The Running Bibliophile

The Locked Door by Frieda McFadden opens with surgeon Nora Davis having an old fashioned by herself at the local bar when she reconnects with an ex-boyfriend, who just happens to be the bartender.  But soon after, Nora's patients are turning up dead, and it appears to be a copycat killing.  Who knows her secret? A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of  The Locked Door by Frieda McFadden.  McFadden had become one of my favorite authors, so when my request to read this book was approved, I was absolutely ecstatic.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. Wow!  This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't wait to figure out who was the copycat killer.  I had it narrowed down to two different people, and it ended up not being either of the people I thought it might be.  When the killer was revealed, I was absolutely shocked!   The main character, Nora Davis, was a bit...

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Christmas Mittens Murder , which is a collection of three novellas written by Lee Hollis , Lynn Cahoon , and Maddie Day .  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to be approved to read this book! DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER (HAYLEY POWELL FOOD AND COCKTAILS MYSTERY, #16.5) by LEE HOLLIS This particular novella was a fun read, and I enjoyed reading about Haley Powell and her friends trying to solve the latest mystery, which had me guessing.  It's always great to revisit characters that are so likable.  I haven't read a lot of books in this series, but overall, I have come to enjoy the storylines a lot, and this novella did not disappoint.  It's becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and I need to find more time to read more by this author.  Four out of five stars. TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS (KITCHEN WITCH MYSTERIES, #4.5) by L...

Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen is about a teenager named Valdez Jones VIII, who goes by the name of Wrecker due to his heritage . . . many of his great grandfathers salvaged shipwrecks.  When Wrecker comes across a speedboat stuck on a sand flat, the men onboard pay him to keep silent about what he saw.  He's happy to oblige, but then, Wrecker keeps seeing the men all over Key West, and now, they want more than his silence. A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen.  Having heard a lot of good things about this author, I was thrilled to be approved to receive a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review and was not disappointed in the least. Although this book written for middle grade children, it seems more mature for lack of a better word.  I would have thought the target audience was young adults.  Don't get me wrong, there isn't anything that isn't appropriate for kids, it just seemed to be wr...

Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys (Mrs. Claus, #4) by Liz Ireland is the fourth book in the Mrs. Claus book series and is about a turkey that was ordered for Mrs. Claus by the elves that work for her and her husband Nick, also known as Santa Claus, for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday that Mrs. Claus has introduced to Santaland.  Chaos breaks out when the turkey has been kidnapped and Nick's cousin has been murdered. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys (Mrs. Claus, #4) by Liz Ireland.  When my request to read this book was approved, I was happy to receive this novel for free in exchange for my honest review. My first foray into this series was a novella that was a part of collected works, and I thought the story was just okay, so I was happy to see that the series does get better.  It still is a cozy mystery and a bit young for my taste, but it was a lot more interesting.  This is a serie...

The Stranger Upstairs  by Lisa M. Matlin opens with Sarah Slade, a social influencer, starting her life over with her husband by purchasing a house to renovate and planning to document the entire process for Sarah’s followers. The house carries a dark past, and when unexplained events begin happening, Sarah quickly realizes that something is very wrong and is desperate to uncover the truth behind the house.   Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin.  The synopsis was intriguing, and when I received word that my request to read and review this book, I was thrilled.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. Although I didn’t necessarily find Sarah Slade or her husband particularly likable as characters, I was still invested in their story and found myself hoping that things would ultimately work out for Sarah.  The novel is filled with twists, revelations, and unsettling ...

Avocado Magic by Taltal Levi is a children's book about a young girl named Ellie celebrating her birthday under the family avocado tree and how unhappy she is that she hasn't grown any.  Ellie's father teaches her about how she is like an avocado pit and how slowly it seems to grow but how patience is a virtue. A big thank you goes out to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Avocado Magic by Taltal Levi. I'm always looking for great children's books to recommend to friends and family with little ones, so I was excited to read this book and will definitely be recommending it. I love that Avocado Magic by Taltal Levi helps kids understand that all things come in time with a little patience. Another thing that I liked about the story is it shows a family that has its own traditions like having birthdays under their avocado tree . . . a tradition that is shown to continue when the child starts their own family. Five out of five stars is what I gave Avocad...

Witches Get Stuff Done (Starfall Point, #1)  by Molly Harper opens with Riley arriving to Starfall Point, an island in Michigan, to meet her last living relative on her mother's side only to find out her Aunt passed away.  Inheriting the family mansion, she learns she's a witch and has been entrusted with the family secret. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Witches Get Stuff Done (Starfall Point, #1)  by Molly Harper.  I was intrigued by the title of this novel and was thrilled to be approved to read this book.  I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not.  The first few chapters were way too long in my opinion, and I felt like something could've been done better to ease the reader into the story.  With that being said, I am glad I stuck with the story as it picked up, and I ended up falling in love with the c...

The Hike  by Lucy Clarke is a story of friendship told from four different perspectives of a friend group.  The annual holiday is Liz's choice this year, and hiking a huge mountain in Norway is what was chosen.  Obstacles throughout the trip reveal secrets, leading to the death of one of them.  Who will survive? I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Hike by Lucy Clarke.  She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, so when I was approved to read Clarke's latest novel, I was over the moon with glee.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. From the start, The Hike  is extremely engaging, and I had trouble pulling myself away to do normal every day things.  When I wasn't reading it, I found myself thinking about the story and the characters. As a whole, the four main characters were likable but definitely had some traits about them that weren't amiable, just like real life.  I like...

Too Scared To Sleep by Andrew Duplessie is a chilling collection of horror short stories that immediately brought to mind the eerie, unforgettable feeling of reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Each story delivers suspense, creepiness, and just enough unease to keep readers turning the pages late into the night. What truly sets this teen horror anthology apart is its interactive element: at the end of every story, there is a QR code that readers can scan to watch a short video connected to the plot. This creative feature adds a modern twist, enhancing the atmosphere and making the stories feel even more real and immersive. I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this horror collection in exchange for my honest review. The synopsis immediately caught my attention, and I was excited for the opportunity to dive into these scary short stories. When I found out I had been approved to read it, I couldn’t wait to experience how the stories w...

Stinetinglers 2 by R.L. Stine is a fun and spooky collection of ten horror short stories, each inspired by eerie events from the author’s life or his family’s experiences. Much like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , this collection is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good scare. Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Stinetinglers 2 . I was especially excited to receive it, having devoured R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books growing up. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. It’s surprisingly creepy for a kids’ book and instantly put me in the Halloween spirit. I also loved that many of the stories end on cliffhangers; it keeps the tension high and lets readers’ imaginations run wild. I gave Stinetinglers 2 four out of five stars. It’s a fantastic choice for readers ages eight to twelve who enjoy spooky stories with just the right amount of chill. Follow The Running Bibliophile On Social Media Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Pinterest | Goodre...

Halloween Cupcake Murder (Irish Village Mystery, #9.5) by Carlene O'Connor, Carol J. Perry, and Liz Ireland is a collection of three novellas by three different authors, all having to do with Halloween.  I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of this collection that I received for free in exchange for my honest review. T he first novella in this collection is part of a series and is named Halloween Cupcake Murder (Irish Village Mystery, #9.5) written by Carlene O'Connor .  Tara Meehan owns an architectural salvage yard and in search of new products for her store.  When she receives a cupcake and a cryptic message from a stranger, Tara becomes entwined with an ancient mystery tied to Samhain.  I found this story to be intriguing but a little hard to follow at times, but all in all, I really enjoyed this novella.  It was suspenseful without being scary, and I loved that their was a secret society involved.  It made me want to re-watch the...

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is about Yale classmates and friends, June Haywood and Athena Liu, debuting their novels at the same time with both expecting to become well known authors.  When Athena suddenly dies in front of her friend, June makes a rash decision and steals Athena's manuscript, pawning it off as her own in hopes of attaining some of the fame Athena found.  Will June be caught? This novel was the October selection for the book club I belong to.  Although the synopsis sounded intriguing, I was afraid I was going to be dissatisfied with the direction that the story would take.  My assumption was correct.   June ended up being as unlikable as I thought she would be and literally had no redeeming qualities.  She kept making excuses and trying to rationalize the reason for stealing Athena's manuscript and publishing it as her own.  I kept waiting for her to get caught or reveal what she had done, but neither one really happened, which just ...

Read To Death At The Lakeside Library (Lakeside Library Mystery, #3) by Holly Danvers opens in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin with library owner Rain Wilmot getting ready to host her first book club and discuss Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide .  When one of the members dies under suspicious circumstances, Rain and best friend Julia take it on themselves to become amateur sleuths to find out what happens. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Read To Death At The Lakeside Library (Lakeside Library Mystery, #3) by Holly Danvers.  Being a huge Agatha Christie fan, I knew I wanted to read Holly Danvers' latest book since the storyline revolved around one of Christie's novels.  When I was approved to receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review, I was happy. All in all, I really enjoyed reading Read To Death At The Lakeside Library .  It was a super cute and fun read . . . a beach read if you will.  The on...

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. ...

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 re...

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 synops...

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 betwee...

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 . This engaging mystery novel introduces sixty-year-old Jane Hunter , who starts a new job with Cameron “Cam” Clewe after being forced to retire from her long-time librarian career. On her very first day, Jane discovers a dead body , and Cam turns to her for help to clear his name , setting the stage for a suspenseful and twisty mystery. I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) . I was immediately drawn to the intriguing cover and synopsis and was thrilled to receive a free copy in exchange for my honest review. Initially, I struggled to get into the story, so I set it aside and returned to it later. Changing my mindset made all the difference, and I ended up really enjoying the plot. Jane Hunter is a strong and relatable main character, while Cameron Clewe took a little longer ...

The Secret Sisters by Newberry Medal-Winning Author Avi opens with Ida Bidson on her way to live her biggest dream thus far in her life . . . to go to high school so she can eventually become a teacher.  The Roaring Twenties is in it's hey day, and Ida is learning a lot of new things from using a telephone for the first time to seeing her first moving picture to learning how to speak "flapper".  But, when she corrects the principal in front of her class, she worries that she may not last long at the high school. A huge thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Secret Sisters by Avi.  Having heard of the author, but having never reading any of his books, I was intrigued by the synopsis of his latest middle grade book and requested to read it.  When I was approved, I was absolutely delighted. Although I'm not the target audience, I found The Secret Sisters to be fun and engaging . . . and even educationa...

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt tells the unlikely but heartwarming story of an octopus named Marcellus and a human, Tova Sullivan, forming an extraordinary friendship. I had the pleasure of reading it as part of my book club’s September discussion, and it quickly became a story I couldn’t stop thinking about. To be honest, I really didn't have any interest in reading this book despite hearing rave reviews about it on Facebook.  There was so much hype about it, and I'm usually disappointed in books that are over-hyped.   Additionally, I just couldn't get past knowing that part of it was told from the perspective of an octopus ... I don't know why it bothered me since Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was told from a pig's perspective, and I loved that book as a child.  However, I had my own preconceived ideas about the book, and I am so glad that I put those ideas aside and gave it a chance.   Told from three different perspectives, the author does...

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger is a novella expected to be published on October 24, 2023 by Penzler Publishers.  Madeline Martin is the owner of a thriving business, a bookstore.  When author and podcaster Harley Granger stops by her store, Madeline is starstruck.  However, bad memories are dredged up for Madeline by the author when he mentions that he is reopening a cold case that she survived. Thank you, NetGalley and Penzler Publishers, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Lisa Unger's novella, Christmas Presents .  As a recent fan of the author, I knew I wanted to read her latest without even reading the synopsis, so I requested to read this novella and was ecstatic when I was approved to receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. This novella falls into the mystery, thriller, and suspense genre but has a little romance and intrigue to it.  Despite the genre, it even put me in the Christmas mood since it takes place during the holiday....

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena was published on July 25, 2023.  The story opens with William Wooler having an affair.  When his mistress ends things, William goes home early wanting some peace and quiet only to find his daughter Avery home from school early.  He loses his temper with his daughter and leaves.  Hours later, Avery is missing and presumed dead, leaving William as the suspect.  However, he isn't the only person in town hiding a secret. Shari Lapena is one of my favorite authors, so whenever she has a new book out, I know that I'm going to read it automatically.  I was hoping that I'd be lucky enough to receive an advanced readers copy from NetGalley.  Unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards for me.  However, I was one of the first people to be able to check out Everyone Here Is Lying from my local public library. Told from multiple perspectives, the story held my attention, and I drew some conclusions on who I thought was invol...

The Inmate by Freida McFadden opens with Brooke Sullivan starting a new job as a nurse practitioner at Raker State Penitentiary, a position governed by just three strict rules. From the very beginning, it’s clear there’s more going on beneath the surface. Unbeknownst to the prison staff, Brooke has already broken one of those rules ... she has a personal connection to one of the inmates and is, in fact, the person responsible for putting him behind bars. That secret sets the tone for a tense, fast paced psychological thriller that immediately pulls you in. After hearing so many rave reviews about Freida McFadden, I decided to place holds on several of her books at my local library. When The Inmate finally became available, I wasted no time diving in, and I ended up absolutely devouring it. This novel is an incredibly easy and engaging read, the kind that keeps you turning pages late into the night. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and felt like the perfect beach read...

The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson is a general fiction book about a marriage of two artists, Lucia and Ray Hanrahan, and their family gathering for Ray's newest exhibition of art, the first in years.  The family does their part in supporting him, but will it be a success? A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson.  When I read the synopsis of the latest novel by Mendelson, I was intrigued as it sounded absolutely fantastic.  I was thrilled to be approved to read her story. Unfortunately, The Exhibitionist didn’t quite resonate with me. The pacing felt slow from the start, and I found myself hoping the narrative would gain momentum. While the writing itself is polished and Mendelson captures the subtleties of relationships with authenticity, the story continued at a measured, almost plodding pace throughout the novel. The abrupt ending left me wishing for a more developed resolutio...

Death by Food Truck Review: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries Full of Suspense & Romance Death by Food Truck: 4 Cozy Culinary Mysteries by Joi Copeland, Cynthia Hickey, Linda Baten Johnson, and Teresa Ives Lilly is a fun and unique collection of four cozy culinary mystery novellas . Set at Birch Point Lake Park , the stories follow a rash of deaths linked to four different food trucks . Each novella blends mystery, romance, and food, making it a tasty treat for fans of cozy mysteries. This collection was published on July 1, 2023 . I want to thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. My Thoughts on the Stories When I first requested Death by Food Truck , I didn’t realize it contained religious themes. The first novella, in particular, leaned heavily on Christian elements, which made it harder for me to fully enjoy. The other three novellas were less religious, though spiritual refe...