Sunday, May 4, 2014

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan



This 24 hour bookstore (in California) has members who borrow the same books in the same order. They are part of a society that existed for over 500 years.  Members are trying to solve a mystery and when they do, they are allowed to write their personal story for the library.  Their story is not read until they die.  Mr. Penumbra sells books also.

Clay is the narrator and he is one of the workers in the store.  He beings an on-line ad campaign to attract paying customer and he provides a store coupon.

One of his tasks as a clerk in the store is to chart down notes on each member in a log book when they visit the store.  Mr. Penumbra wants to know what they were wearing, what their mood was, how they smelled, looked, etc.   When Clay discovers the members are borrowing the same books in the same order, he creates a visualization chart to try to find out what the reason is.  There is a mystery underfoot. The alleged mystery is supposed to be the answer to the secret of longevity. 

Clay enlists the help of Cat and another friend to help him solve this mystery.  
Cat works for Google and she acquired one of the coupons for the store. That’s how she met Clay and got involved with the mystery.

I thought this was a great mystery story involving a bookstore – albeit a kooky bookstore.    Wasn’t really fond about the secret society, but I do like the way the author ended the story with a snap shot of what became of the main characters after the mystery was solved.  I would recommend this book to any reader.

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