The Case of Finding A Great Independent Bookstore Is Solved at Mysteryscape

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A display at the Mysteryscape bookstore

Finding a great independent bookstore is thrilling, and that is exactly how I felt when I  discovered Mysteryscape, a full-scale mystery bookstore in Overland Park, KS.

Open since May, Mysteryscape has appeal not only for whodunit, paranormal, foreign intrigue, detective series and legal suspense fans, but for anyone who loves books.

One of the seating areas

A very relaxed vibe greets you when you enter Mysteryscape.  Soft jazz plays in the background and a pair of comfortable-looking leather chairs beckon to you, “Come sit down and read.”  Plus the decor has an intriguing modern Agatha Christie/early silent movie era feel to it.

Toward the back is a miniature coffee/refreshment bar with lounge-like seating tucked in nearby.  For sale is fresh-brewed coffee, hot or cold tea, soda, water, brownies and other items if you are thirsty or feel like snacking.

A gathering/seating area

SkullGirlz T-shirts

On the other side of the store is a small gift area.  Some of the items available for purchase include SkullGirlz t-shirts, which are designed locally by Michelle Hoffine, purses, intriguing board games, coffee blends, mugs and teas.

Begin browsing through the used books at Mysteryscape, and you'll see that they are in very good condition, well organized and reasonably priced.    

Items from the gift area

Mysteryscape also offers new book releases and current top sellers.  Even better, it is possible to pre-order certain upcoming titles and receive a ten-percent discount.

If you need a book suggestion, the co-owners, Acia Morley and Cheri LeBlond, are both highly knowledgeable about the mystery genre and can make some great recommendations.

 And if that's not enough, Mysteryscape now sells new and used BBC and PBS mysteries, dramas and cooking shows on DVD, and their collection continues to grow in size and variety.

A glimpse inside Mysteryscape

The store contains all the popular sections for mystery fans…thrillers, crime fighters and so on…but the areas that caught my interest the most were Twisted (crafting mysteries with some great names!), the $1 books, collectible first editions, and across the pond selections. 

The only section that I did not see that would have been nice is true crime.  According to Mysteryscape, though, they are working on that area.

As far as activities, Mysteryscape fills up the calendar.  They have five active book clubs including “Passport to Murder” and “Women of Intrigue.”  There are monthly game nights, workshops, speakers and author events as well as other frequent fun happenings.

The local chapter of Sisters In Crime also meets regularly at Mysteryscape.  This Saturday their speakers will be Steve Paul, editor of Kansas City Noir, a recently released book of dark short stories with local connections, along with local authors and contributors to Kansas City Noir, Linda Rodriquez, Nancy Pickard, and Catherine Browder, who will all read excerpts from the book.

If you would like to visit Mysteryscape, they are located at 7309 W. 80^th St. in Overland Park.   Their phone number is 913-649-0000, and their hours are:

Tues. & Wed. - 11 am to 5 pm

Thurs. & Fri. - 11 am to 8 pm

Saturday - 9 am to 5 pm

Sun. & Mon. - Closed

November 22 - Closed

Dec. 25 - Jan. 1 - Closed

To find out more about this enigmatic bookstore, how to trade in gently-used books or to view Mysteryscape’s current events calendar, visit their website at mysteryscape.com.