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Book lovers and mystery fans should head to the Tribeca area of Manhattan for the oldest and largest mystery specialist bookstore in all of America, the world-famous Mysterious Bookshop. Opened in 1979 by Otto Penzler, this much-beloved bookstore is a must-see for any New Yorker or visitors who want to experience authentic, old-school New York charm, long before so many of its unique shops were taken over by big box stores or name-brand coffee shops.
Here are all the important details on the renowned Mysterious Bookshop, a unique place where readers are bound to get wrapped up in a mystery or two.
A Whodunit For The Ages
Opened in 1979 by Otto Penzler, he was determined to transform the genre of crime fiction, which, while always popular, did not always command the appreciation of the literary world. As founder of The Mysterious Press, Penzler is the editor of countless mystery anthologies that command worldwide attention. His office, located inside the bookstore, is roped off by yellow police tape warning "Crime Scene Do Not Cross" to all who peruse the bookshelves.
Stepping into The Mysterious Bookshop is an often awe-inspiring experience. Everywhere you look, from the floor to the incredibly high ceilings where books can only be reached by a ladder, from the shelves, tables, and stands--any available space--is taken up by mysteries, detective yarns, criminal fiction, and murderous tales. For those truly devoted to the genre, check out one of the sections that is called Bibliomysteries, a term Penzler coined that refers to mysteries involving other mystery books. The entire bookshop is not just a place to get a good mystery recommendation and purchase a great read; it is practically a shrine to a beloved genre that seeks to spook, surprise, and confound its readers.
Mysterious Bookshop Is The Place For Sherlock Holmes Fans
What mystery shop would be complete without the ultimate detective himself? And Mysterious Bookshop doesn't just have a decent selection of Sherlock Holmes books--it has, quite literally, the largest collection in the world. The shop has original first editions and even marks Sherlock's birthday every year with an open house. Could travelers lose themselves in the famous detective's section? Of course! Or rather, "Elementary, my dear Watson..."
Innocent Until Proven Guilty With These Crime Clubs
One of the most endearing features of The Mysterious Bookshop are the many crime clubs its fans and literature lovers can join. From its early days as a bookshop, Penzler offered readers a chance to join one of their subscription clubs which gave book lovers the ability to receive signed first editions from popular mystery authors. Club members receive a signed first edition every month.
Here is a list of The Mysterious Bookshop's eight crime clubs:
- The Crime Collector's Club: for readers looking to collect books from bestselling authors in the genre
- The First Mystery Club: a club for debut authors as well as noted authors that are trying their hand at the mystery genre
- The Hardboiled & Noir Club: for those who love gritty detectives taking on the dark underbelly of crime...
- The Traditional & Historical Club: the very best in traditional and historical mystery literature
- The British Crime Collectors' Club: for those who are eager to receive a first edition published straight from the United Kingdom
- The Thriller & Espionage Club: if a Bond-style thriller is what you are looking for, this is your club
- The Unclassifiable Club: not quite mysteries, but that's okay because this club offers the best first editions to a wide range of simply great reads
- The Psychological Suspense Club: not content to simply solve a mystery, why not get into the minds of the killer themselves? This is the club that will leave readers unsettled as they delve into the human psyche.
For travelers visiting New York City or New Yorkers who just can't put down a good book, head to Tribeca for a bookstore that possesses old-school charm. Stacked with mystery books from floor to ceiling, this store features murder, jaded detectives, and unsettling truths. Can you handle it? Join one of their many crime clubs and find out. Or, for those who just want to expand their love of literature and rediscover the genre of mystery, The Mysterious Bookshop features great books, knowledgeable staff, and cozy corners to crack open a book and get lost in. For this largest mystery bookshop in America, readers will delight in discovering a treasured tale every time they step inside. And what is life, of course, without a little suspense and mystery to it? As the sign on the door says, "Come in and Sleuth Around,"...