Truly a cute little bookstore-cozy, charming, and the kind of place you want to wander through for a while. Patrick, who helped us, was amazing and super engaging. Being from the Midwest, we ended up in a lighthearted, fun conversation about Fargo, which made the visit feel even more welcoming at first.Unfortunately, that experience shifted pretty quickly. During our conversation, the owner came up and told us she could hear us from the back of the store and that we needed to keep it down because a workshop was going on. Fair enough—but it was the delivery that was surprising. She explicitly said, “Because I own the bookstore, I can be rude.”That comment really changed the tone. It felt like casual conversation (even a little laughter) wasn’t welcome (unless participating in the workshop, by all means join workshop after Happy Hour and be rambunctious while customers are shopping.)The atmosphere suddenly shifted to less inviting. It’s disappointing, because the space itself and interactions with staff like Patrick are genuinely great. I just wish the overall experience matched the charm of the bookstore.

This is a mystery bookstore and it’s so cute! They have a great, well-organized selection. The staff were very helpful and friendly. I wish I lived closer as they host many events as well.

In this age of super-sized bookstores, it's nice to see an independent store that seems to really be thriving. The selection is good - quite a variety for a small store. The service is good (in a way simply not possible at the big stores), and there's a good selection of first editions if you're a collector type. Worth a stop if you are a book lover. We spent a lot of time looking at every selection. Even had a basket of free books!

The Poisoned Pen is more than just a local bookstore, its a welcoming community for book lovers and one of my favorite places in Phoenix. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and the store hosts an impressive lineup of events, from author talks and book signings to virtual discussion groups and an excellent newsletter that keeps you in the loop. It's the perfect way to update your TBR list!While they are well known for their fantastic selection of mystery and thriller titles, it's not the only place they shine - they truly have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for young adult fiction, nonfiction, rom-coms, books for kids and teens, or the latest literary releases, they’ve got you covered. My teens love to go to this local gem on weekends and their reading tastes cover just about everything. If you’re in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, it’s well worth a visit. And if you’re not local, their website is excellent and offers the same thoughtful curation and community spirit. A must-visit (or must-click) for book lovers!

Very nice local bookstore with friendly and helpful staff. I think it specialises in crime books but I found a nice selection of other non-crime related books and welcomed the staff recommendations.