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Bookshop Mysteries: Five Bibliomysteries by Bestselling Authors
Five thrilling tales of mystery, mayhem, and murder from an exceptional quintet of Edgar, CWA Dagger, and National Book Award winners. Crime and literature make strange and sinister bedfellows in this winning anthology of book-themed whodunits by five acclaimed masters of mystery and suspense. Multiple award-winning, bestselling authors provide the literary thrills and chills in this masterful collection of five ingeniously puzzling mysteries that belong in the library of every crime fiction aficionado. Dead Dames Don’t Sing by John Looking for a big payday but finding big trouble instead, ex-London-cop-turned-private-investigator Jack Kiley attempts to uncover the true origins of a controversial, pseudonymously written pulp novel. The Travelling Companion by Ian A young Scotsman in Paris is drawn into a shocking mystery that resides within the pages of an unpublished manuscript allegedly penned by Robert Louis Stevenson. Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol When an obsessive collector of bookstores discovers a charming new shop, he decides he must have it at any cost—even if he has to commit murder. Remaindered by Peter For some nefarious reason, the widow and former associates of a slain gangster are determined to keep the Precious Finds Bookstore open following the unfortunate demise of the shop’s owner. The Book Thing by Laura Private investigator Tess Monaghan must help the irascible proprietor of a Baltimore children’s bookstore keep her business afloat by unmasking an elusive and utterly ingenious book thief.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
141 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
John Harvey
283 books206 followersaka Jon Barton, William S. Brady (with Angus Wells), L.J. Coburn (with Laurence James), J.B. Dancer (with Angus Wells), John B. Harvey, William M. James (with Terry Harknett and Laurence James), Terry Lennox, John J. McLaglen (with Laurence James), James Mann, Thom Ryder, J.D. Sandon (with Angus Wells), Jon Hart
John Harvey (born 21 December 1938 in London) is a British author of crime fiction most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick novels, based in the City of Nottingham. Harvey has also published over 90 books under various names, and has worked on scripts for TV and radio. He also ran Slow Dancer Press from 1977 to 1999 publishing poetry. The first Resnick novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series. The protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre. On 14th July 2009 he received an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Nottingham in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick novels). He is also a big Notts County fan.
John Harvey (born 21 December 1938 in London) is a British author of crime fiction most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick novels, based in the City of Nottingham. Harvey has also published over 90 books under various names, and has worked on scripts for TV and radio. He also ran Slow Dancer Press from 1977 to 1999 publishing poetry. The first Resnick novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series. The protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre. On 14th July 2009 he received an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Nottingham in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick novels). He is also a big Notts County fan.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 31, 2021
Good stories.
January 7, 2020
This book is comprised of five stories by different authors, set in bookstores. The authors are well-known mystery writers whose books I have read and liked, including Ian Rankin and Peter Lovesey. I enjoyed the book in its entirety and as so often happens with 'short stories', wished some of the stories were longer!
November 27, 2025
I enjoyed the premise.
May 9, 2024
A collection of mysteries (murder, robbery, book theft) all set in and around bookshops. Some very tense stories and some more light-hearted.
Read
January 30, 2025Notes: Read in singles. Individual reviews for included stories can be found here:
- Dead Dames Don't Sing
- The Travelling Companion
- Mystery, Inc.
- Remaindered
- The Book Thing
- Dead Dames Don't Sing
- The Travelling Companion
- Mystery, Inc.
- Remaindered
- The Book Thing
February 13, 2022
I enjoy mysteries and love bookshop settings, so this set of short stories seemed to be a good choice for me. Overall it was, although I was a bit baffled by a couple of the stories:
Dead Dames Don’t Sing by John Harvey: This one was OK - not my favourite. The mystery was really about who wrote the manuscript, which was a different theme of mystery than my usual fare, and that was enjoyable.
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin: This one seemed odd to me. I was perplexed by the ending, which seemed insufficient. I really don't know what will happen next with the protagonist. All around a bit distressing.
Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates: I loved this story except for the ending. The characters were so well drawn and interesting. I loved the history of the characters' lives that was revealed to us. But I really have no clue what happened to the character who wanted to purchase the bookshop at the end. It was a very strange ending and I think maybe
Remaindered by Peter Lovesey: All around good story and interesting twist at the end.
The Book Thing by Laura Lippman: My favourite story of the bunch.
Dead Dames Don’t Sing by John Harvey: This one was OK - not my favourite. The mystery was really about who wrote the manuscript, which was a different theme of mystery than my usual fare, and that was enjoyable.
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin: This one seemed odd to me. I was perplexed by the ending, which seemed insufficient. I really don't know what will happen next with the protagonist. All around a bit distressing.
Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates: I loved this story except for the ending. The characters were so well drawn and interesting. I loved the history of the characters' lives that was revealed to us. But I really have no clue what happened to the character who wanted to purchase the bookshop at the end. It was a very strange ending and I think maybe
Remaindered by Peter Lovesey: All around good story and interesting twist at the end.
The Book Thing by Laura Lippman: My favourite story of the bunch.
January 27, 2022
Nice collection of well known mystery writers
z
TVI was pleasantly surprised by this book. I am not usually a reader of short stories, but enjoyed all of these.
The bookshop settings were wonderful.
z
TVI was pleasantly surprised by this book. I am not usually a reader of short stories, but enjoyed all of these.
The bookshop settings were wonderful.
October 29, 2022
These five bookish mysteries is each unique unto itself, (though several have a common point of interest-- a rare manuscript). A step above traditional whodunnits, several of these stories are steeped in literary references as well. Enjoyed.
March 14, 2023
Well worth buying
You get 5 bibliomysteries in this one set. They were all very good, but my favorite was Mystery,Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates. That was a really creepy story. Ian Rankin's also stood out. I recommend all the Bibliomysteries.
You get 5 bibliomysteries in this one set. They were all very good, but my favorite was Mystery,Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates. That was a really creepy story. Ian Rankin's also stood out. I recommend all the Bibliomysteries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
An entertaining set of mystery short stories all centered around small bookstores.
February 2, 2023
For some reason I had a bit of trouble following these at times. I really liked the last one though.
July 12, 2023
I listened to this on audiobook format.
I liked the overarching theme of books, bookstores, readers, writers etc. I found these short stories varied enough to keep each one interesting.
I liked the overarching theme of books, bookstores, readers, writers etc. I found these short stories varied enough to keep each one interesting.
October 25, 2023
Anthology of 5 mysteries set in bookshop. All the authors were new to me, except Peter Lovesey. I would be definitely looking for books by all these authors. The setting in the bookshops was enticing. Each of them had references to numerous classic mystery writers.
Dead Dames Don’t Sing by John Harvey: 4* . A private detective is enlisted to find the authenticity of a manuscript of a rare unpublished mystery novel by a long dead popular Poet. This has a very interesting and satisfactory ending
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin: 3.5 *. Inspired by Jekyll and Hyde.
Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates: 4 * My favorite from the lot, except for the ending. The writing was too good. And I immediately started looking for other books by JCO
Remaindered by Peter Lovesey: 4.5* - Nice mystery with a twist in the end
The Book Thing by Laura Lippman: 4.5 * - Intriguing mystery of book theft, that too of not-so-rare illustrated children's book.
Dead Dames Don’t Sing by John Harvey: 4* . A private detective is enlisted to find the authenticity of a manuscript of a rare unpublished mystery novel by a long dead popular Poet. This has a very interesting and satisfactory ending
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin: 3.5 *. Inspired by Jekyll and Hyde.
Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates: 4 * My favorite from the lot, except for the ending. The writing was too good. And I immediately started looking for other books by JCO
Remaindered by Peter Lovesey: 4.5* - Nice mystery with a twist in the end
The Book Thing by Laura Lippman: 4.5 * - Intriguing mystery of book theft, that too of not-so-rare illustrated children's book.
February 22, 2024
I wanted to give this five stars, but then I'd have no room for a book that exceptionally blows my socks off. However, this collection was top quality and I enjoyed not only the incorporation of and nods to other authors into the tales but the overall energy and literary prose that reminded me of my favorite classical authors. I will keep my eye on a few of these authors, and I am glad to have found this audiobook on YouTube, where the majority of my new reads (or listens) are found.
November 8, 2025
Turns out there are SEVERAL books pulled into these compilation's. A few duplicates from previous, I think I'll just stick with one option to avoid the issue. The stories are okay, all based on a book theme.
October 8, 2017
Some more grim than I prefer.
Of course worth getting with that proviso. All were well written. I just prefer copies. And five more words done!
Of course worth getting with that proviso. All were well written. I just prefer copies. And five more words done!
November 29, 2017
Reall enjoyed each of these stories and give it 4 stars
January 13, 2018
I liked all 5 stories, my favorite was The Book Thing by Laura Lippman.
September 29, 2018
A very good collection of cosy mysteries concerning bookstores. Well worth reading while sipping tea and munching shortbread.
June 7, 2024
This book is a bit too creepy and strange for my tastes, but might be for someone who likes a little more psychological horror in their mystery.
February 21, 2025
Great stories.
Read
January 23, 2026Several were wonderful. One narrator was awful.
November 14, 2017
Fast reading short mystery stories set in bookstores. What's not to love?
No deep, convoluted mysteries here, but five short stories that will touch booklover's hearts. The mysteries themselves almost don't matter. The locations and the discussions between the bookloving characters are almost enough.
I live in the Philippines, where the hot, humid weather and the ubiquitous termites ensure that books are constantly under physical threat. Bookstores commonly wrap new books in plastic to protect them. Libraries are dark, humid dens of rotting books. Breaks my heart.
I have a new Kindle and have been reading on that... but it just isn't the same, no matter how comparatively environment safe it is.
No deep, convoluted mysteries here, but five short stories that will touch booklover's hearts. The mysteries themselves almost don't matter. The locations and the discussions between the bookloving characters are almost enough.
I live in the Philippines, where the hot, humid weather and the ubiquitous termites ensure that books are constantly under physical threat. Bookstores commonly wrap new books in plastic to protect them. Libraries are dark, humid dens of rotting books. Breaks my heart.
I have a new Kindle and have been reading on that... but it just isn't the same, no matter how comparatively environment safe it is.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews