The Running Bibliophile

The Photographer II: The Dark Room   by Barbara Steiner is a gripping sequel that picks up right where the first book leaves off. Derrick is now living in a new town under an assumed name, attempting to blend in while hiding his dark past. He’s opened a photography studio, presenting himself as a harmless professional, but readers quickly learn that he has developed some disturbing new tricks along the way. As his story unfolds, the tension builds around one central question: will Derrick finally get away with murder, or will his carefully constructed life begin to unravel? I typically find myself disappointed by sequels, as they often fail to capture the intensity or originality of the first installment. That was not the case here. Barbara Steiner truly outdid herself with this follow-up, and I ended up enjoying it even more than the original book. There are strong V.C. Andrews style vibes throughout the story, which add a dark, unsettling edge and give the plot an extra layer of...

The Photographer by Barbara Steiner is a Young Adult horror novel that was originally published in 1989 and follows a new student named Derrick who joins the school photography club and the student newspaper. Megan, who is already a member of both groups, begins having unsettling and vivid dreams shortly after Derrick arrives. As Derrick starts taking photographs of the prettiest girls in school for the newspaper, Megan realizes that her disturbing dreams are beginning to come true. As events escalate, she becomes convinced that Derrick is somehow connected and feels compelled to prove that he is responsible before more damage is done. On Friday, September 13, 2024, I was in the mood for a short, spooky book and came across The Photographer while researching other books written by Barbara Steiner. It immediately caught my attention, and I decided to give it a try. It definitely delivered the eerie atmosphere I was hoping for and made for a quick and creepy read that fit the season p...

Crazy for You  by Marnie Vinge is a story about a former pop star named Victoria London who gave up her celebrity status when her friend Nikki dies and is blamed for her death. Victoria now owns a wolf rescue charity that needs a lot of monetary donations to stay open, so she agrees to be interviewed because she has a fundraiser coming up. However, Victoria's stalker from her pop days starts threatening her again. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Crazy for You  by Marnie Vinge. I was thrilled to be approved to read this novel and received a copy of it for free in exchange for my honest review. The story is told from alternating perspectives and alternate timelines to keep the reader guessing. I know a lot of readers don't like these type of books. However, I actually enjoy books that have this type of format if it's done well, and the author did an exceptional job with it. Unfortunately, I did figure out part of the plot twist because o...

The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World  by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck is a children's book about a boy being taken around the world via the light from his menorah. In his travels, he visits different holiday festivals. Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book. I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I think it's important for children to learn about other holidays around the world in a fun way. However, I expected a little more description during the actual story to correspond with the illustrations instead of it being included in the author's note. I feel like the adults will have to explain the point of the book to children. With that being said, the writing was absolutely beautiful, and the illustrations are fantastic. Four out of five stars is what I gave The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck for taking the initiative to...

A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery, #6)   by Sue Minix opens with a shocking and attention-grabbing scene when a man covered in blood stumbles onto the running track where Jen and Eric are out for their usual run. The man has no idea who he is or what has happened to him, immediately setting the stage for a mystery filled with unanswered questions and suspense.  After he is rushed to the hospital, Eric and the Riddleton Police Department begin investigating the case, but as fans of the series would expect, Jen can’t help inserting herself into the situation. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out to learn the identity of the mystery man and piece together the events that led to his condition. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and I was absolutely thrilled to be approved. Sue Minix has become one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to returning to Riddleton and catching up ...

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret  by Judy Blume is told from the perspective of Margaret, a young girl who has recently moved to New Jersey and is navigating many of the challenges typical of this stage of life. Margaret is trying to make new friends while also questioning religion, something that feels especially significant as she and her peers prepare to enter sixth grade. Alongside these bigger questions, Margaret and her friends are juggling the everyday trials and tribulations of being a tween and going through puberty, including school dances, boy-girl parties, getting their first bras, and all the awkward moments that come with growing up. Judy Blume does an excellent job capturing what a child might realistically experience during this time of life. She portrays these situations in a way that feels honest and relatable, and she also handles the topic of questioning religion with care and sensitivity. I thought the story was well written and thoughtfully approached. I ...

Sentenced To Murder (The Bookstore Mystery,  #5)  by Sue Minix opens with Jen trying to solve another mystery where a young man named Jaylon is in jail for murdering his brother Ewon, but the body has never been found. Additionally, Jaylon needs a kidney transplant, but he can't receive it while in jail. Can Jen find new evidence to exonerate Jaylon? So far, I'd have to say that this installment is my absolute favorite in the series. There were lots of red herrings throughout the story. One of the people I suspected was Madame Crystal and thought she might be the biological mother of Ewon. Other people I suspected were Ewon's adoptive parents, Detective Conway, Penelope, and even possibly Ewon's third friend. At one point, I even wondered if Ewon was still alive. I finally narrowed it down to one of two people but wasn't sure who was the murderer. You'll have to read the book to find out if one of my suspicions was correct! There was one scene in the book that h...