Kristen Barenthaler
Bio
Curious adventurer. Crazed reader. Librarian. Archery instructor. True crime addict.
Instagram: @kristenbarenthaler
Facebook: @kbarenthaler
Stories (338)
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Literary Souls: Episode 1
I’ve worked as the librarian in Sunshine, Massachusetts for about eight hours now and I’m not quite sure why all the patrons have been giving me such a hard time. While reshelving some books by Ernest Hemingway, a grumpy, old man told me to “keep it down” while his wife was trying to sleep. But I never found either of them when I went to check the front lobby chairs. And now, I’m being stared at across my desk by a woman whose only answer to my attempts at helping her is a strange choking noise. But when I asked another patron to get her a glass of water, they looked at me like I’d grown an extra head.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 months ago in Fiction
"Murder Among Friends" by Candace Fleming - Book Club Discussion. Content Warning.
About the Book: How did two teenagers brutally murder an innocent child...and why? And how did their brilliant lawyer save them from the death penalty in 1920s Chicago? Written by a prolific master of narrative nonfiction, this is a compulsively readable true-crime story based on an event dubbed the "crime of the century." In 1924, eighteen-year-old college students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb made a decision- they would commit the perfect crime by kidnapping and murdering a child they both knew. But they made one crucial error- as they were disposing of the body of young Bobby Franks, whom they had bludgeoned to death, Nathan's eyeglasses fell from his jacket pocket. Multi-award-winning author Candace Fleming depicts every twist and turn of this harrowing case--how two wealthy, brilliant young men planned and committed what became known as the crime of the century, how they were caught, why they confessed, and how the renowned criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow enabled them to avoid the death penalty. Following on the success of such books as The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh and The Family Romanov, the acclaimed nonfiction writer, Candace Fleming, brings to heart-stopping life one of the most notorious crimes in our country's history.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 months ago in BookClub
"Prescription for Pain" by Philip Eil - Book Club Discussion. Content Warning.
About the Book: This haunting and propulsive debut follows a journalist's years-long investigation into his father's old classmate: former high school valedictorian Paul Volkman, who once seemed destined for greatness after earning his MD and his PhD from the prestigious University of Chicago, but is now serving four consecutive life sentences at a federal prison in Arizona. Volkman was the central figure in a massive 'pill mill' scheme in southern Ohio. His pain clinics accepted only cash, employed armed guards, and dispensed a torrent of opioid painkillers and other controlled substances. For nearly three years, Volkman remained in business despite raids by law enforcement and complaints from patients' family members. Prosecutors would ultimately link him to the overdose deaths of 13 patients, though investigators explored his ties to at least 20 other deaths. This groundbreaking book is based on 12 years of correspondence and interviews with Volkman. Eil also traveled to 19 states, interviewed more than 150 people, and filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the release of nearly 20,000 pages of trial evidence. The American opioid epidemic is, like this book, a true crime story. Through this one doctor's story, an era of unfathomable tragedy is brought down to a tangible, and devastating, human scale.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 months ago in BookClub
"The Monster of Florence" by Douglas J. Preston (Book Club Research). Content Warning.
Synopsis: In the nonfiction tradition of John Berendt (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) and Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City), New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston presents a gripping account of crime and punishment in the lush hills surrounding Florence, Italy.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in BookClub
"Columbine" by David Cullen (Book Club Research). Content Warning.
Synopsis: It is a false script, seized upon by a generation of new killers. In the wake of Newtown, Aurora, and Virginia Tech, the imperative to understand the crime that sparked this plague grows more urgent every year. What really happened April 20, 1999? The horror left an indelible stamp on the American psyche, but most of what we "know" is wrong. It wasn't about jocks, Goths, or the Trench Coat Mafia. Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters on scene, and spent ten years on this book-widely recognized as the definitive account. With a keen investigative eye and psychological acumen, he draws on mountains of evidence, insight from the world's leading forensic psychologists, and the killers' own words and drawings-several reproduced in a new appendix. Cullen paints raw portraits of two polar opposite killers. They contrast starkly with the flashes of resilience and redemption among the survivors.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in BookClub
"A False Report" by T. Christian Miller & Ken Armstrong (Book Club Research). Content Warning.
To Synopsis: On August 11, 2008, eighteen-year-old Marie reported that a masked man broke into her apartment near Seattle, Washington, and raped her. Within days police and even those closest to Marie became suspicious of her story. The police swiftly pivoted and began investigating Marie. Confronted with inconsistencies in her story and the doubts of others, Marie broke down and said her story was a lie--a bid for attention. Police charged Marie with false reporting, and she was branded a liar. More than two years later, Colorado detective Stacy Galbraith was assigned to investigate a case of sexual assault. Describing the crime to her husband that night, Galbraith learned that the case bore an eerie resemblance to a rape that had taken place months earlier in a nearby town. She joined forces with the detective on that case, Edna Hendershot, and the two soon discovered they were dealing with a serial rapist: a man who photographed his victims, threatening to release the images online, and whose calculated steps to erase all physical evidence suggested he might be a soldier or a cop. Through meticulous police work the detectives would eventually connect the rapist to other attacks in Colorado--and beyond. Based on investigative files and extensive interviews with the principals, A False Report is a serpentine tale of doubt, lies, and a hunt for justice, unveiling the disturbing truth of how sexual assault is investigated today--and the long history of skepticism toward rape victims.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in BookClub
Mystery Island: Winner Takes All (2025)
Solving two murders while partaking in a murder mystery party all while trapped on a deserted island sounds familiar right? But no, it’s not an Agatha Christie novel. It’s Hallmark’s newest mystery movie in their “Mystery Island” series. Since this is movie number two, I do have to say that the series has a unique premise that calls back to the original, noir, locked room mysteries. If you didn’t see the original “Mystery Island” (2023), worry not. The two films interconnect in characters and location, but the games are unique to each movie. However, I do suggest going back and watching it as well, since it was also a really great film. This time we find that Mystery Island might be bought by a developer and needs an excellent game to entice their investors into letting them continue their murder mystery tours.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in Geeks
The Reluctant Royal (2025)
Recently, Hallmark Channel premiered its new movie, The Reluctant Royal, and I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. In it, a Pennsylvania mechanic discovers he is a duke's son and is about to inherit the duchy when his absent father decides to retire. It’s the usual meet your father, change his ways, fall in love along the way type of movie. It’s Hallmark, so it doesn’t break the mold of cinema, but it was a way to spend a Saturday night in comfy pajamas lounging on the couch.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in Geeks
“The Royal We” (2025) - Hallmark Original
Honestly, I felt almost nothing at this movie, which is extremely sad for my love of Hallmark cheesiness. It seems like it has potential for the usual Hallmark royal movies, but this one just seemed to hit me wrong. The positives were few: parts were set in Boston (which I always enjoy), the quirky best friend was often funny, and the movie showcased choosing happiness over duty.
By Kristen Barenthaler11 months ago in Geeks
“Hearts on Thin Ice” by Katie Kennedy (5 stars)
An emotionally unstable hockey player and the interior designer he hires to fix his barren apartment? Seems like a strange pairing right? But it actually works extremely well in Katie Kennedy’s debut novel. This enemies-to-lovers hockey romance is one that everyone should try out. There’s amazing depictions of mental health struggles, character development, and (since this is a romance) lots of steamy scenes to keep readers engaged in this budding relationship. Plus some handsome hockey player side characters that you are going to want to keep for yourself. I know what you’re thinking though; another hockey romance!?
By Kristen Barenthaler11 months ago in Geeks
“The Bookbinder's Guide to Love” by Katherine Garbera (3 stars)
I have to be honest, I enjoyed this book as far as the romantic arc, but the overall plot was a bit thin. There really wasn’t all that much to it and I don’t remember much beyond the basics of falling in love over books. I know Garbera was setting up for a series and I have read the other book which was good too. But your setup for a new world of novels should be engaging and enticing to keep readers coming back. Ultimately, I enjoyed book 2 (How to Charm a Nerd) more and I have book 3 (Brewing Up a Bad Boy) on my list for this year, so we’ll see if the third time's the charm.
By Kristen Barenthaler11 months ago in Geeks
“The Irish Goodbye” by Amy Ewing (5 stars)
Cordelia wants to escape to Ireland and Niall is escaping back home to Ireland. What happens when these two lost and broken-hearted singles can’t seem to stop running into each other on their tiny Irish island? Clearly you have to read on to find out…or maybe you already know. Either way, it’s worth the read to watch these two lovelorn individuals try to rebuild their lives, their hearts, and maybe even their passion for the things they hold most dear.
By Kristen Barenthaler11 months ago in Geeks
