The Running Bibliophile

Such A Clever Girl  by Darby Kane  opens with the friends and family of Xavier Tanner gathered for the reading of his will when his granddaughter, Aubrey (presumed dead for the last fifteen years), suddenly walks through the door. Her unexpected appearance reignites the rumor mill surrounding the mysterious disappearance of her family all those years ago. It also draws a teacher, a  café owner, and a psychologist back together for the first time since that day. What secrets have they been keeping, and how are they connected to the Tanner family disappearance ? Told mainly from the perspective of Stella, Marni, and Hannah, the author slowly weaves a hellacious story of secrets, lies, and things that aren't as they seem. As the reader navigates the story, they're presented with flashbacks and tidbits of information of what happened to the Tanner family that connect these three women together who otherwise wouldn't be connected. Add in an occasional bit of information from t...

Caller Unknown  by Gillian McAllister  opens with Simone arriving in Texas from the United Kingdom to meet up with her daughter, Lucy, for one last vacation before Lucy goes off to university. From the moment she arrives, everything seems to go wrong, beginning with her lost luggage. After finally making it to the cabin and reuniting with Lucy, Simone wakes in the early hours of the morning before drifting back to sleep. But, when she wakes again a few hours later, Lucy is gone, having left behind her cell phone, and there's another phone on the bed containing ransom text. Forced to follow a series of terrifying demands without involving the police, Simone must race against time to save her daughter. Will she reach Lucy before it's too late?  First and foremost, I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Caller Unknown  by Gillian McAllister. I hadn't read anything by this author before, so I was eage...

Alice with a Why  by Anna James  opens with Alyce living with her grandmother Alice after the war. Not really believing the stories her grandmother tells of her time in Wonderland, Alyce receives a waterlogged invitation to a tea party. Now, she's not so sure that those stories of her grandmother were made up. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Flamingo Books for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Alice with a Why  by Anna James. I found the synopsis of the book intriguing and always love a good reimagining of an older tale. I received a digital copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Not having read Lewis Carroll's original story Alice in Wonderland , my only frame of reference going into this reimagining was the  Disney movie, and it's been quite some time since I've seen that. The concept of this story is amazing and thoughtfully presented. It did take me the briefest moment to keep both Alic...

A Poisonous Pour (Cece Barton Mystery, #3)  by Maddie Day  opens with the city of Colinas, California celebrating Memorial Day weekend with various activities including a car show and picnic. While co-sponsoring a booth at the car show with local mechanic Josie Jarvin, Cece witnesses one of the attendees, Regan Greene, getting into multiple arguments with others. Aside from that, everything goes well. That is until the next morning when the town finds out that Regan is dead, and it looks like she was murdered. With multiple people having motives, Cece utilizes her amateur sleuthing skills to find out who actually committed the dirty deed. I was approved for and received a digital copy of an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Poisonous Pour by Maddie Day from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. A huge thank you goes out to both for providing me a copy for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Maddie Day's Cece Barton series has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series, an...

The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...

Dear Pen Pal (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #3)  by Heather Vogel Frederick  is the third book in a middle grade book series that is being rereleased. Chaos erupts in this third installment as the daughters in the book club get themselves into trouble. Each of the girls have big changes in their lives:  Jess is going to boarding school; Megan's grandmother comes to live with her; Emma starts a campaign against school uniforms; Cassidy has a lot of unexpected change coming to her family. Will the mother daughter book club stay together? I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Dear Pen Pal  by Heather Vogel Frederick with it's upcoming rerelease to the public. I always love a good book that involves books, even if its target audience is children between the ages of eight and twelve. It wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realized that it...

When I Kill You  by B.A. Paris  opens with Nell Masters feeling as though she's being watched, possible by someone connected to her past. She tries to convince herself it's all in her head, brushing it off as paranoia. But, is her past truly coming back to haunt her? B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors from across the pond, so when I saw she had a new novel coming out, I knew I had to request an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley. When I received the approval, I was overjoyed. A big thank you goes out to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. Going into  When I Kill You , I knew absolutely nothing about the synopsis before requesting it and diving in. At first, I did struggle a bit to get into the story. Part of that was because the writing didn't feel as strong as I've come to expect from the author; it came across as a bit juvenile. That said, the further I read, the more the wr...

The Little Bee  by Nicola Killen  is a children's picture book about a girl name Ollie who follows a bee to a magical, secret garden. But, the next day, the beautiful garden was gone, and the little girl misses her new friends. What will she do? This beautiful book has an expected publication date of May 5, 2026. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Beach Lane Books for approving my request for a digital Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Little Bee . I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Nicola Killen wrote such a beautifully worded story that I found myself immersed in the story, and I'm not even the target audience. It's a charming tale that should encourage children to explore nature and make them want to plant their own secret garden.  Equally beautiful were the illustrations. I found myself taking the time to actually look a the pictures as I read. It's a great story to read   at bedtime  with ch...

Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...

All the Ice Cream in the Land  by Emmy Kastner  is about a princess, the kingdom she lives in, and her loyal subjects. Full of twists and turns, children will surely delight in this story about ice cream. When I saw the title and cover art of this kid's book, it made me instantly think of my childhood and how I would've loved a book like this one. A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. The storyline is very easy to follow, making it especially suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, particularly children between the ages of two and six. Its straightforward narrative and clear structure make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions at home, bedtime stories, or classroom story time. While there is limited character development, which is typical for a picture book format, the princess is still an intere...

A Whiff of Murder  by Angela M. Sanders  is a spinoff of her Witch Way Librarian  series and opens with the reader meeting Lise Bloom, who works at the Lucky Lotus and can smell emotions. Hoping to learn more about her special gift, clairalience, she's suddenly thrust into the spotlight when she discovers the dead body of her boss, Dyann, in the back room of the store and becomes one of the prime suspects. With the help of her roommates, Lise sets out to prove her innocence and find out who could have a motive to kill her boss. I knew right off the bat that I had to read Sanders' latest novel without even reading the synopsis because I absolutely love her Witch Way Librarian  series. Additionally, I wanted another story by her to tide me over until the next installment of that series. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of  A Whiff of Murder  by Angela M. Sanders. I was ecstatic...

X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie is a chilling middle grade horror novel that begins with Will Stone conducting genealogy research at Graceland Cemetery, where his mother works. When an old crypt key goes missing, it unleashes a sinister force within the cemetery, draining the lake and slowly sucking the life from the surrounding trees. As the eerie presence grows stronger, Will and his friends must rely on his unique knowledge and investigative skills to uncover the truth and put a stop to the dangerous energy wreaking havoc before it consumes everything in its path. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Delacorte Press for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie. All I knew about the novel before I read it was that it was a children's horror book, and I loved the cover! I received a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. First and foremost, the story was exceptionally a...

Nightmare On Nightmare Street by R.L. Stine opens with Joe Ferber, his sister Sadie, and their parents moving into a haunted house on Nightmare Street. Their house has a creepy doll, a cemetery in the basement, and voices in the walls. Joe has trouble falling asleep that first night. As he tries to fall asleep, strange things keep happening, and when he finally dies catch some shut eye, he has nightmares. We also meet Shawn and his little sister named Addie, and it appears that they live in the same house. Shawn is having terrible nightmares, and strange things are happening to him. Can Joe and Shawn figure out what is real and what isn't before it's too late? I'd like to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this middle grade novel. As a tween and teen, I was a huge fan of R.L. Stine's Fear Street series, so I was absolutely thrilled to receive a copy for free in exchange for my hon...

The Storm  by Rachel Hawkins  opens with Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, learning that an author by the name of August Fletcher will be coming to St. Medard's Bay, Alabama to research the death of Landon Fitzroy, the son of a prominent politician. She's less interested in learning whether or not the infamous Lo Bailey murdered Landon but how the book could possibly get her inn more notoriety and people deciding to make reservations at her establishment. As a hurricane barrels towards the Rosalie Inn, Geneva learns that people can be deadlier than a monster storm. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Storm  by Rachel Hawkins. I received a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. This book falls into the mystery and thriller genre, and it definitely is a slow burn in the best possible way. It's so engrossing that the reader feels like they're right there with the c...

The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6)  by Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie  opens with Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool arriving on the island of Lamperos in Greece on New Year's Eve in 1932. Poirot has been requested by the leader of a religious community to investigate the threat against one of its members, but just a short while later, another resident is found dead after a New Year's game threatened this member's life. I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this mystery. I've been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot series, so learning I'd receive a copy of Sophie Hannah's new book based on this series made me absolutely giddy. A digital copy was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. Sophie Hannah has done a fabulous job of recreating Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series and keeping a similar style of writin...

At Death's Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery (Deep Dish Mysteries, #5)  by Mindy Quigley  opens with a prologue set during the era when Al Capone and other mobsters ruled. The story then shifts to the present day in the lakefront resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, where pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is busy preparing her restaurant and eagerly anticipating her first Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend, Calvin Capone, who also happens to be the great-grandson of the infamous Al Capone. When a shocking discovery disrupts the festivities, Delilah must set aside both her personal life and business concerns to uncover the truth . I'd like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for approving my request for an advanced readers copy of At Deaths Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery  by Mindy Quigley and providing me a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. I was thrilled to receive the book and quite sorry that it took me so long to read the book and provide my...

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens . I was provided a copy free of charge in exchange for my honest review, and I was ecstatic about it because Chevy Stevens is absolutely one of my favorite authors and is a must read in my humble opinion. The story opens with Alice and Tom, who are husband and wife, taking their newly bought RV from Seattle, Washington and take a road trip through Canada where they will end up at the 1976 Olympics in Toronto. As they pull into their first stop of the trip, a campground, Alice and Tom see a young couple named Simon and Jenny walking in their direction and offer them a ride to the next town. However, the young couple aren't as they seem and take their hosts as their prisoners. Chevy Stevens, a Canadian author, does not disappoint with her latest novel aptly named The Hitchhikers . From page one of this story, I was immediately suck...

First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Shot Through the Book (A Lighthouse Library Mystery, #12)  by Eva Gates . I received this cozy mystery for free in exchange for my honest review, and I’m delighted to have been selected to read it ahead of its release, even though I’m admittedly behind on my reading and reviewing. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is gearing up to host a YA Book Festival, bringing in authors from far and wide. But when the festival’s most renowned guest author is found murdered in the home of one of the librarians, Lucy McNeil suddenly finds herself under suspicion. Determined to clear her name before the festival begins, she sets out to uncover the truth. This was my first time reading a book from the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the premise. Since I haven’t read the earlier installments, I did feel a bit out of the loop at first when it cam...

Witch and Tell (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries, #7)  by Angela M. Sanders   opens with librarian Josie Way's magic being on the fritz. Josie is also in a bit of a funk since her boyfriend, Sam, ghosted her after she told him she's a witch. To top things off, Josie wakes up in the middle of the night to find a body in the atrium of the library, only to have it disappear again after calling the cops. Why is there such bad energy surrounding the town of Wilfred, and why do bad things keep happening? First and foremost, a big thank you goes out to NetGalley for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this novel. I was thrilled to receive a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Receiving an ARC always brightens my day!  To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect in this latest edition of the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries  series, but I wasn't let down in the least. Angela M. Sanders did a great job with providing plenty of twists and t...

Halloween Night Murder  by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Liz Ireland  is a collection of three novellas centered around Halloween. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley for free in exchange of my honest review, and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed in the least as I gave it a resounding five out of five stars. The first novella is Halloween Night Murder  by Leslie Meier and Lucy Stone receives a late night trick - or - treater at her home in Tinker's Cove, Maine. The next morning, she learns that the teenager died shortly after coming to her house in a hit - and - run. Desperate to learn what happened, Lucy discovers some long held secrets in her small town. I wasn't expecting the outcome of who all was involved in the wrong doings in this story, but one of the characters that was unlikable ended up redeeming themselves some what by the end. I wasn't ready for the story to end and wanted more! I always feel like I'm visiting wi...