the Cloak & Dagger

Mystery Bookshop

Immerse yourself in the world of intrigue and suspense at the Cloak & Dagger, an independent bookstore dedicated to mystery enthusiasts. We specialize in both new releases and timeless classics across all mystery genres.

Our charming, English-style library interior showcases a wide array of gifts, games, puzzles, and a special children's mystery corner, creating a delightful experience for every visitor.

For those who prefer to shop online, our digital bookstore offers an extensive selection of mystery and general titles for all ages, along with a comprehensive audiobook catalog.

Gift certificates and digital gift cards are also available for the perfect present.

ShopPrinceton2Win
Nov
2
to Dec 8

ShopPrinceton2Win

"ShopPrinceton2Win" through December 8.

Every time you spend $20 or more (tax included) at the Cloak & Dagger or any local restaurant or business in Princeton, you boost your chances of being the next lucky winner of a $1,000 draw—$500 for you and $500 to share with a local business!

Weekly drawings mean you could be the next lucky winner. Let’s go shopping!

Here’s how it works: https://shopprinceton2win.com/  


View Event →
Michael Connelly-Virtual Event
Nov
20
7:00 PM19:00

Michael Connelly-Virtual Event

  • the Cloak & Dagger-Virtual (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join MICHAEL CONNELLY , a multiple mystery award winner for an engaging conversation involving his new Renée Ballard-Bosch series novel, “The Waiting” ,with Friends & Fiction authors, November 20, 2024, 7PM on the Friends & Fiction Facebook or You Tube channel.

Free event.

Michael, a 2023 Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, has authored 39 bestselling novels with over 85 million copies sold in 45 languages worldwide.

Copies of “The Waiting” are available at the Cloak & Dagger webstore. Shop Now!

Michael Connelly

View Event →
Shop Small Saturday
Nov
30
11:30 AM11:30

Shop Small Saturday

Welcome to your go-to Indie mystery shop since 2001! We've got new whodunits—from the latest page-turners to timeless classics—plus cool gifts, games, and puzzles.

All in-store book purchases on Shop Small Saturday will be discounted by 10% when the customer says “I Lolve Small Shops” at checkout.

View Event →
Local Mystery Author Event
Dec
7
5:00 PM17:00

Local Mystery Author Event

Wicoff House Museum presents “Stories From Our Community” with Kevin G. Chapman, award-winning local mystery author, presenting his latest novel DOUBLE TAKEDOWN .

Join Kevin for an engaging conversation about his new book and the creative process of writing a successful mystery series.

The event is free with advance registration at: tinyurl.com/wicoffchapman. Refreshments provided.

View Event →

Princeton Outdoor Art Market- "Sauce For The Goose"
Nov
9
11:00 AM11:00

Princeton Outdoor Art Market- "Sauce For The Goose"

"Shop from over 100 awesome artisans—ceramics, textiles, jewelry, printmaking, painting, apparel, home décor, and more! This one-day sale is packed with creative vendors and fresh talent just waiting to be discovered.

"Sauce for the Goose is turning 30 in 2024! A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Arts Council of Princeton’s activities.

Stop by the Cloak & Dagger Bookshop during the event, take a selfie in front of the bookshop window, and tag us @canddmysteries to receive a 10% discount on any in-store purchase. Say “I Love Artists” at checkout for the discount!

Browse Vendors: Along Nassau Street in Downtown Princeton.

View Event →
Dia de los Muertos
Nov
2
1:00 PM13:00

Dia de los Muertos

Observed in Mexico and throughout the world in early November, the holiday is a time for family and friends to remember loved ones who have passed.


The Arts Council of Princeton hosts this event annually. Crafts inspired by traditional Mexican folk art will be created, sugar skulls decorated, a community alter built, and live music by Mariachi Los Tigres de Princeton provided.

See details of this free event at: https://artscouncilofprinceton.org/event/day-of-the-dead-24/

View Event →
Read Banned Books
Oct
5
to Oct 24

Read Banned Books

Read Adult Banned Books!  This curated list of books by authors currently on various banned books and censorship lists cuts across genres and demographics nationwide.

See LIST HERE

 Enjoy 15% OFF all titles in this list and use the discount code BannedBooks24 at checkout

View Event →
Finding Waldo In Princeton
Jun
30
to Aug 1

Finding Waldo In Princeton

Join the fun to Find Waldo in 25 participating local businesses, including the Princeton Library and Arts Council. Pick up a Passport (you’ll need one to win prizes) during any open-hours of jaZams on June 30th or any day in the month of July. #findwaldolocal @jazamstoys

View Event →
James Paterson-In Conversation
Jun
27
6:00 PM18:00

James Paterson-In Conversation

Reserve your spot for our virtual live event with James Patterson, the world's bestselling author, as he discusses his new memoir James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life. Find out how a boy from small-town New York went on to become a mega-bestselling novelist – and how he does it.

View Event →
Authors For Ukraine- Book Auction
Mar
29
to Apr 12

Authors For Ukraine- Book Auction

  • the Cloak & Dagger (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Authors for Ukraine Charity Auction gives readers the opportunity to benefit refugees in Europe's darkest hours since World War II by bidding on SIGNED books donated from over 200 critically acclaimed authors. #mystery #amreading #mysterybooks #crimefiction #StandWithUkraine #Booklovers #readingcommunity , #AuthorsForUkraine. Start bidding at:https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/95545

View Event →
Princeton Holiday Market Market Days
Dec
1
to Dec 5

Princeton Holiday Market Market Days

Join downtown as well as Princeton Shopping Center merchants in celebrating the Holiday season!

Shop owners have been working hard to fill fill their shelves and racks with irresistible goodies, unique gifts, and curated book titles—-mystery books but of course! Local shops are brimming with hand-picked products perfect for you and your loved ones.

Surprises & Delights await with chances to win prizes for just getting your Holiday Market passport stamped. No purchase needed.

Here’s how it works: https://www.princetonmerchants.org/holiday-market-days-2021

View Event →
Mystery 12 Launch Party
Aug
31
7:00 PM19:00

Mystery 12 Launch Party

Join Kensington Mystery authors as they celebrate their new releases. Chat with the authors as they give away copies of their new releases, swag, chances to be the first to receive advanced reader copies of their new books, and much more.

Online Facebook Live Free event. Sign up as “Going” .On the evening of the event, everything will take place on the “Discussion” tab

Author books available here.

View Event →
Chatting With Laura Lippman
Aug
24
6:00 PM18:00

Chatting With Laura Lippman

Reserve your spot for a live FREE virtual event with Laura Lippman, the New York Times-bestselling author of Lady in the Lake and August Buzz Pick, Dream Girl.

Join Laura and Sarah Weinman author and NYT - Book Review crime columnist in taking an inside look at Dream Girl, the dark, complex tale of a novelist incapacitated by injury and plagued by mysterious phone calls.

It’s a book – and conversation – you won’t want to miss! Note 5:00PM CST start if you’re in the Central Time Zone.

Register now and you’re also entered to win a signed copy of Dream Girl!

Reserve Your Spot

Dream Girl available here.

Sarah Weinman recent anthology Unspeakable Acts available here

View Event →
Chilling Crime Fiction Chat
May
11
6:00 PM18:00

Chilling Crime Fiction Chat

Join us for another virtual FREE event of chilling crime fiction read by talented mystery writers:

  • R J Belsky- His newest mystery, “Beyond the Headlines,” is being published in May by Oceanview. It is the fourth in a series featuring Clare Carlson, the news director for a New York City TV station. Belsky has published 14 novels—all set in the New York City media world where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News.

  • Elizabeth Crowens- She has worn many hats in Hollywood for over 25 years, is a black belt in martial arts, and is a contributor to Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine and other publications. Elizabeth has three award-winning alternate history/time travel novels, “Silent Meridian” and “A Pocketful of Lodestones” from the Time Traveler Professor series and “A War in Too Many Worlds,” which will be released in the summer of 2021.

  • Hilary Davidson- Hilary is the bestselling author of six crime novels. Her fiction has won two Anthony Awards and a Derringer Award, and her short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune and Beat to a Pulp, to name a few dark places. Her seventh novel, “Her Last Breath,” will be published by Thomas & Mercer on July 1. Visit her online at www.hilarydavidson.com

  • Teel James Glenn- Teel James Glenn has killed hundreds and been killed more times—on stage and screen as he has traveled the world for forty-plus years as a stuntman, swordmaster, storyteller, bodyguard, actor and haunted-house barker. His latest novels are “A Cowboy in Carpathia: A Bob Howard Adventure” (winner of the best novel in the Pulp Factory Awards), “The Skullmask Chronicles” and “Killing Shadow” . Visit him online at: TheUrbanSwashbuckler.com

  • James McCrone - James (Jamie) is the author of the Imogen Trager novels—”Faithless Elector,” “Dark Network” and 2020’s release, “Emergency Powers”—“taut” and “gripping” political thrillers about a stolen presidency. His work, “Numbers Don’t Lie,” also recently appeared in the 2020 short-story anthology “Low Down Dirty Vote, vol. 2.” Visit Jamie at http://jamesmccrone.com/

  • Nev March- Nev is the first Indian-born author to receive the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Award for Best First Crime Fiction. Her debut novel, “Murder in Old Bombay” is nominated for an Edgar Award as well as a Barry and Hammett Award for Excellence in Crime Fiction. The New York Times listed it as one of the “Best crime novels of 2020”.

  • Linda Rawlin -Linda is best known for her “Misty Point Mystery Series” and her “Rocky Meadow Mystery Series”, all delightful and entertaining cozy mystery reads imbued with a strong sense of place and intriguing characters. Linda was the president of the Central Jersey Chapter of Sisters in Crime in 2020 while flourishing in her medical career. Visit Linda at www.lindarawlins.com.

  • Brian Silverman- Brian Silverman’s writing career has spanned more than 30 years. and was the author of the annual Frommer’s New York City guide book series. His story “Breadfruit” was included in “The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018.” His story “Land of Promise” will appear in the “Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021.” His first novel, “Freedom Drop,” was published in 2021.

Albert Tucher, raconteur extraordinaire is the host for the evening.

Author details at-https://www.mwany.org/event/virtual-crime-fiction-reading-series-4/

The event will stream live on the MWA Facebook page. 

Event author books are available for purchase at the Cloak & Dagger online bookshop.

View Event →
Edgar Awards Contest
Apr
26
to Apr 28

Edgar Awards Contest

  • Downtown Princeton (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the the 75th Anniversary of the Edgar Awards celebration hosted by the Mystery Writers of America on April 29, 2021 for works published or produced in 2020 via a special Zoom event. For event details and full listing of all award category nominees visit-http://theedgars.com/

 Feeling Lucky? Visit the the Cloak and Dagger's "Pick the Edgar Winner Contest" to enter your submission for a chance to win a $75 Gift Certificate. Contest end April 28, 2021, 5PM.

Mystery Writers of America, Inc was established in 1945 by a dozen or so like-minded mystery writers for the purpose of promoting and protecting the interest and welfare of mystery writers and to increase the esteem and literary recognition given to the genre.

View Event →
Indie Bookstore Day
Apr
24
11:00 AM11:00

Indie Bookstore Day

Join in and follow the festivities leading up to April 24th. Like us on Facebook as your passport to special events.

Libro audiobooks has started the party by offering a FREE audio book when you spend $15 or more at our webstore between 4/24 and 4/26. For more info and audiobook offerings see details here.

Register Now Glennon Doyle In Conversation With Alexandra Elle, Join us for an evening with our author ambassador Glennon Doyle to celebrate bookstores, readers, and the entire bookish ecosystem.

Thursday, April 22, from 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm ET on Zoom

View Event →
Indie Day Author Conversation
Apr
22
7:30 PM19:30

Indie Day Author Conversation

Join us via Zoom with Indie Bookstore ambassador Glennon Doyle in dazzling conversation with Alexanadra Elle to celebrate bookstores, readers, and the entire bookish ecosystem.

Event is Free . If possible Pay-what-you-can tickets to benefit booksellers via the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.

 

REGISTER NOW

Glennon Doyle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Love Warrior, an Oprah’s Book Club selection, as well as the New York Times bestseller Carry On, Warrior. An activist, speaker, and thought leader, she is also the founder and president of Together Rising, an all-women led nonprofit organization that has revolutionized grassroots philanthropy — raising over $25 million for women, families, and children in crisis.

View Event →
Evening "Who-Dunnits"
Mar
16
6:00 PM18:00

Evening "Who-Dunnits"

Chilling crime fiction reads by MWA-NY talented members:

  • Gloria J. Browne-Marshall-award-winning author, attorney, producer, playwright, radio/podcast host and a professor of constitutional law at John Jay College

  • Lori Duffy Foster- a former crime reporter who writes from the hills of northern Pennsylvania

  • Jane Kelly- a native of Philadelphia close to the Jersey Shore settings of her Meg Daniels mysteries

  • Lucy Kirk- a retired CIA operations officer and former chief of station. She spent more than three decades working in the CIA on assignments both in the U.S. and abroad.

  • Ed Leahy-a finalist for the 2018 Freddie Award for Writing Excellence in Mysteries for Past Grief under the title “Bury the Past.”

  • S. Lee Manning-an award winning short story writer, Manning’s debut thriller, “Trojan Horse,” reflects her lifelong interest in Russia and espionage. Her second in the series, “Nerve Attack,” will be debuting in September 2021.

  • Gary Earl Ross-a retired University at Buffalo professor writing compelling crime fiction and a dazzling playwriter

  • Albert Tucher hosts- former Librarian who went to the” dark side” writing intriguing mysteries while hosting distinguished author panels from the MWA-NY Chapter roster.

This FREE event will stream live on the MWA-NY Facebook page. 

Event author books are available for purchase at the Cloak & Dagger online bookshop.

View Event →
Crafting An Engaging Mystery
Mar
3
6:00 PM18:00

Crafting An Engaging Mystery

Hear four engaging award winning Hudson Valley, NY mystery writers discuss the use of location and atmosphere in their fiction as well as other techniques they’ve developed for crafting an engaging mystery.

  • D. M. Barr

  • Carol Goodman

  • Emily Naymark

  • Rich Zahradnik

  • Moderated by Nancy Bilyeau

The FREE EVENT event will stream on the MWA New York Facebook page

Event author books are available for purchase at the Cloak & Dagger online bookshop.

View Event →
Thrilling Crime Fiction Reads
Feb
16
6:00 PM18:00

Thrilling Crime Fiction Reads

Featuring a distinguished panel of award wining crime writers, including Annamaria Alfieri, ​Ann Aptaker, Teel James Glenn, Leanna Renee Hieber, Emilya Naymark and Erica Obey (Current MWA-NY Chapter President). Author info available at https://www.mwany.org/event/virtual-crime-fiction-reading-series-2/

This Free Event will stream live on the MWA Facebook page.

Event author books are available for purchase at the Cloak & Dagger online bookshop.

View Event →
Crime Fiction Readings-NJ
Feb
10
6:00 PM18:00

Crime Fiction Readings-NJ

Featuring a distinguished panel of New Jersey award wining authors, R.G. Belsky moderates a discussion with novelists Mally Becker, Jeff Markowitz and Victoria Weisfeld.

This Free Event will stream live on the MWA Facebook page.

Event author books are available for purchase at the Cloak & Dagger online bookshop.

(Note: “The Turncoat’s Widow “ by Mally Becker is schedule for release on 2/16/2021 and available at https://www.levelbestbooks.us/mally-becker

View Event →

Copywrite 2021 the Cloak and Dagger