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Bruce’s Year In Books

Bruce’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Bruce’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

Bruce’s Bookshelves

to-read (619)
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read (1401)
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abandoned-mid-way (25)
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Bruce’s Friends (1,167)

Naomi Milliner

543 books | 281 friends

Jessica Burkhart

3,097 books | 749 friends

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708 books | 165 friends

Leslie Ann

1,519 books | 1,982 friends

Kristen Valenzuela

6,152 books | 82 friends

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1,666 books | 668 friends

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629 books | 687 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 · 12,819 ratings · 1,691 reviews · 126 distinct works • Similar authors

	Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.91 avg rating — 1,765 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 — 1,368 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 — 727 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 — 450 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 — 429 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 — 348 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) 3.91 avg rating — 316 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 — 310 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) 3.99 avg rating — 274 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 — 5,133 ratings

Chet Gecko Mystery (15 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.87 avg rating — 2,846 ratings

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

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author),

Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

4.10 avg rating — 570 ratings

Monstertown Mysteries (3 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.93 avg rating — 134 ratings

Class Pets (4 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.65 avg rating — 142 ratings

More series by Bruce Hale…

Bruce is Currently Reading

Bruce is currently reading

A Catalogue of Catastrophe (The Chronicles of St Mary's, #13)

by Jodi Taylor (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jul 15, 2026 10:57AM

Bruce is currently reading

Attack and Decay (The Vinyl Detective, #6)

by Andrew Cartmel (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jul 09, 2026 09:01AM

Bruce is currently reading

Noise Floor (The Vinyl Detective, #7)

by Andrew Cartmel (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jun 26, 2026 11:36AM

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Bruce’s Recent Updates

Bruce started reading A Catalogue of Catastrophe (The Chronicles of St Mary's, #13) by Jodi Taylor (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
Jul 15, 2026 10:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Sweet Spot (A Ghostwriter Mystery) by Kemper Donovan (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
Jul 15, 2026 08:40AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sweet Spot by Kemper Donovan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sweet Spot by Kemper Donovan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick (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
Jul 15, 2026 08:39AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book really liked it Funny Story by Emily Henry (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
Jul 15, 2026 08:29AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Funny Story by Emily Henry. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (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
Jul 15, 2026 08:28AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce entered a giveaway History Lessons (A Daphne Ouverture Mystery) by Zoe B. Wallbrook 15 copies available, ends on August 13, 2026 Enter to win »
Jul 14, 2026 06:43AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight (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
Jul 13, 2026 01:36PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce started reading Attack and Decay (The Vinyl Detective, #6) 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
Jul 09, 2026 09:01AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Attack and Decay by Andrew Cartmel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Attack and Decay by Andrew Cartmel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book really liked it A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (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
Jul 06, 2026 12:40PM · like
Bruce started reading Funny Story by Emily Henry (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
Jul 06, 2026 12:39PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Funny Story by Emily Henry. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry <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	14621	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	1213	Mar 21, 2016 09:15AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 2	12168	1141	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

5559 likes

Bruce’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-1) post a comment »

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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

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Preview — A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor

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Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry

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Preview — Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

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Preview — History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook

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Preview — Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight

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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 — A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor

See a Problem?

Preview — Sweet Spot by Kemper Donovan

See a Problem?

Preview — Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick

See a Problem?

Preview — Funny Story by Emily Henry

See a Problem?

Preview — Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

See a Problem?

Preview — History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook

See a Problem?

Preview — Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight

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Preview — Attack and Decay by Andrew Cartmel

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