Mysterious Obsession: Memoirs of a Compulsive Collector

by Otto Penzler (Editor), Francoise-Eugene Vidocq (Contributor), Charles Dickens (Contributor)

Mysterious Bookshop owner Otto Penzler reflects on over forty years spent assembling what was, quite possibly, the world's greatest library of mystery fiction first editions. Relating the stories surrounding the acquisition of key titles in the collection, these memoirs also tell of a life spent in the world of books—including anecdotes about the authors, booksellers, and fellow collectors encountered along the way. Anyone interested in collecting or in the history of the Mysterious Bookshop won't want to miss.

Introduction --
Memoires de Vidocq : Francoise-Eugene Vidocq --
Bleak house : Charles Dickens --
After dark : Wilkie Collins --
The Leavenworth case : Anna Katharine Green --
The mystery of a hansom cab : Fergus Hume --
Prince Zaleski : M.P. Shiel --
Three women and a mystery : Anna Katharine Green --
Lingo Dan : Percival Pollard --
The mystery of the yellow room : Gaston Leroux --
The adventures of Archer Dawe (sleuth-hound) : J.S. Fletcher --
The silent bullet : Arthur B. Reeve --
Adventures of the infallible Goddahl : Frederick Irving Anderson --
The house without a key : Earl Derr Biggers --
Meet the tiger : Leslie Charteris --
Red harvest : Dashiell Hammett --
The maltese falcon : Dashiell Hammett --
The curious Mr. Tarrant : C. Daly King --
The disintegration of J.P.G. : Georges Simenon --
Brighton rock : Graham Greene --
Death from a top hat : Clayton Rawson --
The powwow murder case : S.S. Van Dine --
The big sleep : Raymond Chandler --
Farewell, my lovely : Raymond Chandler --
$106,000 blood money : Dashiell Hammett --
Blood on the dining room floor : Gertrude Stein --
The deep blue good-by : John D. MacDonald.

Genres: Books About Books

163 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Otto Penzler is an editor of mystery fiction in the United States, and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, where he lives.

Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.

Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.

Reviews

[Dan Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that snuck up on the world of book collecting. The author, Otto Penzler, has been the owner of The Mysterious Bookshop and owner of The Mysterious Press for decades, as well as being a force in the mystery book world and a collector of books. Along the way, he found he needed more room for his books---a not uncommon realization for book collectors. He had a gorgeous library built, a picture of which fronts the book; a heartbreaking beauty.
As happens to all of us, the day came when Mr. Penzler decided he had to let go. But before everything (almost) went to auction, he had pictures taken of 26 books, about which he wrote short descriptions of what makes the book extra special and how he came to own it. The pictures are mouthwatering to those of us who treasure books, and the stories fascinating.
I, myself, am not a collector as the term is used here; I am a reader who keeps his books. And I need more shelf space. Meantime I learn things about books. For instance, while I have bought a few limited editions, this was the first one in which the limitation page---which is signed by Mr. Penzler and alerts us to the fact that this is number 156 of 250 printed---is at the back of the book. This realization was one of the minor bits of enlightenment I gleaned while reading about Mr. Penzler's adventures. I admit the attraction is a bit limited, but for bibliophiles and collectors of almost everything, this is
Highly Recommended.

Addendum: As the book was so well received that it "sold out instantly", another batch was printed, minus the limitation and signing. Copies are available at The Mysterious Bookshop and perhaps a few other charmed locations.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a specialized little book that documents Otto Penzler's adventures collecting rare books in the mystery genre. At 163 pages, this is a fascinating memoir I found absorbing and riveting. Each chapter is illustrated with a full color photo of the book under discussion. Originally limited to 250 sold out signed and numbered copies, reprints will be available.

[Brian Quast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this easily my favorite read of 2019, but it's also an immediate addition to my Top 3 favorite books of all-time! Mr. Penzler's fascinating tales of collecting perfectly illustrate the reasons I myself read, collect and love books. His passion for, not only the purchase of long sought after books, but the pursuit of them as well is chronicled here in a way that will resonate with bibliophiles and book collectors alike. I simply can't recommend this terrific book highly enough and suggest that it be added to everyone's personal library in 2020! 😎

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Another reading of this fantastic biblio-memoir in 2022 has entrenched it in my top 3 books of all-time. Yes, it is THAT damn good. 🤩😍😎

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Just finished reading it again in October of 2023 and I simply can't praise this book (and it's author) highly enough. It is a joy to read and an honor to own.

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Read it again in February of 2024 because it's just that damn great!

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Began 2025 with another reading of this masterpiece! Otto Penzler is a national treasure & his contributions to the book world are historic, iconic & the stuff of literary legend.

[Hall's Bookshop · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little volume chronicling Otto Penzler's remarkable bookselling career, signposted by the story behind some of the key acquisitions in his unparalleled library.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most charming books about book collecting I've read. Mr. Penzler tells of how he found, earned, or was gifted a couple of dozen rarities, explaining why each book is hard to find, putting it in historical context.

Penzler shares my love of ARCs, inscriptions, and bargains.

[Christopher Geraghty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also suffer from a "gentle madness" so I did enjoy this book. On the recommendation of the bookseller I also picked up Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson as a companion to this book.

[Greg Burrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a collector of any sort (not just books) then you'll relate to Otto Penzler's tales of hunting for that elusive gem, the frustrations, and the triumphs that are only appreciated by fellow collectors. This is a short collection of anecdotes around specific rare books that Otto collected over the years. Sprinkled in are tidbits about getting started in collecting and establishing his bookstore and press. A fun read.

[Jim Teggelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted this one for awhile, so I finally placed my order from The Mysterious Bookshop and was not disappointed. Just a bunch of charming tales of how Mr. Penzler, the world's leading authority on crime fiction, acquired some of his favorite first editions. I enjoyed every page, as well as the beautiful photos that accompanied the stories. I even learned a few tricks of the trade along the way.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book wherein the Author tells the story of the origins of his extensive book collection consisting of mystery, crime, suspense, espionage and detective fiction. His collection is considered to be the best in the world. The book is illustrated with photos of some of the books from his collection along with short stories on how and when he purchased them. A very interesting and fun read.

[Hailong Hao · Rating 4 out of 5]

读的是中文版《猎书侦探》内容比英文版多一些，但这里只有英文版，就标记在英文版上吧。

看到了很多自己不熟悉的作家，虽然彭泽勒本人说读书和藏书是完全不同的两个领域，但有几个作家还是成功勾起了我的阅读兴趣。我想对于喜欢藏书类书籍的朋友来说，本书也会非常有趣，值得一读。书籍印刷方面有个小瑕疵，193页标题忘印了，是不是意味着收藏价值陡升？😂不过我这辈子估计只有读书的运，没有藏书的命。

https://mastodon.social/@haohailong/1...

[phil breidenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book which includes stories of how the author got some of his most prized books. There are stories sprinkled in it about when NYC had a district filled with books and some of the famous people he met. I enjoyed this book a lot!

[Steve Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Mystery Bibliophiles only

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look into a world class book collector's exploits. Educational and funny at times, I found this book a real treasure.

[Ben Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page was enjoyable! I am a huge mystery fan and loyal Mysterious Bookshop patron. Learning more about Otto’s famous collection was thrilling and left me wanting more.