The bookshop – which has operated from the same spot in Fyshwick since it opened in 1989, aside from its six years in Woden – has specalised in crime, mystery, science fiction, fantasy and horror. It has hosted many talks and signings by Australian and international genre writers including Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Peter Corris, Ed McBain and Kerry Greenwood.

"Terry Pratchett was so popular we had people out the door waiting in the queue,'' she said of the British creator of the Discworld series.

"He was a delightful man to talk to."

Another British author she particularly enjoyed hosting was Alistair Reynolds, whose works include the Revelation Space series.

"He was an astrophysicist so he knew what he was talking about."

For the month of June all stock – new and secondhand – will be 25 per cent off with further discounts in July. No more books will be bought, no more newsletters will be sent out and current gift vouchers and valid credit notes should be used by June 28. The store will close on August 2. It isn't the only long-established Fyshwick bookstore to announce it will close: Barry's Bookshop, also in Wollongong Street, has announced it, too, will be gone soon.

Lovett, a former librarian in a government department, opened Gaslight Books in September, 1989. She said after 25 years, it seemed like a good time to close the store.

"I have decided I am enjoying semi-retirement so much I'm making it full-time."

Although she was subject to the same problems that have beset other booksellers – the downturn of the economy, the rise of ebooks – this wasn't the only factor in her decision to shut up shop.

Lovett said she wanted more time to enjoy her own collection of books and to travel. She said it was disappointing publishers had been cutting back on their representatives; people who were not mere sellers but loved books and had introduced her to many interesting new titles over the years. Although she focused on adult books, she said J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series had helped spark new interest in fantasy fiction.

Although she had not worked out all the details, Lovett said she intended to maintain an online presence selling first editions, signed books and collectable paperbacks and magazines.

Lovett got her start in books as an enthusiatic reader of authors such as Agatha Christie, Arthur C. Clarke and H.P. Lovecraft.

"I'd always been a fan of crime fiction and science fiction and got to know booksellers like the late, lamented Miriam Brown.''

They provided her with information about the book trade and further inspiration came when she visited Murder One bookstore in London's Charing Cross Road shortly after it opened in 1988.

"It was one of the first specialty bookstores for crime fiction.''

She said she had more than 8000 books in stock, most of them secondhand. So perhaps the only mystery now is: how many will she be able to sell before the shop closes?

Gaslight Books is at 10/83 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Opening hours are Thursday-Friday 10am to 5.30pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Website: gaslightbooks.com.au