CLICK HERE to see Gary interviewed by William Kent Krueger, Ellen Hart, and Carl Brookins on the Minnesota Crime Wave's TV Show (Episode #6 - Part 2)

Pat and Gary at ONCE UPON A CRIME are informal, low-tech, and happy to provide the best customer service around. They carry thousands of new mysteries, thrillers, and crime fiction and also have a large collection of rare, used, and hard-to-get volumes. They can order almost any book. Feel free to call ahead to check to see if the book you want is in stock: 612-870-3785 or EMAIL. Please drop a note if you would like to be on the e-mail notification list for information about upcoming appearances.

This site is simple: if you CLICK HERE, you will be taken to a page with maps and information to find the store location. Call if you get lost!

REGULAR EVENTS: Sisters in Crime meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., excluding July and August. The Crime Fiction Reading Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. except June, July, and August.

Below you will find a rolling list of upcoming store events. Please stop by for any appearance or just to visit and check out the incredible collection!

Mon - Sat 11AM to 5:30PM
Closed Sundays
Open Late for Events

Independent Bookstores
for Independent Minds

UPCOMING EVENTS: All readings/signings listed below are evening events unless otherwise indicated.

Thu. Aug 28 - 7:00 Carl Brookins “The Case of the Deceiving Don” Launch party with refreshments. To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Tues. Sep 2 - 7:00 Twin Cities Sisters In Crime meeting. Book for the night is: Deanna Raybourn's “Silent in the Grave.”

Wed. Sep 3 - 7:00 William Kent Krueger “Red Knife” Publication party. To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Sat. Sep 6 - 12:00-2:00 Laura Childs “Death Swatch” (Scrapbooking series) Signing with Absinthe tasting and drawing for a Scrapbook Tote. To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Tues. Sept 9 - 7:00 Steve Thayer "The Leper" Launch party with refreshments i.e. Wine and hors d'oeuvres (a/k/a cheap Three Buck Chuck and trailer trash snacks). To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Wed. Sep 10 - 6:30 Mystery Reading Group facilitated by Carl Brookins. Book for the night is David Rosenfelt's “Open & Shut.”

Thu. Sep 11 - 7:00 Peter Rennebohm “Buried Lies” Launch party with refreshments. To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Thu. Sep 25 - 7:00 Max Allan Collins writing as Patrick Culhane “Red Sky in Morning.”

Tues. Oct 7 - 7:00 Twin Cities Sisters in Crime meeting. Book for the night is: TBA. Special Panel: Mary Logue, Brian Freeman, & David Housewright will talk about and answer questions regarding promoting one's work.

Wed. Oct 8 - 6:30 Mystery Reading Group facilitated by Ellen Hart. Book for the night is: Tana French's “In the Woods.”

Thu. Oct 9 - 7:00 Alex Kava “Exposed” (Maggie O'Dell series) Reading & Signing.

Thu. Oct 23 - 7:00 Larry Millett with William Swanson “Murder Has a Public Face” (foreword by Bill Swanson) Dial M Launch party with refreshments.

Wed. Oct 29 - 6.30 Vince Flynn “Extreme Measures” Signing only.

Wed. Nov. 5 - 7:00 PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE BECAUSE OF ELECTION DAY: Twin Cities Sisters in Crime meeting. Book for the night is: TBA.

Wed. Nov. 12 - 6:30 Mystery Reading Group facilitated by Wm. Kent Krueger Book for the night is CJ Box's “OpenSeason.”

Tues. Dec. 2 - 7:00 Twin Cities Sister in Crime meeting. Book for the night is: TBA.

Thu Dec 4 - 7:00 Monica Ferris “Thai Die” Reading/Signing/refreshments.

Sat. Dec 6 - 12:00-2:00 Laura Childs “Eggs In Purgatory” (New series: “Cackleberry Club” paperback original) Refreshments. To read a review, CLICK HERE.

Come meet your favorite authors and join the fun!

Can’t attend? Call or email and we will reserve a signed and/or inscribed copy for you. RESERVES GET THE BEST COPIES! Signed/inscribed copies require a credit card.