iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%90+57.2Reliability 28%87+24.6Replies to reviews 8%75+6.2Momentum penalty69−3.1Experts Score= 85Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.85SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#11 of 32 bookstoresiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 68%
4.9★★★★★195 Google reviews · 23 photos
94%five-star reviews
4.69★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.9%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Mystery to Me 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 195 reviews, with the owner responding to 72 percent of comments. Customers frequently praise the friendly staff, helpful book recommendations, and the use of sticky notes to highlight titles. The store offers diverse genres, free gift wrapping, and author events, though one low-star review alleged that a customer was not greeted upon entry.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 195 reviews (94% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 195 Google reviews (135 with written comments, 15 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 72% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 31, 2026.
Service: Bookstore serving Madison, Wisconsin.
Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.
Score profile vs other bookstores
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and reliability; weakest: momentum.
Mystery to MeBookstores median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Mystery to Me: 90/100 on this factor. Category median: 80.A
90
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Mystery to Me: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.A
87
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Mystery to Me: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
69
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Mystery to Me: 75/100 on this factor. Category median: 38.B
75
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
195 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars18394%
4 stars116%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 135 written reviews
100%praise
Praise98100%
Complaints00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude7678%
Would recommend99%
Speed & response44%
Price & value44%
Quality & results22%
Honesty & trust22%
Communication11%
What customers talk about
We read 135 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Everyone was so sweet and willing to help and you can really tell it’s a community space for people of all ages!”
“From baby story time to the best reads, I highly recommend!”
“I special order from Mystery to Me several times a year and they're always fast and communicative.”
“This shop is a great reminder to shop local, and so worth it!”
“Local book store, excellent service with delightful owners that have helpful suggestions, children's section is good.”
“The Post It notes on the books often guiding my selections are like recommendations from a dear, trusted friend.”
People customers mention
Street3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
ZZoe4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 days ago★★★★★
Very cute bookstore with options for everyone. Obviously it’s mystery themed, so there was one of the largest mystery sections I’ve ever seen. It was so interesting trying to look through a genre I’d typically not reach for, but I did end up finding a couple books! Everyone was so sweet and willing to help and you…
CCarlaLocal Guide · 121 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
I adored this shop and wish I lived closer. My friends who live nearby have brought us to this shop twice and it's an absolute treasure to its community. We've managed to easily find books to buy without searching around. Their selection is amazing, and the post-it notes they put on books displayed around the store…
NNicoleLocal Guide · 66 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★
I being of a darker hue came into your book store and I can only assume that it was truly a surprise, I am an avid reader… but the fact that I was not greeted showed that my money doesn’t matter. Very unfriendly to people of color I see
JJeffLocal Guide · 31 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Super nice employees, I ordered 2 books for pickup, they arrived just as scheduled. Really cute bookstore in a great walking, shopping neighborhood!!!!
DDana2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 7 months ago★★★★★
My family loves mystery to me!! From baby story time to the best reads, I highly recommend! The owners are the absolute sweetest and they are incredibly knowledgeable.
SStephanieLocal Guide · 28 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 7 months ago★★★★
Very cute independent book store! I loved the post its all over with comments about what someone thought of the book. It had a great selection and is organized in a way easy to find whatever you are looking for!
Very cute bookstore with options for everyone. Obviously it’s mystery themed, so there was one of the largest mystery sections I’ve ever seen. It was so interesting trying to look through a genre I’d typically not reach for, but I did end up finding a couple books! Everyone was so sweet and willing to help and you can really tell it’s a community space for people of all ages!
C
Carla BamesbergerLocal Guide · 121 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Carla has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I adored this shop and wish I lived closer. My friends who live nearby have brought us to this shop twice and it's an absolute treasure to its community. We've managed to easily find books to buy without searching around. Their selection is amazing, and the post-it notes they put on books displayed around the store add such a fun dimension. Everyone working here is so nice and helpful. Definitely stop by if you haven't!
N
Nicole AllenLocal Guide · 66 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nicole has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I being of a darker hue came into your book store and I can only assume that it was truly a surprise, I am an avid reader… but the fact that I was not greeted showed that my money doesn’t matter. Very unfriendly to people of color I see
D
Denise WilkersonLocal Guide · 498 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Denise has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Super nice employees, I ordered 2 books for pickup, they arrived just as scheduled. Really cute bookstore in a great walking, shopping neighborhood!!!!
D
Dana Shever2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dana has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My family loves mystery to me!! From baby story time to the best reads, I highly recommend! The owners are the absolute sweetest and they are incredibly knowledgeable.
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you so much, Dana!
H
Haley BorchmannLocal Guide · 55 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Haley has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Stephanie SylvesterLocal Guide · 28 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Stephanie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Very cute independent book store! I loved the post its all over with comments about what someone thought of the book. It had a great selection and is organized in a way easy to find whatever you are looking for!
S
Stephanie Simmons9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Stephanie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Wonderful bookstore, wonderful staff! Highly recommend checking it out - so much more than just mystery books (but they do have a great mystery selection!)
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you so much, Steph!
C
Carrie BispingLocal Guide · 41 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Carrie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Very nice location to browse the books. The shelf talkers make it easy to find a book you didn't know you needed. I walked out with a beautiful Winnie the Pooh book because it was on a Bookseller's shelf. Staff war super friendly .
Response from the owner · 9 months ago
Ahh! Hannah was so happy to see you grabbed that Winnie he Pooh :)
