Undercover Books is a rare and used bookstore and community cultural hub (with a real private investigator office right in the middle) located in the West Washington Heights neighborhood on the far South side of Chicago at 1232 W 103rd Street. We 0ffer a thoughtfully curated collection of rare and used books in a warm and welcoming environment. We also host cultural and special events; featuring author readings, visual art openings, spoken word performance, music performance, local vendor collaborations, and children's story-times.
From Google. Shown as written by the reviewers.
David Weeks
December 2025
This is an amazing bookstore and more! It's a community hub with rotating art exhibits, various performances, book signings, talks with authors, story time and more! It's a beautifully retrofitted space with cool lighting and an unforgettable front door. Enormous selection of carefully maintained, gently used books. Very friendly owners. Peep all the events, there's literally something for everyone.
Christopher Biewer
December 2025
Charming book store with one of the most unique vibes. The selection is amazing, from best sellers to hard to find gems. The owner (Todd, I believe was his name) is an excellent source of information he turned my son, who never reads, onto a new graphic novel (Bone or Amulet, I can’t recall he is now reading both). Highly recommend.
Joel Balasingham
December 2025
My favorite bookstore in Chicago! It’s beautiful inside and thoughtfully organized. Great for hard to find books, but also just fun to peruse. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Also lots of free parking.
Carrie Kelleher
January 2024
I drove to Undercover Books today to donate books to this newish used book store on the south side. When I walked in the door…it was MAGIC! It’s HUGE, full of books of every kind, curated so intentionally, and organized beautifully. It felt wonderful looking around and browsing. A cozy nook with fireplace and sections just for specific authors or themes. A HUGE kids section with bean bags and games. I can’t wait to go back again, and again.
M D
November 2023
Picture this-you are driving/walking down a dark street in an otherwise quiet neighborhood and lo and behold, you look up only to find these gorgeous hues of warmth peeking from inside. What you don’t realize when you walk inside this quaint, stunning, carefully curated bookstore is being serenaded by a sheer labor of love. The family who owns this gem has provided a haven for this neighborhood, a refuge for bibliophiles who love the excitement of holding, touching, smelling a book, a place where you can sit by the fire and converse deeply, or find a quiet nook and get lost in a story, perhaps even yours. Aside from the stunning and gorgeous architecture, this is not only a bookstore (and a very fine one indeed), it is a place of both connection and solitude, a place to get completely immersed in the joy and wonder of browsing and reading, but most importantly, a place to be held with love.
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