The Secret Bookstore That's the Heartbeat of Hollywood's Most Powerful Players

Mystery Pier Books, nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, is a bookstore like no other. This unassuming shop, with its unpretentious facade and cluttered interior, is a treasure trove of rare and out-of-print books that has been the go-to destination for Hollywood's elite for over three decades.

Founded in 1980 by actress and book lover, Jay McDonald, and her husband, Harvey Jason, Mystery Pier Books started as a labor of love. McDonald, a film buff and avid reader, wanted to create a space where people could find rare and unusual books that were not easily accessible in mainstream bookstores.

As the years passed, Mystery Pier Books gained a reputation among the Hollywood community for its vast collection of rare and out-of-print books. From film scripts and behind-the-scenes accounts to biographies and historical texts, the bookstore's shelves were stacked with a treasure trove of literary gems.

The store's clientele is a veritable Who's Who of Hollywood's most powerful players. A-list actors, directors, and producers rub shoulders with lesser-known writers and researchers, all united by their love of books and the hunt for that elusive rare find.

One of the store's most loyal customers is Quentin Tarantino, the Academy Award-winning director of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino, an avid film buff and collector of rare books, has been shopping at Mystery Pier Books for years. "I love the store's eclectic mix of books," he says. "I've found some amazing titles there, including a rare copy of the French Connection script, which I'd been searching for years to find."

Another prominent customer is writer and director, Martin Scorsese. Scorsese, who has directed some of Hollywood's most iconic films, including Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, is a fan of the store's rare and out-of-print film texts. "Mystery Pier Books is a treasure trove of cinematic knowledge," he says. "I've found some amazing books there that have inspired some of my most memorable films."

But Mystery Pier Books is more than just a bookstore. It's also a community hub, where people can come to discuss their shared passion for film and literature. McDonald and her team host regular events and book signings, which have become a staple of the Hollywood literary scene.

So if you're ever in the Los Angeles area and find yourself wandering along the Sunset Strip, be sure to stop by Mystery Pier Books. Who knows what rare and out-of-print gems you might find on its shelves? As Tarantino says, "It's a store that's full of surprises."