What's Selling at Boswell?--Lots of Hardcover Mysteries

Our hardcover fiction bestseller list for last week could have almost been from a mystery bookstore. With six of our top ten titles being either mystery or mystery crossover (we originally put Stieg Larsson in fiction and there he still stays--almost all of his copies are sold out off table displays and our Boswell's Best section anyway), we're seeing the pop of handselling (both Robinson and Lippman had great recs from Anne and Sharon), and our popular new-and-noteworthy mystery case. This was actually suggested by several customers including a former bookstore owner. Thanks Pat V. and Carol H.

1. The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson
2. Bad Boy, by Peter Robinson

3. I'd Know You Anywhere, by Laura Lippman

4. Comedy in a Minor Key, by Hans Keilson

5. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, by David Mitchell

6. Three Stations, by Martin Cruz Smith

7. Star Island, by Carl Hiaasen

8. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, by Aimee Bender
9. Faithful Place, by Tana French

10. City of Veils, by Zoe Ferraris

I had missed that amazing review from Francine Prose that also put Death of the Adversary on our paperback fiction list. I had to get a reminder from our buyer Jason and our rep Anne. Here it is, if you haven't read it. To pretty much quote, the books are masterpieces and Keilson is a genius. Quite compelling!

In my trip to Salt Lake City last week, it became clear that we are simply selling whatever my friend Miriam is interested in. She had just finished Martin Cruz Smith's newest (with raves) and was in the middle of David Mitchell.

Our bestselling hardcover fiction title last week was not on this list. It was Mockingjay, which was reported on the kids' list. However, next week's winner will surely be an adult book--we had a very good first day on Jonathan Franzen's Freedom.