"peruse", contradicting definitions

RaenHe appeared to be perusing the bookshelves behind the desk..."?

It is not correct in that context. A bookshelf is not reading material.

People do peruse bookshelves these days: http://fraze.it/n_search.jsp?q=peruse+shelves&findid=-1&ff=&ffp=0&ffo=false&cpradius=1&l=0&t=0&sugg=off. I imagine the idea is that they are actual perusing the titles of the books on the shelves.

Thanks to both of you.

So would you suggest that the "he" in the sentence was "examining and reading with great care" or "glancing over, skimming" whatever are on the bookshelves? Thanks in advance.

There is no way of knowing without more context.

No. I'm afraid not. So am I justified to feel a little irritated that the author (who writes mysetry novels) chose to use such an ambiguous word (or is it?) to describe an action that could be telling. I thought even the context in this case is so far into the book ambiguous. I spent upward of 10-20 minutes trying to understand and decide the meaning of the word. Anyway, thanks.

RaenSo am I justified ...

There is not likely to be anything so very important in the novel that hinges on the exact meaning intended by 'peruse' in one sentence. You can probably replace 'perusing' with 'looking at', and move on.

CJ

Yes. i sure did.

Raenthe author (who writes mysetry novels) chose to use such an ambiguous word

It seems like ambiguity is a feature of the genre. They wouldn't be mysteries otherwise.

of the plots maybe, but of words? Wouldn't that aggrevate more than impress the readers? But I see your points. Thanks

RaenWouldn't that aggrevate more than impress the readers?

Many of the plots aggravate the readers, too, especially at the end of the book, when they realize that a misinterpreted word or phrase was the clue to the whole solution.