The 2011 Wolfe Award Nominees Are Announced

Each year the premier fan club for Rex Stout and his mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, The Wolfe Pack,  have a banquet honoring those who have written a crime novel most in the style and spirit as a Nero Wolfe title. The lucky winner receives the Wolfe Award. Here are this year’s … Read more

Rex Stout and Me (sort of)

Sometimes serendipity enters a book collectors life. When I worked for A&E mysteries.com as their bookclub moderator, I  wrote articles and interviewed authors etc., but I also had conversations via comments, just like here. I noticed on one mystery board, a woman was asking anyone who may have info how she could sell a collection … Read more

Talk About A Targeted Audience–Booksellers, Please Weigh In

“My new favorite number: 17 — That’s where Sentenced to Death will hit on the NYTimes Bestsellers list for mass market paperbacks. And to make it just a little bit sweeter, it also hit #1 on Bookscan’s mass market mystery list. Yes! There’s a martini with my name on it.” This is the author Lorna … Read more

The Desert Moon Mystery. Kay Cleaver Strahan

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

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

  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

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

Mystery Loves Company Booksellers To Host Author Donna Andrews

  From the Mystery Loves Company Booksellers Facebook Page: “It is official Donna Andrews will sign “The Real Macaw” on Saturday June 23 in Oxford at Mystery Loves Company. We’ll finally find out what Meg names the twins. Please join us for a fun afternoon. Reserve a book and rsvp by calling the store.” Mystery Loves … Read more