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A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #2
An Uninvited Ghost
Alison and her resident gumshoe ghost are on their next case when the deceased Scott MacFarlane floats in worried that he accidentally killed a prominent local woman. Turns out she's still alive...that is, of course, until she's murdered-in Alison's house. Now, between the demands of her guests and the arrival of a reality television crew, Alison must find the killer before she sees reality from the other side.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2011
109 people are currently reading
1531 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Copperman
34 books840 followersLibrarian note: E.J. Copperman is the pen name for author
Jeff Cohen
E.J. Copperman is a mysterious figure, or has a mysterious figure, or writes figuratively in mysteries. In any event, a New Jersey native, E.J. has written for such publications as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, American Baby and USA Weekend. Night of the Living Deed is the first E.J. Copperman novel. It will be followed in 2011 by An Uninvited Ghost, the second in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series.
E.J., having worked as a newspaper reporter, teacher, magazine editor, and screenwriter, writes stories that combine humor and mystery with just the right amount of spooky supernatural happenings and a large doses of Jersey attitude.
Sound like we’re being evasive? Well, the fact is that E.J. Copperman is the pseudonym of a well-known mystery novelist, now embarking on a new type of story that includes some elements of the supernatural as well as a fair number of laughs. And the Copperman novels will have a different attitude, a different setting and completely different characters than anything that has come before, so E.J. really is a new author.
E.J. Copperman is a mysterious figure, or has a mysterious figure, or writes figuratively in mysteries. In any event, a New Jersey native, E.J. has written for such publications as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, American Baby and USA Weekend. Night of the Living Deed is the first E.J. Copperman novel. It will be followed in 2011 by An Uninvited Ghost, the second in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series.
E.J., having worked as a newspaper reporter, teacher, magazine editor, and screenwriter, writes stories that combine humor and mystery with just the right amount of spooky supernatural happenings and a large doses of Jersey attitude.
Sound like we’re being evasive? Well, the fact is that E.J. Copperman is the pseudonym of a well-known mystery novelist, now embarking on a new type of story that includes some elements of the supernatural as well as a fair number of laughs. And the Copperman novels will have a different attitude, a different setting and completely different characters than anything that has come before, so E.J. really is a new author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
March 5, 2019
This engaging woo-woo cozy mystery offers an offbeat cast of characters. I like the persistent sleuth who also runs a guesthouse with her unusual boarders. Paul is my favorite of the ghosts. If you're in the mood for reading something a little different, this fun title might fit the bill.
March 3, 2015
When a recently divorced mother of one renovates an old home into a bed and breakfast, she may have bitten off a little more than she can chew. During construction she and her daughter start to experience spectral sightings and by the time of completion they have accepted and welcomed their friendly, paranormal inhabitants. While still trying to embrace that her first tenants are permanent and ghostly, there is an unexplainable murder that opens the floodgates for the press and local police of this small town.
I was wavering between a three and four star rating but about half way through the pace picked up and the characters became endearing. I think this is a fun, light, cozy series that according to the reviewers just gets better and better. As always, Amanda Rinconi does an exceptional job narrating.
I was wavering between a three and four star rating but about half way through the pace picked up and the characters became endearing. I think this is a fun, light, cozy series that according to the reviewers just gets better and better. As always, Amanda Rinconi does an exceptional job narrating.
January 13, 2015
I did enjoy E.J. Copperman’s first novel in this series, Night of the Living Deed, but not nearly as much as its sequel, which was much, much better.
It’s the first week for single mom Alison Kerby’s guesthouse (which she readied in Night of the Living Deed), and a passel of seniors have come to see hijinks performed twice a day by Alison’s resident ghosts: private investigator Paul Harrison and over-the-top Maxie Malone. But once a private eye, always a private eye. Paul wants Alison to help investigate on behalf of Scott, another ghost, who fears he may have inadvertently killed a woman.
I won’t spoil anything by telling anything further about Scott’s troubles. However, adding to the general confusion — and hilarity — when the profanity-laced reality show Down the Shore, a thinly veiled version of MTV's Jersey Shore, also comes to stay. Readers will laugh out loud at the antics of the narcissistic, dimwitted “reality” stars, the eccentric senior citizens, and Alison and her family and friends.
I've already bought the next two books: the novel Old Haunts and the novella A Wild Ghost Chase, both published in 2012.
It’s the first week for single mom Alison Kerby’s guesthouse (which she readied in Night of the Living Deed), and a passel of seniors have come to see hijinks performed twice a day by Alison’s resident ghosts: private investigator Paul Harrison and over-the-top Maxie Malone. But once a private eye, always a private eye. Paul wants Alison to help investigate on behalf of Scott, another ghost, who fears he may have inadvertently killed a woman.
I won’t spoil anything by telling anything further about Scott’s troubles. However, adding to the general confusion — and hilarity — when the profanity-laced reality show Down the Shore, a thinly veiled version of MTV's Jersey Shore, also comes to stay. Readers will laugh out loud at the antics of the narcissistic, dimwitted “reality” stars, the eccentric senior citizens, and Alison and her family and friends.
I've already bought the next two books: the novel Old Haunts and the novella A Wild Ghost Chase, both published in 2012.
August 30, 2018
I collected this series because I love this cover! Paranormal fans beg for literature with an ADULT PROTAGONIST. If the gorgeous cat is a family member, it’s sparse enough to evade recall even by me. Humour is lovely but we need a greater abundance of suspenseful, solidly atmospheric, ADULT ghostliness. When you laugh and argue with spectres and they are commonplace; the spine-tingling awe I’m forced to continue seeking, isn’t possible. If at least this house had secrets, beyond one story in the first novel; that would create a facsimile of suspense. Alas, the house doesn’t fulfill the role of wonder and discovery that it could either.
In volume one, I praised E.J. Copperman’s humour because it worked well in dialogue, the secret was unique, and there was heightened emotion. Reaching the cover that drew me; I can’t match ratings. I laughed at the word “migraine” replacing all swears so the author could pepper us with them unrestrainedly. Other than that, a parody of “Jersey Shore” filming the house and a contrived mystery with one actress, were pointless and downgraded the haunted house tone more than usual. It’s clear the author is no fan of the show but why intrude on a ghost story to illustrate that? Also, the child barging into the attic unbidden, was irritating and unlikely of her.
The true case, a murdered guest and a ghost who may have harmed someone, were impressively complex and original. A reader doesn’t have the toolkit for deciphering it because it involves peculiar rules about the ghost realm, that the author invented. I don’t mind fictional concepts. If he’d drop the silly television thread, this would be compelling. However the danger and shock of the first novel are absent. Bottom line: I don’t read paranormal literature in pursuit of comedy.
In volume one, I praised E.J. Copperman’s humour because it worked well in dialogue, the secret was unique, and there was heightened emotion. Reaching the cover that drew me; I can’t match ratings. I laughed at the word “migraine” replacing all swears so the author could pepper us with them unrestrainedly. Other than that, a parody of “Jersey Shore” filming the house and a contrived mystery with one actress, were pointless and downgraded the haunted house tone more than usual. It’s clear the author is no fan of the show but why intrude on a ghost story to illustrate that? Also, the child barging into the attic unbidden, was irritating and unlikely of her.
The true case, a murdered guest and a ghost who may have harmed someone, were impressively complex and original. A reader doesn’t have the toolkit for deciphering it because it involves peculiar rules about the ghost realm, that the author invented. I don’t mind fictional concepts. If he’d drop the silly television thread, this would be compelling. However the danger and shock of the first novel are absent. Bottom line: I don’t read paranormal literature in pursuit of comedy.
April 9, 2022
Audio book. Alison is back! This time she has her first set of guests staying at her guest house. Things don't go as smoothly as Alison hoped though. Paul, one of her resident spirits, asks her to take on another investigation now that she has her private investigator license and a tv crew shows up wanting to film at her house while her guests are there.
This is a fun series. I really like Alison and Maxi. I am sure I will read more in the series.
This is a fun series. I really like Alison and Maxi. I am sure I will read more in the series.
March 1, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this entry in the series. Alison really does have the best haunted guesthouse on the Jersey shore. There were some really good twists that I didn’t see coming (and neither did Alison). I really enjoy the authors writing style - very witty and sarcastic. Looking forward to the next book.
April 30, 2011
Lovers of smartly written, intelligently plotted, laugh-out-loud cozies will recognize this as the latest series from terrific writer Jeffrey Cohen. I pick up one of his books whenever I myself need a pick-me-up. I simply double-dare you not to feel better about life after reading anything he writes! This series is a clever, updated homage to TOPPER, and does justice to the granddaddy of all today's ghostly comic capers. The perfect beach read. Now where did I put that chaise lounge?
September 17, 2016
This is book two in the Haunted Guesthouse mysteries and I loved it just as much as the first one! With a charming guesthouse and a few ghosts Alison has her work cut out for her. When she promises Paul that she will help him solve some crimes if he helps scare the guests that stay at her guesthouse! She figured it would be maybe a once in a while thing but as soon as she agreed to their pact Paul gets them a case. Scott McFarlane got roped into a prank that turned deadly and he wants his named cleared and the real murderer to pay. When Allison starts to dig she finds out the woman is still alive, well she was until she gets murdered at Allison's guesthouse. With the past and the present coming to a big halt Alison must dig quick or she will wind up being the next victim! I highly recommend this book and series!
March 14, 2015
An Uninvited Ghost by E. J. Copperman is the second book in The Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series. Alison has opened her guesthouse to her first guests when she is also hired to investigate a possible accidental homicide by a ghost.Finding the alleged victim, Arlice Crosby, alive and well, she invites her to a seance at the guesthouse, where unfortunately she is murdered for real. I enjoyed this book very much. It was unlike anything I had read before and hard to put down. I liked the role the ghosts played and the way they were incorporated in the mystery and the ending was totally unexpected. A funny and entertaining read which left me wanting more.
December 21, 2020
Not as enjoyable as the first in the series, probably due to the author throwing way too much at the reader.
Paul is contacted to verify whether or not his blind ghost ‘client’ has accidentally killed someone while participating in a prank. Blind ghost communicates by “reading” magnetic letters on a child’s easel – that is some Grade-A Helen Keller level ability.
Alison agrees to let a Jersey Shore-esque cast and crew film at the guest house adding to the stress of her first week in business. It’s mentioned that she is offered an obscene amount of money but, even with that, to risk her guests’ comfort and happiness seemed out of character.
The ending was oddly dissatisfying. Especially after much too much interaction throughout the book with the murderer. Having the penultimate reveal happen in front of Detective McElone, yet providing no actual resolution the police could use, is moving what was semi-viable escapism into unbelievable territory.
Paul is contacted to verify whether or not his blind ghost ‘client’ has accidentally killed someone while participating in a prank. Blind ghost communicates by “reading” magnetic letters on a child’s easel – that is some Grade-A Helen Keller level ability.
Alison agrees to let a Jersey Shore-esque cast and crew film at the guest house adding to the stress of her first week in business. It’s mentioned that she is offered an obscene amount of money but, even with that, to risk her guests’ comfort and happiness seemed out of character.
The ending was oddly dissatisfying. Especially after much too much interaction throughout the book with the murderer. Having the penultimate reveal happen in front of Detective McElone, yet providing no actual resolution the police could use, is moving what was semi-viable escapism into unbelievable territory.
April 15, 2011
An Uninvited Ghost
Author E.J. Copperman
Copyright April 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Alison Kerby ‘s guesthouse in the Jersey Shore town of Harbor Haven is open and ready for visitors. Now she just has to fill the rooms with paying guests. She decided to accept the offer from Edward Rance, who operates a unique tour group for seniors. The “unique” part of this, is that the groups visit haunted homes and are looking for spooks, spirits, ghosties even.
Alison has cut a deal with her two resident ghosts to help “entertain” the guests by appearing twice a day, as if they were a stage act. In return Alison has agreed to help out on the occasional case. What cases you might venture to ask? Before he was killed (see Night of the Living Deed) Paul was a newly licensed P.I. . Now Alison might actually have to make good on that offer since Paul has a client who thinks his actions might have killed someone.
Add to all the tumult of entertaining the seniors, and then the arrival of a “reality TV crew, and a killer to find, you have the beginning of an interesting adventure for Alison ,her daughter Melissa, and her crew of ghosts and friends.
E.J. Copperman is a talented and funny author who can and should hit the top of the lists with this series.
FTC Full Disclosure: I purchased this book with full intensions of reviewing it for friends and other interested being.
E.J. can be found hanging out at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.ph...
Author E.J. Copperman
Copyright April 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Alison Kerby ‘s guesthouse in the Jersey Shore town of Harbor Haven is open and ready for visitors. Now she just has to fill the rooms with paying guests. She decided to accept the offer from Edward Rance, who operates a unique tour group for seniors. The “unique” part of this, is that the groups visit haunted homes and are looking for spooks, spirits, ghosties even.
Alison has cut a deal with her two resident ghosts to help “entertain” the guests by appearing twice a day, as if they were a stage act. In return Alison has agreed to help out on the occasional case. What cases you might venture to ask? Before he was killed (see Night of the Living Deed) Paul was a newly licensed P.I. . Now Alison might actually have to make good on that offer since Paul has a client who thinks his actions might have killed someone.
Add to all the tumult of entertaining the seniors, and then the arrival of a “reality TV crew, and a killer to find, you have the beginning of an interesting adventure for Alison ,her daughter Melissa, and her crew of ghosts and friends.
E.J. Copperman is a talented and funny author who can and should hit the top of the lists with this series.
FTC Full Disclosure: I purchased this book with full intensions of reviewing it for friends and other interested being.
E.J. can be found hanging out at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.ph...
July 2, 2021
This was book 2 in the
"Haunted Guesthouse Mystery"
Guesthouse Owner and new Private Investigator Alison tries to keep her house order in her first week of opening her dream guesthouse in New Jersey. She already has the support of her darling daughter Melissa and her Mother and e two resident ghosts with a house is filled with a Senior Plus tour-group whom are excited by the prospect of timed ghost encounters next a reality show group of 20-somethings that are known for their migraines and showing too much flesh finally she even invites a charming woman in her 80's that Ghost friend Paul wants to prove is still alive. This was a pretty good read it was funny with all the kooky weird characters. They also have a reality cast and crew that show up. This was a good read with a good narrator as I listened to this book on audio. I am looking forward to listening to the next book in this series.
November 15, 2020
Actually 3.5 stars
In the next novel in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series, it's a culture clash when a group of ghost-hunting senior citizens stays in the guesthouse, along with a group of foul-mouthed twenty-something reality stars filming a Jersey Shore -like reality show. When a local woman is killed at a seance at the Guesthouse, no one can leave town. But what out-of-town guest could have motive for killing a elderly town resident?
There's a twist in this book that you'll never see coming, and that adds a lot to what is otherwise a fairly standard supernatural cozy mystery. Guesthouse owner Alison Kerby uses her newly-minted Private Investigator license to help solve the murder, and the disappearance of one of the cast members of Down the Shore. It's well-written and readable, but nothing special... until the end.
In the next novel in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series, it's a culture clash when a group of ghost-hunting senior citizens stays in the guesthouse, along with a group of foul-mouthed twenty-something reality stars filming a Jersey Shore -like reality show. When a local woman is killed at a seance at the Guesthouse, no one can leave town. But what out-of-town guest could have motive for killing a elderly town resident?
There's a twist in this book that you'll never see coming, and that adds a lot to what is otherwise a fairly standard supernatural cozy mystery. Guesthouse owner Alison Kerby uses her newly-minted Private Investigator license to help solve the murder, and the disappearance of one of the cast members of Down the Shore. It's well-written and readable, but nothing special... until the end.
June 9, 2021
Not as good as the first one. :(
So, at first I really liked the idea of the reality TV angle because it reminded me - obviously - of Jersey Shore right down to the characters. I knew right off who each of them was supposed to be. However, after a while, it got kind of old and just in the way of the mystery, though they were tied together.
I really liked the moments between Allison and Paul. I hate more and more that he's dead even if he wouldn't be her type and they probably wouldn't have even crossed each other, much less taken notice. Didn't care at all for how she kept trying to cheat her way out of her end of the deal. This guy is constantly making a ghostly spectacle of himself- reminding himself that he is dead even more than usual- and she just wants to drop out of her promise to investigate. It's really making me not like her- which is unfortunate because she is the MC of the series.
So, at first I really liked the idea of the reality TV angle because it reminded me - obviously - of Jersey Shore right down to the characters. I knew right off who each of them was supposed to be. However, after a while, it got kind of old and just in the way of the mystery, though they were tied together.
I really liked the moments between Allison and Paul. I hate more and more that he's dead even if he wouldn't be her type and they probably wouldn't have even crossed each other, much less taken notice. Didn't care at all for how she kept trying to cheat her way out of her end of the deal. This guy is constantly making a ghostly spectacle of himself- reminding himself that he is dead even more than usual- and she just wants to drop out of her promise to investigate. It's really making me not like her- which is unfortunate because she is the MC of the series.
July 26, 2017
I did NOT see that coming!
Such a great twist! So many interesting characters in this book it really left you wondering what was going to happen and what was going on. I really enjoyed picking up this book and learning more about the main character and her family/haunts.
Such a great twist! So many interesting characters in this book it really left you wondering what was going to happen and what was going on. I really enjoyed picking up this book and learning more about the main character and her family/haunts.
July 1, 2024
2.5 stars
Narration rating: 3/5
Narration rating: 3/5
December 22, 2017
Good continuation of the series - Alison now has her PI license, but she didn't really intend to actually use it...
September 3, 2012
Pros: "An Uninvited Ghost" is a light and entertaining cozy with a nice bunch of recurring characters and a cute premise. Alison Kerby has bought an old Victorian home on the Jersey Shore and converted it into a guesthouse. Her first guests are a senior citizen tour group and the cast and crew of a "Jersey Shore"-like reality show. The seniors insist on seeing ghosts if Alison is to keep the business of the tour company and luckily her home is haunted by former owner Maxie and fellow murder victim Paul. The two ghosts agree to put on some spooky shows if Alison will help investigate the occasional case with Paul, a former private eye. All is going well until someone is murdered during Alison's staged seance.
Cons: For me, the writing is a bit clunky. A 106 word sentence, for example, was a total distraction from the storytelling. This time I didn't mind the phonetic spelling of the police detective's name, though it's still a bit distracting. The author's insistence on describing Paul's British/ Canadian accent annoyed me in this book. No one knows what that sounds like, so stop making a big deal out of it or spell his dialogue phonetically so we have a clue. Beyond these little peeves, the story for me had bigger problems. I guessed the murderer on the same page as the murder. The sleuth's ten-year-old daughter turns out to be the brains of the operation, to my dismay. A lack of forethought in the "mythology" of the ghosts leads to a glaring problem involving what the ghosts can and cannot carry through walls. If you've already read the first book you'll doubtlessly be as annoyed as I was that a new ghost rule in the second book makes unnecessary the dark, futile wall searches that took up most of book one. Also, the reality show subplot adds nothing to the story, except perhaps for adding "migraine" to the list of things I found annoying about this book. (To keep it family friendly, the author substitutes the word migraine every time a Jersey Shore-like cast member says a curse word.) The entire subplot could be lifted out of the book to no ill effect and seemed to only serve as filler. Lastly, the "stunning" revelation of the killer was so convoluted and contrived that it failed to get the "Oh no way!" reaction it was going for.
If you fall in love with Harbor Haven, Alison, her sweet and smart daughter Melissa, and the incorporeal Maxie and Paul, then you will love these books. If you get stuck on the poor craftmanship of the old guesthouse, like I did, it might be best to find a new series.
Cons: For me, the writing is a bit clunky. A 106 word sentence, for example, was a total distraction from the storytelling. This time I didn't mind the phonetic spelling of the police detective's name, though it's still a bit distracting. The author's insistence on describing Paul's British/ Canadian accent annoyed me in this book. No one knows what that sounds like, so stop making a big deal out of it or spell his dialogue phonetically so we have a clue. Beyond these little peeves, the story for me had bigger problems. I guessed the murderer on the same page as the murder. The sleuth's ten-year-old daughter turns out to be the brains of the operation, to my dismay. A lack of forethought in the "mythology" of the ghosts leads to a glaring problem involving what the ghosts can and cannot carry through walls. If you've already read the first book you'll doubtlessly be as annoyed as I was that a new ghost rule in the second book makes unnecessary the dark, futile wall searches that took up most of book one. Also, the reality show subplot adds nothing to the story, except perhaps for adding "migraine" to the list of things I found annoying about this book. (To keep it family friendly, the author substitutes the word migraine every time a Jersey Shore-like cast member says a curse word.) The entire subplot could be lifted out of the book to no ill effect and seemed to only serve as filler. Lastly, the "stunning" revelation of the killer was so convoluted and contrived that it failed to get the "Oh no way!" reaction it was going for.
If you fall in love with Harbor Haven, Alison, her sweet and smart daughter Melissa, and the incorporeal Maxie and Paul, then you will love these books. If you get stuck on the poor craftmanship of the old guesthouse, like I did, it might be best to find a new series.
November 18, 2012
Book #2 of the cozy mystery series about Alison Kerby and her resident ghosts, Paul and Maxie. Alison is now welcoming her first guests to the guesthouse: a group of senior citizens who are there for the promise of a supernatural experience.
Alison also now has a private investigator's license because Paul-the-ghost thought they might solve a few cases together. Alison went to the trouble of studying for the exam and getting her license, but when Paul wants her to investigate a case for Scott, a ghost friend of his, she whines that she thought she'd never have to use her P.I. license and only got it because she thought Paul would leave her alone. Um, right. Does New Jersey even give P.I. licenses in such a short time period, without Alison having to do an internship or work with a licensed P.I. first? I don't care enough to Google it. It bothers me because this is one of several obvious instances of, shall we say, blatent creative license taken by the author for the sake of convenience. Anyway, Alison takes the ghost client's case, sort of. In the course of this investigation she meets Arlice, an elderly woman who ends up dropping dead in Alison's own house. At a seance.
The premise sounds cool, and I liked the ending a lot. I really liked the author having Alison reading a copy of "Some Like it Hot-Buttered," which E.J. Copperman reportedly wrote under another name. Great touch! Unfortunately, I found Alison to be even more unlikable and unfunny than in the first book. There is very little character development overall. The reality show subplot has nothing new to say about reality shows, has nothing to add to the story, and should have been deep-sixed.
This being said, the writing style is engaging and kept me reading. That's no small feat, considering how much I was annoyed by Alison and by the overabundances of asides (in parentheses) to the reader.
The plot and the engaging writing style raised my rating from one star to three. Still, I'm not sure I'll be investing in Book #3 in the series. I've read the first two books and characterization has been a consisent issue. I am not convinced that I have a reason to care about these characters enough to invest more time in them.
I do plan to give "Some Like it Hot Buttered" a try, though. The author has an engaging way of writing and I'd like to see more of his work - as long as Alison Kerby isn't in it.
Alison also now has a private investigator's license because Paul-the-ghost thought they might solve a few cases together. Alison went to the trouble of studying for the exam and getting her license, but when Paul wants her to investigate a case for Scott, a ghost friend of his, she whines that she thought she'd never have to use her P.I. license and only got it because she thought Paul would leave her alone. Um, right. Does New Jersey even give P.I. licenses in such a short time period, without Alison having to do an internship or work with a licensed P.I. first? I don't care enough to Google it. It bothers me because this is one of several obvious instances of, shall we say, blatent creative license taken by the author for the sake of convenience. Anyway, Alison takes the ghost client's case, sort of. In the course of this investigation she meets Arlice, an elderly woman who ends up dropping dead in Alison's own house. At a seance.
The premise sounds cool, and I liked the ending a lot. I really liked the author having Alison reading a copy of "Some Like it Hot-Buttered," which E.J. Copperman reportedly wrote under another name. Great touch! Unfortunately, I found Alison to be even more unlikable and unfunny than in the first book. There is very little character development overall. The reality show subplot has nothing new to say about reality shows, has nothing to add to the story, and should have been deep-sixed.
This being said, the writing style is engaging and kept me reading. That's no small feat, considering how much I was annoyed by Alison and by the overabundances of asides (in parentheses) to the reader.
The plot and the engaging writing style raised my rating from one star to three. Still, I'm not sure I'll be investing in Book #3 in the series. I've read the first two books and characterization has been a consisent issue. I am not convinced that I have a reason to care about these characters enough to invest more time in them.
I do plan to give "Some Like it Hot Buttered" a try, though. The author has an engaging way of writing and I'd like to see more of his work - as long as Alison Kerby isn't in it.
abandoned
January 20, 2015As I have already read two books beyond this one, as I was reading this there was a great deal of repitition obviously. So I have decided to go ahead with this series not backwards. I like this series so I will continue reading it.
August 26, 2018
So I think these books may be kind of a guilty pleasure of mine.
I found, as I did when listening to the first one, that they aren't really that good. There are some holes in the mystery-part of the story, and some back and forth the story could do without, but the characters and settings are interesting, and the narrator of the audiobooks does an amazing job!
So, for rough weeks and slumps, these will be my go-to books, I think.
This one, though, had some problems I, as a diabetic, couldn't help cringe at. I mentioned it in my update - that is not how it works! Not to mention they wouldn't look for it in a dead body, as it is a normal hormone to have. They had to look for it specifically.
So yeah, a few holes, but all in all a lot of fun, which is what I need right now.
I found, as I did when listening to the first one, that they aren't really that good. There are some holes in the mystery-part of the story, and some back and forth the story could do without, but the characters and settings are interesting, and the narrator of the audiobooks does an amazing job!
So, for rough weeks and slumps, these will be my go-to books, I think.
This one, though, had some problems I, as a diabetic, couldn't help cringe at. I mentioned it in my update - that is not how it works! Not to mention they wouldn't look for it in a dead body, as it is a normal hormone to have. They had to look for it specifically.
So yeah, a few holes, but all in all a lot of fun, which is what I need right now.
March 7, 2022
I'm getting a kick out of this series. Alison's inward snark keeps me grinning all the way through and, of course, crime solving with ghosts can be a bit...difficult. :-) Not to mention running a haunted guesthouse. There's absolutely nothing spooky about this series, it's all fun and mayhem and pretty good mysteries -- though I did spy a few teeny problems with that part of the plot in this second book. Still, I'm enjoying the Haunted Guesthouse cast very much -- great repeat secondary characters that were a treat to meet up with again! Amanda Ronconi's narration brought the perfect sarcastic inflections to Alison's running-commentary thoughts and made it all laugh-out-loud funny.
August 20, 2022
Alison Kerby’s guest house is open and some senior citizens are staying at the inn to witness the hijinks of the resident ghosts Maxine and Paul. Paul and Alison have a side agreement to investigate cases and he brings one to her, a ghost (Scott) that’s afraid he may have accidentally killed a woman. Alison, upon investigation, finds the woman alive, invites her to a seance where she dies.
Between the death at the inn, a television series ala Jersey Shore filming at her inn, Alison has a lot on her plate as she investigates the death. Together with Paul, Maxine, Scott, Melissa, her mom and friends, she tackles the mystery before one of them become the next victim.
Between the death at the inn, a television series ala Jersey Shore filming at her inn, Alison has a lot on her plate as she investigates the death. Together with Paul, Maxine, Scott, Melissa, her mom and friends, she tackles the mystery before one of them become the next victim.
August 29, 2020
3.5 stars
February 20, 2021
This was a fun listen. Would try more in this series.
February 5, 2022
None of this makes much sense but it is all hilarious. I really like Alison's snark, and her clarity about her (lack of) investigative skills. I'm continuing this series.
October 13, 2020
Another cute installment of A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery. It gets a little goofy at times, but that's part of its charm.
October 22, 2018
I was disappointed in this book, the second in the Haunted Guesthouse series. The secondary plot was about a "Jersey Shore" type reality series that Alison allows to be filmed in her Guesthouse. Pointless, not funny, with characters that weren't interesting. And why would Alison want more complications in her life on her first week of business? Didn't make sense to me.
The main plot was the murder of Arlice Crosby. Very interesting. But I've read the book twice and the plot solution doesn't make sense. They talked about find insulin vials and a bulb aspirator, but not about a needle. I didn't see how Delores could have injected Arlice or how she could have assembled the necessary things in such a short amount of time. If she had wanted to kill Arlice with insulin, she would have brought things with her. But in the plot, she had only a few moments to locate everything (pp. 66-72). And insulin needs refrigeration, so why did Linda Jane have it in her room? And the part about Delores being a ghost could have been a great plotline, but there were contradictions. Alison saw her talking to Linda Jane (p. 33) and Bernice heard her voice (p. 205). Delores wedged herself next to Arlice at the first seance, but the other guests didn't notice the odd sensation of bumping into a ghost? The detective never mentioned her. Why didn't Alison say something when she described the events? The second seance made the "ghosts really exist" thing too explicit. It should have stayed more vague. Oh well, my head is starting to ache trying to figure this out. But this isn't the kind of book that I want to scrutinize; I just couldn't overlook what I saw as inconsistent.
But I like the characters, I loved Maxie's birthday, and I'm ready to move on to the next book in the series.
The main plot was the murder of Arlice Crosby. Very interesting. But I've read the book twice and the plot solution doesn't make sense. They talked about find insulin vials and a bulb aspirator, but not about a needle. I didn't see how Delores could have injected Arlice or how she could have assembled the necessary things in such a short amount of time. If she had wanted to kill Arlice with insulin, she would have brought things with her. But in the plot, she had only a few moments to locate everything (pp. 66-72). And insulin needs refrigeration, so why did Linda Jane have it in her room? And the part about Delores being a ghost could have been a great plotline, but there were contradictions. Alison saw her talking to Linda Jane (p. 33) and Bernice heard her voice (p. 205). Delores wedged herself next to Arlice at the first seance, but the other guests didn't notice the odd sensation of bumping into a ghost? The detective never mentioned her. Why didn't Alison say something when she described the events? The second seance made the "ghosts really exist" thing too explicit. It should have stayed more vague. Oh well, my head is starting to ache trying to figure this out. But this isn't the kind of book that I want to scrutinize; I just couldn't overlook what I saw as inconsistent.
But I like the characters, I loved Maxie's birthday, and I'm ready to move on to the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2011
Fabulous! This is the second book in the Haunted Guesthouse series by E.J. Copperman. After the first book, Night of the Living Deed, I was hooked. After reading An Uninvited Ghost, I'm still hooked. When's the third book coming out?
An Uninvited Ghost is something classic with a modern twist... it reminded me of those old whodunnit books where someone is murdered and everyone in the room must stay until the detective solves it. Though, in this case, everyone had to stay in and around Alison Kerby's guesthouse while she and her PI ghost friends tried to solve the murder of a friendly old woman. The modern twist? This is all going on while a season of the reality show Down The Shore is being taped in the guesthouse. Hello, drama! Drama especially when one of the stars goes missing.
What's great about the Haunted Guesthouse mysteries are the characters. They have distinct personalities and life goals (can a ghost have a life goal?) and they can all make me laugh.
Oh my gosh, the ending. You will not believe the ending when you get to it! It was a mystery to me the whole time, who could have been the murderer, but when you finally find out who it was, you will be shocked. It was an ingenious turn of events, if you ask me.
If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend going and getting Night of the Living Deed. Once you read it, you'll see what I mean and then you'll be all set to read An Uninvited Ghost.
*Disclaimer: Even though I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by the publisher, that did not effect my review of it and the opinions in said review are expressly mine.
An Uninvited Ghost is something classic with a modern twist... it reminded me of those old whodunnit books where someone is murdered and everyone in the room must stay until the detective solves it. Though, in this case, everyone had to stay in and around Alison Kerby's guesthouse while she and her PI ghost friends tried to solve the murder of a friendly old woman. The modern twist? This is all going on while a season of the reality show Down The Shore is being taped in the guesthouse. Hello, drama! Drama especially when one of the stars goes missing.
What's great about the Haunted Guesthouse mysteries are the characters. They have distinct personalities and life goals (can a ghost have a life goal?) and they can all make me laugh.
Oh my gosh, the ending. You will not believe the ending when you get to it! It was a mystery to me the whole time, who could have been the murderer, but when you finally find out who it was, you will be shocked. It was an ingenious turn of events, if you ask me.
If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend going and getting Night of the Living Deed. Once you read it, you'll see what I mean and then you'll be all set to read An Uninvited Ghost.
*Disclaimer: Even though I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by the publisher, that did not effect my review of it and the opinions in said review are expressly mine.
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