2025 Critter's Poll Results: Kevin's Corner wins "Best Review Site"

 

The results have been announced today and this site has won Best Review Site in the annual poll. This means, the last six of seven years, this blog has won. After taking a year off and not entering, this place has again won BACK to BACK to BACK.

 

FOR THE SECOND TIME!!!!  Just amazing.  

 

We were once again the only place reviewing mysteries and crime fiction. We were also the only site that was not one of the big guns with book giveaways, special events, and the like. We just do what we do and roll on. No bells. No whistles. No gimmicks. Just reviews, guest posts, and news of other things in the massive book world.

 

On behalf of myself, Scott, Aubrey, and numerous other folks who have been a part of things here for another year, Thank You. If it was not for all the guests who contribute to this blog every month, this award and the recognition does not happen.

 

A massive and heartfelt THANK YOU goes to you, the readers, who come by here and read this blog. You have stuck by the place as things have gotten slower due to my health challenges and other issues. If it was not for your support over these years, this never would have happened one more time. I’m grateful.

 

I have always said I have a very hard conceiving of the idea that anything I do, especially with the blog, really impacts other folks. People tell me otherwise on a fairly frequent basis, but I have a very hard time wrapping my head around that idea. Then this happens and I just shake my head in amazement.

 

Thank You. It truly means a lot.

  

Kevin

Defending The Crown-- 28th Annual Critters Readers Poll Opened -- Best Review Site

  

It has been quite a year. Somehow, despite the way worse financial situation and my own worsening health, I am still here. The blog is still here too. Despite the fact that I am way slower reading and reviewing wise, the blog continues to soar and add thousands of page views each month. I am sure that the majority of that is due to the fact that the blog remains popular with guests who contribute the lion’s share of content these days. I again thank them for their posts.

 

I very much thank you, the reader, for your support. If not for you coming and reading the blog, it would not exist.

 

I have never understood why anyone would value what I do here. People tell me I impact the mystery and crime fiction community. I don't see how. Yet, folks keep telling me I have an impact, as they have again in recent days. Maybe it was the way I was raised. The idea that something I do has value, that I matter, is such a bizarre concept to me.  

 

The 28th Annual Critters Readers' Poll has opened and I put Kevin’s Corner in the running in the Review site category.  If you think the blog is worthy, please vote at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

 

After you vote, make sure you respond to the confirmation email and register your vote so that it is counted.

 

While currently we are the only review site listed, I expect that we will once again be going up against a number of review sites that have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog as always because we do not have all the bells and whistles that other sites have to drive traffic to them.

 

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you must respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count. 

 

Thank you for your continuing support.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

2024 Critter's Poll Results: Kevin's Corner wins "Best Review Site"

 

After finishing in first place for three years in a row, I took made the decision two years ago to not enter Kevin’s Corner. The reaction to not entering the blog was massive in public and private. People were very upset with me. I heard from many folks who were most displeased with the fact that I was not entering the blog in the annual poll. 

I was very surprised. I have a hard time conceiving of the idea that anything I do, especially with the blog, really impacts other folks. Apparently, there is a huge impact even if I don’t really see it happening. 

So, I entered again last year and, somehow, won.

 

That meant that this blog had finished first 4 out of 5 years. Stunning, but true.

So, when the contest rolled around again, I thought enough was enough. I eventually decided that I would enter one more time.

Again this year, we were the only place reviewing mysteries and crime fiction. We were also the only site that was not one of the big guns with book giveaways, special events, and the like. Unlike when I first started entering in the early 2000s when there were over 100 review sites running, this year there were only 4. 2 of the sites are mega deals that handle science fiction and fantasy. Another site seems to do romances of various types.

Then there is this place.

Somehow, we won again.

I am honored and stunned. 5 out of 6 years and back to back after the break year.

On behalf of myself, Scott, Aubrey, and numerous other folks who have been a part of things here for another year, Thank You. If it was not for all the guests who contribute to this blog every month, this award and the recognition, does not happen.

A massive and heartfelt thank you goes to you, the readers, who come by here and read this blog. If it was not for your support over these years, this never would have happened one more time. I’m grateful.

Thank You. It truly means a lot.

 

Kevin

Defending The Crown-- 27th Annual Critters Readers Poll Opened -- Best Review Site

 

It has been a year. I honestly never thought I would still be here this long after Sandi passed. But, I am, and this blog still lives as well. The fact that even though I am not as active with reviews as I read way slower now, and actually wrote some of my own fiction that folks thought was worthy of being included in various projects and published, means that this place did not have as much new content as I would have liked. I’m sorry about that. I also don’t see it changing for 2025.

 

After reclaiming the title of “Best Review Site” last year, I was not planning on running again this year. I have never understood why anyone would value what I do here. People tell me I impact the mystery and crime fiction community. I don't see how. Yet, folks keep telling me I have an impact, as they did again in recent days. Then I was reminded how I regretted not entering this deal before and maybe I should just go ahead and enter again. One is supposed to learn from past mistakes, after all.

 

So, when the 27th Annual Critters Readers' Poll opened early last week, I placed Kevin’s Corner in the running in the Review site category.  If you think the blog is worthy, please vote at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

 

After you vote, make sure you respond to the confirmation email and registers your vote so that it is counted.

 

While currently we are the only review site listed, I expect that we will once again be going up against a number of review sites that have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog as always because we do not have all the bells and whistles that other sites have to drive traffic to them.

 

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you must respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

 

Thank you for your continuing support.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024

2023 Critter's Poll Results: Kevin's Corner wins "Best Review Site"

 

After finishing in first place for the last three years, I made the decision last year not to enter Kevin’s Corner. As some knew at the time, I was planning to shut down the blog within the next few weeks and pretty much quietly go away. The reaction to my not entering the blog was massive in public and private. People were very upset with me. I heard from many folks who were most displeased with the fact that I was not entering the blog in the annual poll.

 

I was very surprised. I have a hard time conceiving of the idea that anything I do, especially with the blog, really impacts other folks. Apparently, there is a huge impact even if I don’t really see it happening.

 

So, after keeping the blog going through the year, primarily with a lot of help from my friends and guests, I decided to enter again this year, and roll the dice.

 

Sandi made me promise shortly before she passed that I would write my own stuff and keep the blog going. She had far more faith in me than I ever did in myself. Friday was her birthday and it was a very hard day. I spent most of the day offline as I tried to lose myself in a book. It seemed like some sort of sign Friday evening when I surfaced and checked my email and got the news that the blog had won.

 

Kevin’s Corner finished FIRST.

 

This year, we were the only place reviewing mysteries and crime fiction. We were also the only site that was not one of the big guns with book giveaways, special events, and the like. I am honored and stunned how things have turned out.

 

On behalf of myself, Scott, Barry, Aubrey, Jeanne of the BPL, and numerous other folks who have been a part of things here for another year, Thank You. If it was not for all the guests who contribute to this blog every month, this award and the recognition, does not happen.

 

A massive and heartfelt thank you goes to you, the readers, who come by here and read this blog. If it was not for your support over these past months and years, especially after Sandi passed and my word crashed in flames, this blog never would have continued or been around for this to happen today. You have showed your support in public and in private, and by voting this blog number one again.

 

Thank You. It truly means a lot. 

 

Kevin

The Final Hours to Vote in 26th Annual Critters Readers Poll -- Best Review Site

These are the final hours to vote in the poll this year. Kevin’s Corner is in the running in the Review site category.  If you think the blog is worthy, please vote at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

 

After you vote, make sure you respond to the confirmation email and registers your vote so that it is counted.

 

As always, we are going up against a number of review sites have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog, as always, because we do not have all the bells and whistles that other sites have to drive traffic to them. We are also the only site that reviews Mysteries and Crime Fiction primarily.

 

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

 

On behalf of Aubrey Hamilton, Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, Scott, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2023, and myself, thank you for your support. It means a lot.

 

Kevin

26th Annual Critters Readers Poll Opened -- Best Review Site

After claiming the title of “Best Review Site” three years running, I decided to not submit Kevin’s Corner or run last year in the Annual Critters Readers’ Poll. I then regretted that decision for the next few weeks as so many commented on my blog, on various social media platforms, and by email that I should have run again. 

I was also repeatedly and vehemently told not to shut down the blog and that it provides a major service to mystery readers as well as readers in general. That support that was expressed then, as well as several other times over this past year, is the only reason why I have kept the blog going. 

 

So, with the 26th Annual Critters Readers' Poll now open, I have placed Kevin’s Corner in the running in the Review site category.  If you think the blog is worthy, please vote at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

 

After you vote, make sure you respond to the confirmation email and registers your vote so that it is counted.

 

As always, we will be going up against a number of review sites have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog as always because we do not have all the bells and whistles that other sites have to drive traffic to them.

 

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

 

On behalf of Aubrey Hamilton, Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, Scott, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2023, and myself, thank you for your support.

 

Kevin

Dental Stuff and More

 

Scott and I had dental stuff the last two days. I am very tired and in worse pain than normal thanks to all the driving and sitting in unfriendly chairs, but that stuff is done. Both Scott and I came out with fairly clean bills of health so that is good news too.  Finally, today, I could stay at the house and do blog stuff and other things.

 

So, with that done, hopefully the only excursions from the home habitat life pod the next few weeks will be the grocery store and the library. If the weather forecast is right for next week, I may even be able to sit outside in shorts and a t-short and read. I did that a little bit earlier in the week as well as last week and it was nice.

 

By the way, I am planning on registering this blog for the annual Critters Workshop Poll. I did not last year and did not run as I was thinking that after doing very well three years in a row, it was time to step back. Having taken a year off, it seems time to get back into it and gain some recognition, again, for all of us who are part of Kevin’s Corner. The poll opens Sunday the 24rth so watch this space.

Critter's Poll Results: Kevin's Corner wins "Best Review Site"

For the third consecutive year, this blog has finished in first place in the annual poll.  I am honored and stunned.

On behalf of myself, Scott, Barry, Aubrey, Jeanne of the BPL, and numerous other folks who have been a part of things here for another year, Thank You. If it was not for all the guests who contribute to this blog every month, this award and the recognition does not happen.

A massive and heartfelt thank you goes to you, the readers, who come by here and read this blog. If it was not for your support over these past months and years, espcially after Sandi passed and my word crashed in flames, this blog never would have contuinued or been around for this to happen today. You have showed your support in public and in private, and by voting this blog number one again. 

Thank You. It truly means a lot. 

NEWS: More Guests

I hope you have been enjoying the guests this week on the blog with author Paul A. Barra, Aubrey Nye Hamilton, Jeanne of the BPL, and just today, Steve Liskow. Not to mention the reviews and links to interesting things found elsewhere. 

I wanted to update you as more guest posts have been lined up covering the next few days.   

Fridays mean Friday’s Forgotten Books. This week a review by Barry Ergang will run. You can find out more at 1 AM CST when the review goes live. 

For those who don’t know, Saturdays feature reviews by my son, Scott Tipple. This coming Saturday he reviews a graphic novel that features Batman. 

Sunday author Lori Robbins will be on the blog. She will be discussing her new book, Murder in Second Position: An On Pointe Mystery. 

Of course, Monday features another all new review by Aubrey. 

Jeanne of the BPL will be back on the blog Tuesday with her third cozy mystery review in as many weeks. Following her reviews of Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker and Boston Scream Murder by Ginger Bolton, she reviews One Poison Pie by Lynn Calhoon. 

You could be a guest as well. If you are interested, please check out the guidelines on the blog at https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2021/12/want-to-be-guest.html 

By the way, if you like what we do here, we really need your support. Please like and share the posts on your social media channels. I’d love to see more comments. Especially on guest posts. I am sure that the comment moderation deters some folks, but it is in place because of scummy spammers. I am sorry it is necessary and do everything I can to not leave folks hanging. Blogger does not always tell me in a timely manner. 

These are the last few hours for the annual Critters Reader Poll. As of right now, there are seven review sites running as Kevin's Corner attempts to defend the first place crown. Currently, Kevin’s Corner and the mega site, I Smell Sheep, continue to trade the first place spot back and forth. If you like what we do on Kevin's Corner, please consider voting for us at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml 

After you vote, please be sure to respond to the confirmation email to verify your vote.

Thank you!

 

Final Hours To Vote In The Annual Critters Readers' Poll

As some are already aware, Kevin’s Corner is once again listed in the Best Review Site poll up at the Annual Critters Readers Poll. I had absolutely no intention of entering the blog again. I was talked into doing it after several folks made it clear that if I did not enter it, they would. 

In these last hours of polling, there are now eight review sites involved. As happened last year, Kevin’s Corner and the mega site, I Smell Sheep, are alternating first place.

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

On behalf of my son, Scott,  Aubrey Hamilton, Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2021, and myself, thank you for your support.

https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

News: The Guests This Week And More

 

This is another week of guests on the blog.

 

Tomorrow Paul A. Barra will have a guest post on writing and research regarding his latest book, Full of Eyes: A Rebel Bishop Mystery.

Monday means Aubrey Nye Hamilton is on the blog with another all new review. This week her review is on Due Justice by Diane Capri.

Jeanne on the Bookblog of the Bristol Library is back Tuesday with another cozy mystery review. This week she reviews Boston Scream Murder by Ginger Bolton.

Wednesday is reserved for Short Story Wednesday Reviews. If nobody submits a guest post for it, a review of mine will run.

Steve Liskow is back on the blog Thursday. This week he discusses how his tale, Kick Out The Jams, came to be in the anthology Groovy Gumshoes: Private Eyes I the Psychedelic Age. Edited by Michael Bracken, the anthology comes out in April.  

Fridays mean Friday’s Forgotten Books. If nobody submits something for it, a review of mine will run.

For those who don’t know, Saturdays feature reviews by my son, Scott Tipple. This coming Saturday he reviews a graphic novel that features Batman.

Next Sunday, the 16^th, is already claimed as author Lori Robbins will be on the blog. She will be discussing her new book, Murder in Second Position: An On Pointe Mystery.

You could be a guest as well. If you are interested check out the guidelines on the blog at https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2021/12/want-to-be-guest.html

 
By the way, if you like what we do here, we really need your support. Please like and share the posts on your social media channels. I’d love to see more comments. Especially on guest posts. I am sure that the comment moderation deters some folks, but it is in place because of scummy spammers. I am sorry it is necessary and do everything I can to not leave folks hanging. Blogger does not always tell me in a timely manner.

It would also help right now if you would vote for the blog at the annual poll. I had no intention of putting the blog up again, but was talked into doing so. As of right now, there are seven review sites running as Kevin's Cover attempts to defend the first place crown. Currently the blog remains in second place behind the mega site, I Smell Sheep. If you like what we do on Kevin's Corner, please consider voting for us at https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml  

After you vote, please be sure to respond to the confirmation email to verify your vote. Thank you.

Final Hours To Vote In The Annual Critters Readers' Poll

These are the final hours to support Kevin’s Corner for consideration as Best Review Site. This year, we attempt to defend our crown as the Best Review Site. As always, we are up against  a lot of sites that have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog as always as we do not have all the bells and whistles use on a daily and weekly basis.

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

On behalf of Aubrey Hamilton, Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2020, and myself, thank you for your support.

https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

While I am not sure how much longer I am going to keep the blog going, I can assure you that this is the final year for me to enter the blog in this contest. So, let’s go out on top with a back to back crown as number one! Please and thank you.

Annual Critters Readers' Poll

It is that time of year and once again, Kevin’s Corner is up for consideration as Best Review Site. This year, we attempt to defend our crown as THE  Best Review Site. As always, we are up against an ever-increasing list of review sites. Most of which have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. Most of them host book giveaways and other events as well. This site remains an underdog as always as we do not have all the bells and whistles use on a daily and weekly basis.

If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

On behalf of Aubrey Hamilton, Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2020, and myself, thank you for your support.

https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

Critter's Poll Results: Kevin's Corner wins "Best Review Site"

As you can see here, this blog has finished in first place. I am beyond stunned.

On behalf of myself, Scott, Barry, Aubrey, Jeanne of the BPL, the one and only Earl Staggs, and numerous other folks who have been a part of things here for another year, Thank You. If it was not for you who read this blog, day in and day out, and showed your support then as well as during the vote, this never happens.

Thank You.

2018 Critters Readers' Poll--Final Count

The final count is in at the Critters Poll and this blog finished in second place in the Review Site category. The poll this year contained several mega sites and Kevin's Corner in a far smaller field of review sites than in years past. While we do not review what the first place finisher does--paranormal books and other paranormal content-- this blog is the clear number one favorite for mysteries, crime fiction, and such.

The poll results also marks the same second place finish as last year. Considering what has gone on this past year and the struggle it has been for me to keep this blog going, finishing second, even in a far smaller field, still feels like a major accomplishment. I could not have kept the blog going without the help of many other people who provided not only content, but support on days that were often very dark.

On behalf of  regular contributors Barry Ergang, Aubrey Nye Hamilton, Kaye George, Earl Staggs, and numerous guests in the past year, as well as yours truly, we thank you for your support.

Critters Readers' Poll Voting

Again this year, Kevin’s Corner, is up for consideration as Favorite Review Site. As always, we are up against many sites most of which have teams of reviewers and are active in many genres across multiple forms of media. If you think we are worthy of your vote, please go cast your vote today. Remember, you have to respond to the confirmation email for your vote to count.

On behalf of Barry Ergang, Jeanne of the BPL, Kaye George, and the numerous guests that have visited the blog during 2018, and myself, thank you for your support.

https://critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

For the first time in a very long, long time I have turned in some critique work for the Critters Workshop at http://critters.org/index.php One western, one fantasy, one science fiction and one mystery. Four in two days. So, not only am I doing freelance stuff for Tapir and Friends Animal Store I am back doing critters stuff. Which means my reading of books has slowed way down--again. lol

The Critters Workshop welcomes donations so if you can make one please do and help keep the site going.

Help out or you will see more of this......