Books I've Read

a thin veneer of drywall and Sheetrock (pg. 44) -- Are they not the same thing?
I don't know the Dewey decimal system all that well (pg. 102) -- She is talking about a UCLA library, they probably use LC. And I think the "d" in decimal should be capitalized.
schmeared a bagel (pg. 170) -- The relationship between "schmear" and "smear" struck me.
bottle of...chloroform languishing...after a stint at learning photography (pg. 186) -- Today I Learned of its uses in the photographic arts.

...Hamilton Burger said unctuously (The Case Of The Terrified Typist, pg. 221) -- Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness.
...and his defalcations would be discovered. (The Case Of The Terrified Typist, pg. 243) -- The fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
"Oh, bosh!" Hamilton Burger snapped. (The Case Of The Lucky Loser, pg 357) -- Pretentious or silly talk or writing. I thought I invented this work in sixth grade, but as it turns out...
...and a Strobe-light in the other hand... (The Case Of The Foot-Loose Doll, pg 633) -- It is a proper noun? I don't think so.

She was emotionally unstable and I believe temporarily insane. She had come to believe the world owed a living both to her and to her unborn child. It was quite in keeping with her emotional state for her to hold up a bank. -- The Case Of The Foot-Loose Doll, pg. 695.

Belle's serdab (pg. 161) -- A secret chamber in an ancient Eygptian tomb. In this case, Belle's garden shed love nest.
camarilla (pg. 216) -- A group of secret or confidential advisers.
elide (pg. 247) -- To omit or slur over.
parilka (pg. 261) -- A Russian steam room or sauna, with a cold plunge pool, part of a banya.