Book Carnival

This little book store tucked away in a strip mall in Orange is a gem. It’s an independent that specializes in mysteries. Anne, the proprietor, is wonderful. She books some of the best authors for signings often with Q&A sessions. A must visit!!!

If you’re a mystery reader in Orange County, Book Carnival should be your bookstore, clubhouse, your second home. It’s a small neighborhood bookstore packed wall to wall with mysteries, many of them signed first editions. The selection of signed books alone is almost overwhelming.
The owner Anne is passionate about the store. Like many independent booksellers, she isn’t in it for the money, but for the love of books and the maintenance of a mystery-​minded community. Book Carnival holds a lot of book club meetings and events. I did a reading in September and had a wonderful time. (It helped that there was a book club that night and all the ladies stayed for my reading and bought books.) Anne was lovely, and I was glad to have time to browse after my event. I picked up signed first editions of Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little and Night Film by Marisha Pessl. I looked at a signed first edition of Michael Connelly’s first novel – a bit out of budget, but cool to see.
If I lived closer to Book Carnival, I’d visit all the time. It’s a friendly place, great for readers and writers, with an awesome inventory of mystery, mystery, mystery. I’m grateful to Anne for having me in, and hope to come back again soon,

Great neighborhood bookstore. I’ve attended book signings by a couple of my favorites authors and picked up signed books by other great writers as well. Anne is fantastic. And it’s always fun talking with other mystery buffs.

I have been a customer for almost 20 years but have never set foot in the store. I would call and order books over the phone two or three times a year. Mr. Thomas was always so nice and he would chat with me patiently as I asked for the latest Dean Koontz title and checked to see what I still needed for my collection.
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Thomas’ passing and my prayers still go out to his remaining family.
I continue to shop here by phone with the new owner and I am so pleased with the new ownership. Anne has been so helpful and kind. I know Mr. Thomas would be glad that she is at the helm.
I am so glad to still be a customer and a FAN!

Run forever by Ed Thomas. He was who you went to when you needed to know what to read if Ed told you it was good it was great. They are a mystery bookstore for the collector; they focus on first editions, author events (Dean Koontz got his first signing there) and collectible editions Unfortunately, Ed has passed away. Ed’s children sold the store. I haven’t been in since the new owner took over. I did read Michael Connolly was going to sign his new book there.

It’s a hole-​in-​the-​wall bookstore that specializes in mysteries. I got to meet Robert Crais here several times, woo hoo! (I love you Elvis!!). They do not have a great selection of paperbacks, but if you want ARCs or signed hardbacks this is the place to go. Plus it’s next to a gun shop! What else could you ask for?