Ask a Bookseller: Ally and Matt from The Mysterious Bookcase

What's the best Christmas cosy crime book with a festive feel? –Jennifer

There are so many wonderful cosy crime books set over the holiday season! We're really excited to read Murder at the Christmas Emporium by Andreina Cordani. It's Christmas Eve at the Emporium and shoppers are browsing in a bespoke London giftshop, but when they go to leave, the owner has disappeared and the doors are locked! Andreina is also a local author to us, and has visited our bookshop!

A few years ago, we read Sherlock Holmes and The Christmas Demon by James Lovegrove, with our book club. While it's not an overly cosy book, there is comfort in reading a new story about beloved fiction characters, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, with their charm, wit and banter. And the story was wonderful.

Here are some others we'd recommend: Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd; The Christmas Stocking Murders by Denzil Meyrick; and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie. 

If a book covers multiple genres, how do you decide where it goes on the shelves? I am often surprised by the location of some the books I buy. – Clare

This is a great question! When a book crosses multiple genres, we try to place it where the main focus of the story feels strongest. This helps readers find the book in the section where they're most likely to look first. For example, if a novel blends fantasy and romance, but the world-building and magical elements drive the plot, we'll shelve it in fantasy. On the other hand, if a book is clearly rooted in romantic themes, such as a historical romance, it belongs with the broader romance selection. It's never a perfect science, but our goal is always to make the browsing experience as easy as possible for readers.

Could you please recommend standalone fantasy books for adults? – Alexia

We love standalone fantasy novels! Here are some we have read and highly recommend:

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab follows three women across centuries, and is an all-consuming story of hunger, love and rage… with vampires, of course.

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is a cosy fantasy story about a witch who must rediscover her magic. It's full of uplifting messages of self love, with found family and a pinch of romance.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is about a girl who inherits a mystical pawnshop in Tokyo after her father goes missing. It's whimsical, magical and full of adventure.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang is a dark academia fantasy. It follows the first woman admitted to the High Magistry, who uncovers a secret conspiracy in society. I think about this book all the time.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is another cosy fantasy, about a battle-weary orc who is ready to hang up her sword to start a coffee shop.

What's the best place to start with historical fiction? – John

Great question! Historical fiction is an incredibly broad genre because it can include any story set in the past. That means everything from ancient civilisations to the recent 20th century can fall under its umbrella. The best place to start will differ from reader to reader. Have a think, perhaps there is a period or setting you already find intriguing? Whether you're drawn to Tudor courts, World War II, the Victorian era or Ancient Rome, choosing a time that sparks your curiosity will make your first steps into historical fiction both enjoyable and engaging.

Do you have any Queer book recommendations? I've just read Sunburn and loved it. – Bronagh

Absolutely!

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: Coming of age story, following the teenage daughter of Chinese immigrants living in 1950s San Francisco. After discovering The Telegraph Club, Lily explores her identity.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A powerful love story, following Joan and other astronaut hopefuls at NASA in the 1980s. It's about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield: This story blends romance, horror and grief. This book follows Miri, whose wife, Leah, returns home after a deep-sea mission that went wrong.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: Romance with a pinch of magic. August moves to NYC and falls for a cute girl on the subway, only to learn that Jane is from the 1970s and stuck in a timeloop on the train.

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman: Coming of age story, set on the Italian Riviera during the 1980s. It follows the brief, yet life-altering, summer romance between a 17-year-old boy and a 24-year-old American graduate student.