Murder On the Beach Bookstore

When I encounter outright rude behavior in retail establishments, I always share it. My visit today to:
Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore 273 NE 2^nd Ave in Delray Beach
…merits a share. As an independently published author, I try to get my work out there. Reading about the store online, the reviews said that the staff was rude. I take such things with a grain of salt and see for myself.
I met Joanne, who said she was an employee, not the owner, and complimented her on the nice looking space (it is!) I then introduced myself and asked if they carry independent local authors. She said no, that the whole shop would be full of such books since so many people were self-​publishing. Completely acceptable.
I thanked her for talking to me and said this was the first time in the shop, a friend had just told be about it. Joanne then added, «That is another reason we wouldn’t carry your book, you are not a customer.»
Taken aback, I told her again it was my first visit and I might have become a customer whether they carried my book or not. I also told her that I read online commentary that the staff of the store was rude. She laughed and said, «Well now you know it’s true.»

My friend, her husband, and another couple went to the bookstore last week-​end to hear David Baldacci speak. They drove all the way from North Miami Beach. Upon entering the store, a greeter at the door informs them that each person must buy a copy of the book. Two books for one married couple. When they stated that this was very unorthodox, the woman told them they could gift the extra copies for Christmas presents. She spoke in a rude and dismissive manner. They asked to speak to the manager, and were told that she was too busy to come out to speak to them. If having each customer purchase a book was to be the policy, it should have been made clear in the announcement in the Herald. In this way a customer could decide if they wanted to go or not. In any case, this type of rudeness and snippiness from a greeter at a function to customers is no way to run a business. Store owner and store manager, it behooves you to pay attention to what is going on in your business.

Great selection, friendly and knowledgable staff, you could literally spend over an hour just browsing! I highly recommend a visit!

Great bookstore! They have a small but perhaps growing used paperback section, but every and all the current thrillers and mysteries, especially by local authors. The managers are great to speak with and know their stuff. They make great recommendations. Yes the hours could be a longer, but I think they extend them when they have signings and events, which they seem to be getting a lot of. And, darn it, we need more stores like these. Independent, specific, not a chain. If you like beach reading, this is a great pitstop.

Great little bookstore. I went there a few months back when Tim Dorsey was in town and I was able to score a couple autographs and hear him speak. It was pretty cool. I’m also huge into the Florida mystery novels so I find the selection here great.
The only drawback to me is the hours. I tried going this Friday and they were closed earlier than I expected and came back today (Saturday) and about 4:30 and the closed sign was already up. But, I“m sure that’s standard for smaller bookstores. I should’ve just done more research before I drove to Delray.
Definitely check it out they have some unique books.

Excellent name for a bookstore. Perhaps it raised my expectations, where I thought it would be larger than it actually was.
The place appropriately stocks only murder/​mystery books. Decent selection, although I wish there were more used books.
It seems like there are live events there, but I haven’t had the chance to check it out yet…