The Running Bibliophile

Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams opens with resort manager Jane Steward and her fiance Edwin planning a getaway from Storyton Hall in Virginia to the coast of North Carolina.  Things almost immediately go awry when Edwin is stung by stingrays and Jane finds a dead body. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.  The cover of this cozy mystery was super cute and the synopsis intriguing.  When I got the notification that I was approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review, I was excited. This book was an easy read as well as super cute and fun.  It reminded me a bit of a Nancy Drew book.  Although Murder In The Book Lover's Loft was a bit predictable at times, it was thoroughly enjoyable.  I really enjoyed the characters of Jane, Edwin, and Olivia.  I even liked Mr. Butterworth . . . he r

Mischief Nights Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery, #8) by Libby Klein was published on July 25, 2023.  The story opens with Poppy McAllister not being happy about being coerced into the Cape May Haunted Dinners Tour during the Halloween season.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed about breaking up an argument between some of her guests, Poppy is dismayed when one of them turns up dead. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of Mischief Nights Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery, #8) by Libby Klein.  I love a great mystery, especially as it gets closer to Halloween, so when my request to read this book was approved, I was thrilled. This was the first book I've read by Libby Klein, and it was a well written story that kept my attention.  Although, it's the eighth book in a series, it could be read as a stand alone.  The author did a relatively good job of giving the reader some backstory of each of the characters, so I didn't really feel li

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant (Beacon Bakeshop, #4) by Darci Hannah is set in Beacon Harbor, Michigan and opens with Lindsey Bakewell finding a dummy hung from a tree outside her haunted home and workplace, a lighthouse that has been converted into a home and bakery.  Determined to keep this from happening again, Lindsey has the seniors from the local high school over for a pumpkin carving contest.  On top of that, one of her employees told a reality show that they could film the lighthouse for their show.  During the taping, the ghost makes his presence known, and everyone flees the building only to find that one of the high school teachers hanging from a tree.  Lindsey and her friends are determined to find the answer. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant (Beacon Bakeshop, #4) written by Darci Hannah.  I wasn't familiar with this author or her books, but after reading the synopsis, I knew I had

Death Of A Clam Digger (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery, #16) by Lee Hollis opens with Haley Powell's best friend Mona Barnes and her rival Vera Leighton slugging it out on the beach over who has claim over the clams on a certain section of beach.  When Vera Leighton's father, Lonnie Leighton, turns up dead from apparent suffocation on that same spot of beach, tempers flair even more. A huge thank goes out to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Death Of A Clam Digger (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery, #16) by Lee Hollis.  Several years ago, I read the first book in this series, Death of a Kitchen Diva (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery, #1) and enjoyed it.  When I saw that the author had a new book in the series, I knew I wanted to revisit the series.  I was super happy that I was approved to receive this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  And, I can't wait to read all the books in between the first

The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies opens with Alice Cannoli-Potchnik finding out that she's moving for the eleventh time due to her mother's job at the local university.  Upon arriving at her new house, she notices the condemned house next door and decides to restore it to it's previous splendor.  Little does she know that it's haunted. I'd like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies.  Upon seeing the cover and reading the synopsis of this kid's book, my interest was piqued.  When I was approved to receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review, I was delighted. At first, I found this book to be a bit slow, and it reminded me ever so slightly of Leeva At Last by Sara Pennypacker because both of the main characters were kept home from school by their parents and were approximately the same age.  Both of the ma

A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert was published on July 11, 2023.  It opens with sixty-year old Jane Hunter starting a new job for Cameron "Cam" Clewe after being forced to retire from her librarian career.  When Jane finds a dead body on her first day of the job, Cam requests his employee to help exonerate his name. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert.  I loved the cover and synopsis of the book and was thrilled when I learned that I was receiving a free copy of it in exchange for my honest review. At first, I had trouble getting into the story, so I put the book aside and came back to it.  Being in a different mindset definitely made the difference.  I ended up enjoying the storyline.  I really liked the main character, Jane Hunter.  I wasn't as crazy about Cameron Clewe, but he ended up growing on me. There were lots of suspects, and I w