Categories: Murder mystery

Murder…for Free? Download These Apps to Satisfy Your Inner Sleuth

At www.getawaytomurder.com, we know exactly what our fellow murder-obsessed readers crave:

  1. Blood-stained bestsellers 🩸
  2. Spine-tingling thrillers 😟
  3. Chilling true crime docs and/or, 😱
  4. More whodunnits than you can shake a magnifying glass at! 🔎

Whether you’re here for murder mystery dinner parties, or killer book reviews, we’ve got you covered.

But what if we told you that you can binge on all things murder — books, audiobooks, magazines, and even movies — without spending a single dime?

Enter: Libby, Hoopla, and OverDrive.

These incredible library-connected apps offer completely free access to digital media, all with just a library card. And since we’re all about giving you access to murder, murder, and more murder, we’re breaking down how each app works, what you can get on them, and how to get started.

1. Libby — Your Sleek Gateway to Free Thrillers

What is it?
Libby is the newer, more user-friendly version of OverDrive, designed specifically for smartphones and tablets. Through Libby, you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your local library. That means hundreds of mystery novels, detective tales, and pulse-pounding suspense stories — right at your fingertips.

What you can access/need to know:

  1. Murder mystery ebooks and audiobooks
  2. Crime-themed magazines like Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
  3. Loan periods typically range from 7–21 days, depending on your library

Where to get Libby:

How to sign up for Libby:

  1. Download the Libby app from your app store.
  2. Open the app and tap “Yes” when asked if you have a library card.
  3. Search for your local library by name, city, or zip code.
  4. Enter your library card number and PIN/password.
  5. Browse or search for murder mystery books and start borrowing instantly so you can feed your inner sleuth.

2. OverDrive — Still Kicking (But on Life Support)

What is it?
OverDrive is the predecessor to Libby, offering similar access to ebooks and audiobooks. It’s still supported in some areas, particularly through desktop web browsers, but OverDrive’s app was officially discontinued in 2023 in favor of Libby.

TL;DR: Use Libby instead for the best experience on mobile. If you’re a desktop user or using OverDrive through your library’s website, you can still access it!

Where to access OverDrive:

3. Hoopla — For Murder Lovers Who Like Variety

What is it?
Hoopla is a digital media service that lets you borrow not just books and audiobooks, but also movies, TV shows, comics, and music — instantly. No holds, no waiting. Just you, your headphones, and that crime series or detective noir you’ve been dying to watch.

What you can access/need to know:

  1. Audiobooks (thrillers, detective fiction, true crime)
  2. Mystery movies and crime TV shows
  3. Graphic novels, comics, and more
  4. Borrowing limits vary by library (usually 5–10 items/month)

Where to get Hoopla:

How to sign up for Hoopla:

  1. Download the Hoopla app or visit the website.
  2. Click “Sign Up.”
  3. Choose your library from the list.
  4. Enter your library card number and PIN/password.
  5. Create a Hoopla account using your email and a password.
  6. Browse through thousands of murder-filled books and movies!

🕵️‍♀️ Final Thoughts…

Murder shouldn’t cost a fortune (unless it’s part of a high-stakes inheritance plot) 🙃. We hope you take full advantage of Libby, Hoopla, and even OverDrive (if it’s still in service in your area). With just a library card, you’ll unlock a killer collection of media.

And to help you out, as we post book recommendations, we will include the link on Libby or Hoopla to make it easier for you to get started right away. Just keep an eye out for this icon:

So grab your library card, fire up one (or all!) of these apps, and get ready to binge read, watch, and listen to your next obsession.

We’ll keep hunting for murder so you can keep getting away with it.

Happy sleuthing readers! Time to #GetawayToMurder 🩸🔪📚

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