I went looking for Maddy Hunter's G Day To Die, and guess what?? They have NO Maddy Hunter Books, I printed my wishlist and took it with me and there were harly any authors on it! UGH!!!!!

My B&N leaves a lot to be desired too..I was looking for a book in a series and they had like 2 copies of the last in the series, none of the first 2..another series they had one book somewhere in the middle..they really ought to keep at least 3 of the first in a series then maybe taper off then restock..no wonder we order online!

yes, I just had to order from amazon, I had some money left on a gift card.

I've had the same trouble with Borders too.  After Christmas I went in with my wish list for cozies thinking I would find alot since I had so many new authors on my list.  No.  Crumbs. 

I've been disappointed with those two stores for years. Every time I go I can't hardly find anything on my list and it's not like I'm looking for obscure authors. I hate having to pay for shipping but sometimes that's the only way to go.

I save on shipping by spending more at amazon LOL! :-) and overstock.com is 2.95 shipping but hard to find stuff on there sometimes. same with deepdiscount.com but they have free shipping ...the only problem with them is they say it's in stock then you find out you're backordered and can't cancel it (at least not that i could figure out how to do!)

a seller on half.com that I've found several cozy type series or at least enough to justify ordering there with the shipping discount for each added item is 'thriftbooks'. they also have a website thriftbooks.com but not sure how they do the shipping there since i just noticed the sticker they put on the books I've gotten from half.com...can't remember the other sellers but recognize them when Is see them cause they have a lot listed.

I have both a Borders and B&N near me (a couple of them each) and all are chock full of great cozies!  I'm lucky! :)

It really depends on the individual store.  The B&N in my town doesn't carry Cara Black's books, but I can drive up the road all of 7 miles to the next town and they do.  Go figure.

The Border's near work has a FABULOUS mystery section -- but since our office moved, it's too far for me to go on lunch hour and too far to go on weekends.  They're opening a Border's in the town next to me (where the B&N is) and I'm hoping it'll have a great mystery selection.  It's gonna be a two story store -- so I hope that's a good thing!

Somedays I miss living in NYC.  I hadn't heard of the store you mentioned, Lynne, but I'm sad to hear that my fav mystery book shop on the Upper East Side is closing. :(  I got lots of great recs from them and will miss them dearly although I've not been in there for several years now.

well, the real 'kicker' with both borders and barnes & noble here is that they're willing to order for me...oh, and it's full price when it gets there but they wont' charge for the shipping , oh and it might take 3 weeks..what?? I can order from amazon and get free shippng ANDa discount and it only takes about a week on average! (and yes I always get free shipping cause it ain't too hard to spend $25 there esp with all the recommendatins here and the romance forum...)

My B&N is great.

Lots of choice, and the best bit, all the bargain tables.

I buy loads of HB's that have been out for a while, for  $6 each, keep my favorites and post the rest.

My Borders is also good. Then of course there  is Half Price Books.

I just like book shopping.

 The Borders in my south Florida town is great, but Books A Million really stinks, both in supply and service. B&N is somewhere in the middle.

 What's sad is that since the chains came in, my town, which is large enough to have all three big chains, does not have ANY independent stores, not a single one (except for christian books/supplies, which is a little different).

  We always try to support hometown business, and DH complains about going to the big book chains, but when there's no other choice, and you need a book quick, that's what we do.

I usually check Border's web site before I go. You can put in the store you are planning to go to, and check and see if the book you want is in stock. If it is you can have them pull it and hold it at the counter, or just go and get it. Also, they will generally order stuff that's not in stock, and you don't have to pay shipping, just pick it up when it comes in.

I am lucky to have a good choice of books available both at the B&N stores near me as well as the Borders shop close to where my daughter goes for her weekend classes. Of course, cozies are not my usual cup of tea, though mysteries and thrillers are what I thrive on. However, I have found shopping at amazon.com to be much more gratifying and efficient. For bulk buys I look to ebay and the FOL sales in the neighbouring areas. Both B&N and Borders are good for HC bargains specially for books I want to add to my collection.

Have any of you tried ABE? I have used them for textbooks, but not so much for mysteries.  Here is the link: www.abebooks.com/. They offer free shipping in some cases, you can search that way and I get occasional coupons.  It is a conglomeration of independent booksellers from all over the world and except for having to wait, it's quite convenient.

I don't go to bookstores any more - I mean physical stores.  Amazon is the place for me.  They now offer discounts on mmpb as well as hardcovers and trade paper backs.  I just received a a $7.99 book for $5.19 from them.  I have a prime membership so no shipping.