Where Crime Fiction Hides Behind a False Wall
In TriBeCa’s quiet streets, The Mysterious Bookshop lures bibliophiles with floor-to-ceiling shelves of whodunits and noir. But the real secret? A concealed back room housing rare first editions, signed Agatha Christie manuscripts, and a collection of books bound in human skin (yes, really).
A Haven for Sleuths and Collectors
Opened in 1979 by mystery magnate Otto Penzler, this shop became a pilgrimage site for crime writers like Stephen King and Michael Connelly. The “Secret Sanctum” (accessible via a fake bookshelf) stores gems like a $15,000 first-edition Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe’s annotated The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
“It’s for serious collectors,” says manager Ian Kern. “We don’t advertise it—you have to ask.”
How to Unlock the Sanctum
Ask the Code: Request “the rare room” at checkout—if they deem you worthy, they’ll buzz you in.
Events: Attend author nights (Dennis Lehane once read in the Sanctum by candlelight).
Nearby: Fuel up at The Greek (325 Church St), a diner where regulars dissect true crime over spanakopita.
Pro Tips from a Noir Nerd
Freebies: Grab a complimentary vintage pulp magazine from the front counter.
Ghost Story: Staff swear the ghost of Dashiell Hammett rearranges books nightly.
Photo Op: The Sanctum’s “Wall of Shame” displays rejected manuscripts from now-famous authors.
Why This Shop Matters
In an age of e-books, it’s a tactile tribute to mystery’s golden age—where every shelf holds a plot twist.
Visitor Intel
📍 Address: 58 Warren St (TriBeCa)
🕒 Hours: Mon–Sat 11 AM–7 PM, Sun 12–5 PM
💸 Price: Paperbacks $10, Sanctum books $$$$
🚇 Closest Subway: Chambers St (1/2/3)
Ready to Play Detective?
Just don’t touch the human-skin books without gloves.
Next up: A bookstore hidden in a subway station…
