About Centuries and Sleuths

Celebrating its independence in specialty bookselling for over 30 years, Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore's atmosphere is warm and friendly, with oak/cherry bookcases, shelves clearly labeled with the historical era / topic, mystery, or related subjects , and comfortable seating, inviting you to browse your chosen subject(s). You won't "get lost in the stacks", but you can definitely get lost in the books.

If you're unsure where to start, our knowledgeable, helpful staff will be happy to act as your guide through fact or fiction, history or mystery, and adults' or children’s books. We'll even giftwrap your book purchases upon request.

Often, you can discuss your opinion about a book with other like-minded (or not) readers, or even with the author who excited your curiosity, rapture, or dissent, because three different reader discussion  groups meet here regularly (and one  periodically;) and we host frequent author and community events.

You can follow our events, order books online, and see "staff picks" of books we recently enjoyed, or our groups are discussing, on our web page, Facebook, or Instagram. Or sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.  By all means, get to know us better!

Dear Friends,

We are profoundly grateful for your book & gift certificate orders that have helped sustain us through the pandemic.

We participate in the Illinois COVID-19/variant precautions within the current guidelines: 

Please,Wear your mask at crowded events, even if fully vaccinated for COVID-19, in respect for customers with compromised immune systems, or who cannot be vaccinated yet.

Cover coughs/sneezes. Clean hands with hand sanitizer or soap/water before handling books; 

Phone (708/771-7243) and online orders  (cns7419@sbcglobal.net )  are accepted in the usual manner. 

Thank you all,
Centuries and Sleuths