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Bruce’s Year In Books

Bruce’s 2025 Year in Books

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Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

Bruce’s Bookshelves

to-read (579)
currently-reading (9)
read (1386)
did-not-finish (0)
abandoned-mid-way (25)
read-but-don-t-really-recall (8)
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Bruce’s Friends (1,167)

Jayce Senter

2,189 books | 89 friends

Heather

29,475 books | 3,158 friends

Cathy Ogren

323 books | 266 friends

Nancy Runstedler

1,260 books | 405 friends

Lizy

706 books | 678 friends

Amy

1,532 books | 1,854 friends

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1,139 books | 229 friends

Zach Fortier

58 books | 2,613 friends

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Bruce Hale

Goodreads Author

Born

October 30

Website

http://www.brucehale.com/

Twitter

storyguy1

Genre

Children's, Mystery, Horror

Influences

Raymond Chandler, Dr. Seuss, Tom Robbins ...more

Member Since

January 2008

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A serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true.

The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels.

Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspa ...more

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Combine Editions
Bruce Hale’s books

Average rating: 3.89 · 12,648 ratings · 1,682 reviews · 122 distinct works • Similar authors

	Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.92 avg rating — 1,756 ratings — published 2013 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Too Many Treats by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 4.37 avg rating — 1,279 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse (Chet Gecko Mystery #1) 3.75 avg rating — 725 ratings — published 2000 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Howard Fine (Illustrator) 3.88 avg rating — 664 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Clark the Shark Dares to Share by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.82 avg rating — 428 ratings — published 2013 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Big Bad Detective Agency (1) 3.66 avg rating — 447 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Playing with Fire (School for S.P.I.E.S., #1) 3.98 avg rating — 345 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Mystery of Mr. Nice (Chet Gecko Mystery, #2) 3.90 avg rating — 314 ratings — published 2000 — 19 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Clark the Shark: Tooth Trouble (I Can Read Level 1) by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.79 avg rating — 309 ratings — published 2014 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Farewell, My Lunchbag (Chet Gecko Mystery, #3) 3.98 avg rating — 272 ratings — published 2001 — 24 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Bruce Hale…

25 posts
Bruce Hale's Blog

How do I make my characters sound different from each other?

Dear Writer Guy, I often get feedback that my characters sound the same (voice). What process do you recommend to build distinctions in each character’s voice? Thanks, Judy Dear Judy, At the root of it, this is first a matter of getting out of YOUR head and getting into your characters’ heads. Early on, all our characters might sound the same because we haven’t really worked…

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Series by Bruce Hale

Clark the Shark (10 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author),

Guy Francis (Illustrator)

3.95 avg rating — 5,020 ratings

Chet Gecko Mystery (15 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.87 avg rating — 2,837 ratings

SCHOOL FOR S.P.I.E.S. (3 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author),

Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

4.10 avg rating — 567 ratings

Monstertown Mysteries (3 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.95 avg rating — 133 ratings

Class Pets (4 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.67 avg rating — 141 ratings

More series by Bruce Hale…

Bruce is Currently Reading

Bruce is currently reading

Low Action (The Vinyl Detective, #5)

by Andrew Cartmel (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Apr 21, 2026 02:54PM

Bruce is currently reading

The Archy McNally Series Volume Three: McNally's Gamble, McNally's Dilemma, McNally's Folly (Archy McNally Collections Book 3)

by Lawrence Sanders

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Mar 19, 2026 10:59AM

Bruce is currently reading

King of Ashes

by S.A. Cosby (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Mar 19, 2026 10:59AM

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Bruce’s Recent Updates

Bruce rated a book really liked it Brigands & Breadknives (Legends & Lattes, #2) by Travis Baldree (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 22, 2026 02:38PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading Low Action (The Vinyl Detective, #5) by Andrew Cartmel (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 21, 2026 02:54PM · like
Bruce rated a book really liked it Mr. Yay by Emily Jane (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dreamlike and unabashedly weird, Mr. Yay is a novel of ideas, most of them pretty wacky. Budding musician Fatty Bratty wakes up in his ratty apartment to discover a dog he didn’t know he owned. But the dog food in the closet and the handy leash are a ...more
Apr 20, 2026 02:25PM · 1 like · like · see review
Bruce entered a giveaway Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (Goodreads Author) 50 copies available, ends on May 19, 2026 Enter to win »
Apr 20, 2026 06:39AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 19, 2026 05:15PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book really liked it Flip Back (The Vinyl Detective, #4) by Andrew Cartmel (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 19, 2026 09:05AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Flip Back by Andrew Cartmel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Flip Back by Andrew Cartmel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading Mr. Yay by Emily Jane (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 12, 2026 07:44AM · like
Bruce rated a book liked it McNally's Dilemma (Archy McNally, #8) by Lawrence Sanders	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 12, 2026 07:44AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Sanders. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Sanders <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce started reading Brigands & Breadknives (Legends & Lattes, #2) by Travis Baldree (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Fantasy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 11, 2026 01:11PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book really liked it One & Only by Maurene Goo (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 11, 2026 01:10PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of One & Only by Maurene Goo. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — One & Only by Maurene Goo <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Bruce's books…

Quotes by Bruce Hale (?)

“First," said Ms. Johnson, "I want you to know that you are all winners,"

Why do grown-ups always say that? Duh,we know we're not all winners.”
― Bruce Hale, Prince of Underwhere

4 likes

“Sometimes the writing flows, sometimes it's like wading through concrete. But I keep showing up each day, whether the Muse joins me or not.”
― Bruce Hale

2 likes

“air." Jack scowled. His practice had really paid off—his whole face bunched up like a muscle-man's fist. Rocky and Bosco pushed up to standing. Rocky's brawny shoulders flexed like two”
― Bruce Hale, Trouble Is My Beeswax: A Chet Gecko Mystery – A Funny Mystery Chapter Book About a Cheating Scandal at Elementary School for Kids

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Coffee & Books: Jonny's List and Challenges.	2	33	Sep 21, 2011 12:01PM
The Next Best Boo...: The Title Game	20218	14614	May 30, 2013 12:53PM
2026 Reading Chal...: Kat's 150, 2015 Challenge	21	97	Dec 30, 2015 08:39PM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author Game, Round 2	15570	1211	Mar 21, 2016 09:15AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 2	12168	1139	Mar 21, 2016 12:30PM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 4	16049	655	Jan 05, 2019 04:49AM

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Bruce’s Quotes

“Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

tags: enjoy-life, fearlessness, live-in-the-moment

5537 likes

Bruce’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-1) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 1: by Lisa

Jun 01, 2012 08:12PM

Thanks for connecting here! See you in LA! :-)

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Bruce’s Year In Books

Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

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Bruce’s Bookshelves

Bruce’s Friends (1,167)

Bruce Hale

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

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Combine Editions
Bruce Hale’s books

25 posts
Bruce Hale's Blog

How do I make my characters sound different from each other?

Series by Bruce Hale

Bruce is Currently Reading

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Bruce’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

See a Problem?

Preview — Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

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Preview — Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell

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Preview — Flip Back by Andrew Cartmel

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Preview — McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Sanders

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Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

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Preview — One & Only by Maurene Goo

Topics Mentioning This Author

Bruce’s Quotes

Bruce’s Friend Comments

Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

Bruce Hale

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

rssBruce’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

See a Problem?

Preview — Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

See a Problem?

Preview — Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell

See a Problem?

Preview — Flip Back by Andrew Cartmel

See a Problem?

Preview — McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Sanders

See a Problem?

Preview — Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

See a Problem?

Preview — One & Only by Maurene Goo

Topics Mentioning This Author

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Bruce’s Recent Updates