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Bruce’s Year In Books

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Bruce Hale’s Followers (133)

Bruce’s Bookshelves

to-read (537)
currently-reading (10)
read (1357)
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Bruce’s Friends (1,167)

Kristen Valenzuela

5,263 books | 80 friends

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2,411 books | 2,080 friends

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627 books | 265 friends

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3,166 books | 4,091 friends

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906 books | 67 friends

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27,541 books | 3,158 friends

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536 books | 281 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 · 12,450 ratings · 1,668 reviews · 112 distinct works • Similar authors

	Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author), Guy Francis (Illustrator) 3.91 avg rating — 1,746 ratings — published 2013 — 8 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 — 1,204 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 — 717 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 — 662 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 — 445 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 — 422 ratings — published 2013 — 8 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 — 309 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) 3.81 avg rating — 302 ratings — published 2014 — 8 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 — 268 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 — 4,911 ratings

Chet Gecko Mystery (15 books)
by

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.87 avg rating — 2,805 ratings

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

Bruce Hale (Goodreads Author),

Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

4.10 avg rating — 569 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)

3.68 avg rating — 138 ratings

More series by Bruce Hale…

Bruce is Currently Reading

Bruce is currently reading

Both Things Are True

by Kathleen Barber (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 12, 2026 03:44PM

Bruce is currently reading

The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne

by Ron Currie

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 12, 2026 03:43PM

Bruce is currently reading

Dating After the End of the World

by Jeneva Rose (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 12, 2026 03:43PM

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Bruce’s Recent Updates

Bruce rated a book really liked it The Burglar on the Prowl (Bernie Rhodenbarr, #10) by Lawrence Block (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
5 hours, 49 min ago · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy by Chris Duffy	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
6 hours, 54 min ago · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Humor Me by Chris Duffy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Humor Me by Chris Duffy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber (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
Jan 12, 2026 03:44PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie	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
Jan 12, 2026 03:43PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose (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
Jan 12, 2026 03:43PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book liked it The Run-Out Groove (The Vinyl Detective, #2) 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
Jan 12, 2026 03:06PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Run-Out Groove by Andrew Cartmel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Run-Out Groove by Andrew Cartmel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read In Your Dreams (When in Rome, #4) by Sarah Adams (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
Jan 08, 2026 01:11PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce wants to read The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers (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
Jan 08, 2026 01:10PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce is currently reading The Burglar on the Prowl (Bernie Rhodenbarr, #10) by Lawrence Block (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
Jan 08, 2026 12:54PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce rated a book really liked it Death in Fine Condition (The Paperback Sleuth, #1) 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
Jan 08, 2026 12:54PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Death in Fine Condition by Andrew Cartmel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Death in Fine Condition by Andrew Cartmel <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	14601	May 30, 2013 12:53PM
2026 Reading Chal...: Kat's 150, 2015 Challenge	21	94	Dec 30, 2015 08:39PM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author Game, Round 2	15570	1207	Mar 21, 2016 09:15AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 2	12168	1137	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

5493 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

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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 — The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block

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Preview — Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber

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Preview — The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie

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Preview — Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose

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Preview — The Run-Out Groove by Andrew Cartmel

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Preview — In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams

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Preview — The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block

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Preview — Death in Fine Condition by Andrew Cartmel

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 — The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block

See a Problem?

Preview — Humor Me by Chris Duffy

See a Problem?

Preview — Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber

See a Problem?

Preview — The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie

See a Problem?

Preview — Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose

See a Problem?

Preview — The Run-Out Groove by Andrew Cartmel

See a Problem?

Preview — In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams

See a Problem?

Preview — The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers

See a Problem?

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