Indulge literary and dessert desires at shop

Cheesecake and Crime. Sometimes a name says it all. And what better way to describe a mystery book shop and cheesecake joint?

The store is a marriage of owners Pamela and Lendall Mains' passions. Pamela is a bookworm and her husband, Lendall, has been whipping up cheesecake for more than 30 years.

Guests are welcomed by Lola, the image of a mysterious woman in a hat with bakery box in one hand and a gun hidden behind her back in the other. The store's mascot came to Pamela in a dream, along with the name Cheesecake and Crime.

The shop has more than 5,000 titles in mystery, suspense and thriller novels. Pamela said she has all the well-known authors such as Sue Grafton, Carolyn Hart and Kathy Reichs, but there's also many writers that book lovers might not have heard of.

"What I've tried to do is put in a little bit of a deeper selection of presses," Pamela said. "Some of them are fabulous authors that don't have the money pushing them."

Although there aren't complete series or duplicates on the shelves, any book can be ordered.

There is a local authors section, with autographed books, and a children's section.

The sweet side of the store is Lendall's. He hired two bakers, who have sworn not to reveal the cheesecake recipes, and they make 6-inch cheesecakes every day.

"They had to sign confidentially agreements," said Joe Foresman, the store manager. "I don't even know the recipe."

There are standard flavors such as chocolate, plain and strawberry available all the time, and speciality flavors that change every week. Custom cakes come in all shapes and sizes for any occasion and can be ordered by appointment. There also is a sugar-free option.

The 6-inch cheesecakes are $18 and feed six to 10 people. Individual slices are $2.75, and there also are cheesecake cookies and cheesecake truffles.

"We have all things cheesecake," Pamela said.

Coffee, tea and other beverages also are available.

Foresman, who besides managing the store is a published author -- his book "Pieces of Me" is on a shelf near the front of the shop -- also does the marketing. He recently sent a ransom note to customers with a discount offer and said he's thinking a toe-tag might be next.

"We like to keep it themed," he said. "It's fun."

Mystery movies and old television shows such as "Murder She Wrote" and "MacGyver" play continuously to add a little mood to the shop.

The store opened on Dec. 7 in the Eastern Commons shopping center, 10545 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 100.

Writers groups and book clubs are invited to hold meetings in the store.

"This is a fun place to be," Foresman said. "People need a place to meet and we'll give them a place to do it."

A Faberge Egg decorating class will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday. For $49.95, a large cheesecake egg is prepared and decorating supplies are provided. Reservations are required.

"Then you can take them home and use them as decoration or eat them," Foresman said.

Pamela said she would like to bring murder mystery dinners in and has thought about opening a west side location if all goes well.