Who is Too Fond of Books? I’m Dawn, welcome to my book blog! This is the place for book reviews, author interviews, giveaways, Spotlight on Bookstores series, bookish musings, and news from the publishing world.
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Spotlight on Bookstores: *The Poisoned Pen* in Scottsdale
 This week’s “Spotlight on Bookstores” was written by Kay of My Random Acts of Reading. Kay chats about a very special bookstore in Old Town Scottsdale – one that focuses on crime fiction, and has been a place for Kay to connect with favorite authors and blogging buddies … she has plans to meet up with other bloggers IRL the next time she’s in Scottsdale. In this post she mentions Louise Penny, an author said to write mysteries in a literary style; that was enough to convince me to pick up Penny’s latest book, Bury Your Dead.
 Can you fall in love with a bookstore in a town you don’t even live in? Sure you can! I always make time on any vacation to check out the local bookstores. It’s a fun activity for me during a more laid back time, plus it’s always good to support independents. My husband and I live in Austin, Texas. However, we’ve made two midwinter trips (so far!) to Scottsdale, Arizona so that my spouse can play golf and I go along to read, of course, and visit one of the premier mystery bookstores in this country, The Poisoned Pen.
If you are a mystery lover and you’re ever the Phoenix area, take some time to visit Old Town in Scottsdale. There you will find The Poisoned Pen, an independent bookstore founded by Barbara Peters in 1989. Barbara and her husband, Robert Rosenwald, created the Poisoned Pen Press in 1997. They publish a select group of books each year. The bookstore’s specialty is crime fiction and there are several fabulous author events each week. The store itself is not terribly large, but it is a mystery reader’s dream. The “necessary” room is even papered with book info. They are known for their Southwest authors, their autographed first editions, and a wide assortment of British crime novels. I can’t explain how much I love this store. Hours can pass while I meander from shelf to shelf and my stack at the front desk gets larger and larger. The staff is very knowledgeable and always willing to assist should you need it.
My first trip to The Poisoned Pen was a special highlight because I was able to attend two author events and meet a longtime blogging friend, Lesa Holstine. First, I got to see one of my favorite mystery writers, Donis Casey, who writes historical mysteries set in early 20thcentury Oklahoma. Donis had provided the group attending with a taste of the pie recipes she included in the book she was promoting at the time. Luscious!
 A few days later, I saw Barbara Peters interview Louise Penny, author of the award winning Canadian crime series set in Three Pines featuring Chief Inspector Gamache. What a treat that was! Ms. Penny had been gracious enough to talk with my mystery book group a few months earlier by phone, and it was wonderful to get to meet her in person and listen as she described her writing process for this well-loved series.
The Poisoned Pen’s website has lots of info about the books they have available. They do a brisk online business, I believe. There are also videos of many interviews that Ms. Peters has conducted with authors over the years. Their blog is Poisoned Fiction Review.
My mission in life is clear. Take a winter vacation to Scottsdale each year, visit The Poisoned Pen, and meet and greet favorite mystery authors. Also, acquire many books so that I do my part to keep a wonderful independent bookstore in business. Oh, and meet more blogging friends at said bookstore. On my next trip, I hope to see Lesa of Lesa’s Book Critiques again and also meet Cathy of Kittling: Books. You guys hear that??
Thanks for sharing your story about The Poisoned Pen, Kay! I promise to visit if I’m ever in the area (yes, I agree, it’s easy to fall in love with a bookstore; even one far from home!). Readers, please note that while Kay is no longer updating My Random Acts of Reading, her archives are available online, and she’s still reading/visiting other book blogs.
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I hear you loud and clear, Kay!
You know… of all the times I’ve been to the Poisoned Pen, I’ve never been to the necessary room. I’ll have to check it out next time!
I’m beginning to think that I almost met you 2-3 years ago. I was waiting to pay for my tall pile of books, and a man ahead of me said, “I come here for the golf, but my wife is in here somewhere stocking up on her reading first!”
Sounds like a bookstore I could fall in love with, too.
I love that bookstore! What fun to remember it now that I don’t live there!
Would you believe I have never been to The Poisoned Pen? But I hope if you go there, you also plan to meet Jill of Rhapsody in Books! Jim of Rhapsody in Books could take your husband away to play golf! :–)
I have visited Scottsdale a number of times and have never seen this store! Shame on me! I’ll definitely have to keep this in mind the next time we go (and I will send my hubby out with Jill’s hubby to divert their attention…)
Kay, I admire your mission in life. Very worthy.
I’m already a Poisoned Pen customer although I’ve never been in the store. They have a wonderful newsletter which outlines upcoming events and suggests good books that the staff likes.
Visiting this bookstore is on my list of places I must visit. Sorry, no golf-playing husband to through into the pot, er, foursome.
I’m thrilled to find others who love The Poisoned Pen as well. Jill and Sandy, I think that sounds like a plan – send the husbands to golf, do a little book shopping, maybe a pedicure, lunch, a massage – what do you think? LOL
I’m glad to spread the word about my favorite mystery bookstore. Cathy and Jill, not sure we will get to Arizone this spring, but if I do, I’ll let you know.
Dawn, thanks for letting me talk about books and thank all of you for keeping me in your memory even if my blog is inactive right now. I’m still considering a new one after we get moved in the next year.
This was so wonderful – a little tour of a place I will most likely never get to visit. Lovely writing, dear Kay!
I’m loving having a list of bookstores to visit on travels!
Kay! I hear you loud and clear. I was so pleased to see this come up. And, as many times as I’ve been to the Poisoned Pen, sometimes even twice a week, I’ve never run into Cathy. I do know she went one night when I had planned to go, and wasn’t up to the drive. And, you do have to let me know if you’re going to be there!
You know, I have never even been in a mystery bookstore, and am very curious about this one. It sounds like the perfect place for mystery lovers and they also have a great talent for getting good authors in for a visit as well. If I am ever in Phoenix…
What a gorgeous store! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this mystery store, their booksellers and I am a loyal follower on Twitter, but I had never actually seen the building. It is so charming and I would LOVE to see the necessary room. Arizona is beckoning – thanks Kay!
I’m always envious when I see Cathy or Lesa post about The Poisoned Pen – I hope to make it there some day.