Mystery Lovers Bookshop to Celebrate 25th Anniversary on Halloween

Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this Saturday with a Halloween party, author signing, and 10-cent book sale. The event will feature a guest appearance by the store’s founders, Mary Alice Gorman and Richard Goldman, who will make a special announcement.

“They founded the store, so it is only fitting to have them here to celebrate,” said Natalie Sacco, who purchased Mystery Lovers with her husband, Trevor Thomas, in May from previous owner Laurie Stephens, who will also be at the event.

Sacco and Thomas have encouraged costumers to attend the free event in their Halloween costumes. The store will also offer a festive array of light appetizers and drinks throughout the day, which Sacco hopes will be a fun-filled day of celebration.

Local author Nancy Martin will kick off the day’s festivities at 11:00 a.m. with a special edition of the store’s Coffee & Crime series, which will feature the launch of Martin’s new mystery novel, Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything (Minotaur Books, available November 3).

Mystery Lovers’ celebration will continue with the store’s annual 10-cent book sale, which will raise money for The Homeless Children's Fund of Pittsburgh, along with Gorman and Goldman’s announcement.

Mystery Lovers Bookshop was founded in 1990 as a hub for mystery authors and audiences to come together and has since become a popular book tour stop for big-name mystery writers like Jo Nesbø, Michael Connelly, Laura Lippman, and Lisa Scottoline, as well as a meeting spot for writing groups. In 1995, Gorman and Goldman founded the store’s annual Festival of Mystery, and in 2010 Mystery Lovers received the Mystery Writers of America’s Raven Award.

Since buying the iconic store, Sacco and Thomas have started a new graphic novel section, expanded the store’s children’s section, and added more general-interest titles, while continuing the store's tradition of supporting local authors.

“In addition, we started a new staff picks section,” Sacco said. “Our customers love our booksellers and they provide great recommendations.

“The first few months as a bookstore owner have been a whirlwind. It's been an amazing experience and we love every minute of it,” Sacco added. “It is all definitely a big learning process. We are still learning the industry and are excited to continue to grow within it.”