Book Birthday Blog with F.P. LaRue

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to F.P. LaRue on the release of The Pet Shop Nightmare

 

This is your fourth book in the award-winning Scary Shivers Mystery Series. What was the inspiration for this new story?

I heard several stories about animals that were found, and no one knew who they belonged to. That, along with the compassionate actions of some friends of mine, who are constantly taking in and feeding animals they come across, gave me the idea for the story. I wanted to write about helping animals in some way. The main characters of the book like to solve mysteries, so a story developed.  

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book? 

I hope kids will realize that reading can be fun. This book and all of the books in the Scary Shiver Mystery series are fast-paced and easy to read. They have short chapters, 3-7 pages, and I strive to end each chapter on a cliffhanger. This keeps the story engaging and leaves kids eager to find out what happens next. 

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

I am active on Facebook. People can follow me at https://www.facebook.com/FPLaRue. I will be doing personal appearances and book signings. The book is available at Amazon.com and can be ordered at any bookstore. 

What's next for you? Any events coming up or new books in the works? 

Upcoming events include: 

• Funky Ferndale, September 19-21, 2025, Ferndale, MI
•  Michigan Trail of Authors, September 27, 2025, Muskegon, MI
•  Shipshewana on the Road, October 18-19, 2025, Jackson, MI
•  A2 Community BookFest, November 9, 2025, Ann Arbor, MI
•  Motor City Comic Con, November 14-16, 2025, Novi, MI – Featured MI Author
•  Shipshewana on the Road, November 22-23, Waterford, MI

I am just starting to gather my thoughts for a fifth book in the Scary Shivers Mystery series, but do not have a timetable yet.  

More about the book . . . 

Ollie receives a frantic call from his cousin, Claire, who is in a state of panic. Her best friend, McKenna, has disappeared without a trace. She has not been seen for days, and all attempts to contact her have failed. When Claire recruits the help of Ollie and his friends, she receives a mysterious note telling her to mind her own business and gets the feeling she is being followed. 
 
As Ollie, Mellie, and Scotty delve deeper into the mystery of McKenna’s disappearance, they uncover strange activities and dark secrets connected with the pet shop. With the disappearance of animals from the pet shop, they soon realize that something sinister is at play, and the evil forces involved will stop at nothing to protect their ominous plans. Just when things seem hopeless, Ollie receives assistance from an unexpected ally, a twist that leaves the trio astounded and intrigued. 
 
In The Pet Shop Nightmare, Ollie, Mellie, and Scotty find themselves navigating a thick fog of danger and mystery. Will they survive long enough to find McKenna and unravel the mystery of the shop before they become the next ones to disappear?  

Publisher: Mascot Books 

More about the author . . . 

F.P. LaRue is the award-winning author of the Scary Shivers Mystery series, a collection of spooky and thrilling stories that captivate young readers. There are currently three books in the Scary Shivers Mystery series. The Weeping House won First Place Awards for Juvenile Mysteries and Juvenile Fantasy & Magic in the Spring 2024 BookFest Awards. The Curse of Shadow Park won a First Place Award for Juvenile Action & Adventure in the Fall 2024 BookFest Awards. The Legend of the Serpent Witch won a Second Place Award in the Mystery category in the 2025 Purple Dragonfly Awards. The fourth book of the Scary Shivers Mystery series, The Pet Shop Nightmare, will be released on September 9, 2025. F.P. is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 
 
Before writing children’s books, F.P.’s career had been in education, where she progressed from a teacher to the Dean of Academic Affairs for a small Michigan college. She also authored an article titled Ten Tips to Get Children Reading More, filled with practical advice to foster a love for reading in children. For more information, visit FPLaRue.com.   

https://www.fplarue.com/

https://www.scaryshivers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FPLaRue