Funny True Story - In the Bookshop

Over the years I've heard a number of stories, this one was related to me by a friend of mine who owned a bookshop. I have reproduced the conversation, as close as I can, from his original description. Sometimes the weirdness of reality far outmatches that of fiction! 

"Good morning Madam."

"I am looking for a book."

"Well, you have come to the right place."

"This is a book shop, right?"

The proprietor tries not to sweep his eyes around the copious shelves of books, and asks a safe question instead.

"What was the title of the book?"

"I don't know."

“No problem, I can look up the author on my computer and run a few titles by, if that's any help?”

"I don't know who it's by."

"Um, it is going to be a bit difficult to ascertain what book you are looking for. Are you sure you can't remember the title?"

"No, I know it was brown."

"The author?"

"No, the colour."

"Well, if you look at the shelves I've got an awful lot of brown books; in fact most of my books are brown."

"So you can't help me then?"

"Well, no, not without knowing the author or the title of the book."

"Can't you look?"

"For what?"

"The book I want!"

The book shop owner, running out of ideas has a moment of inspiration.

“What was it about?”

"I don't know, but my friend liked it."

"Can you find out from him or her?"

"He's dead."

"Oh"

"That's why I come here to buy the book.

"Well, as I said, Madam........"

"So you can't help me then?"

"Not really.”

"This has been by far the worst bookshop I have ever been in."

She storms out.