Ken Hebenstreit Bookseller

Phone us at 248-548-5459.

We're Ken Hebenstreit and spouse Sharlan (Shar) Douglas. We sell first editions of 20th century literature and fiction, with sub-specialties in mystery, suspense and a dab of fantasy/sci fi. We publish an annual catalog and offer our books over the internet through www.abebooks.com. We also write a monthly E-newsletter and occasionally send lists of new acquisitions via Email.

We’re based in Royal Oak, Michigan, just north of Detroit. It’s an older city with great restaurants, antique shops and entertainment. Here are some sites about Royal Oak: General information Royal Oak city government Stagecrafters at the Baldwin Theater

We don't have a store, but most of our stock is out on shelves in the basement, and you may visit and shop by appointment. Give us a little notice so we can clean up the piles of magazines.

We’ve been in the business since 1996. How did we get into it?

It all started on our honeymoon in
New York in late 1994. We discovered
Mysterious Book Shop, where Ken spotted
a first edition of one of his favorite books,
The Shining.

"Oh, buy it," said his indulgent bride. Fool.

It’s a slippery slope from collector to dealer. Crack cocaine can’t touch it.

So, today, there are 8,000 first editions in our basement, and hundreds of customers and a web site.

And this isn’t even our day job. Ken is actually a systems analyst and, when he’s not booking, he plays clarinet and saxophone in community theater orchestras. Shar is the CEO of the Douglas Group, a public relations firm. When she isn’t toiling over this web site, she directs and performs in community theater plays. Not surprisingly, it is in the theater that we met. But THAT’S a whole other story.

We enjoy playing golf, like red wine, especially big, chewy zinfandels and collect outsider art and creates beaded jewelry.

We live in a 1918 craftsman-style home, with Ken's mom, Helen, and our two dogs.

Whether or not you ever visit our home, you’re always welcome here on our home page. Enjoy your visit. Buy a book.