Alex Cross series (Google Books ⧉, Amazon ⧉, Bookshop ⧉)

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians

As the Alex Cross series progresses, I get an advance copy of Roses Are Red packaged with a silk rose. Awhile later, after the book comes out, a guy comes in and wants to buy it as a Valentine’s Day gift for his girlfriend. “Go buy a red silk rose, wrap the book, and put the flower on top of the package,” I recommend. “Oh, that’s a cool idea.”