Thursday, July 16, 2009

A special announcement for mystery lovers

I've been up since 6:00 this morning and am already running behind, so in lieu of a regular post today, a bittersweet announcement.

Kate Mattes, den mother of the New England crime fiction community, announced yesterday that she has sold her house, the home of the legendary Kate's Mystery Books (shelves constructed by Robert B. Parker). The bookstore will survive in some format, remaining to be seen; Kate will continue to sponsor author events and her annual holiday party at different locations around Cambridge and Boston.

But in the meantime, all the books have to leave the house. Thus, she's scheduled a massive book sale and packing day for Saturday, August 1, from 11:00 to 5:00. Even Kate's not quite sure about everything she's got; she has titles in her back room, outside public view, that collectors dream about, and it's quite possible that some of these titles will be available for sale at this event.

Regardless of what you might want to buy, August 1 will be an opportunity for all of us to gather and thank Kate for her decades of support, and help her make this transition to whatever the next incarnation of Kate's Mystery Books might be.

Check the website or call the store (617-491-2660) for details. See you there.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sad for us, but happy for Kate, who is apparently leaving of her own volition. I'm bringing the whole family - we'll see you there.
- Chuck H.

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Excellent -- can't wait to meet your crew, Chuck! And I'll have my copy of THE STRAIN for you to sign...

bibliochef said...

every time an independent store disappears it's sad