The Poisoned Pen--- It's More Than a Bookstore, It's an Experience!

I've mentioned more than once on these pages that the Poisoned Pen is my favorite bookstore, that their staff is the best, and that their selection of books is so great that I have to limit my visits there. I began to realize that I should take you there so you can see for yourself, and it just so happens that I visited a few weeks ago with a camera-toting friend who snapped away while I drooled and kept choosing books to buy. (All photos were taken by Mike Birindelli and are clickable to view them full size.)

What are you waiting for? Let's hop in the car and GO!

The Poisoned Pen

4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

If you love mysteries, the Poisoned Pen is the place to visit. It's one of the top independent mystery bookstores in the United States. Fortunately we visited on a quiet Sunday because Mike was out in the middle of the street to take this shot of the front entrance!



I love the outside lighting fixtures. There's just something about gargoyles that tickles my fancy!



Parking is behind the store, so I normally use the side entrance. Got your list ready? Follow me!



This is what greets you when you walk into the front and side entrances: new releases on the tables and hardcover and trade paper on the shelves. I have to admit that I try not to look at the new releases...unless one of the books on my list is hot off the press. New releases are just too tempting to this bookaholic!


Here are more hardcovers and trade papers. I always start along this (left) wall, follow it down to the end, look at the displays in the middle, cover the back wall, and make my way toward the register along the (right) wall. Yes, I'm a creature of habit! In the photo above, you can see a bit of a comfy chair in which to sit. One of my friends came to visit me a few years ago, bought her books much faster than I, and sat down in that chair to begin reading. She read one of Christopher Moore's books, and I can still remember hearing her laughter while I browsed.



You can also buy Poisoned Pen-themed merchandise along with all those scrumptious books: tote bags, sweatshirts, mugs, caps....



This is the one and only section of the Poisoned Pen that I don't browse. It's filled with signed, first editions, which I don't collect. One of these days, I know I'll do some snooping here whether I collect them or not!



This is the back wall of the bookstore which holds children's books, history, historical fiction, and other genres. Although the Poisoned Pen's main focus is mysteries, the owner (the fantastic Barbara Peters) does not limit the store to just that one genre. I've been known to buy historical fiction, histories and biographies here, too. One of the major reasons why this bookstore is so good is because it's not limited to US publishers only. I love British mysteries, and I never have any trouble finding them here. If you happen to want a book that they don't have, the staff is more than happy to look it up, get a copy for you and contact you when it's arrived.

[Slight pause while I call the Poisoned Pen to ask them to mail a book to me....]



The Poisoned Pen hosts many author signings, and one with Sandi Ault was scheduled for the afternoon that Mike and I were there. If you take a look up at the rafters in the above photo, you can see portraits of all the authors who have appeared in the bookstore. Author signings and book buying aren't the only two reasons to frequent the Poisoned Pen; however, they also sponsor many book of the month clubs such as Mystery of the Month, First Mystery Club and British Crime Club.



This is the mass market wall and the homestretch of my book buying. Just writing this post and uploading photos makes me itch to get in the car and drive over there.



The photo above shows the end of the mass market wall as well as an endcap and table featuring books published by the Poisoned Pen Press. Yes, not just a bookstore, but a publisher, too! Two of my favorite Poisoned Pen Press authors are Donis Casey and Judy Clemens.



I've finally made it to the register. See that stack of books on the counter with the bright yellow dust jacket on the bottom? That's my (incomplete) haul of books! I've bought many a wonderful book at this counter and had many a great book conversation with the staff and other customers. I've spent my life in the customer service field, and the Poisoned Pen is the only place where I consistently rave about the staff. They are all friendly, they all love books, and they all want to make each and every customer happy.

Hopefully I've convinced you that a stop at the Poisoned Pen is a must if you live here or if you have a trip planned to the Phoenix metropolitan area. And...if you happen to dislike city driving, I'll happily volunteer to drive you there. The price of being your chauffeur? One book, please!