The SF Mystery Book Store has been here since 1974, but I’ve owned it for eight, having been interested in the mystery, crime and suspense genre for a long time. SF Mystery Books is the oldest store of its kind in the country. The previous one was in New York City. It just closed in 2007.

Some of my favorites are the ones I get overseas in Britain, such as the Nicolas Blake or the Phillip McDonald mysteries. These are classic British authors from the 30s and 40s, when the mystery genre was in its heyday.

Yes, lots of the oldest books come from people who call up and say, “My grandfather died and he had a whole stack of Perry Masons”, or something like that, and they bring them by. Many of the old items are family collections that find a good home here.

Lots of them do, but here’s an Agatha Christie first edition called “Appointment With Death”. It’s in great condition. It’s worth a lot. $200 is the price on it.

Actually, the markdowns go fast. With this economy, people don’t want to go to the book store and pay full price for a book.

There is one mystery novel called “Frisco Bound”, written in 1896. I just sold it for $20.