Some good books both to help you operate more effectively and some just to enjoy, always with bookselling in mind.
Big Trouble—Dave Barry–Putnam–1999–in print There’s a famous saying “dying is easy, comedy is hard,” and it couldn’t be more true in the case of humor author, Dave Barry and his first crime novel. So many seem to look down upon the satirical and or downright funny mystery, as if the fact the it’s not all … Read more
Billy Dead—Lisa Reardon–Viking Publishers-1998–IP Not an ordinary crime novel. The story is shocking, hard, and to some, I’m sure, distasteful. It’s also heartrending, compassionate and creates a reality so strong, the characters and events linger long long after the pages have been read and the book closed and perhaps traveling on to the next reader. … Read more
Want to check out a house in the shape of a shoe? Or a duck? How about a building shaped like a cup of snowball ice? Maybe you prefer a cemetery safari–poking among tombstones, reading inscriptions, taking photo ops. Some places have buried the famous, such as Mother Goose, and some, the infamous, like axe … Read more
Murder Between the Covers—Elaine Viets–IP Oh what a perfect book for independent booksellers to revel in. The action takes place in a chain store, albeit a small one in Florida, but still oddly reminiscent of the local B&N. And why is that? Because Ms. Viets, the author of the Dead End Job series, worked at … Read more
What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly large sums of cash for so-so reading copies of their titles? After providing a particularly thrilled recipient with a copy of Constance and Gwenyth Little’s BLACK … Read more
After finding the ABE article about books exploring the theme of twins, I became intrigued, and realized I had one of the titles in my TBR pile. It had been there quite awhile. I think because every time I’d pick it up I’d veto reading it at that moment on the basis of needing something … Read more
My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read them voraciously. Naturally, Nancy Drew titles and plots lingered in my mind long after my childhood books had been sent on to another needy family member. Judy … Read more
