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Bruce’s Year In Books

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Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

Bruce’s Bookshelves

to-read (565)
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read (1379)
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Bruce’s Friends (1,167)

Heather

28,968 books | 3,157 friends

Lee Strauss

245 books | 840 friends

Leslie Ann

1,051 books | 1,971 friends

Veronica

1,573 books | 668 friends

Neha Thakkar

14,997 books | 430 friends

Christina Widener

971 books | 108 friends

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7,645 books | 3,165 friends

Maura Pierlot

267 books | 75 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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Bruce Hale’s books

Average rating: 3.89 · 12,615 ratings · 1,679 reviews · 120 distinct works • Similar authors

	Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.92 avg rating — 1,749 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) 4.38 avg rating — 1,265 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 — 724 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
	Big Bad Detective Agency (1) 3.66 avg rating — 446 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
	Clark the Shark Dares to Share by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.82 avg rating — 427 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
	Playing with Fire (School for S.P.I.E.S., #1) 3.98 avg rating — 344 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) 3.80 avg rating — 308 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…

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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 — 4,998 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 — 566 ratings

Monstertown Mysteries (3 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.96 avg rating — 132 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

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

Bruce is currently reading

Navola

by Paolo Bacigalupi (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Dec 16, 2025 07:54PM

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Bruce’s Recent Updates

Bruce rated a book really liked it Victory Disc (The Vinyl Detective, #3) 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
Mar 23, 2026 02:11PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Victory Disc by Andrew Cartmel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Victory Disc by Andrew Cartmel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book liked it And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens	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
Mar 23, 2026 06:19AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce entered a giveaway Marble Hall Murders (Susan Ryeland, #3) by Anthony Horowitz (Goodreads Author) 25 copies available, ends on April 20, 2026 Enter to win »
Mar 23, 2026 05:07AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce has read McNally's Gamble (Archy McNally, #7) 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
Mar 22, 2026 07:34AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of McNally's Gamble by Lawrence Sanders. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — McNally's Gamble by Lawrence Sanders <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell, #10) by Deanna Raybourn (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
Mar 19, 2026 01:12PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller, Readers' Favorite Audiobook	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
Mar 19, 2026 10:59AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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	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
Mar 19, 2026 10:59AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Archy McNally Series Volume Three by Lawrence Sanders. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Archy McNally Series Volume Three by Lawrence Sanders <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens	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
Mar 19, 2026 10:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book liked it Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang (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
Mar 19, 2026 10:56AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce finished reading Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (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
Mar 17, 2026 01:01PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer <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	14609	May 30, 2013 12:53PM
2026 Reading Chal...: Kat's 150, 2015 Challenge	21	96	Dec 30, 2015 08:39PM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author Game, Round 2	15570	1210	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

5518 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 Friends (1,167)

Bruce Hale

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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 — Victory Disc by Andrew Cartmel

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Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

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Preview — Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

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Preview — McNally's Gamble by Lawrence Sanders

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Preview — A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

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Preview — King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

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Preview — The Archy McNally Series Volume Three by Lawrence Sanders

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Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

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Preview — Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang

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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 — Victory Disc by Andrew Cartmel

See a Problem?

Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

See a Problem?

Preview — Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

See a Problem?

Preview — McNally's Gamble by Lawrence Sanders

See a Problem?

Preview — A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

See a Problem?

Preview — King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

See a Problem?

Preview — The Archy McNally Series Volume Three by Lawrence Sanders

See a Problem?

Preview — And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens

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Preview — Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang

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