2026 Holiday Reading Challenge | The Running Bibliophile

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Who doesn’t love a good challenge, especially when it pushes you to read outside your comfort zone or discover a new author? I’ve always wanted to join a reading challenge or reading bingo, but so many of them feel repetitive. So, I decided to create something a little different. It doesn’t mean a challenge like this isn’t out there; I just haven’t come across one myself. Introducing The Running Bibliophile’s 2026 Holiday Reading Challenge, a fun and unique way to expand your reading list while celebrating the spirit of the year. This challenge features 14 books of your choice, with one key twist: each book’s plot must revolve around the specific holiday mentioned. The challenge runs for January 1 through January 31, 2026. To keep things exciting, you may not duplicate any books on the list. By the time you've completed the challenge, you will have read 14 new books to diversify your reading list. To kick things off, the first prompt is simple: choose any holiday-themed book as l...
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Book Review: A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery, #6) by Sue Minix

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Book Cover of A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery, #6) by Sue Minix
A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery, #6) by Sue Minix opens with a shocking and attention-grabbing scene when a man covered in blood stumbles onto the running track where Jen and Eric are out for their usual run. The man has no idea who he is or what has happened to him, immediately setting the stage for a mystery filled with unanswered questions and suspense. 

After he is rushed to the hospital, Eric and the Riddleton Police Department begin investigating the case, but as fans of the series would expect, Jen can’t help inserting herself into the situation. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out to learn the identity of the mystery man and piece together the events that led to his condition.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and I was absolutely thrilled to be approved. Sue Minix has become one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to returning to Riddleton and catching up with familiar characters.

This installment did not disappoint when it came to intrigue and pacing. I had a hard time putting the book down because I genuinely had no idea who the murderer could be, and at several points, I was convinced there had to be more than one suspect involved. There were plenty of motives, twists, and red herrings, and Sue Minix truly had me stumped.

This latest installment was intriguing. I had trouble putting it down because I had no idea who the murderer could be and thought there had to be more than one. There were lots of motives! Sue Minix definitely had me stumped on this book.

That being said, the ending felt a bit rushed, which is the main reason I gave A Murderous Plot four out of five stars. I would have loved a little more time spent wrapping things up, as well as more interaction between Jen and Detective Havermayer. However, I was extremely satisfied to finally learn why the detective harbors such strong dislike toward Jen, and that revelation added an extra layer of depth to their dynamic. Overall, this was an engaging and entertaining cozy mystery that fans of the series and Sue Minix’s writing will definitely enjoy.

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