Specialty Bookselling

Quick, now: Who was the biggest-selling crime-fiction writer in the United Kingdom in 2001, according to official industry figures? P.D. James? Ruth Rendell? Patricia Cornwell? John Grisham?

In 1992, Sonia Williams-Babers entered the world of bookselling with "the smallest ad available" in the June issue of Black Enterprise magazine. The ad read "Get Hooked on Black Books -- send $1 for a catalogue." On returning home to Fort Worth, Texas, from Anaheim, California, and their first ABA Convention, Williams-Babers and her husband and business partner, Elvis Babers, found an overflowing post office box.

We've been able to put together, due to the number of nominations, another wonderful Mystery 76 Top Ten. The pad is in the January white box mailing. Thank you for all the great picks … and click here for the full schedule for all full and specialty 76s for 2002.

There's one pad per white box; if you'd like extras, please e-mail [email protected].

1. A PLACE OF EXECUTION, by Val McDermid (St. Martin's, $6.99 paper, 0312979533)

To be in stores for January 2002:

The idea for this 76 Top Ten came together over the last few weeks while going through all of your e-mails for the January/February 76. There were also many nominations in this area over the last year, and, in looking back, we found we had a good message to send out about looking forward. Thank you for your continuing efforts to help people find answers.

Again, this is--like the full 76--a compilation of most recommended books, not necessarily bestsellers … though many are, and now can be again.