Bibliophile Breakdown

I’m joined by author Jennifer van der Kleut to discuss her psychological thriller, The Better Mother. We talk about the complicated world of motherhood, manipulation, boundaries, control, and the relationships that can become far more dangerous than they initially appear. Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the novel (including an advice column and true crime stories) and breaks down the develo...

I’m joined by Gabrielle Sher, author of Odessa, a haunting Jewish Gothic novel set in 1905 Odessa that explores Jewish folklore, historical trauma, violence, family, autonomy, and resilience. Gabrielle and I talk about the family history and Jewish folklore that inspired Odessa, the research behind the novel, and the period pogroms...including the horrors women faced during these acts of persecuti...

Today Suzie (@momslisteningtoherbooksagain) joins us to talk about her lifelong reading journey, her love of horror and thriller books, and the indie authors she thinks more readers need to discover. We dive into the books and authors that have shaped her as a reader, how reading can support mental health and personal growth, and what makes the online book community so special. Suzie also shares h...

Author S.T. Ashman joins Bibliophile Breakdown to talk about her thriller Her Silence, a story filled with family secrets, justice, and unexpected twists. We dive into creating multi-generational characters, developing Nicole and her family, building plot twists that keep readers engaged, and the creative process behind bringing a complicated family story to life. S.T. also shares the realities of...

Courtney shares her journey from graphic designer to bookish artist, her creative process, and her experience working with FairyLoot and the Bookstagram community. We talk book art, illustration, independent creators, author support, book conventions, and balancing a full-time career with creative passion projects. 📚 Follow Courtney: https://www.instagram.com/books_to_gym_by/ 🔗 Everything Biblio...

What came before the Four Monkey Killer? In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown, we go beyond the pages with bestselling thriller author J.D. Barker to talk about The First Scarlet Door, the prequel to his acclaimed The Fourth Monkey series. J.D. Barker takes us behind the scenes of writing a prequel from a killer's perspective, developing characters across multiple timelines, and creating the i...

I sit down with indie thriller author Tayanna Marrie to discuss her debut novel, Never Forgotten. Tayanna shares the real-life stalking experience that inspired the story, how she approached writing about kidnapping and survival with authenticity, and the research that went into police procedures, investigations, and multiple character perspectives. Follow Tayanna Marrie: 📚 Instagram: https://www...

What happens when the picture-perfect life of a 1950s housewife begins to unravel? This week on Bibliophile Breakdown, I'm joined by Meagan Church, author of The Mad Wife , to discuss the chilling history that inspired her novel. We explore women's healthcare in the 1950s, postpartum depression, lobotomies, historical research, and how Meagan blends psychological suspense with historical fiction t...

What happens when a horror-loving reader turns their passion for scary stories into a space for connection, conversation, and community? In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown, I'm joined by Christi to talk about her journey as a Bookstagram creator, her love of horror literature, and why the stories that scare us can often help us understand ourselves better. We dive into what draws readers to...

Debut author L.A. Rivera joins Bibliophile Breakdown to discuss Beneath a Black Flag, a romantic fantasy adventure inspired by a love of pirates, immersive storytelling, and cinematic video games like Assassin's Creed and Uncharted. L.A. shares how she developed Kai, Rosalind, and the unforgettable cast that brings her world to life, why every character and plot point serves a purpose, and how she...

What happens when a passionate reader and Bookstagram creator opens an independent bookstore? In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I'm joined by Katie, owner of The Freckled Page , to talk about her journey from book influencer to bookstore owner. We dive into the realities of running an indie bookstore, how she curates the books on her shelves, the importance of supporting independent autho...

What happens when history, belief, power, and fear collide in a story? 📚 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by author Linda Hamilton to discuss her novel The Fourth Wife and the research, history, and personal exploration behind the story. Linda shares insights into the world of Mormon polygamy, its hierarchical structures, and the cultural implications that inspired her writin...

What inspires the stories that keep readers turning pages—and what goes into bringing a horror community together? 📚🩸 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by author Brandon Eldridge to discuss his novels, his writing process, and the inspiration behind the stories he creates. Brandon shares insights into his journey as an author, the ideas that shape his work, and what readers c...

How do memory, love, and family shape the stories we tell ourselves? 📚 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by author John Infortunio to discuss his novels Today Was Tomorrow and Destroyed by the Events of the Day . John shares insights into his writing journey and the themes woven throughout his work, including memory, love, family secrets, and the ways the past continues to inf...

Can horror make us laugh while exploring the things we’re most afraid to confront? 🩸📚 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by horror author Sara van Os to discuss her novel Decomposition Book , the power of dark humor, and the creative process behind writing stories that push boundaries. Sara shares her journey as a writer, her love for cannibalism tropes in horror, and how humo...

What goes into creating the worlds that haunt readers long after the final page? 🩸📚 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by horror author J. H. Markert for a conversation that goes far beyond what lurks in the dark. J. H. shares his journey as a writer, from the early days of his career to becoming one of horror’s most exciting voices. We discuss his latest novel Dig , his creat...

What makes horror so captivating—and why do these stories continue to evolve? 📚🩸 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I sit down with Shea, a passionate horror and thriller reader, to talk about her journey through the genre, the books that have stayed with her, and what keeps bringing readers back to darker stories. We dive into horror subgenres, representation in horror, the changing lan...

What does it really take to open an independent bookstore? 📚 In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I sit down with Josh, the owner of Mad Red Books in Las Vegas, to talk about turning a bookstore dream into reality. Josh shares the story behind opening Mad Red Books on July 4, 2025, the challenges of building an independent bookstore, and how community support helped create a space where rea...

What happens when the pursuit of becoming “better” turns into a battle with yourself? In this episode of Bibliophile Breakdown , I’m joined by author Luke Dumas to discuss his novel Nothing Tastes as Good — a dark and thought-provoking exploration of body horror, weight loss, societal expectations, and the complicated relationship we have with our bodies. Luke dives deeper into the emotional and p...

Meet Susan Bennett, a talented narrator with a portfolio boasting over 200 titles, including a variety of genres, from horror to romance. In this episode, we’ll explore her journey into voice acting, the insights she gained along the way, and what it means to be a part of the audiobook revolution by giving life to a beloved horror title, Mary by Nat Cassidy. You can follow Susan at her instagram h...

I chat with Jamie, owner of The Rogue Bookshop , about the journey of opening an independent bookstore, the challenges and rewards, and the importance of community and storytelling in the book world. Make sure not to not just follow on social media but check out their website !

Join us as we explore Shay Knudsen's journey from a passionate reader to a published author of the psychological thriller 'Try to Keep Up'. Discover her creative process, character development, and insights into mental health representation in fiction.   To keep up with Shay, visit her website .

Join us as we delve into the mind of horror author Clay McLeod Chapman , exploring his creative process, the themes in his books, and his thoughts on the evolution of horror as a genre. Discover behind-the-scenes insights and get a sneak peek at his upcoming projects. Stay in the know by following his website here .

In this engaging interview, Brooke , a licensed clinical psychologist and avid reader, shares her insights on how books can be powerful tools for mental health awareness, chronic illness visibility, and trauma processing. Discover her favorite series, the importance of representation in fiction, and practical tips for integrating reading into self-care routines.

Suzy and I talk to Tatiana Schlote-Bonne , author of The Mean Ones, Such Lovely Skin, and What Feeds Below (coming out in October). Tatiana gives us some insight into her creative process behind the horror books we love. Also, we break down her inspirations, character development, and the themes of capitalism and human resilience. If you have not already pre-ordered What Feeds Below, I take that p...