of the Crime Club).

The Book of Ghosts by Reed Farrel Coleman is our second biblio mystery. The hardcover and paperback editions are now here. We will start to ship the limited numbered and lettered editions this month. We still have some copies available. Numbered editions are $50.00, lettered editions are $100.00 and paperback editions are $4.95 ($1.00 if you’re a member of the Crime Club). If you order a number or lettered edition, you will receive a free copy of the paperback edition. We will also ask Reed to sign the paperback editions when he’s here.

James W. Hall has signed copies of Dead Last. When a serial killer crosses paths with the reclusive Thorn, Thorn has no choice but to leave Key Largo and join forces with a young policewoman from Oklahoma who is investigating the murders. A Hard Boiled Crime Club Main Selection. $25.99

Soft Target by Stephen Hunter takes place on Black Friday at America’s largest shopping mall in suburban Minneapolis. It is 3.00 p.m.and ten thousand people are at the Mall of America to shop. Twelve of them are there to kill. Ex-Marine sniper Ray Cruz becomes the country’s only hope. A Thriller/Espionage Club Main Selection. $26.99

Full list of collector's copies and gift suggestions after the jump.

FOR COLLECTORS/GIFT SUGGESTIONS

Detective Fiction: The Collector’s Guide by John Cooper & B.A. Pike, Scolar Press, London. 1994. Second Edition. $85.00. Revised and expanded. More than 150 authors are listed with checklists and, most significantly, descriptions of their first editions - the best book every written on the subject of sorting out true first editions of Golden Age authors, and others. Fine in dust jacket.

Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout, Farrar & Rinehart, NY. 1934. First Edition. $450.00. The first Nero Wolfe novel. A Hayrcraft-Queen Cornerstone. A near fine copy with no fading, staining, or rubbing; the gold lettering is still bright.

Top Story Murder by Anthony Berkeley, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1931. First US Edition. $65.00. One of Berkeley’s rarest Roger Sheringham titles. Very good/near fine.

Tour de Force by Christianna Brand, Scribners, NY. 1955. First U.S. Edition. $25.00. Spine sunned, fore-edges foxed, else very good in dust jacket. One of the best books by a rival to Agatha Christie among the great British writers of pure detection.

Bangkok 8 by John Burdett, Knopf, NY. 2003. First Edition. $24.00. Author’s outstanding first novel. As new in dust jacket.

Cut Me In by Hunt Collins, Abelard-Schuman, NY. 1954. First Edition. $200.00. A very scarce mystery novel by Evan Hunter under this early pseudonym, written two years before the first Ed McBain title was released. There is an inked letter on the front endpaper, else very good in dust jacket which has a crease down the spine and has light wear along the top edge.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly, Little Brown, NY. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00. Author’s first book, introducing Harry Bosch. Edgar-winner. A fine copy in dust jacket.

Shallow Graves by Jeffery Deaver writing as William Jefferies, Avon, NY. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00. Paperback original. Fine, unread copy. Signed as both Jefferies and Deaver.

Bloody River Blues by Jeffery Deaver writing as William Jefferies, Avon, NY. 1993. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00. Paperback original. Fine, unread copy. Signed s both Jefferies and Deaver.

Reunion with Murder by Timothy Fuller, Little Brown, Boston. 1941. First Edition.$175.00. A fine, crisp copy in dust jacket, which is lightly rubbed at top of spine and front edge. An extremely nice copy of this famous golf mystery.

The Shadow and the Golden Master by Walter B. Gibson, Mysterious Press, NY. 1983. $25.00. First book edition of two Yellow Peril novels featuring Shiwan Khan. Fine in dust jacket, which has minor wear at spine ends.

Miss Hurd: An Enigma by Anna Katharine Green, Putnam, 1894. First Edition. $500.00. Bookplate, sliver chipped from bottom of front cover, else very good in the original wrappers. A rare book in this fragile binding.

The Jungle Kids by Evan Hunter, Pocket, NY. 1956. First Edition. $50.00. A Queen’s Quorum title. Small crease on front cover, else near fine copy of this paperback.

Happy New Year, Herbie & Other Stories by Evan Hunter, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1963. First Edition. $65.00. Page tops faded, else fine in dust jacket, which has a trace of wear to spine ends and a corner.

Phantom Lady by William Irish, Lippincott, Philadelphia. 1942. First Edition. $125.00. Cornell Woolrich’s first book under this pseudonym and a Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. Very good/near fine copy in a later issue dust jacket (with a review on the front flap) which has light wear along top edge and base of spine.

The Eight Strokes of the Clock by Maurice Leblanc, Macaulay, NY. 1922. First U.S. Edition. $65.00. Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone and Queen’s Quorum title. Spine ends worn, else very good.

Out of the Shadows by Gene D. Phillips, Scarecrow Press, U.K. 2012. First Edition. $37.95. A new book in which the author provides an in-depth examination of several key noir films as well as films not often associated with film noir. Perfect for buffs!

101 Years’ Entertainment by Ellery Queen, Editor, Little Brown, Boston. 1941. First Edition. $45.00. Probably the best detective anthology of all time. Top edge a little dusty, else about fine, in a bright, near fine dust jacket with a closed tear and crease at the front hinge.

Where There’s a Will by Rex Stout, Farrar & Rinehart, NY. 1940. First Edition. $2,250.00. Endpapers foxed, a stain on one page, else an exceptionally bright and fresh copy in the scarce dust jacket, which is lightly worn at corners and spine tips. A lovely collector’s copy.

Plunder Squad by Donald E. Westlake writing as Richard Stark, Random House, NY. 1972. First Edition. SIGNED. $500.00. Scarce Parker novel. Fine in dust jacket, on which the yellow lettering on the spine has faded slightly so is lighter than the type on the front panel; it is otherwise fine and clean. Inscribed and signed on the title page as Richard Stark (aka Donald E. Westlake).

Deadly Edge by Donald E. Westlake writing as Richard Stark. Random House, NY. 1971. First Edition. SIGNED. $300.00. Scarce Parker novel. Fine in dust jacket, which has a nearly invisible slit on the front panel; it is otherwise as new. Inscribed and signed on the title page as Richard Stark (aka Donald E. Westlake).

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

From the archive: 101 Greatest Films of Mystery & Suspense, #101

2011-12-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

From the archive: We're recounting the films chosen by Otto Penzler for his now out-of-print 2000 collection, 101 Great Films of Mystery & Suspense. Here's number 101.

Charlie Chan At The Opera (1936)

TYPE OF FILM: Detective
STUDIO: Twentieth Century-Fox
PRODUCER: Sol W. Wurtzel
DIRECTOR: H. Bruce Humberstone
SCREENWRITERS: Scott Darling and Charles S. Belden; story by Bess Meredyth
SOURCE: Characters created by Earl Derr Biggers
RUNNING TIME: 66 minutes

BEST LINE: After a seamstress screams because she saw a strange man in Madam Lilli’s dressing room, the strange manager, trying to bring order to the chaotic scene, tells Sergeant Kelly, “You cops would make everybody hysterical…This opera is going on tonight even if Frankenstein walks in.”

To see a full plot summary, analysis and little known facts about this classis film, Go Here.

Bonded Together: James Bond & His Ladies

2011-12-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

As Americans (Brits, you're included here too), it is our innate responsibility to not only know, but to love all things James Bond. In fact, I personally believe that every red-blooded male should in some small way dictate his life in accordance with Bond’s life philosophy (Ideally, Pierce Brosnan in Tomorrow Never Dies, le sigh…). Think martinis, wristwatches that spit out glue that captures both Russian spies and the hearts of millions, and a penchant for bow ties. Come on, guys, at the very least you can invest in an Aston Martin DB5.

FlavorPill has consolidated a slideshow of the women that have also fallen under the spell of 007, it’s nice to know I have a kindred spirit in…Halle Berry? Check them out Here. Also, just for fun, here are 10 quirky facts about my man, 007. (via Flavorpill).

--Alex

The Weekend Damage 11/30

2011-11-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

We’ve got a healthy brew of mystery news this week, including some strong and deadly divas, a Scottish morgue, and a true life confession. Live from New York—the city that never sleeps nor submits to winter, apparently—here is the weekly damage.

Read my top 5 after the jump.

1. Mystery Writers of America have crowned Martha Grimes as their 2012 Grand Master for her achievement within the mystery genera. Grimes is the best-selling author of not two, but three outstanding mystery series: The Richard Jury, Andi Oliver, and Emma Graham series. Upon being told of her new title, Grimes said, “I was, for once, speechless. Thank you very much for making me a Grand Master.” Our congratulations go out to Martha Grimes, although, personally my acceptance speech would have been “Check, and mate.”

Other awards from the Mystery Writers of America include the 2012 Raven awards for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside of creative writing to M is for Mystery and Molly Weston of Meritorious Mysteries. The 2012 Ellery Queen Award will be given to Joe Meyers of the Connecticut Post/Hearst Media. (via Mystery Writers of America).

2. Val McDermid is killin’ it in a Scottish competition to name their newest university… morgue. Really though, fans of a specific Scottish author can enter their vote for $1.50 to get their favorite crime writer to be the face of a Scottish university's morgue. The whisper around town is that Val McDermid is the front runner. Here’s to hoping the receptionist answers the phone thusly: “Val McDermid Morgue, you stab ‘em, we slab ‘em.”

3. Italian artist Claudia Varosio has burst onto the blogosphere with her reworked classic film posters. If you, like me, are sick of film posters with an emotional, tousle-haired 18 year-old, looking wanly into the distance while being caressed by glittery vampires and/or pre-teen pituitary cases (I’m looking at you, Twilight), you’ll find these pared down prints refreshing. Her poster gallery includes the likes of Chinatown (featured), The Big Sleep, Twin Peaks, Rear Window, Vertigo, Donnie Darko, American Psycho, Rosemary’s Baby and more. Check out her Etsy Gallery here. (via Flavorpill).

4. In perhaps the greatest marketing scheme since, well, actually writing a good book (or James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces”), QR Markham’s plagiarized espionage novel “Assassin of Secrets” has been the talk of the town since it was pulled from the shelves by the publisher, and used copies are going for as much as $250 online. Quentin Rowan has owned up to taking passages from numerous Bond novels, and equated plagiarism with alcoholism (?) in his online confession. Check It Out. (via The Fix).

5. Women have long had a standing in the mystery genre, albeit they are mostly standing in 6 inch heels and little else. In this interview Denise Mina discusses the positive shift in the attitude towards women in detective literature, as well as her female series character, Alex Morrow. Sing it, girl. (via The Christian Science Monitor)

Have a great week everyone

--Alex

Exclusive to The Mysterious Press: The Legacy of George Harmon Coxe, by James Reasoner

2011-11-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Check out this beautifully written essay on George Harmon Coxe, an exclusive to The Mysterious Press.

There was a time – I remember it well – when you could go into just about any public library in the United States and find a dozen or more novels by George Harmon Coxe on the shelves in the mystery section. And for good reason, too. Coxe's career lasted for 40 years and 63 novels, and he was one of the most consistently entertaining of the hardboiled mystery novelists.

Born in Olean, N.Y., in 1901, Coxe attended Purdue and Cornell, was a newspaperman (a background that would greatly influence his later work), and worked in advertising before he began selling short fiction regularly to the mystery pulps. Beginning in the mid-Thirties, he was successful enough to concentrate full-time on writing fiction and became one of the leading authors in the legendary pulp Black Mask with a series of tough, well-plotted stories about Boston news photographer Jack "Flash Gun" Casey. Flash, as he was usually known, was big, hot-tempered, fiercely loyal to his friends, and a better detective than he gave himself credit for.

To read the rest of the essay, click here and we will relocate you to The Mysterious Press website.

New eBooks from The Mysterious Press 11/29/11

2011-11-30T13:33:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce sixteen new books from two exciting authors: Wendy Hornsby and Joseph Wambaugh.

Wendy Hornsby is the Edgar Award-winning creator of the Maggie MacGowen series. A native of Southern California interested in writing at a young age, she first found professional success in fourth grade, when an essay about summer camp won a local contest. She has written seven of the MacGowen novels, most recently The Paramour’s Daughter (2010), and the sprawling tales of murder and romance have won Hornsby widespread praise. For her closely observed depiction of the darker sides of Los Angeles, she is often compared to Raymond Chandler.

Check out all of her titles: Bad Intent, Telling Lies, A Hard Light, Midnight Baby, No Harm, Telling Lies, and 77th Street Requiem at The Mysterious Press website.

Joseph Wambaugh is the son of a policeman, and he began his writing career while a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. He joined the LAPD in 1960 after three years in the Marine Corps, and rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant before retiring in 1974.
His first novel, The New Centurions (1971) was a quick success, drawing praise for its realistic action and intelligent characterization. He followed it up with The Blue Knight (1972), which was adapted into a mini-series starring William Holden and Lee Remick.
Since then Wambaugh has continued writing about the LAPD. He has been credited with a realistic portrayal of policemen, showing them not as superheroes but as men struggling with a difficult job, a depiction taken mainstream by television’s Police Story, which Wambaugh helped create in the mid 1970s. Besides novels, Wambaugh has written non-fiction, and he has won four Edgar Awards. He was also named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. His most recent novel is Hollywood Hills (2010).

Check out all of his titles: The Glitter Dome, The Black Marble, The Blooding, The Delta Star, Finnegan's Week, Floaters, Fugitive Night, The Golden Orange, and Lines and Shadows on The Mysterious Press Website.

The Center for Fiction is launching their Crime Fiction Academy!

2011-11-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Center for Fiction’s Crime Fiction Academy is the first

ongoing program dedicated solely to crime writing in all its forms.

Raise a glass with the Center for Fiction as they celebrate the launch of the new Crime Fiction Academy on Wednesday, November 30th from 6-7:30pm. Meet some of the CFA’s acclaimed teachers - Lee Child, Megan Abbott, Lawrence Block, Thomas H. Cook, S.J. Rozan, Jason Pinter, and Jonathan Santlofer.

Please RSVP to esther@centerforfiction.org

Learn more about this exciting program, and its star-studded faculty, which also includes Joyce Carol Oates, Laura Lippman, Val McDermid, Linda Fairstein, Dennis Lehane, Susan Isaacs, and Karin Slaughter at centerforfiction.org/crimefiction.

The Center for Fiction is located at 17 E. 47th Street (Between Madison and 5th Ave) in New York City.

Sally's Wekly Update for 11/25/11

2011-11-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

We're all still groaning from Thanksgiving indulgences, but It is time to get serious about the holiday season!

We hope everybody is recovering from a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Now that the holiday season is truly upon us, we’d like to remind you that, hopefully, we will be busy busy busy.
During December, we will be shipping the Crime Club Selections as well as everybody’s holiday orders. Triage is called for!
Please let us know if there is a present included in your order so that we can prioritize shipping.
And while we’re on the subject - our Christmas Story is now available. Black Christmas by Jason Starr will be shipped with every order received between now and the end of December.

The Duke Collier Collection of Mystery and Crime Fiction

See a complete listing of events, new signed and rare books after the jump!

Events

Friday, December 2^nd 6.30p.m. - 8.00p.m.
Ken Bruen will be here to discuss and sign his Jack Taylor mystery, Headstone. $24.00
If we can persuade him, Ken will also sign the paperback copies of his Biblio Mystery, The Book of Virtue. This is available for $4.95. $1.00 to Crime Club Members.
We have received the paperback edition of our Biblio Mystery #2. The Book of Ghosts by Reed Farrel Coleman is available at $4.95. $1.00 to Crime Club Members. This version will not be signed. The limited hard cover edition will be here shortly. This will be sent automatically to those of you who have subscribed to the complete series. If you would like a copy of this, we do have a few still available. Limited to 100 signed numbered copies $50.00.

A reminder that we are expecting Michael Connelly to come by to sign copies of the U.S. Trade Edition of The Drop. Many of you have asked for inscriptions. If you have not done so and would like Michael to personalize your copy, you still have a few days to let us know.

The Center for Fiction’s Crime Fiction Academy is the first ongoing program dedicated solely to crime writing in all its forms. Meet some of the CFA’s acclaimed teachers - Lee Child, Megan Abbott, Lawrence Block, Thomas H. Cook, S.J. Rozan, Jason Pinter, and Jonathan Santlofer.

The Center for Fiction is launching their Crime Fiction Academy!

Wednesday, November 3th 6.00p.m.- 7.30p.m.

The Center for Fiction, 17 East 47^th Street

Admission is Free

Please RSVP to esther@centerforfiction.org

Learn more about this exciting program, and its star-studded faculty, which also includes Joyce Carol Oates, Laura Lippman, Val McDermid, Linda Fairstein, Dennis Lehane, Susan Isaacs, and Karin Slaughter at centerforfiction.org/crimefiction

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE.

Afterthoughts by Lawrence Block is a fascinating look at the work of this author by Block himself. It is an invaluable addition to any collection of crime fiction but a must for fans of Block. Hardcover in boards as issued. $35.00
We still have some copies of the limited edition of The Night and the Music by Lawrence Block. This edition is limited to 100 copies, numbered and signed. Brian Koppelman, who wrote the Foreword, stopped by and signed every copy of the only hard cover edition of this Matthew Scudder collection. Koppelman is the screenwriter of Oceans 13, Walking Tall, and Runaway Jury, and the producer of The Illusionist. And a great fan of Matt Scudder! $150.00 in marbled boards as issued.

We have, as we had hoped, signed copies of Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is once again up to her neck in murder and intrigue. $28.00

Kill Alex by James Patterson has arrived signed! Hooray. We don’t have many copies of this, so first come, etc. $28.99

Aloha From Hell is the latest Sandman Slim novel from Richard Kadrey. Supernatural fantasy’s greatest anti-hero is back on the job when an insane killer mounts a war against both Heaven and Hell. Sandman Slim must head back to his old stomping grounds and prevent both Good and Evil from completely destroying each other. $23.99

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.

We have managed to get just a few signed copies of Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James. This novel of romantic suspense is set in 1803 when Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. Their peaceful life is turned upside down when Lydia Wickham arrives screaming that her husband has been murdered. P.D. James recreates the world of Pride and Prejudice! It is first come, first served here too. $48.00

FOR COLLECTORS

The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley, Random House, NY. 1978. First Edition. $125.00 Crumley’s greatest novel. Absolutely fine in a perfect dust jacket.
Dancing Bear by James Crumley, Random House, NY. 1983. First Edition. $100.00 Absolutely fine in a perfect dust jacket.

Blood on the Moon by James Ellroy, Mysterious Press, NY. 1984. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00 Author’s first hardcover book and the first book in the Lloyd Hopkins trilogy, the basis for the film Cops with James Woods. Very fine in very fine, unrubbed dust jacket. Signed and inscribed: "Dear Readers - Killers shriek! Doomed lovers weep! The moon drips blood."

Because the Night by James Ellroy, Mysterious Press, NY. 1984. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00 Author’s second book in the Lloyd Hopkins trilogy. Very fine in very fine, unrubbed dust jacket. Signed and inscribed: "Dear Reader - The doomonic L.A. night rages like a rabid hell hound!"

The Moonshine War by Elmore Leonard, Doubleday, NY. 1969. First Edition. SIGNED & Inscribed. $1,000.00 Very fine in an exceptionally fine dust jacket with just a trace of soiling to the white portion of the spine. Inscribed and signed on the title page: "To_Ace producer and good friend."

The Octopus of Paris by Gaston Leroux, Macaulay, NY. 1927. First U.S. Edition. $200.00 A small, neat name stamp on the front endpaper, else a just about fine copy in dust jacket, which is lightly chipped at corners, foot of spine, and rear panel. Charming thriller about a beautiful woman who is regarded by many as a fiend. A scarce title by the author of The Phantom of the Opera.

Sleeping Beauty by Ross Macdonald, Knopf, NY. 1973. First Edition. SIGNED. $350.00 Lew Archer novel. Name inside front cover, else a very fine, fresh copy in dust jacket.

Seeds of Murder by Van Wyck Mason, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1930. First Edition. $75.00 An uncommon early espionage title about Captain North. Near fine in a heavily chipped and rubbed dust jacket.

1001 Midnights: The Aficionado’s Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction by Bill Pronzini and Marcia Muller, Arbor House, NY. 1986. First Edition. $200.00 A huge (879-page) description and analysis of the authors’ favorite books. Very fine in dust jacket.

The Mercenaries by Donald E. Westlake, Random House, NY. SIGNED. $500.00 Author’s uncommon first book. Lightly tanned pages, as always, although much less than usual. A fine copy in an excellent dust jacket; the spine, as usual, is sunned, otherwise fine and bright with no wear, tear or soiling. Signed and inscribed: "The first of them, by golly."

The Dame by Donald E. Westlake writing as Richard Stark, Macmillan, NY. 1969. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00 Remainder dot on top edge, else fine in dust jacket.
Wax Apple by Donald E. Westlake writing as Tucker Coe, Random House, NY. 1970. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00 Third book in the Mitch Tobin series. A fine copy in an exceptionally fine and bright dust jacket. Inscribed and signed on the title page as Ol’ Tuck (aka Donald E. Westlake).

A Good Story and Other Stories by Donald E. Westlake, Five State, ME. 1999. First Edition. $60.00 A very scarce collection of short stories, issued in a small printing, mainly for libraries. Very fine in pictorial boards without dust jacket as issued.

Sally
One of our very good customers is divesting himself of some of his collection - and a very wonderful collection it is. The Mysterious Bookshop and Royal Books are offering these rare books in a beautifully produced catalog which we are offering to our customers for $15.00 - refundable if you purchase from the catalog.
If you do want to purchase, please call as soon as you can. Some of the items have already been sold and, of course, these are one of a kind items.
Priest by Ken Bruen, Scorpion Press, Gladestry. 2006. First Edition. SIGNED. $450.00 A Jack Taylor novel. Limited to only 16 lettered copies signed by Bruen and Simon Kernick, who wrote the introduction. Bound in marbled boards and leather spine, stamped in gold. Pristine copy in clear Mylar dust jacket.
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Brian Koppelman Stops by The Shop to Sign The Night & The Music

2011-11-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Brian Koppelman popped in unexpectedly this afternoon to sign his introduction of Lawrence Block’s The Night & The Music.

Koppleman is best known as the co-writer of Ocean’s Thirteen and Rounders, and of course, for being a die-hard Block fan.

Just another day in the office.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Extra! Extra! Markdown on Mysterious Press Books

2011-11-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

Call us sentimental, but we're getting into the charitable holiday spirit and offering some of our Mysterious Press eBooks for $2.99. The sale wont last long, so get your Black Friday on, fire up those eReaders and curl up with Donald Westlake, Ken Bruen and Thomas H. Cook on a dark and stormy night...

You can purchase these, and other eBooks, on the MysteriousPress website.

Full list of discounted titles after the jump!

Death in High Heels by Christanna Brand

Her Last Call to Louis MacNeice by Ken Bruen

Dog Eat Dog by Edward Bunker

Blood Innocents by Thomas H. Cook

Clandestine by James Ellroy

The Ninth Directive by Adam Hall

Seance on a Wet Afternoon by Mark McShane

The Roman Hat Mystery By Ellery Queen

Yellow-Dog Contract by Ross Thomas

The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake

Holy Chandler!

2011-11-23T12:26:00.000-08:00

Raymond Chandler: Writer, celebrety and myster maestro once said, "I certainly admire people who do things." We do too, Raymond, we do too. That's why we were full of awe and admiration when Sotheby's annouced that they will be actioning off a collection of Chandler's works, including a copy of "The Big Sleep," inscribed to his wife Cissy (reading "For Cissy, who wants something much better, but was pleased even with this.").

Another copy of "The Big Sleep" also for sale is dedicated to Chandler himself and reads "For me without my compliments," a sentence so snarky chic that my little heart can barely stand it.

The auction also brags a copy of the original Bond novel, "Goldfinger," inscribed by Ian Fleming to Chandler, and James M. Cain's novel "Three of a Kind" with a personal note to Chandler.

Here's a hint to all those mysterious boyfriends out there: Forget the diamonds, Chandlers are a girl's best friend. The Auction will be held on Dec 13th in New York City.

Check out the full article has been circulating the Mysterious Bookshop office all day, don't miss it! (via The New York Times)

-Alex

The Weekend Damage: 11/22

2011-11-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

Check back here every Monday for the latest, the greatest, and the strangest news in the Mystery World (please ignore the fact that this is posted on Tuesday, the idea just smacked me in the face). Just like this beautiful, dirty city that houses the Mysterious Bookshop, the Crime Fiction world never sleeps (especially on the weekends). Here are my favorite beginning of the week happening my sleuthy friends!

Alex's Top 5 after the Jump.

1. Mystery king pins Stephen King, Lee Child and Haruki Murakami have been nominated for the Literary Review's annual Bad Sex in Literature Award. Judging by the size of each of these novelist's newest books, it seems the rumors are ture: size doesn't matter... (via Huffington Post)

2. Once upon a time (aka Autmn 2011), author Roberto Bolano mentioned a B-Grade Horror Zombie flick in his short story "The Colonel's Son" published in Granta's Horror Issue. Much to our morbid glee, some beautiful human (Owen Freeman) made an animated movie inspired by Bolano's Piece. Watch it, while you still have eyes. (via GalleyCat)

3. Just as I thought, Pedro Almondovar's newest (and most twisted) film, The Skin I live In is.... well, it's Awesome.

The film takes all the trappings of a finely-crafted mystery-- a femme fatale, a terrible betrayal, a missing vagabond, and a handsome leading man hell bend on revenge-- and totally turns it on its head. This movie had so many twists, my mind needed a chiropractor when all was said and (un)done.

4. I loved this Michael Connolley interview in the Irish Examiner, where he talks about his childhood, writing process and, naturally, the release of his newest book, The Drop. Oh yea, in case you didn't know, we are one of four shops that will be privvy to signed editions of the newest Harry Bosch novel! Read the article here and get excited. Preorder your copy by visiting our website.

5. If the Irish are know for anything, it's potatoes, spirits (not only the liquid ones), and terse, gnarly crime fiction. Alan Glynn won the Irish Book Award for crime fiction for his novel, Bloodland. I'd drink to that. (via Detectives Beyond Borders)

-Alex

New eBooks from The Mysterious Press 11/22/11

2011-11-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

We're super excited to launch seven new ebooks from James Grady and Charles McCarry today! Fire up your Kindle/iPad/Nook/Sony eReader/Toaster Oven and get reading!

Images of the full title list, beautiful new covers, and a breif description after the jump.

From James Grady

Six Days of the Condor: The novel that inspired the Robert Redford film Three Days of the Condor.

Sandwiches save Ronald Malcolm’s life. On the day that gunmen pay a visit to the American Literary Historical Society, he’s out at lunch. The Society is actually a backwater of the Central Intelligence Agency, where Malcolm and a few other bookworms comb mystery novels for clues that might unlock real life diplomatic questions. One of his colleagues has learned something he wasn’t meant to know. A sinister conspiracy has penetrated the CIA, and the gunmen are its representatives. They massacre the office, and only learn later of Malcolm—a loose end that needs to be dealt with.

Malcolm—codename Condor—calls his handlers at the Agency, hoping for a safe haven, instead drawing another attempt on his life. With no one left to trust he goes on the run. But like it or not, Malcolm is the only person who can root out the corruption at the highest levels of the CIA.

Condor.net: A post-9/11 re-imagining of Six Days of the Condor. Four decades after Six Days of the Condor revolutionized the thriller, James Grady reimagines his classic tale for the post-9/11 world.

In this chilling short story, a CIA researcher named Condor is caught in the grip of a conspiracy that he can barely understand. When he finds something strange linked to a covert operation in Afghanistan, he makes the mistake of contacting his superiors. A gunman descends during an office coffee break, killing all but Condor. Alone and out of his depth, Condor chases the conspiracy as he’s on the run, learning quickly that, though the Cold War may be over, espionage remains a dangerous game.

The Nature of the Game: In this classic thriller, presented with a new introduction by the author, a down-and-out ex-CIA operative runs from his former masters and propels us like a bullet through the secret spy history of America
Jud is not too drunk to recognize the assassin. How the hit man found him in this hard-bitten roadhouse, Jud isn’t sure, but he’s not going to go down without a fight. His hands shaking too much for close combat, Jud perches himself on the bar’s roof and drops on the assassin when he steps into the darkness. Though Jud only meant to stun, the man is dead. Jud doesn’t care.

Quitting the CIA has not proven as easy as he hoped. Once one of the Agency’s top killers, Jud’s skills have been dulled by civilian life, and his only chance is to go into hiding. Before he disappears off the grid, he makes a call to Nick Kelley, a D.C. journalist who is one of the only men Jud can trust. Between the two of them, they have a shot at stopping the rot at the heart of the CIA. That is, if the rot doesn’t kill them first.

This Given Sky: A haunting short story about friendship and loss in small-town Montana.

Jake, Steve, and Thel are inseparable. The trio scampers through the narrow streets of Shelby without giving thought to the rest of the world. Then Jake’s life changes the first time he goes up in a plane: That ride in a battered old Mustang P-51 teaches him that no one but pilots can know true freedom. He joins the Air Force and comes back to Shelby when he’s on leave. Steve and Thel stay behind, making lives in the tough heartland town in Montana. Though farther apart, they remain a group—and will stay that way, whether they live or die.

From Charles McCarry

Lucky Bastard: The KGB grooms a charming young American to run for president

Although in the mid-1940s no one had ever heard of JFK, Jack Adams’s mother insisted her new son be christened John Fitzgerald. Years after his parents’ death, Jack learns the reason for his name: a packet of photos showing his mother in bed with young John Kennedy. As a student at Columbia University, Jack demonstrates that he inherited more than JFK’s good looks. His irresistible charisma and political instinct make him a natural campus leader, but he has his sights set on something bigger than the student council.

Young Jack Adams wants to be president of the United States, and the Soviet Union is prepared to help. A KGB spy named Dmitri recruits Jack, promising him the presidency in exchange for treason. Dmitri guides Jack for decades, putting him in a position to become the largest intelligence coup in history—unless the candidate’s libido derails him first.

The Bride of the Wilderness: Born in squalid London at the turn of the eighteenth century, a girl makes a fresh start in the New World.
Fanny’s father, Henry Harding, has known Oliver Barebones since the two men were children. Together they survived the Great Plague and the Great Fire, and now they are rich, middle-aged, and unmarried. Everyone’s shocked when Oliver, a lifelong bachelor, falls headfirst for a superstitious young girl named Rose. In two days he’s decided to marry her. For the Hardings and the Barebones, it will be years before they find such happiness again.

Ruin comes to them all in the shape of Alfred Montagu, a cold-hearted moneylender who ensnares them in crushing debt and schemes to marry Fanny. After her father dies, Fanny attempts to take refuge in France. It’s not far enough to escape her troubles, so with Oliver and Rose, she departs for a far-off place called Connecticut, dodging Montagu by diving into the teeth of dangers no London girl could ever imagine.

Ark: Earth’s wealthiest man attempts to save humanity from a coming apocalypse.
The planet’s first and only trillionaire, Henry Peel, did not make his fortune by being a fool. A gifted inventor and scientist, he possesses an imagination on the scale of history’s greatest thinkers, and he has turned it to the problem of Earth’s core. Two decades ago, scientists learned that the core spins faster than the rest of the planet, storing up a cache of energy that, if released, could cause an earthquake that would obliterate human life. To begin mankind anew, Henry Peel is going to lead us to the stars.

He gathers the world’s leading physicists and engineers and asks them to design a spaceship large enough to safeguard a sample of humanity and durable enough to survive a thousand-year voyage. Money is no object, but time is short. The apocalypse is on its way.

These ebooks, and others from MysteriousPress.com can be found on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and Kobo.

Make sure to stop by MysteriousPress.com for a complete list of our ebooks.

Thomas Mullen Discusses The Revisionists, among other things.

2011-11-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Thomas Mullen comments on his new book:

"My new novel, The Revisionists, is sort of a literary spy novel with a twist. Writing anything with “a twist” can be dangerous for an author, as straddling genres can be confusing to one’s readers, and to the booksellers who have to decide which shelf to put the darn thing on. But it’s also a ton of fun, both as a writer and as a reader."

Check out the full interview from our friends at Mulholland Books, where Mullen fills us in on his favorite "Hard-boiled with a twist" novels.

Signed First Editions of The Revisionists are available at mysteriousbookshop.com.

Sally's Weekly Update 11/18

2011-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

The staff of The Mysterious Bookshop wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. Hope your turkey is moist, the wine flows freely, and your team wins.

Check Out Our New and Improved Website

Our website has been completely overhauled. Check it out and you’ll be able to access

A list of upcoming events
Our digital imprint MysteriousPress.com
The MSBS Newsletter plus archived editions
Sally’s Weekly Update
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Kudos to Otto’s new assistant, Alex Hess, who made this a priority. Find us at http://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

The Night and the Music by Lawrence Block is now here and will be shipped out shortly. This collection of Matthew Scudder stories contains a never-before published story. If you have not ordered your copy of this limited edition, there are still a few copies left. Signed numbered copies are limited to 100 copies at $150.00, and lettered editions to 26 copies at $275.00.

Charles Finch signed A Burial at Sea. Charles Lenox, now a Member of Parliament, sets sail on a clandestine mission for the government. When an officer is murdered, Lenox is drawn toward his old profession as a detective, determined to capture a killer before he can strike again. This fifth installment in the popular historical series is a Soft Boiled Crime Club Main Selection. $24.99

More Recently Signed After the Jump!

We do have some UK copies of The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz still available. This edition, which until now was only available to member of the British Crime Club, is limited to 250 signed and numbered copies. $65.00

FOR COLLECTORS

The Galway Hooker by Ken Bruen, A.S.A. P. Publishing, 2011. Limited Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

This fifty-two page Jack Taylor story is limited to 85 copies (we have five) with an introduction by George Pelecanos, an Afterword by Wendy Hornsby, and illustrations by Phil Parks. Signed by all contributors. The front cover is a wood inlay of a Galway Hooker and the book comes in a clear acrylic slipcase. As new.

Heart Sick by Chelsea Cain, St. Martin’s Press, NY. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Author’s first novel. Introduces Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Marathon Man by William Goldman, Delacorte, NY. 1974. First Edition. $95.00

Fine in dust jacket which has a slight crease at top of spine.

Gone to Ground by John Harvey, Heinemann, London. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Stand alone. Fine in fine dust jacket with promotional band in place.

Cabin of Fear by Dolores Hitchens, Michael Joseph, London. 1968. First Edition. $40.00

Fine in dust jacket which shows some rubbing at the extremities.

The Murder Room by P.D. James, Faber, London. 2003. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

An Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Sandman by J. Robert Janes, Constable, London. 1996. First Edition. $50.00

A St. Cyr and Kohler investigation. Set in occupied France in 1943. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Smiley’s People by John Le Carre, Hodder & Stoughton, London. 1979. First Edition. $100.00

A fine copy in a near fine dust jacket.

Dexter By Design by Jeff Lindsay, Orion, London. 2009. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

UK edition precedes US edition. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Company by Robert Littell, Overlook, NY. 2002. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

A novel of the CIA. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Jack Harvey Novels by Ian Rankin, Orion, London. 2000. First Edition Thus. SIGNED. $55.00

Contains three novels written by Rankin’s pseudonym Jack Harvey: Witch Hunt; Bleeding Hearts; and Blood Hunt. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Rebus: Capital Crimes by Ian Rankin, Orion, London. 2004. First Edition Thus. SIGNED. $45.00

Contains three Rebus novels: Dead Souls, Set in Darkness, and The Falls. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Flood by Ian Rankin, Orion, London. 2005. First Edition Thus. SIGNED. $45.00

Rankin’s early novel reissued by his publisher. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Dead Horse by Walter Satterthwait, Dennis McMillan, Tucson. 2006. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

A novel featuring pulp writer Raoul Whitfield. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Like a Charm by Karin Slaughter, Editor, Scorpion Press, Gladestry. 2004. Limited Edition. SIGNED. $200.00

Limited to 120 numbered copies and signed by all contributors: Kelley Armstrong, Mark Billingham, Lee Child, John Connolly, Emma Donoghue, Jerrilyn Farmer, Jane Haddam, John Harvey, Laura Lippman, Lynda La Plante, Denise Mina, Fidelis Morgan, Peter Robinson, Peter Moore Smith, and Karin Slaughter. Fine in marbled boards as issued.

The Name of Annabel Lee by Julian Symons, Macmillan, London. 1983. First Edition. $35.00

Fine in price-clipped dust jacket.

The Chinese Bell Murders by Robert Van Gulik, Michael Joseph, London. 1989. Reissue. $35.00

Three cases solved by Judge Dee. First published in the UK in 1958, this reissue retains the 15 illustrations of the original. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Stop! You're Killing Me!: Mystery Cover of the Week

2011-11-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

If I love anything, it's a bad pun and kitchy art. Hence my choice for the first Mystery Cover of the Week. "Malice in Wonderland" mashes our beloved mystery genre with a beloved children's tale (albeit, a drug addled one), and it then sets it against a classic scene of Motel Americana AND switches coconuts out with skulls?! Phew! Yes Please!

The whole delicious concoction is topped off with this opening line:

"When Alice Wickershield was a little girl of nine and still believed in all the childhood wonderlands with their fantasy inhabitants, she was given a birthday party by an old woman whom she firmly considered to be a witch."

Don't think you can live without this beautiful piece? Shoot us an email, and we'll see what we can do for you....

-Alex

Trailer for The Hunger Games Released!

2011-11-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

To the glee of 14 year-old girls (and, I can't lie, myself), The Hunger Games trailer has hit the interweb. Check it out below:

Yea, yea, I know Suzanne Collins' series is unabashed rip off of Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale. And yes, the writing style is geared towards “alternative” high school girls reading at a slightly remedial level… but I can’t lie. I really cannot wait. At the end of the day, a book/movie team about children killing each other for the thrill of a TV audience in the thematic vein of a not-boring-Lord-of-the-Flies has done everything right.

-Alex

Signed Copies Now Available at The Mysterious Bookshop

2011-11-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week here at the bookshop, what with the likes of, ahem, Joyce Carol Oates and Anthony Horowitz popping in to sign copies of their latest and greatests. While she was here, Joyce Carol Oates signed her new collection of stories, The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares. Follow tried and true themes of exploitation, kinapping and the cruelty of children, this is Joyce at her dark and disturbind best ($24.00).

We also have signed copies from Michael Dirda, Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis, and more! Don't beleive us? Why don't you stop in and see for youself?
Check out our full list of our newly signed titles after the jump!

On Conan Doyle by Michael Dirda contains essays, both memoir and appreciation, by this Pulitzer-Prize winning critic and book columnist for the Washington Post. As well as the essays on Holmes Dirda gives us a rare insider’s account of the activities and scholarship of The Baker Street Irregulars. $19.95

As expected, our event featuring Michael Dirda and Anthony Horowitz was very well attended. Horowitz signed copies of the U.S. Edition of The House of Silk. This new Holmes story, authorized by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate is, according to Otto, simply the best Sherlock Holmes novel written since...since..well, since The Hound of the Baskervilles. High praise indeed. $27.99

The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis is available with tipped-in signatures, the only signed copies available in this country. This novel from Denmark (watch out Sweden!) begins when Nina Borg agrees to go to the train station to pick up a suitcase for a friend. Inside she finds a boy - drugged but alive - and Nina is soon involved in a nightmare of murder and human trafficking. A First Mystery Crime Club Main Selection. $24.00

Another well attended event was the launch of New Jersey Noir, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. These tales from the Garden State were signed by all the contributors who were present as well as by Oates. We have many pre-orders for this titles, but there are some still available. $24.95

Please Note

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton goes on sale next Monday. Our signed copies are here but are not available until then. If you would like to order a copy of the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, let us know. A Crime Collectors Club Main Selection. $27.95

FOR COLLECTORS:

(Crime Novels) American Noir of the 1930s & 40s, Library of America, NY. 1997. First Edition Thus.
Contains The Postman Always Rings Twice/Cain; They Shoot Horses Don’t They?/McCoy; Thieves Like Us/Anderson; The Big Clock/Fearing; Nightmare Alley/Gresham; I Married a Dead Man/Woolrich. Fine in fine dust jacket. $45.00

(Crime Novels) American Noir of the 1950s, Library of America, NY. 1997. First Edition Thus. Contains The Killer Inside Me/Thompson; The Talented Mr. Ripley/Highsmith; Pick-Up/Willeford; Down There/Goodis; The Real Cool Killers/Himes. Fine in fine dust jacket. $45.00
The Wrong Case by James Crumley, Random House, NY. 1975. First Edition. SIGNED. Near fine in like dust jacket. $650.00

The Big Clock by Kenneth Fearing, Harcourt Brace, NY. 1946. First Edition. Some wear at spine ends, else near fine in like dust jacket. $125.00

Wild Horses by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by H.R.F. Keating. As new in glassine dust jacket. $125.00

To the Hilt by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol. 1996. First Edition. SIGNED. Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by Margaret Yorke. As new in glassine dust jacket. $125.00

Second Wind by Dick Francis, Scorpion Press, Bristol, First Edition. SIGNED. Limited to only 99 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by Simon Brett. As new in glassine dust jacket. $125.00

The Black Tower by P.D. James, Scribners, NY. 1975. First U.S. Edition. Fine in fine dust jacket. $75.00

Vane Pursuit by Charlotte MacLeod, Mysterious Press, NY. 1989. First Edition. SIGNED. A Peter Shandy mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket. $20.00

The Frumious Bandersnatch by Ed McBain, Simon & Schuster, 2004. First Edition. SIGNED. A novel of the 87th Precinct. Fine in fine dust jacket. $35.00

The Fiend by Margaret Millar, Random House, NY. 1964. First Edition. Fine in fine dust jacket. $50.00

A Red Death by Walter Mosley, Norton, NY. 1991. First Edition. SIGNED. Author’s second Easy Rawlins mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket. $150.00.

The Octopus on My Head by Jim Nisbet, McMillan, AZ. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED.Fine in fine dust jacket. $35.00.

Empire of Sand by Robert Ryan, Headline, London. 2008. First Edition. SIGNED. Set in 1915, this novel features a young intelligence officer named Thomas Edward Lawrence who is convinced that an Arab revolt is the only way to remove the Ottoman presence and leave a free, self-governed Arabia. Fine in fine dust jacket. $56.00.

Sally's Weekly Update for 11/11/11

2011-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Sally's Weekly Update 11/11/11

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Mysterious Bookshop is Proud to Announce a Limited Signed Edition of Lawrence Blocks's
The Night and The Music
The Mysterious Bookshop is proud to be publishing a special limited edition of this exceptional collection of all the Matthew Scudder stories, one of which is published here for the first time. Signed by the author, one of the most popular mystery writers working today. It will be produced in the same elegant format as our previous publications, almost all of which sold out on publication. This special limited edition is the only hardcover edition of this highly significant volume.

The edition is limited to only 100 copies, numbered and signed by Lawrence Block. Bound in blue marbled boards with a blue leather spine. The price is $150.00. There also are 26 lettered copies, bound in red marbled boards and red leather spine, priced at $275.00

Reserve your copy today.

CRIME SCENE: NEW LITERATURE FROM EUROPE

The 8th Annual Festival New Literature From Europe will take place in New York, November 15th - 20th 2011.

A description of the Literary Series and the Film Series can be found on the website: www.newlitfromeurope.org.

In collaboration with the Center for Fiction, The Mysterious Bookshop will be among the partners in this cultural event.

From Marathon City, Here is the Latest Update

2011-11-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

EVENTS

Monday, November 7th 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Anthony Horowitz will be here discussing his Sherlock Holmes novel

The House of Silk

Horowitz, the author of the Alex Ryder series, was commissioned by the Arthur Conan Doyle estate to write this novel and we are hearing great things. Otto says it is the best SH novel he’s read, excluding those written by Doyle. Horowitz will be signing the U.S. edition only. $27.99

Author and scholar Michael Dirda will also be here to discuss his book, On Conan Doyle. $19.95

Tuesday, November 8th 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

The Mysterious Bookshop and Akashic Books will celebrate the release of New Jersey Noir.

Editor Joyce Carol Oates will be here along with contributors including Bradford Morrow, S.J. Rozan, Jonathan Santlofer, Edmund White, Sheila Kohler, Gerald Stern, Michael Carroll, S.A. Solomon, C.K. Williams, Hirsh Sawney, Jeffrey Ford, and Lou Manfredo.

Hardcover $24.95

Paperback $15.95

Joyce will also sign copies of her new anthology The Corn Maiden and Other Nighmares. $24.00

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Tasha Alexander signed copies of A Crimson Warning, the latest in her Lady Emily Hargreaves series. Along with Deanna Raybourn and Laura Willig, Alexander participated in a very spirited discussion about what it takes to write historical suspense, including getting both the history and the location as accurate as possible. These three women have a huge following. $24.99

We have signed copies of The Litigators by John Grisham. Grisham’s signature appears on a tipped-in page in this, his latest legal thriller. $28.95

Chuck Palahniuk signed copies of Damned in which thirteen-year-old Madison dies and finds herself in hell. She shares a cell with a group of youngsters like herself (think The Breakfast Club here) who must trek across the Dandruff Desert and the Valley of Used Disposable Diapers to confront Satan. $24.95

Lauren Willig signed copies of The Orchid Affair, her latest novel featuring The Pink Carnation. This title came out in January but we had first editions here when she was came by for the event (see above). Laura Gray, a governess, quits her job to enter the Selwick spy school, and from there she is sent to France in the service of the master spy, the Pink Carnation. $25.95

We now have our signed copies of The Outlaw Album by Daniel Woodrell. These twelve stories feature characters on the fringes of society whose motivations include desperation - both material and psychological. $24.99

SIGNED PAPERBACK ORIGINALS

Assassin of Secrets is Q.R. Markham’s first novel which features Jonathan Chase , a CIA agent whose target is the Zero Directorate, a cabal of rogue assassins who are systematically interrogating and killing seasoned secret agents across the globe. $14.99

Deanna Raybourn, the third in our historical trio, signed The Dark Enquiry which features Lady Julia Grey. Julia, newly married to Nicholas Brisbane, finds herself embroiled in a case that leads to the exclusive Ghost Club. $14.95

Duane Swierczynski signed the first two in his trilogy of pulp thrillers. Fun & Games introduces ex-cop Charlie Hardie in a story "more exciting than whatever you’re reading right now" - Ed Brubaker. $14.99

Charlie Hardie is back in Hell & Gone, the high energy follow-up to Fun & Games. "He’s going to be around for a while. So learn to spell the last name." - Laura Lippman. $14.99

SIGNED FROM THE U.K

Bad Signs is the latest thriller from R.J. Ellory. Orphaned by an act of senseless violence, half-brothers Clarence Luckman and Elliott Danziger have been raised in state institutions. When they are seized as hostages by a convicted killer on his way to death row, their lives, bad before, take a turn for the horrific. Set in the 1960s, this is a tale of the darkness within all of us. $48.00

Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft is the latest thriller from Sweden. Malin Fors is a single mother and the most talented and ambitious detective on the Linkoping police force. She investigates the death of a man found hanging naked from a tree. Nobody seems to know the identity of the man, or maybe they never wanted to know. $50.00

Fire Storm is the latest Young Sherlock Holmes novel by Andrew Lane. Sherlock is at a loss. His friend and her father have disappeared and his attempts to solve the case take him to Scotland where there is an even darker mystery, one that involves kidnapping and bodysnatchers. $35.00

Icelight by Aly Monroe is set in 1947 as London endures its coldest winter for decades. Against this background Peter Cotton is seconded to Operation Seasnake. MI5 is in the grip of civil war and MI6 is riddled with traitors and Cotton must protect an atomic scientist caught up in a vicious homophobic witch-hunt. $50.00

FOR COLLECTORS

Top Story Murder by Anthony Berkeley, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1931. First U.S. Edition. $65.00

One of Berkeley’s rarest Roger Sheringham titles. Very good-near fine.

(Agatha Christie) A long handwritten letter. $275.00

Written on pale blue air mail letter stationery from March 1973 to G. Phelps Platt, Jr, of her American publishing house, Dodd Mead, arranging a meeting. It is signed in full, Agatha Mallowan, with a return address of Lady Mallowan. Very good condition. Accompanied by an apparently unpublished color snapshot photograph.

The Long Escape by David Dodge, Random House, NY. 1948. First Edition. $45.00

A good suspense thriller by the author of To Catch a Thief. Erasure on front endpaper, else fine in dust jacket, which has minor wear at spine ends and corners.

The Case of the Irate Witness and Other Stories by Erle Stanley Gardner, Morrow, NY. 1975. First Edition. $85.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen, Knopf, NY. 1991. First Edition. $35.00

Fine in fine dust jacket.

Dashiell Hammett: A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh Series in Bibliography) by Richard Layman, Un. Of Pittsburgh Press 1979. $40.00

Fine in boards as issued.

Enigma by Robert Harris, Random House, NY. 1995. First U.S. Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

Fine in fine dust jacket.

Sleeping Beauty by Ross Macdonald, Knopf, NY. 1973. First Edition. SIGNED. $350.00

Lew Archer novel. Name inside front cover, else a very fine, fresh copy in dust jacket.

Detective Coulson by Jack Mann, Wright & Brown, London. 1936. First Edition. $125.00

One of the great rarities of 20th century detective fiction. Not quite a very good copy, it lacks the front endpaper, has dust soiling on the covers, and the spine is lightly sunned. Still, an acceptable copy - the only copy I’ve seen in 20 years.

Seeds of Murder by Van Wyck Mason, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1930. First Edition. $75.00

An uncommon early espionage title about Captain North. Near fine in a heavily chipped and rubbed dust jacket.

(Joyce Carol Oates) Nemesis by Rosamond Smith, Dutton, NY. 1990. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Signed ‘RS’/Joyce Carol Oates. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, Ecco Press, NY. 2000. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

Oates reimagines the life of Norma Jeane Baker - better known as Marilyn Monroe. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk, Doubleday, NY. 2005. First Edition. SIGNED. $30.00

Twenty-three stomach-churning tales told by fictional writers who have been led to believe that they are at a "writer’s retreat" but who actually find themselves in desperate circumstances. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Monk’s Hood by Ellis Peters, Morrow, NY. 1981. First U.S. Edition. $65.00

The Third Chronicle of Brother Cadfael. Fine in dust jacket with trace of rubbing at spine ends.

The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters, Morrow, NY. 1983. First U.S. Edition. $45.00

The Sixth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael. Fine in fine dust jacket.

Resurrection Row by Anne Perry, St. Martin’s NY. 1981. First Edition. INSCRIBED $175.00

Precedes the U.K. edition by 20 years. The author’s scarce fourth mystery. Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket. Inscribed and signed by the author.

101 Years’ Entertainment by Ellery Queen, Ed., Little Brown, Boston. 1941. First Edition. $45.00

Relentlessly repeated volume, probably the best detective anthology of all time. Top edge a little dusty, else about fine, in a bright, near fine dust jacket with a closed tear and crease at the front hinge.

Pure Poison by Hillary Waugh, Doubleday, NY. 1966. First Edition. $20.00

The under-appreciated author was a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and was one of the first to invent the police procedural.

Kiss Your Ass Goodbye by Charles Willeford, McMillan, FL. 1987. First Edition. SIGNED. $275.00

Limited to 400 copies numbered and signed by the author. Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Chuck Palahniuk Signs Copies of DAMNED

2011-11-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Author Chuck Palahniuk stopped by the store today to sign copies of his new novel DAMNED! Signed copies are now available!

Party for HURT MACHINE by Reed Farrel Coleman 12/12/11

2011-10-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
is proud to present:

Reed Farrel Coleman
discussing his new novel
Hurt Machine

Monday, December 12th
from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Book Party for NEON PANIC by Charles Martin 12/09/11

2011-10-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
is proud to present:

Charles Martin
discussing his new novel
Neon Panic

Friday, December 9th
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Party for HEADSTONE by Ken Bruen 12/01/11

2011-10-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
is proud to present:

Ken Bruen
discussing his new novel
Headstone

Friday, December 2nd
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 10/28/11

2011-10-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest update. Sorry that there are so few copies available on some titles. This sometimes happens when we receive copies so badly damaged that we can't sell them to you, and we can't replace them.
Feeling a bit wintry here!

Have a very scary Halloween.

Sally Owen

The Mysterious Bookshop

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop

58 Warren Street

New York, NY 10007

Ph: 212-587-1011

Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

EVENTS

Tuesday, November 1st. 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate historical mystery fiction!

Tasha Alexander - A Crimson Warning

Lauren Willig - The Orchid Affair

Deanna Raybourn - The Dark Enquiry

will discuss their latest novels.

Wednesday, November 2nd. 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

The Mysterious Bookshop and Mulholland Books celebrate the work of

Duane Swierczynski - Hell and Gone

Megan Abbott - The End of Everything

Q.R. Markham - Assassin of Secrets

Lawrence Block will be our guest moderator.

Refreshments will be served

THE MYSTERIOUS PRESS HAS GONE DIGITAL!

We’re happy to announce that the website for our digital publishing imprint, MysteriousPress.com has launched!

Right now we have eBooks availabe from Ken Bruen, Thomas H. Cook, James Ellroy, Adam Hall, Mark McShane, Ellery Queen, Ross Thomas, and Donald E. Westlake - and there are many more on the way.

The website also features exclusive content and video from our authors.

Visit us at www.mysteriouspress.com to learn more, and to find out how you can win three free eBooks (contest ends November 2).

BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE...

Ken Bruen - The Book of Virtue. Biblio Mystery # 1

This is here and is being shipped out.

We have very few these still available. If you haven’t ordered yours, there’s still time. First come, first served. Numbered copies $50.00 each. Lettered copies $100.00 each.

Lawrence Block - Afterthoughts

We will begin shipping out the hardcover edition of this title next week. $35.00

Lawrence Block - The Night and the Music

We are a few weeks away from shipping out the limited edition. This will be the only hardcover edition of this title and it is limited to 100 signed copies. $150.00 We still have copies available for sale

We also have the signed trade paperback $17.95

Michael Connelly - The Drop (Harry Bosch)

Numbered Limited Edition. $150.00. Lettered Edition. $275.00 SOLD OUT

This is printed and bound and we are awaiting delivery.

UK Edition (First Trade Edition)

We are expecting this to be delivered from the UK next week. SOLD OUT

US Edition

This will be here at the end of November. It will be our Crime Collectors Club Main Selection.

Michael Connelly has been in touch and has told us that he will not be touring for this title. He has, however, told us that he will visit four stores only (and we are one of them) to sign. Crime Club members will get their copy automatically, but Michael has volunteered to inscribe copies for anyone who wants one, or who wants to give a gift for the holidays. Place your order by December 4th and we’ll make sure it arrives for the holidays.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Raymond Benson was here to sign his thriller, The Black Stiletto in which Martin Talbot discovers that his mother, now stricken with Alzheimer’s, was the renowned Black Stiletto! Back in the 1950s the Black Stiletto battled Communist spies, took on the Mafia and stalked common crooks. As Talbot struggles with the revelations about his mother, one of the Stiletto’s old enemies resurfaces with a thirst for revenge. We have very few of this title left. A Thriller/Espionage Club Main Selection. $25.95

For Special Services by John Gardner has just been reissued along with two other titles featuring James Bond. The reason we mention this is that Otto Penzler wrote the new Introduction and will sign copies. Trade Paperback. $14.95

The Blood Red Indian Summer by David Handler finds Mitch Berger and Connecticut State Trooper Des Mistry dealing with their first genuinely racially charged case in the historic New England village of Dorset. A Soft-Boiled Club Main Selection. $24.99

We have only a few copies left of Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. In this outing, the unthinkable happens: Dexter is seen doing his thing to a very deserving recipient of his brand of justice. There is also a cop killer at large in Miami and Dexter must deal with this as well as someone who wants to expose him, mimic him, and ultimately kill him. A Hard-Boiled Main Club Selection. $25.95

Plus...

Audio: We have audio copies of Headstone by Ken Bruen. Read by John Lee, this is unabridged - 5 hours on 5 CDs $26.95

The Avengers 2012 Calendar is here! $15.95. I’m excited!

FOR COLLECTORS

Murder Recalls Van Kill by Spencer Bayne, Harper, NY. 1939. First Edition. $75.00

Bibliomystery. From the library of Rex Stout, with a non-authorial inscription to him. Near fine.

Burglars Can’t Be Choosers by Lawrence Block, Random House, NY. 1977. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

First Bernie Rhodenbarr novel. Very fine in a pristine dust jacket.

The Sins of the Fathers by Lawrence Block, Dark Harvest, IL. 1992. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $175.00

First Matthew Scudder novel, with a new introduction by Stephen King. Very fine in a very fine dust jacket.

Time to Murder and Create by Lawrence Block, Dark Harvest, IL. 1993. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $200.00

Second Matthew Scudder novel, with a new introduction by Jonathan Kellerman. Very fine in a very fine dust jacket.

Burning Angel by James Lee Burke, Trice, New Orleans. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $175.00

Limited to 150 copies, numbered and signed by Burke. Very fine in slipcase.

Spanish Blood by Raymond Chandler, World, Cleveland. 1946. First Edition. $100.00

About fine in dust jacket with light wear to spine ends and a small closed tear on front panel.

Brown’s Requiem by James Ellroy, Armchair Detective Library, NY. 1994. First American Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Author’s first novel, limited to 100 copies, numbered and signed, with a new introduction by the author. Very fine, without dust jacket, as issued, in a slipcase.

$106,000.00 by Dashiell Hammett, Spivak, NY. 1943. First Edition. $125.00

Digest-sized paperback original. Upper corner of rear cover chipped, top corners of several pages at rear creased, else an unusually nice copy.

The Contintental Op by Dashiell Hammett, Spivak, NY. 1945. First Edition. $150.00

Digest-sized paperback original. Near fine with minimal rubbing at edges.

The Big Knockover by Dashiell Hammett, Random House, NY. 1966. First Edition. $75.00

Edited by Lillian Hellman. Very fine in dust jacket.

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen, Putnam, NY. 1987. First Edition. $50.00

Author’s second comic crime novel. Fine in dust jacket.

People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman, Harper, 1980. First Edition. SIGNED. $450.00

An absolutely fine, as new copy in price-clipped dust jacket.

The Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1982. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

Better Angels by Charles McCarry, Dutton, NY. 1979. First Edition. $50.00

Fine in dust jacket.

The Annex and Other Stories by John D. Macdonald, Eurographica, Helsinki. 1987. SIGNED. $200.00

Four stories collected in this edition, limited to 350 numbered copies, signed and dated. As new in stiff paper covers and dust jacket.

Promised Land by Robert B. Parker, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1976. First Edition. $300.00

Parker’s Edgar-Award winning novel. Fine in dust jacket.

The Judas Goat by Robert B. Parker, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1978. First Edition. $125.00

Parker’s fifth Spenser novel. Very fine in dust jacket.

Cutter and Bone by Newton Thornburg, Little Brown, Boston. 1976. First Edition. $50.00

The basis for the cult classic film, Cutter’s Way. Fine in dust jacket.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Party for NEW JERSEY NOIR 11/08/11

2011-10-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
will host a party
celebrating the release of

New Jersey Noir
with editor Joyce Carol Oates
and contributors
Bradford Morrow,
Jonathan Santolfer, SJ Rozan,
Edmund White, Sheila Kohler,
Gerald Stern, Michael Carroll,
S.A. Solomon, CK Williams,
Hirsh Sawney, Jeffery Ford,
and Lou Manfredo.

Join us in celebrating the publication of New Jersey Noir ($15.95 Akashic Books)
with a greeting and reception.
Copies will be available for autographs. Light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, November 8th
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Admission is Free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sherlockian Party for THE HOUSE OF SILK by Anthony Horowitz and ON CONAN DOYLE by Michael Dirda 11/07/11

2011-10-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
is proud to present:

Anthony Horowitz
discusses his new
Sherlock Holmes novel
The House of Silk

The author of the hit children's Alex Ryder series
has written a new official Sherlock Holmes novel
commissioned by the Arthur Conan Doyle estate

and Michael Dirda
discusses his nonfiction book
On Conan Doyle.

Monday, November 7th
from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY, 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 10/21/11

2011-10-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's update.

Have a great weekend.

Sally Owen
The Mysterious Bookshop
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop

58 Warren Street

New York, NY 10007

Ph; 212-587-1011

Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Weekly Update 10/21/11

ALL LAWRENCE BLOCK ALL THE TIME!

The prolific grandmaster has collected every Matt Scudder short story into one volume. We are pleased to announce that The Mysterious Bookshop will publish The Night and the Music in a hardcover edition, limited to 100 signed and numbered copies for $150.00.

In addition, Block himself is publishing a trade paperback edition, which will be signed and priced at $17.95.

Reserve a copy of The Night and the Music as soon as possible. Please specify the edition you would like.

Bookseller discounts apply.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Luminous Airplanes by Paul La Farge is a novel about America at the dawn of the twenty-first Century. In September of 2000, a young programmer returns to his home in Thebes, a town so isolated that its inhabitants have their own language. His grandfather has died and he must clean out the house where his family has lived for five generations. While he’s there, he runs into a woman he loved as a child and begins a romance where the past and the present are dangerously confused. This extraordinary novel is about love, memory, family, flying machines, dance music, and the end of the world. $25.00

Doug Magee wowed his audience when he was here with his reading and description of his latest novel, Darkness All Around. During one harrowing week Risa’s alcoholic husband, Sean, disappears and her best friend is brutally murdered. Eleven years later, Risa has remarried and Carol’s murderer has been convicted. Then, as suddenly as he disappeared, Sean returns, sober, and convinced that he murdered Carol. $25.00

Doug also signed copies of the trade paperback edition of his first novel, Never Wave Goodbye. Lena Trainor plans to spend the next couple of weeks fixing her marriage. But minutes after she puts her daughter, Sarah, on the bus to sleep-away camp, a second Camp Arno bus arrives - the real one. Magee is a thriller writer to watch! $15.00

Zone One by Colson Whitehead is a post-apocalyptic novel (and aren’t we getting a lot of those lately?). A pandemic has devastated the planet and has sorted humanity into two types: the uninfected and the infected; the living and the living dead. The worst of the plague is over and the resettlement of Manhattan has become a top priority. Armed forces have successfully reclaimed the island south of Canal Street, known as Zone One, but pockets of plague-ridden squatters remain. Mark Spitz (not the guy who won all those swimming medals at the Munich Olympics in 1972) is a member of a sweeper unit clearing lower Manhattan. Everything moves in an orderly way - and then it doesn’t! This is both a chilling horror story and a literary novel by one of the most interesting writers at work today. An Unclassifiable Crime Club Main Selection. $25.95

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders by Gyles Brandreth finds Wilde and his exhausted friend, Arthur Conan Doyle, at Bad Homburg, a spa, where they find, amongst Doyle’s fan mail, a severed finger. Then a lock of hair. And then a severed hand. The game, apparently, is not afoot. The trail leads the two of them of Rome and the Vatican and a case that involves miracles as well as murder. $50.00

Bryant & May and The Memory of Blood by Christopher Fowler finds the detectives from the Peculiar Crimes Unit involved in a murder at the New Strand Theatre. The play, The Two Murderers, seems less performance than prophecy when a cast party ends in the shocking death of the theatre owner’s son. $43.00

The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin is the second book in the Malcolm Fox series. Fox and his team from internal affairs are sent to Fife to investigate whether fellow cops covered up for a corrupt colleague. A British Crime Club Main Selection. $48.00

FOR COLLECTORS

The Specialists by Lawrence Block, Cahill, CA. SIGNED. First Hardcover Edition. $150.00

Limited to 200 numbered copies, signed, in a slipcase. Very fine book, dust jacket and slipcase.

Tabernacle by Thomas H. Cook, Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1983. First Edition. SIGNED. $50.00

A fine copy of this uncommon title by one of today’s greatest crime writers. Fine in dust jacket with wear at spine ends.

Lullaby Town by Robert Crais, Bantam, NY. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $750.00

Author’s scarcest book. An immaculate, as new copy in like dust jacket. Signed on the title page.

Dancing Bear by James Crumley, Random House, NY. 1983. First Edition. $100.00

Author’s third novel. Very fine in immaculate dust jacket.

Poseidon’s Gold by Lindsey Davis, Century, London. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00

Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1985. SIGNED. $300.00

An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

The Fala Factor by Stuart M. Kaminsky, St. Martin’s, NY. 1984. First Edition. $25.00

Toby Peters novel involving Eleanor Roosevelt and Buster Keaton in 1940s Hollywood. Very fine in dust jacket.

Smart Moves by Stuart M. Kaminsky, St. Martin’s, NY. 1986. First Edition. $25.00

Toby Peters novel involving Albert Einstein and Paul Robeson in 1940s Hollywood. Very fine in dust jacket.

Private Eye Action as You Like It by J.R. Lansdale & Lewis Shine, Crossroads Press, MA. 1998. First Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Limited to 100 hardcover copies signed by both authors. As new without dust jacket, as issued, in slipcase.

Black is the Fashion for Dying by Jonathan Latimer, Random House, NY. 1959. First Edition. $45.00

A very fine copy by this important hard-boiled writer and noted Hollywood screenwriter, in an exceptionally clean and fresh dust jacket.

Dismas Hardy by John Lescroat, Mysterious Bookshop. NY. 2008. First Edition. SIGNED. $60.00

A 40-page profile of the author’s most famous character. Limited to only 100 hardcover copies. Very fine without dust jacket, as issued.

Swing Brother Swing by Ngaio Marsh, Collins Crime Club, London. 1949. First Edition. $60.00

Name on front endpaper, top edge a bit sunned, else near fine in rubbed and lightly chipped dust jacket.

The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Reverte, Harcourt, NY. 1998. First. U.S. Edition. SIGNED. $45.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Anatomy of a Killer by Peter Rabe, Abelard-Shuman, NY. 1960. First Edition. $125.00

The only American hardcover edition by this hard-boiled author. Neat date at top of front endpaper, else fine in dust jacket with the merest trace of rubbing at spine ends.

The Backup Men by Ross Thomas, Morrow, NY. 1971. First Edition. $100.00

Fine in dust jacket which has slight fraying at spine ends.

(Ross Thomas) The Highbinders as by Oliver Bleeck, Morrow. NY. 1974. First Edition. $100.00

Fine in dust jacket.

The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1970. First Edition. $275.00

First Dortmunder novel and the basis for the Robert Redford film. The white dust jacket has a few lightly soiled spots but over all a fine, sharp copy of this increasingly difficult-to-find book.

The Chronicles of Humphrey Judd by Victor Whitechurch, Ferret Fantasy, London. 1990. First Edition. $25.00

Short story collection by the author of Thrilling Stories of the Railway. Queen’s Quorum title. These rare stories were published in magazines at the turn of the 19th century and never before collected. Limited to only 200 numbered copies, this being #11. Trace of soiling on the covers, else very fine pamphlet.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Party for Duane Swierczynski, Megan Abbott and Q. R. Markham 11/02/11

2011-10-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
and Mulholland Books
celebrate three of today's best mystery writers:

Duane Swierczynski
author of
Hell and Gone,

Megan Abbott
author of
The End of Everything

and
Q.R. Markham
author of
Assassin of Secrets
will read and discuss their latest novels.

Fellow Mulholland author and MWA Grand Master
Lawrence Block
will be our guest moderator.

Wednesday, November 2nd
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Historical Mystery Book Party with Tasha Alexander, Lauren Willig and Deanna Raybourn 11/01/11

2011-10-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
is proud to present:
An evening of historical mystery fiction at its finest!

Tasha Alexander
author of
A Crimson Warning,

Lauren Willig
author of
The Orchid Affair
and

Deanna Raybourn
author of
The Dark Enquiry

discuss their latest novels
and what it takes to write a great historical.

Tuesday, November 1st
from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Admission is free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 10/14/11

2011-10-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

The latest update appears below.

Have a lovely weekend

Sally Owen
The Mysterious Bookshop
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop

58 Warren Street

New York, NY 10007

Ph: 212-587-1011

Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Weekly Update 10/14/11

EVENT

Tuesday, October 18th 6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Doug Magee will be here to discuss and sign his latest suspense novel

Darkness All Around $25.00

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen is a literary thriller set in the not-too-distant future which features Zed, an agent from the far future whose job it is to insure that history is not changed (and there is a group from the future which would like to do just that) so that the world he comes from, the Perfect Present, is not endangered in any way. This absorbing novel challenges the reader at every turn as Zed tries to disrupt the Great Conflagration, an imminent disaster, by interfering with the lives of a CIA agent and a young Washington lawyer. A Thriller/Espionage Club Main Selection. $25.99

A Killer’s Essence is the latest grisly crime novel from Dave Zeltserman. Stan Green is a jaded New York detective who is assigned to one of the most shocking homicides of his career. There is one witness, but he’s a neurologically damaged recluse subject to hallucinations. When the murderer strikes again and again, Green’s best hope is this man and his ghoulish apparitions, but there is just a chance that this witness is not insane, but instead terrifyingly perceptive. $23.95

AWARD SEASON IN THE U.K.

Here’s a round-up of the Dagger Awards presented by the Crime Writer’s Association:

CWA Gold Dagger

Tom Franklin - Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger

Steve Hamilton - The Lock Artist

CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger

S.J. Watson - Before I Go To Sleep

CWA International Dagger

Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom - Three Seconds

CWA Dagger in the Library (Body of Work)

Mo Hayder

PAPERBACKS OF NOTE

Pegasus Books has reissued three of John Gardner’s James Bond novels:

Icebreaker, Licence Renewed, and For Special Services. $14.95 each

We have some copies of The Guardians by Canadian writer Andrew Pyper. Pyper (one of Sally’s favorite writers) steps into Stephen King territory here with the story of four men who grew up together and played on the local hockey team. Now, twenty-four years later, three of them return to their small hometown when one of their number commits suicide. Great stuff. $17.95

Who are the worst villains of all time? How many people did Agatha Christie kill with her pen? Who has really gotten away with murder? A Miscellany of Murder by The Monday Murder Club is a trivia lover’s delight as it poses and answers questions from History and Literature, to True Crime and Televison. $14.95

FOR COLLECTORS

One Night Stands by Lawrence Block, Crippen & Landru, VA. 1999. First Edition. SIGNED. $60.00

Collection of early short stories. As new in dust jacket.

Threesome by Lawrence Block, A.S.A.P. Press, CA., & Subterranean Press, MI. 1999. SIGNED. $75.00

Trilogy of novels, originally published under the Jill Emerson pseudonym. Limited to 300 copies, signed by Block and Phil Parks, the illustrator. Very fine without dust jacket, as issued.

Two For Texas by James Lee Burke, Huntington Beach, CA. 1992. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Limited to 400 copies in glassine dust jacket and slipcase. All very fine.

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly, Little Brown, Boston. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00

Third Harry Bosch novel. Very fine in dust jacket.

The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley, Random House, NY. 1978. First Edition. $100.00

Author’s second mystery and arguably the greatest private eye novel ever written. Very fine in immaculate dust jacket and without the seemingly ubiquitous remainder mark.

The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis, Hutchinson, London. 1992. First Edition. SIGNED. $175.00

Fourth Marcus Didius Falco novel. Very fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

London Dossier by Len Deighton, Cape, London. 1967. First Edition. $100.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Original Sins by Martin Edwards, Editor, Scorpion Press, Gladestry, Limited Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Collected stories limited to 85 signed numbered copies. Signed by every contributor, including Reginald Hill, Peter Lovesey, Barbara Nadel, Andrew Taylor, Charles Todd, Laura Wilson, Simon Brett, Ann Cleeves, Christopher Fowler. Fine in marbled boards with glassine cover.

L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy, Mysterious Press, NY. 1990. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

The great novel that inspired the Oscar-winning film of the same title. Fine in dust jacket.

Dead Skip by Joe Gores, Random House, N. 1972. First Edition. $100.00

Author’s second novel and the debut of the DKA team. Very fine in pristine white dust jacket, seldom found thus.

The White South by Hammond Innes, Collins, London. 1949. First Edition. $75.00

Adventure-mystery novel. Small stain on fore-edge, else a fine copy in a bright pictorial dust jacket with a closed tear on the front panel and light wear at top of spine.

A Cold Red Sunrise by Stuart M. Kaminsky, Scribners, 1988. First Edition. $75.00

Review material laid in. Winner of the Edgar for Best Novel. Very fine in dust jacket.

City Primeval by Elmore Leonard, Arbor House, NY. 1980. First Edition. $60.00

Minor bump at base of spine, else very fine in dust jacket.

A Savage Place by Robert B. Parker, Delacorte, NY. 1981. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Ceremony by Robert B. Parker, Delacorte, NY. 1982. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Parker on Writing by Robert B. Parker, Lord John Press, CA. 1985. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00

One of only 75 copies signed by Parker; there was also a 300-copy edition. Water stain on rear cover, trace of wear to leather spine tips.

Strip Jack by Ian Rankin, St. Martin’s NY. 1994. First U.S. Edition. $450.00

Very fine in dust jacket and scarce thus.

Flower in the Desert by Walter Satterthwaite,, St. Martin’s, NY. 1992. First Edition. $35.00

Very fine in dust jacket.

Chinaman’s Chance by Ross Thomas, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1978. First Edition. $125.00

Very fine in a dazzling dust jacket.

Twilight at Mac’s Place by Ross Thomas, Mysterious Press, NY. 1990. First Edition. SIGNED. $75.00

Limited to 100 numbered copies signed. Very fine in slipcase. Although issued without a dust jacket, this copy has a very fine dust jacket added.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 10/07/11

2011-10-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
Ph: 212-587-1011
Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Weekly Update 10/7/11

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

A Crack in Everything by Angela Gerst introduces Susan Callisto, a former real estate lawyer who is now a political consultant for people seeking low-level office. When Charles Renfrow offers Susan a large retainer to advise his campaign for mayor, she is wary: why would a scientist like Renfrow want to be mayor of a small Massachusetts town? Finding the answer to that question takes Susan through a maze of toxic secrets. $24.95

Death in the City of Light by David King is true-crime at its best. In Nazi-occupied Paris a serial killer was at work. Decapitated heads and body parts surfaced in the Seine and the Brigade Criminelle under Commissaire Georges-Victor Massau (an inspiration for Simenon’s Inspector Maigret) was charged with finding this fiend. The main suspect was Dr. Marcel Petiot, a charming and charismatic physician known for his many acts of kindness and generosity, not least of which was providing free medical care to the poor. A fascinating story. $26.00

Pirate King by Laurie R. King finds Mary Russell investigating rumors (sorry, make that rumours) of criminal activity surrounding the filming of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. Randolph Fflytte, megalomaniacal king of England’s silent-film industry, has recruited real buccaneers to lend authenticity to his film but during the filming, those “extras” are ignoring Fflytte and paying attention only to their dangerous outlaw leader. As movie make-believe becomes true terror, Russell and Holmes must, with cat-like tread, restore order. A Soft-Boiled Club Main Selection. $25.00

The Visible Man by Chuck Klosterman is told through the voice of Victoria Vick, a therapist whose patient, Y-, claims to own a “cloak” which renders him invisible. Using that cloak, Y- observes individuals, usually when they are alone and vulnerable. Vick becomes obsessed with her patient and, over time, his disturbing tales threaten her career, her marriage, and her own identity. An Unclassifiable Crime Club Main Selection. $25.00

The Best American Noir of the Century, edited by James Ellroy and Otto Penzler, is now available in trade paperback. This is signed by Otto. $16.95

In Ghost Hero by S.J. Rozan, Lydia Chin is hired to track down a rumor: that there are new paintings by Chinese painter Chau Chun - Ghost Hero Chau - a brilliant artist whose works are highly prized. This rumor is racing through Manhattan, but something is amiss: not only has Chau been dead for twenty years, Lydia’s client is not who he claims to be. $25.99

The Ronin’s Mistress by Laura John Rowland is set in Japan in 1703. Forty-seven warriors storm the estate of the shogun’s master of ceremonies, Kira Yoshinaka. “You know why we’re here” they tell him before cutting off his head and parading it through the streets. Sano Ichiro, Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People, is assigned to investigate the murder. $25.99

Pre-Order

We will be getting signed copies of Damned by Chuck Palahniuk, but would like to get an idea of how many copies we will need: A thirteen-year-old girl finds herself in Hell, but can find no explanation for how, or why, she’s there. Palahniuk says of his novel “If The Shawshank Redemption had a baby by The Lovely Bones and it was raised by Judy Blume.” $24.95

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.

The Fear Index by Robert Harris features Dr. Alex Hoffmann, a visionary scientist whose computer software turns everything it touches into gold. Together with his partner, an investment banker, Hoffmann has developed a revolutionary form of artificial intelligence that tracks human relations, enabling it to predict movements in the financial markets with uncanny accuracy. Then somebody breaks into his house and Hoffman finds himself in a nightmare of paranoia and violence. By the time night falls, the financial markets will be in turmoil and Hoffman’s world - and ours - transformed forever. $48.00

FOR COLLECTORS

(Lawrence Block) Lawrence Block Bibliography 1958-1993, A.S.A.P. Press, CA. 1993. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00
Limited to only 30 copies of the Contributor’s Edition. Additional material by Charles Ardai, Philip Friedman, Wendy Hornsby, and Phil Parks (Illustrator). Signed by Block and all contributors. Very fine grade paperback in a gray buckram slipcase.

Ehrengraf for the Defense by Lawrence Block, A.S.A.P. Press, Ca., 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00
Limited to 250 numbered copies; there also were 36 lettered and presentation copies produced. Handsomely bound in gray linen and enclosed in a stiff plastic slipcase. Signed by Block, Edward D. Hoch (who wrote the introduction), and Phil Parks (illustrator). Very fine book and slipcase.

Priest by Ken Bruen, Scorpion Press, Gladestry, 2006. First Edition. SIGNED. $450.00
A Jack Taylor novel. Limited to only 16 lettered copies, signed by Bruen and Simon Kernick, who wrote the introduction. Bound in marbled boards and leather spine, stamped in gold. Pristine copy in a clear Mylar dust jacket.

Cross by Ken Bruen, Scorpion Press, Gladestry. First Edition. SIGNED. $450.00
A Jack Taylor novel. Limited to only 16 lettered copies, signed by Bruen, Denise Mina who wrote the introduction, and the publisher. Bound in marbled boards and leather spine, stamped in gold. Pristine copy in a clear Mylar dust jacket.

Uisce by Ken Bruen, A.S.A.P. Press, Ca. 2009. First Edition. SIGNED. $400.00
A hardcover bound in green linen. Limited to only 50 numbered copies (there also was a lettered edition of 26 copies and 10 P.C. copies and eight collector’s copies). This copy is marked Presentation Copy. Signed by Bruen, Michael Connelly (who wrote the introduction), Jan Burke (who wrote the afterword, and Phil Parks (illustrator). Very fine in plastic case. Scarce.

To the Bright and Shining Sun by James Lee Burke, Cahill, CA. 1992. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $175.00
Limited to 400 copies in slipcase. Book and slipcase both very fine.

The Collection by James Crumley, Picador, London. 1991. First Edition. SIGNED. $225.00
Omnibus containing The Wrong Case, The Last Good Kiss, and Dancing Bear, as well as a new introduction by the author. There was no U.S. edition. Very fine in dust jacket.

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, Viking, NY. 1971. First Edition. $75.00
The basis for the superb suspense film of the same title. A fine copy in dust jacket, which the price inked out but is otherwise unusually fine and clean. Not a rare book, but a title that generally turns up in well-read (i.e. grubby) condition.

Bonecrack by Dick Francis, Michael Joseph, London. 1971. First Edition. SIGNED. $200.00
Very fine in dust jacket.

The Year of the Scorpion by Michael Hartland, Scorpion Press, Bristol. 1991. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00
Limited to only 75 copies, handsomely bound in marbled boards and quarter leather. With an appreciation by Eric Homberger and Ted Allbeury. As new in glassine dust jacket. Signed by Hartland.

Naked Came the Manatee by Carl Hiaasen and 12 other writers, First Edition.SIGNED. $200.00
Serial novel. Contributors include Elmore Leonard, James W. Hall, and Dave Barry. Very fine in dust jacket. This copy is signed by every contributor.

The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman, Harper, NY. 1982. First Edition. SIGNED. $400.00
An absolutely fine, as new copy in dust jacket.

Wine of the Dreamers by John D. MacDonald, Greenberg, NY. 1951. First Edition. $300.00
Author’s first hardcover, a science fiction novel. About fine in dust jacket, which has a mildly sunned spine and a small chip on rear panel.

(John D. MacDonald) A Macdonald Potpourri by Walter & Jean Shine, Un. Of Florida Libraries, FL. 1989. First Edition. $125.00
An invaluable reference, without which it is impossible to determine the first printings of MacDonald’s books. Very fine.

On Crime Writing by Ross Macdonald, Capra Press, CA. 1973. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00
The hardcover issue, limited to 250 numbered copies, signed by Macdonald. A slight trace of rubbing to foot of spine, a light mark on front cover, else fine.

The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte, Harcourt, NY. 1996. First U.S. Edition. $100.00
Author’s second book - an outstanding bibliomystery. Very fine in dust jacket.

(Reference) 1001 Midnights by Bill Pronzini & Marcia Muller, Arbor House, NY. 1986. First Edition. $200.00
Massive guide to 1001 titles of mystery fiction. Little bumped at base of spine, else very fine, fresh copy in a pristine dust jacket.

The Money Harvest by Ross Thomas, Morrow, NY. 1975. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00
Fine in a fine dust jacket, which has a tiny chip at top of spine.

The Sands of Windee by Arthur Upfield, Angus & Robertson, Sydney. 1959. First Australian Edition. $150.00
Napoleon Bonaparte book first published in England in 1931 and now impossibly rare. A fine copy in dust jacket, which has a closed tear at top of spine.

The Heat Islands by Randy Wayne White, St. Martin’s, NY. 1992. First Edition. $250.00
Author’s second Doc Ford novel. Fine in dust jacket, which is lightly rubbed at edges and corners.

Sally
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 09/30/11

2011-09-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

This week's update is chock-full of goodies!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sally Owen
The Mysterious Bookshop
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop

58 Warren Street

New York, NY 10007

Ph: 212-587-1011

Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Weekly Update 9/30/11

BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS

:( Rob Stroud, who has been Otto’s assistant for the last seven years is leaving us to return to his home town of Atlanta. We’ll miss him lots.

:) Alex Hess has taken Rob’s place and we’re sure you’ll join us in welcoming her to her position as assistant to Mr. Mystery.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks is not a mystery, but it is getting terrific reviews, and we have signed first editions. The story features The Kid, who is on probation after doing time for a liaison with an underage girl, but the novel is really about making moral decisions and the indistinct boundaries between our intentions and our actions. $25.99

A Mortal Terror is the sixth Billy Boyle World War II Mystery by James R. Benn. As investigator for both the Boston cops and General Eisenhower, Lieutenant Billy Boyle has never encountered a serial killer. Until now. The murderer he’s after has a chilling agenda: taking out the top American brass on the eve of one of the major battles of World War II. $25.00

We still have some first editions available of Getting Off by Lawrence Block, writing as Jill Emerson. This Hard Case Crime title is proving to be enormously popular. $25.99

A good time was had by all last Friday as we celebrated the publication of Down These Green Streets, edited by Declan Burke. We do still have some copies of this anthology of Irish crime writing signed by the eight contributors who were in town: John Connolly, Declan Hughes, Alex Barclay, Colin Bateman, Declan Burke, Stuart Neville, Arlene Hunt, and Ian Campbell Ross, who wrote the Introduction. If you didn’t pre-order this title, get in touch quickly! Trade Paperback. $34.95

James Lee Burke signed Feast Day of Fools, his third novel featuring Hackberry Holland, the Sheriff of a small Southwest Texas border town. This novel features the return of Preacher Jack Collins, a serial murderer whom The New York Times called "one of Burke’s most inspired villains." Our copies are signed on the title page. $26.99

Gianrico Carofiglio signed copies of Temporary Perfections which features defense lawyer Guido Guerrieri who practices in the beautiful Italian coastal town of Bari. Guerrieri is hired by an old colleague to work a missing-persons case that the police have failed to solve. Although better suited to a detective than a lawyer, Guerrieri becomes engrossed in the case and stumbles into a sinister cover-up. $24.95

Carofiglio also signed copies of the paperback edition of his previous novel, A Walk in the Dark. Gianrico Carofiglio was an anti-Mafia prosecutor in Bari, a port on the coast of Puglia, and is now a member of the Italian Senate. He is a best-selling author in Italy. $14.95

The Affair by Lee Child is the much-anticipated title which tells the story of the first case of the legendary Jack Reacher. It is 1997 and a woman is dead with the evidence pointing to a soldier at the nearby military base; one with connections in Washington. Reacher, a soldier, is ordered undercover to find out everything he can, control the local police, and then to vanish. A Crime Collector’s Club Main Selection. $28.00

Red Flags is a novel of the Vietnam War by Vietnam vet Juris Jurjevics. Army cop Erik Rider is sent to the remote wilderness of the Central Highlands to take down a Viet Cong opium operation. He soon learns that not all enemies are beyond the perimeter and that someone wants him dead; easy enough in a combat zone. This masterly novel of soldiers and spies is getting rave reviews from other thriller writers including Olen Steinhauer and Dan Fesperman, A Thriller/Espionage Crime Club Main Selection. $26.00

Stolen Souls is Stuart Neville’s third thriller set in Belfast. Detective Inspector Jack Lennon finds himself dealing with a turf war as the Christmas season approaches. He discovers that an escaped prostitute is the cause of the violence and that he is in a deadly race against time with two very different killers. A Hard Boiled Club Main Selection. $25.00

The Best American Mystery Stories 2011 by series editor Otto Penzler and guest editor Harlan Coben is now available. Another starred review in Publisher’s Weekly! The best of the best includes stories by some of the best writers in the mystery field. A must, as always. Otto’s signature only. Trade Paperback Original. $14.95

We also have a few first editions of The Best American Mystery Stories 2010. These are signed by Otto and guest editor Lee Child. Trade Paperback Original. $14.95

UNSIGNED PAPERBACKS NOW AVAILABLE

Crimes in Southern Indiana by Frank Bill is not for the faint of heart. These stories are darker and dark and have earned high praise from Donald Ray Pollock, Jason Starr, Scott Phillips, and Derek Nikitas, so be warned. A Trade Paperback Original. $15.00

The Potter’s Field is the latest Inspector Montalbano mystery by Andrea Camilleri. This series, featuring the Sicilian police detective, is one of our most popular. A Trade Paperback Original. $15.00

The latest from Hard Case Crime is Quarry’s Ex by Max Allan Collins. This latest Quarry comes in Trade Paperback. $9.95

SIGNED FROM THE U.K.

All That I Am is Anna Funder’s second novel (after Stasiland). It tells the story of Ruth Wesemann who grew up in Germany and dedicated her life to resisting the rise of Nazism. Fleeing the country, she moves to Bloomsbury in London but discovers that Hitler’s reach extends much further than she thought, even to London itself. $43.00

The Fear by Charlie Higson is for young adults (and others) and tells the story of DogNut who lives in a London where "the sickness" has struck everyone over the age of fourteen. Children across London are being hunted by ferocious grown-ups and DogNut and the rest of his crew set out to find lost friends. But who are their friends and who are the enemy in this changed world? Higson is the author of the Young Bond series. $33.00

FOR COLLECTORS

Black Plumes by Margery Allingham, Doubleday Crime Club, 1940. First U.S. Edition. $175.00

One corner bumped, else about fine in a near-fine dust jacket with three tiny chips.

After the First Death by Lawrence Block, Macmillan, NY. 1969. First Edition. SIGNED. $250.00

Trivial rubbing at lower edge, a tiny "x" at the top of the front free endpaper, else fine in a clean, bright dust jacket with a small closed tear at the stop of the spine.

The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars by Anthony Boucher, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1940. First Edition. $250.00

Very good plus in a near fine dust jacket.

The Secret of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton, Cassell, London. 1927. First Edition. $75.00

Very good-near fine copy.

The Monkey’s Raincoat by Robert Crais, Doubleday, NY. 1993 First American Hardcover. 1993. $175.00

Hardcover edition of a paperback original published in 1987, when it was nominated for an Edgar. The author’s first book, which introduced Elvis Cole. Scarce, as only a small number of copies were produced, mainly for libraries. Very fine in dust jacket.

An Expensive Place to Die by Len Deighton, Cape, London. 1967. First Edition. $100.00

Fine in price-clipped dust jacket. The Top Secret Docket is laid in.

Deadline by John Dunning, Cahill, Huntington Beach, CA. 1995. First Hardcover Edition. SIGNED. $65.00

Hardcover edition of paperback original first published in 1981. Corners bumped, else fine.

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, Scribner, NY. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

First Stephanie Plum novel. Inscribed and signed. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Blind Pig by Jon A. Jackson, Random House, NY. 1978. First Edition. $175.00

Author’s second book. Very fine in dust jacket without the ubiquitous remainder mark.

Malice in Wonderland by Rufus King, Doubleday Crime Club, NY. 1958. First Edition. $125.00

Queen’s Quorum title. Small scuff at base of spine, else fine in dust jacket, which is lightly rubbed.

A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane, Harcourt, NY. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $125.00

Author’s superb first novel. Very fine in dust jacket.

The Steam Pig by James McClure, Gollancz, London. 1971. First Edition. $300.00

Author’s first book, winner of the British Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger. A trace of foxing on the fore-edges, else a very fine copy in pristine dust jacket.

Beyond This Point Are Monsters by Margaret Millar, Random House, NY. 1970. First Edition. $45.00

Very fine copy in a pristine dust jacket.

Spenser’s Boston (Robert B. Parker), Otto Penzler, NY. 1994. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Full-color photographs by famed Japanese photographer Kasho Kumagai. Text and introduction by Parker. Very fine in dust jacket, which has a small bump at top of spine.

Rules of Prey by John Sandford, Putnam, NY. 1989. First Edition. SIGNED. $175.00

First book in the acclaimed Lucas Davenport series. Very fine in dust jacket.

Unpopular Opinions by Dorothy L. Sayers, Gollancz, London. 1946. First Edition. $100.00

Twenty-one essays, including five about Sherlock Holmes. Former owner’s inscriptions on front endpaper, else fine in a fine dust jacket, uncharacteristically for this publisher’s cheap jackets.

The Bridge of Sighs by Olen Steinhauer, St. Martin’s, NY. 2003. First Edition. SIGNED. $150.00

Author’s first book. Very fine in dust jacket and uncommon in this condition.

One L by Scott Turow, Putnam, NY. 1975. First Edition. $175.00

Page edges very lightly spotted, else a fine copy in a bright, price-clipped dust jacket.

A Darkening Stain by Robert Wilson, HarperCollins, London. 1998. First Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Very fine, immaculate copy in dust jacket.

The House of Terror by Edward Woodward, Mystery League, NY. 1930. First U.S. Edition. $150.00

A very fine copy in a stunning, pristine dust jacket and scarce thus.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Sally's Weekly Update for 09/23/11

2011-09-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest update.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sally Owen
The Mysterious Bookshop
sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

The Mysterious Bookshop

58 Warren Street

New York, NY 10007

Ph: 212-587-1011

Fax: 212-587-1126

Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Weekly Update 9/23/11

Another Announcement from The Mysterious Bookshop!

Exciting times here at store. We no sooner announce one mouth-watering piece of news than another comes along:

AFTERTHOUGHTS by Lawrence Block

Originally published as an e-book, Lawrence Block has authorized The Mysterious Bookshop to publish this title in a limited hardcover edition.

Afterthoughts contains the author’s reflections on his career which spans more than fifty years. These more than forty-five essays talk about his work including the semi-autobiographical series featuring Matthew Scudder.

It is a must for fans of Lawrence Block.

Hardcover Edition limited to about 100 copies, each signed by the author. $35.00

Please place your orders as soon as you can since we anticipate a high demand for this title.

A reminder that our Rare Book Sale ends on September 30th. There are still some wonderful books left. Go to our website www.mysteriousbookshop.com And click on Rare Book Sale.

SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

Sara Blaedel is one of the most popular crime writers in Denmark. She stopped by the store and signed copies of Call Me Princess, which has now been translated into English. In an idyllic neighborhood of Copenhagen, a young woman is found bound an gagged, the victim of a rape. Detective Inspector Louise Rick learns that the victim met her rapist on a dating website. Louise suspects that the rapist is using the website to target future victims and immerses herself in the online dating world. $25.00

Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer stopped by to sign his first mystery, Plugged. The author of the Artemis Fowl series for children has written a wickedly funny crime caper which tells the story of Daniel McEvoy, an Irish bouncer working in New Jersey. Dan has problems, not the least of which is that the girl he loves has been murdered and the mob and the cops are after him. A First Mystery Club Main Selection. $24.95

Bye Bye, Baby is a Nathan Heller mystery from Max Allan Collins. Hooray! It is 1962 and Marilyn Monroe hires Heller to tap her phone and record conversations in case Twentieth Century Fox tries to cancel her contract for delaying the production of Something’s Got to Give. And then Marilyn is dead from an overdose, an apparent suicide. But Heller isn’t buying it. $24.99

Special Agent Pendergast is back in Cold Vengeance by Preston & Child. Devastated to discover that his wife, Helen, was actually murdered (sorry if that was a Spoiler - but if you don’t know this, then you’re probably not a fan) Pendergast wants revenge. As he stalks Helen’s betrayers, he also delves into her past and learns that Helen may have been a collaborator in her own murder. $26.99

On Canaan’s Side is the latest from Sebastian Barry. Barry has been short-listed for the Man Booker prize in the past and this tells the story of Lilly Bere’s life in her own words. As her tale unfolds, Lilly tries to make sense of her life and of the people who’s lives she has touched. Spanning nearly seven decades, this novel explores memory, war, family ties and love and loss. $25.95

FOR COLLECTORS

About the Murder of a Startled Lady by Anthony Abbott, Farrar, NY. 1935. Later Printing. SIGNED. $35.00

In this impossible crime novel, a medium states that a spirit message has told her of the location of a corpse - which turns out to be true. Inscribed and signed.

The Book of Murder by Frederick Irving Anderson, Dutton. NY. 1930. First Edition. $100.00

Scarce Queen’s Quorum title by one of the great under-rated writers of mystery stories. Spine ends worn, else very good

(Audio) The Black Lizard Collection of Black Mask Stories, edited by Otto Penzler

Volume 1: 7 hours on 6 CDs $29.95 Includes Come and Get It by Erle Stanley Gardner

Volume 2: 61/2 hours on 6 CDs $29.95 Includes The Dancing Rats by Richard Sale

Volume 3: 71/2 hours on 6 CDs $29;95 Includes The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Trent Intervenes by E.C. Bentley, Knopf, NY. 1938. First U.S. Edition. $125.00

Uncommon Queen’s Quorum title. A fine copy in dust jacket, which has light wear at spine ends and several tears on front panel.

A Morning for Flamingoes by James Lee Burke, Little Brown, Boston. 1990. First Edition. $65.00

Author’s fourth mystery. Very fine in dust jacket.

Burning Angel by James Lee Burke, Hyperion, NY. 1995. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

As new in dust jacket.

The Eyes of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah, Grant Richards, London. 1923. First Edition. $250.00

Uncommon collection of detective stories about a blind detective. Covers a bit soiled, else very good.

Serenade by James M. Cain, Knopf, NY. 1937. First Edition. $200.00

Heel or spine and one corner bumped, else very good in dust jacket which is chipped at spine ends and rear cover.

The Department of Queer Complaints by Carter Dickson, Morrow, NY. 1940. First Edition. $45.00

Queen’s Quorum collection of locked room mysteries. Cover lightly soiled, three-quarter inch split at bottom of front hinge, else very good.

The Adventures of Tyler Tatlock by Dick Donovan, Chatto & Windus, London. 1900. First Edition. $200.00

Short collection by hugely popular Victorian mystery writer. Gold spine lettering dulled, tiny ding at bottom of spine, else very good in a handsome pictorial binding.

Seventy-Seven Clocks by Christopher Fowler, Doubleday, London. 2005. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Bryant & May mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket.

White Corridor by Christopher Fowler, Doubleday, London. 2007. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Bryant & May mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Victoria Vanishes by Christopher Fowler, Doubleday, London. 2008. First Edition. SIGNED. $35.00

Bryant & May mystery. Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Bus That Vanished by Leon Groc, Macaulay, NY. 1928. First Edition. $50.00

An "impossible" crime set in Paris, in which a bus disappears from a restricted area. Name, else about fine in dust jacket, which is worn at hinge of front flap and is lightly rubbed.

The Blackbirder by Dorothy B. Hughes, Duell, Sloane & Pearce, NY. 1943. First Edition. $125.00

Gift inscription on front endpaper, a small bookseller’s label inside front cover, else a fine copy in dust jacket, which is fine and bright except for a small chip at top of spine and another on the rear panel.

Vicious Circle by Robert Littell, Overlook, NY. 2006. First Edition Thus. $24.95

Fine in fine dust jacket.

The Old Man in the Corner by Baroness Orczy, Greening, London. 1909. First Edition. $150.00

Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone and Queen’s Quorum title. Spine ends and hinges worn, else near very good.

Raffles After Dark by Barry Perowne, Cassell, London. 1933. First Edition. SIGNED. $100.00

Small spot on rear cover, bubbling of cloth along front hinge, as usual due to the binder’s glue, else a near fine, bright copy. An inscribed presentation copy, signed by the author and dated in the year of publication.

Death from a Top Hat by Clayton Rawson, Putnam, NY. 1938. First Edition. $125.00

Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone, and one of the great locked room mysteries. The first Great Merlini novel. Spine sunned and rubbed at spine ends, else very good.

Once Against the Law by Donald E. Westlake and William Tenn, Macmillan, NY. 1968. First Edition. $35.00

An uncommon anthology of literary crime and mystery stories. Fine in dust jacket.

Sally

sally@mysteriousbookshop.com

Exclusive Photos From Our Party for Hard Case Crime with Lawrence Block and Christa Faust

2011-09-23T09:48:00.001-07:00

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Otto with Jeffery Deaver

2011-09-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Jeffery Deaver dropped by this summer to sign his new James Bond novel CARTE BLANCHE. Here he is with our own Otto Penzler!