Mystery Guild
Sep 27 '00
One of my great pleasures in life is reading. There is something totally decadent about shutting out the rest of the world for a little while, and curling up with a great book.
Although I'll read just about anything, my favorite genre is mysteries. For me, there's nothing like a great murder to solve, a great detective to follow, or a great lawyer at work in the courtroom. Some of my favorites are John Sandford, Tami Hoag, Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connely and Janet Evanovich. With each of them, I eagerly await their newest, and run out to buy them as soon as they are available.
This summer, during a particularly busy time, I fell behind on reading, and on keeping up with what was newly published. I was surfing online and saw a banner for the Mystery Guild Book Club. I clicked to get a bit more information, and saw at least a half dozen new releases that I just had to have. Previously I had resisted the temptation to join a book club, but on a whim, I decided to give this one a try.
Membership
There were two option when joining the Mystery Guild. They offered either 1 book free, and then 6 books for .99 cents after you had received the first book, or 6 books for .99 cents now and one additional book free with it. Either way, your only other obligation was to purchase two more books during the next two years.
Delivery
Since joining I have ordered my original free book, my 6 for .99 cents, and several more at regular book club prices. Each time I have received the books within one week, and always in good condition.
Quality
It had been my impression, perhaps mistakenly, that book clubs sold special book club editions which weren't quite the same quality as book store editions. None of the books were marked as such, and each was of similar quality to those that I have bought at regular store prices.
Customer Service
Shortly after I joined, I noticed that the Mystery Guild had given me two accounts in error. I emailed them and asked them to delete one account. Although they never responded to my email, they did delete the account right away.
Monthly Selections
Each month I receive a packet in the mail from the Mystery Guild, which includes several selected books for the month, and a small pamphlet with other books available for purchase. I also get a bunch of other solicitations which I immediately throw in the trash. If you do nothing, they will be send you the featured selections. If you don't want them, you can simply check boxes on the response card, and put it in the mail. A feature I like is that this can be done online. The site is easily navigable, and it takes just a couple of minutes to let them know I don't want the featured selections. I have never had any trouble with this method, or received books that I didn't want.
Advance Notice
One of the things that I like best about Mystery Guild is the ability to pre-order new releases. This way I always know what is about to be released, and I have the opportunity to read them as soon as possible.
Website
The Mystery Guild has a convenient website located at www.mysteryguild.com. Besides being able to communicate information about monthly selections, the site includes:
* A form to join
* An online catalogue
* A list of books on sale
* An FAQ section
* Customer service access
* A What's New section
* Information on authors
* A bestseller list
* Excerpts from various bestsellers
* Author interviews
* An author chat archive
Prices
Mystery Guild prices are generally 50% of book store prices. I recently ordered Dust to Dust by Tami Hoag and paid $12.97 plus shipping. The retail price is $25.95.
Verdict
I like it! The selection is large, the delivery prompt, the customer service good, the price right, and it keeps me with a constant supply of juicy mysteries.
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