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March 2024 by Lacy K.
It's a small shop but has a huge reach! Located in Old Town Scottsdale, the @poisonedpenbookstore has so much to offer. Between author signings, virtual events, and book discussions, their calendar is booked almost every day. You can even join one of their many book clubs, and you'll be charged and shipped the monthly book automatically. There are hundreds of signed copies to peruse, or find a new book by an author who is coming soon to the store. This is also the place to pick up any book by famed local author Diana Gabaldon, writer of the Outlander series. I walked away with a few books on my first visit (and kicking myself for never visiting before). They have a book case with each shelf dedicated to a different employee so that they can share their favorite books. I found the stack that seemed to be my style of books and picked one to buy. I also grabbed a couple of free books that they set out as they can't sell them due to being early reads sent by the authors. "Your local bookstore, no matter where you live." It's a great tagline, and it really fits. Check out their website or, even better, stop in!
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December 2023 by Colette Lewis
We love this place. We drive from North Phoenix every few months. The main guy there (Pat) knows us by name and is very knowledgeable about titles, authors and even plotlines.
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December 2023 by Ashley Bradford
I love this little bookstore! I stumbled upon it one day while out exploring Scottsdale. It has a great selection and the staff were very friendly. The dragon sconces on the outer part of the store are THE BEST!
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December 2023 by Shruti
We wandered in fifteen minutes before closing, and the owners were very gracious. They made excellent recommendations for me based on what I enjoy (including Wallander and Tana French), and I now have two new books, and authors to follow. Highly recommend going here, browsing and asking for suggestions!
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November 2023 by Jamie Watkins
Love the name of this bookstore. I spotted this immediately on the map when searching the area in Scottsdale I was staying in. Super cute. A ton of book selections. Support local independent bookstores!! ???
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November 2023 by Gail Yates
The place to go for mysteries. The staff are all avid mystery readers and can help with recommendations. If you or someone you are gift buying for like one author, they can recommend others. A wonderful place to browse with a wide selection of authors. Their author readings are stellar. The owner, the extremely well-read Barbara Peters, has cultivated author relationships over her 30 year ownership. Truly one of my favorite places to go in Scottsdale. And, it's easy to order online and have items shipped as well.
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November 2023 by Joy Hickok
A very nice book store. It's stocked with many signed books. They run a lot of book signing events. I found them because my favorite author Kevin Hearne has signings there every year he has a new book out! They make pre-odering a simple process.
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November 2023 by Stephan Vegoe
Any visitor to the Valley of the Sun who has even a passing interest in books must make a stop at the Poisoned Pen, preferably when an author is sitting down with Barbara Peters (who started her mystery bookstore oh so long ago and has become a legend in the book business) for a conversation about her or his latest book, and that happens almost daily. Barbara Peters is simply a phenomenal hostess. She knows - intimately - more name authors than it is possible to know. Indeed, many of those authors will tell you that Barbara is one of their closest friends, and many of those authors will be the first to tell you that Barbara and the Poisoned Pen have made their careers a success. Anyway, just go to the Pen and buy a signed copy of a new book and treasure the experience.
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November 2023 by Monica Schwarz
This was my first time at The Poisoned Pen. I went specifically to see David Baldacci. I was not disappointed! It's a great bookstore and clearly have author visits often, as they have it down to a science. They also have a nice selection of books. If you are in the area, stop by!
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November 2023 by Ann Suthard
I love this store. I've been buying signed first editions from them for as long as I can remember. It makes me happy to support an independent bookseller and find new books and authors that I love. They have all kinds of live events online with authors and publish a fabulous newsletter summarizing recently released books which I read very carefully every month. Please support this store. There are not many left like this!!!
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November 2023 by Richard M.
The receptionist was unable to find book that I found with smart phone browser. Trip to store was waste of time, not worth effort. Will not return!
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November 2023 by Christian V.
Nice place. Cool people. Great selection. What more can I say? If you need books, here's a solid bookstore.
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October 2023 by Naeem Haider
Best bookstore in the country. Excellent books. Wonderful staff and great opportunities to meet and greet authors during book signings.
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October 2023 by Kathy Sublett
Poisoned Pen Bookstore is by far my favorite independent bookstore that I am aware of, and I always make a habit of shopping for books at independently owned stores. Barbara Peters, who founded the store about 30 years ago, really knows her business, and she has a team of knowledgeable people to staff the store. She puts together great meetings featuring mystery writers from all over the country (and Great Britain). I well remember a fun meeting with a panel of "British" mystery writers (only one of whom was British) at the AZ Biltmore. It was the best meeting I ever attended.The store is now employee owned, but before she turned to store over to them, Barbara treated her employees well. She's a peach!For me, Poisoned Pen is a destination bookshop. Whenever I'm near Scottsdale, I stop in. When I'm not near Scottsdale, I order from their Website, which is user friendly.
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October 2023 by Kelsey Megerth
While visiting scottsdale, we stopped in to grab some books for the pool. Such a great store with so many options. The staff was beyond helpful, and even let us in a little early so we did not have to wait outside.
