Good Reads

Some good books both to help you operate more effectively and some just to enjoy, always with bookselling in mind.

The Desert Moon Mystery. Kay Cleaver Strahan

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The Desert Moon Mystery—Kay Cleaver Strahan–1928—used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three picks, that I tend to enjoy the Golden Age Of Mysteries. The time period of the 20’s 30’s, and for me into the 40’s. Back in the day, as they say, mysteries tended to involve puzzles, upper class victims, … Read more

Elaine Viets Discusses the Tourist Problem in Florida–Via Her Novel, Of Course

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One of my favorite traditional authors is Elaine Viets who writes two different series, one set in St. Louis, the other in Florida. Her Helen Hawthorne Florida series is witty, character laden, and downright great. I hope to have a full interview with Ms. Viets soon. But until then, here is her blog from The … Read more

The Secret Beyond the Door. Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

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  The Secret Beyond the Door-(original title: Museum Piece No.13)–Rufus King-1946–Doubleday Crime Club–OOP I chose to use the title under which I read the book , because it’s sooooo Gothic in feel, lol. It was made into a film, and one that closely sticks to the book, unusually so. Lily, a widow with money who … Read more

The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time–Ten More Titles

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The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time–10 Titles-Number 2    Stone Quarry—  S. J. Rozan  1999-St. Martin’s Press-IP   To read a synopsis go here:   https://bookshopblog.com/2011/11/05/no-79-stone-quarry-best-100-mysteries-of-all-time/           Billy Dead—Lisa Reardon–Viking Publishers-1998–IP   To read a synopsis of the book go here:  https://bookshopblog.com/2011/08/12/no-90-billy-dead-best-100-mysteries-of-all-time/       Murder Between the Covers—Elaine Viets–2003—-IP   To … Read more

The Innocent Mrs. Duff–Best 100 Mysteries of All Time

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The Innocent Mrs. Duff —   Elizabeth Sanxay Holding-1946-used I read Number 100, only recently. And had to jam it into the list, somewhere. Maybe it belongs a lower number, I don’t know and won’t try to figure it out, my mind has lost its ability to discern between good great and greatest, to coin a … Read more

The Ship That Sailed To Mars

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When my best friend’s mother passed away, Bob wanted to give me a thousand dollars from her estate to do with as I pleased. I was gobsmacked. I loved his mother, of course, and was saddened by her passing. She had been ill for years with dementia, and Bob had been there for her throughout, … Read more