Murder by the Book

Excellent bookstore… knowledgable employees that know the inventory and the genre. chances to meet and hear different authors. can’t give enough kudos!

Great find! Staff is very familiar with thier inventory and helpful. Small local bookstores like this are rare and wonderful.

This is a perfectly cozy store with such friendly, helpful folks! I was a visiting author, and the experience was an absolute delight. I wish I lived closer to be able to visit more often.

Just had a lovely first visit– greeted when I enter, had the store layout and policies explained, and Brenda smiled and was incredibly friendly. My customer service experience could not be beat!

This unique bookshop specializes in mysteries. The staff is clearly passionate about the inventory and happy to help you find your next intrigue! It was very clear from the moment I walked in the door that this place was destined to be a favorite for me. I will return, and often!

This is probably the one bookstore in Houston that I go back to again and again. The staff is knowledgeable but not intrusive. Going through the other reviews on this site, I see that some people feel that the staff is rude, but I think that they prefer to allow you to come in, look around and not push you into buying something. If you have questions they are more than happy to answer them and can provide you with an author just by a customer’s describing what the plot or genre. Their depth of knowledge is amazing. They have, on several occasions, promoted an author to prominence on just their recommendations.
They continue to stock authors that you will never see in Barnes and Noble but are a mystery fan’s Holy Grail. They also provide a children’s section and on occasion will have a children’s book author there to sign books and do a reading. Eoin Colfer was there for his Artemis Fowl books and the place was packed with kids of all ages.
Book signings can be cramped because of space, but are worth it to be able to hear the voice of the author.
This is a place to find the old and new, the common and rare. I can’t say enough good things about Murder by the Book.

Great staff, great selection. So thankful to have the best mystery bookstore in the world in my town! I will forever be indebted to Martha, Dean, David, and now McKenna.

This place is full of books. And there’s quite a few book signed by the authors. The atmosphere was somewhat uptight. The ladies there were friendly enough. But I got that judgemental vibe like I’m suppose to be some old person to be allowed entry to walk through their doors. Smh neat place though.

One of the last standing indie bookstores around. It’s quirky what good indie bookstore isn’t. I miss the two dogs that always followed you around though.
They’ve started beefing up their kids selections, which I love. Not just YA, but beginning readers & the 7 – 12 set. They just moved it to the corner where the used books were so kids can sit a bit while you look for your book.
I miss the used books section but with the switch to e-​readers, I can imagine it affected inventory.
They bring in a broad selection of writers — from up and coming new authors to established award-​winners.
For the most part, the customer service is amazing — I’m looking at you Johnny & Dean! I’ve been coming here for years, I hope to come for many, many more!!!
PROS: Selection, variety of genres, knowledgable staff, and author signings.
CONS: Sales. It makes sense though, rent’s gotta be paid.

COST: You will pay full price for books here … And who am I kidding, I cannot afford that. BUT …
EVENTS: They have the big writers come here for signings. I’d pay full price for that (sometimes)
KIDS: Don’t bring yours. Even though they have a kids section, they didn’t seem too happy that mine wanted to sit and look through the books.
ATMOSPHERE: It’s more grab-​and-​go, rather than browse-​friendly … at least if you either bring a young kid or like to browse lots over the books
CONCLUSION: I’m too big of a word nerd to not like this place. I wish that they had sales.

I tolerate (barely) the rude women who work here because of the fact that my favorite authors come here for the signings. I don’t shop here otherwise, they make me (and apparently I’m not alone) extremely uncomfortable. I tried to leave a note for an author to sign for me because I couldn’t attend a signing, and they wouldn’t let me. They were extremely rude about it. I contacted the author directly and he had no problem with it, and took it upon himself to bring my note with him to the signing. You ladies need a class in customer service, or you are in the wrong business. I came in today to buy another book for a signing, chatted up Miss Personality, she didn’t even acknowledge me while she was ringing me up.
This place-​in and out as fast as possible.

I love this place! I hate leaving such a low rating, but came in to pick up a book (miss a Victoria Laurie signing) and the woman at the counter literally said not one word to me. Not even a hello! Very poor customer service. First time I experienced this.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am no mystery fanatic. In fact, the closest I typically get is by playing vintage Clue occasionally. And losing because every time, I guess Miss Scarlet, who totally did it with a candlestick in the ballroom. Never trust a lady named Miss Scarlet.
Anyway.
This place is awesome. I’m usually a huge fan of older, disheveled bookstores that have stacks of vintage editions laying around topsy turvy, but Murder by the Books proves that brand new, shiny collections of the latest releases do just fine next to a dusty Agatha Christie.
In fact, I’d say it’s places like these that are keeping bookstores alive. There’s a sense of true homage to classic mystery and, at the same time, an embrace of the trendy, NYT bestsellers. Sure, it’s a little odd to see a full size Edward Cullen cut-​out by the Nancy Drew section, but hey, bait is bait. And where else can you find Sherlock Holmes fangirls, fantasy fiction seekers, dozens of authors who visit for book signings every year, and most importantly, an adorable dog sitting in a big lumpy couch a la Wishbone?
It’s no mystery, folks– Murder by the Book has the case of declining bookstore interest solved. And they didn’t even have to kill anybody.

This is the best book store in town. They have an excellent selection of mysteries of all types. Police procedures, detectives, historical, supernatural, thriller, action packed, political, philosophical, and romance all abound in an intimate comfy setting that speaks to the reader of a true love of books.
The staff are always helpful but not intrusive. I could spend hours perusing the shelves in here but then tend to walk out with such an assortment of books I can hardly decide on which one to start. That is a guilty pleasure though that I shall not soon give up!
They have numerous authors coming through for book signings and events so check out their calendar. Get on the mailing list to get the latest scoop on what’s new and what’s in store!

This is an AWESOME independent, specialized book store. It has mostly murder, mystery, thriller, type books but it’s just such a cool place. The staff is very polite and super knowledgeable. It’s cozy inside and though I haven’t been to an event, they do host a lot of author’s for signings. There’s just a charm about Murder by the Book that I really enjoy.

We enjoyed our visit to this used bookstore, we’ve been meaning to go by and check this place out for a while now… a friend at the place I just retired from loves this place… got books autographed by some of his favorite authors, attaboy Glen bob…

One of the better independent bookstores in Houston. A very cozy store and good service. I like the shelf talkers they have that will recommend some of the staffs favorites. The selection is a little limited because it is all murder/​mystery books, but that is fine. They always get interesting first editions and authors signing day events. I really like this place.

I LOVE independent bookstores and I love a good mystery so I think Murder By the Book would be called a match made in Heaven.
They have a great selection of new (and a few used) mystery/​suspense/​thriller books. I am a big fan of Brad Thor and Vince Flynn and they offer their writings. I also love foreign fiction and they have their books categorized by countries: France, England, United States, ect. On my visit here I picked up a copy of the classic book Jade Lady Burning by Martin Limon which they had in the foreign section.
The calendar of speakers is very impressive. I have heard there are some deep connections at Murder by the Book which you will see when you see the list of authors they reel in. If you are a fan of book readings in this genre you need to see their upcoming events because you will probably find somebody you like.
They have several chairs scattered around if you want to sample your book before buying. The staff was quiet and didn’t say much but was by no means rude or anything.
They even have a children’s section! Amazing.

If you are a fan of mystery or suspense books this is the place. It is filled with all the books and authors you love, the ones you are yearning to find and the ones you never knew you wanted to read. They also have books for children and young adults.
The service is superior. These people all know their stuff and are on top of their game. If I have ever ask for a recommendation I have never been disappointed. Super friendly and willing to talk.
They also have a used book section in the back of the store. They are very good about looking for a used copy first (if that’s what you want) instead of a pricier new edition. I appreciate that. Obviously if they have a used book section they must buy back books from customers. I wouldn’t know how that one works because I have a hard time giving up books I like. But I should check out their policy.
Give this store a whirl. We need to support these local gems.

Bless me literary father, for I have sinned. I have committed utter atrocities in the name of efficiency and expedience. I have committed the sin of audio books and let somebody else do the imagining for me.
I feel so ashamed of myself for doing that, but fortunately, this place came to the rescue. So many books, so many recommendations, and an at home feeling that makes you want to get lost and never find your way out.
The staff is friendly, and there are books for your every taste.
As evidence by my dropping plenty of cash on my first visit. Now I just have to read them in order!