Book Carnival has been Orange County's go-to for mysteries, thrillers and romantic suspense first-editions since 1981. Local authors including Dean Koontz, T. Jefferson Parker and Kem Nunn feature prominently, as do authors such as Lawrence Block, Stephen King, David Morrell and Donald Westlake. On a recent visit, we found a host of autographed books, including quite a stash of signed or book-plated novels by our favorite writer, Joe R. Lansdale. Clean, well-organized and decently stocked, it's owned and run by friendly octogenarian Anne Saller. You'll pay a bit more for the books than you would on Amazon, but you're supporting the last of a dying breed: a specialty used-book store you can visit online and in person.
