The Running Bibliophile

Bait and Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #1)  by Angela M. Sanders opens with Josie Way arriving in Wilfred, Oregon to start a new position as the town's librarian, a position she took when she overheard a corruption plan while employed at the Library of Congress and became a target. While working and hiding out on the opposite coast, she hopes she isn't found before the corruption case goes to trial and soon realizes that this small town has a lot of drama surrounding it when she finds a dead body and learns that the library is about to be bulldozed. I first learned of this series when I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Witch Upon A Star (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #4) from NetGalley and then an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Witch is Back (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #6)  from NetGalley. Since I loved both of these books, I had to go back to the beginning of the series and read Bait and Witch , and I was not disappointed in the least. I absolutely...

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is about two women from Madison who are completely different from one another and are on an airplane bound for Denver, Colorado. Jasmine is a waitress and is escaping an abusive relationship. Stephanie is a news director for a local news station headed to a news conference. Friends and family of both women receive texts that they've met a man named Trent. Then, both women disappear. Panic starts to set in with loved ones. Who is Trent, and what has he done to them? I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) that they sent to me for free in exchange for my honest review. The synopsis of The Business Trip intrigued me, and I was excited to dive into the book. The story hooked me from the very beginning. I was rooting for Jasmine to escape her boyfriend and live happily ever after. I was also rooting for Stephanie to find the happiness she was looking for. Then, the book took a very disturbing turn, and I ended up loathing J...

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West is a young adult romance novel with an expected publication date of December 31, 2024. The story opens with Finlay auditioning for the school podcast. Jenson, her boyfriend, decides to audition as well at the last minute and happens to get the position Finlay has been wanting for years. Jenson overheard saying that Finlay is terrible, and Finlay breaks up with him and seeks out to get her revenge by becoming the new starting kicker for the football team. Can Finlay pull off this feat? A big thank you goes out to NetGalley for approving and providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of Better Than Revenge by Kasie West. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. First and foremost, West did a fantastic job with this story. I was pulled into the storyline right off the bat and had trouble putting it down. Despite it being a young adult romance novel and me not being the target audience, I absolutely loved it!  The author had me ...

Irish Soda Bread Murder   by Carlene O'Connor, Peggy Ehrhart, and Liz Ireland is a collection of three short stories that include Irish Soda Bread Murder by Carlene O'Connor, An Irish Recipe for Murder by Peggy Ehrhart, and Mrs. Claus and the Sinister Soda Bread Man by Liz Ireland. The expected publication date of this book is December 24, 2024, and my overall review of this book is four out of five stars. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) that I received for free in exchange for my honest review. Irish Soda Bread Murder  by Carlene O'Connor opens with Tara Meehan helping her Uncle Johnny and Aunt Rose with a local bake sale and psychic convention with the proceeds going to charity. When Rose's biggest rival shows up and ends up dying from her soda bread, Tara knows she must step in to help clear her aunt and uncle from the suspect list. I enjoyed this story a lot better than the last one I read in the series. The only complaint I hav...

The Big Empty by Robert Crais falls into the Mystery & Thriller genre and has an expected publication date of January 14, 2025. The story opens with Anya calling to remind her mother Sadie to pick her up from the skate park. When Sadie arrives, Anya is missing. Fast forward to Traci Beller hiring private investigator Elvis Cole to find her father Tommy Beller, who abandoned her and her mother almost ten years previously. What will Elvis Cole discover? I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Big Empty by Robert Crais from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to be approved and receive this novel. The main character, Elvis Cole, was an instant hit with me. He's just an extremely likable character. A somewhat insignificant character that I absolutely love is Cole's semi feral cat since I am a huge cat lover. Cole taking care of the cat is probably a huge factor in me liking him so much. I also really like his partner Joe Pike because he...

Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day opens with Robbie and her husband Abe preparing for the birth of their first child in a few weeks. When a stranger comes into Robbie's restaurant, Pans 'N Pancakes, asking about her aunt, Robbie is a bit uneasy about the situation. Then, the stranger is found dead in her aunt's field, and Robbie knows she must clear her aunt's name off the suspect list. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. I genuinely enjoy Maddie Day’s writing style, so I was thrilled to receive a free copy. Her cozy mystery storytelling once again delivers a comforting yet suspenseful read that fits perfectly within the Country Store Mystery series. I really enjoyed this installment and, after finishing it, found myself eager to go back and start the series from the beginning to fully experience each character’s backstory. The characters are largely likable ...

Mary Downing Hahn is a children's author and a former librarian. She was born on December 9, 1937 in either Washington D.C. or College Park, Maryland to Kenneth Earnest Hahn and Anna Elisabeth Sherwood.   Before attending school, she was in the care of her grandmother, who terrified her with superstitious beliefs that mainly had to do with death. Hahn's grandmother is featured in many of her middle grade novels, including Daphne's Book , The Time of the Witch , The Doll in the Garden , Time for Andrew , The Old Willis Place , and All the Lovely Bad Ones . During the summer, she would play Mother May I  and Kick the Can  along with other games. She would also go into the woods, which were supposed to be off limits to her. Anyone else wonder if these excursions are the basis of Stepping on the Cracks ? During elementary school, Hahn was the class artist and enjoyed drawing picture books and disliked writing stories. It wasn't until her junior high days that she to plea...

Thanksgiving Turkey Tragedy (A Lexy Baker Holiday Novella)  by Leighann Dobbs opens at a turkey farm and various turkeys talking to one another about the one who was chosen for the Thanksgiving Dinner. When their roosting branch collapsed, it kills the owner, and the turkeys escape. Will Lexy Baker be able to find the killer? This novella was the perfect story to read before Thanksgiving. At first, I thought the entire story was going to be told from the turkeys perspectives, but it wasn't. Right off the bat, we know the tree branch broke under the weight of the turkeys roosting on it and is the reason the farmer died. However, there are boot prints near the body, so it doesn't look like an accident. Dobbs does an excellent job of throwing suspicion on several characters, which had me doubting myself on who might have sawed the branch to weaken it. I ended up being partially correct on who was involved. The majority of the characters are likable, but there are a few that do get...

You Feta Watch Out (Grilled Cheese Mysteries, #5)  by Linda Reilly was published on November 19, 2024. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review.  When I started hearing some buzz about this book on Threads and Instagram from people who had received an ARC, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy, so I am thankful for NetGalley providing me a copy. This is the first book I've read by Linda Reilly, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I loved the fact that it revolved around a Christmas play and the holiday season. Despite a murder taking place in the story, it was still full of holiday cheer, which is helping put me in the mood for the upcoming holidays. There were quite a few characters, and it took me a bit to keep them straight, especially when it came to Gina and Nina. Most of the characters were quite likable. Reilly did a fantastic job of throwing suspicion on quite a few people and making me second guess myself....

A Corpse Among the Carolers (Food Blogger, #7) by Debra Sennefelder opens with Hope Early preparing for the annual Jingle Bell Stroll. When the person playing Santa Claus is murdered, Hope knows she must find out how and why it happened.  I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. This book was just the one I needed to read to help me get in the mood for Christmas. I know that it sounds weird since it's a cozy mystery where people are murdered, but it was full of holiday activities including caroling, a holiday market, making wreaths, picking out a Christmas tree, and more. The caroling event especially made me think of my childhood when the neighborhood kids along with a few adults would go door to door around the neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. We would have luminaries lit on both sides of the street as well. All of the characters, minus one or two of them, were very likable, and despite me not having read any of th...

Let Her Be (Hush, #6)  by Lisa Unger is a short story that opens with the main character attempting suicide and going through a treatment plan to get better. When his ex-girlfriend disappears, he elicits the help of their mutual friend Emily to find out what happened. I decided to read this story without reading the synopsis because it is written by one of my favorite authors. Had I realized the story included domestic abuse and attempted suicide, I might have passed on it. However, I persevered and wanted to find out what happened to the ex-girlfriend.  There were some red herrings that completely threw me, and the person who I thought was involved wasn't involved. I have to say I was shocked by the ending and didn't care for the revelation.  As for the characters, there weren't many in the story, but I have to say I didn't care for the main character. The rest of the characters were likable. Four out of five stars is what I gave  Let Her Be (Hush, #6)  by Lisa...

Book Review: Murder at the Lemonberry Tea (Beacon Bakeshop, #6) by Darci Hannah Murder at the Lemonberry Tea (Beacon Bakeshop, #6) by Darci Hannah opens with Lindsey preparing for her best friend's family to stay with her in the lighthouse because they're on holiday to support Kennedy PR attempt for Lindsey's bakery to appear on a celebrity cooking show. When one of the people associated with the show turns up dead, Lindsey and Kennedy team up once again to investigate. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this cozy mystery that they gave me for free in exchange for my honest review. I've read at least one book in this series and enjoyed it, so I was very appreciative to be approved to read  Murder at the Lemonberry Tea (Beacon Bakeshop, #6) . I really enjoyed most of the characters in this book, especially the reoccurring ones. Although I'm a cat person, I think Welly was one of my favorites, especially when he gets caught swimmi...

Book Review: The Reunion Dinner (Busybodies Collection, #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto The Reunion Dinner (Busybodies Collection, #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the second book in the Busybodies Collection on Amazon Prime. It opens to an Asian American family gathering to celebrate the Chinese New Year when one of the guest unexpectedly dies. The cops are called, and the family matriarch is trying to figure out who committed murder. I enjoyed the first short story in this series so much that I decided to read the next in the series. These are all stand alone stories by different authors and are available to borrow for free or purchase from Amazon Prime. Unfortunately, I didn't care for this installment as the first one as I didn't care for the characters as much, and the main character seemed a little overbearing. However, I did like learning a little about the Chinese New Year, some of the food served, and a tradition or two.  What kept me from rating this story higher is that I absolu...

Book Review: The Witch is Back (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #6) by Angela M. Sanders The Witch is Back (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #6)  by Angela M. Sanders opens with Josie and the rest of the town receiving poison pen letters. On top of that her mom is in town and wants a divorce. Can Josie investigate who wrote these letters while convincing her mom not to get a divorce? Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for approving my request as I couldn't wait to find out what happens in this installment. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story and didn't want to put the book down. That takes some talent in my opinion. I absolutely love the characters of this series . . . they feel like they're part of my family and friend group! With that being said, there are some that get on your nerves at times, but it's like that in real life with real people. Although I figu...

Book Review: Staged (Busybodies Collection, #1) by Elle Cosimano Staged (Busybodies Collection, #1)   by Elle Cosimano is the first book in a short story collection and is available to borrow through Prime Reading. With only forty-three pages, it is considered a one hour read by Amazon. Lyda, a broker, has roped her friend Dani into helping her stage a Victorian house to sell. When the landscaper is found dead inside the house, Lyda and Dani take it upon themselves to investigate the crime. I thoroughly enjoyed this story because I loved that it was about fixing up a house and is a mystery. It reminds me of several shows that I like to watch on HGTV.  Since it's such a quick read, there's not a lot of time to really get too deep into character development, but there was enough there to get a flavor of each character's personality. I'd say there was an equal mix of likeable and unlikeable characters. I wouldn't mind this particular story being turned int...

If You Can Hear This  by Faith Gardner is a Young Adult Mystery & Thriller novel about a high school AV Club and the search of their teacher who is missing. The expected publication date of this book is November 19, 2024. I'd like to thank NetGalley for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.   Overall, I can say that I really enjoyed the storyline. It reminded me of the Point Horror Books of the 1980's and 1990's and followed a similar formula. There were plenty of suspects and motives throughout but was a bit predictable. Additionally, I liked that the author had a diverse group of characters in the book, including two or three from the LGTBQ+ community, a couple that were people of color, and one that had a mental illness. I think it's important to include a diverse group of characters so that everyone has a book to read that depicts someone like them as well as educating others on people who are differen...

Book Review: The Party by Natasha Preston The Party by Natasha Preston opens with Bessie and her boarding school friends preparing to sneak out for Spring Break to throw a huge party in a rundown castle. Things start to go awry when a huge storm hits and keeps them secluded in the remote castle and the friends begin to be killed. Who is doing this and why? A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Party  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to be approved for this book because I enjoyed The Island , at least until the ending, and thought The Dare  was just okay, and I wanted to be able to compare her latest novel to the ones I had already read. Preston did a fantastic job of having a lot of diverse characters. Despite there being quite a few characters, it wasn't too hard keeping them straight. However, I did have trouble remembering who Raif was at one point because he hadn't been mentioned in a w...

Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is about best friends Eowyn and Jules attending their sixth summer of Broadway Camp at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. However, when Eowyn arrives, everything seems to go wrong, including her friendship with Jules. Told from the perspective of both girls, things aren't always what they seem. I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy ARC of this Young Adult (YA) novel, which I received for free in exchange for my honest review. Not having read any of the author's previous works, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say I am impressed. The story switches back and forth between the present and past as well as switching from Eowyn's and Jules' perspectives giving the reader an insight to how each girl feels. I loved being able to see the perspective of each girl because they both had very valid points. One of the biggest lessons in Take It From The Top is that the grass isn't always greener on the o...

Book Review: Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen opens with two moms, Mary and Willa, on the playground with their sons in New York City. They become fast friends after a snarky mom makes a comment about the junk food given as a snack. Suddenly, Willa ghosts Mary for apparently no reason, but while in Woodstock, Mary spots Willa and tries to speak with her. Why is Willa pretending to be someone else? I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. I was intrigued by the synopsis and was thrilled when I found out I was receiving Keep Your Friends Close . Unfortunately, life got in the way, and I got behind in reading and reviewing the book. The story started off a bit slow but the suspense ended building very nicely. The novel alternated between Mary and Willa as well as had alternating timelines. Because it was told from different perspectives, the reader gets a bit of insight that they wouldn't if it...

Book Review: The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger was published on March 5, 2024 and falls into the mystery and thriller genres. I was thrilled when I learned that I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. However, I wasn't able to read and review the novel until now. This novel is reminiscent of the television show 666 Park Avenue and is definitely what I call a slow burn.   With that being said, it had twists and turns that had me guessing to the very end. Although the book is told from Rosie Lowan's perspective, there are some flashbacks to a previous owner that adds some mystery to the storyline. The transitions between the two perspectives are done exceptionally well. There are a mix of characters that are likable and unlikable. My favorite characters were Rosie and Max. Unfortunately, I didn't quite trust Rosie's husband Chad or the doorman named Abi. Lisa Unger has become ...

Book Review: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger opens with Hannah and her family celebrating Christmas with dinner. All the gifts have been opened, with the exception of some that are from Santa. However, no one is owning up to being Santa. Fast forward six months, Hannah, her husband, brother, sister-in-law, and her best friend with a boyfriend in tow are getting together for a long weekend where secrets are spilled. Wow! I have no words to describe how much I absolutely loved this Lisa Unger story. It kept my interest from the start of the book, and I would love to see it turned into a movie. Told from several characters perspectives and alternating timelines, it kept me guessing for the most part. Lisa Unger did a fantastic job of keeping it easy for the reader to follow without any issues. However, I did figure out the connection between Trina and Cat to the rest of the story relatively early on. With that being said, I didn't quit...

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 ...

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 ...