Old Haunts

A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #3

by E.J. Copperman

The ghosts haunting Alison Kerby's Jersey Shore guesthouse are sad. Maxie wants to know who murdered her ex-husband, and Paul pines for his still-living almost-fiancee. The only one who isn't missing her ex is Alison-because The Swine just arrived on her doorstep...

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 7, 2012

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading 'Old Haunts' was like sitting down and enjoying a chat with a good friend. If you have read the other novels in the series, as I have, you are already comfy with Sleuth Alison, her daughter, Melissa, and resident Haunts, Maxie and Paul. They are managing to live together in a lovely large home that is being remodeled into a guest house that specializes in ghost hauntings. This story is located on the Jersey Shore.

Maxie has a terrible shock, her former husband (short duration,) has been dug up from his resting place where a murderer put him...under a boardwalk. Paul, the other ghost, also wants a favor from Alison...please find my last love. Meanwhile Alison is dealing with the re-emergence of her former husband, and Father of Melissa...the Swine. Can it get more complicated for the new Private Investigator? Yes. It can and does. Will Alison save the day?

With Alison's clever wit and humor always present, the murderer doesn't stand a chance. Adding to the sense of carnival is the guesthouses guests. They want to see the ghosts up personal. Huh?

This is a fine cozy murder with a well researched ghost story. If you loved the movie and television show "Topper," you will adore this series. If you are not familiar with the show...do go out and rent them. Excellent entertainment.

As for me? I will eagerly await the next installment of "A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery."

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Alison Kerby! She just can’t seem to catch a break!

Alison’s been running her guesthouse relying heavily on Senior Plus Tours, which promises their clients a ghostly experience at the guesthouse on the Jersey Shore. That experience is provided at twice a day by Alison’s resident ghosts: private investigator Paul Harrison and over-the-top Maxie Malone.

But Alison’s life is turned upside down when she’s beset by exes: a request by Paul to find the love of his life (when he had one), a request by Maxie to investigate her ex-husband’s murder, and the appearance of Alison’s own philandering ex-husband, The Swine. In addition to her guesthouse demands, poor Alison has to juggle these two investigations, an illness that besets poor Paul, and her shameless ex’s attempt to move into the guesthouse permanently now that his girlfriend has tossed him out.

And the results are just as hilarious as can be. Old Haunts, the third installment in the Haunted Guesthouse cozy series, proves to be just as enjoyable as the previous two books. It was especially great to listen to the Audible edition in the car with my husband on a trip. Don’t miss it!

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy series. This one was a little predictable but still had a good story and fun characters. Alyson is a single mother who is remodeling an old home into a bed and breakfast, she has two resident ghosts that are her friends. In this addition to the series they each need her to investigate something very important and personal to each of them. If that wasn't enough to keep her busy her ex shows up out of the blue. A good story, but like I said a bit predictable. I will be reading more of this series.

[Elena Granger · Rating 4 out of 5]

That book is rated the highest in the series so far and now I get why. It’s more complex than the previous two. More characters are introduced and the mystery cases do not repeat themselves, the pattern is not the same.

All the lines are naturally growing, Alison’s husband arrives at her place and seems such a nice person until he tells lies and you start to doubt his intentions. Something strange is happening to the ghosts and a new case is there.

The mystery case in this book is great and unexpected. There are lots of things that surprised me. Also plenty of questions are not resolved, which leaves space for more books.

I’m still in love with the ghost performances for the guests. Such a lovely idea and holds the plot together so well!

🍓🍓🍓🍓 (4/5)

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do enjoy reading the books in this series. Light, clean, easy reads with some sarcastic humor thrown in! The mysterie are very entertaining and have you second guessing "who done it". :)

[Anniken Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 1.5/5 stars

I read the two first books in this series years ago, and somehow the rest of the series slipped away from me. When it was available for free on Audible these days, however, I thought it a good time to give it another go.
Turns out, there was a reason I let the series slip.

While the rest of the series might pick itself up, this book did not get me hooked or interested. Instead, it annoyed me!
There were a lot of storylines going on, but they were all somehow really slow and not interesting, and I solved the main mystery before I was 25% into the book - I will admit that I didn't know all the details, but the main point was figured out, so following the rest of the book as the characters flailed about wasn't all that tempting.

The writing is ok, not capturing me but not halting me either.
And the characters are ok as well, although some are rather steriotypical, so they didn't much catch my interest either.

I'm a little sad to find that this series wasn't for me anymore, but on the other hand, it leaves more room for series that are more my cup of tea, so there are win-wins all around!

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bwahahahaha!!!! Don't read this series if you don't enjoy sarcastic wit, but if you do, you will laugh your way through book after book. I love Alison and all her 'tude and the tender heart she buries underneath all that inner snark. lol Solid mystery, great secondary characters and clever world building around the ghost aspect. The audible edition is excellent, with a slew of the books available on Audible Plus right now.

[Clara Baker Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this although I took a long time reading. I like the way the "ghosts" are transforming and how it might affect later books.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the characters and the ghosts. The mystery was good, I figured out who did it but there were other parts to it that were a surprise.

[Vilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review from Backchatting Books

Alison Kerby is once again drawn away from her guesthouse duties to investigate mysteries for her resident ghosts. The remains of Maxie’s ex-husband Big Bob have been discovered and it looks like murder. Paul on the other hand wants Alison to track down the woman he was going to propose. If that wasn’t enough, Alison’s cheating ex-husband is back in town and he wants to reconcile.

Just like the other books in this series, I found myself drawn more to the ghost Paul and his past life than anyone else. Perhaps it is because unlike the living characters, Paul lacks the ability to correct past wrongs, have real relationships and has to rely on Alison to investigate things. The other ghost Maxie is even more immature than usual and it grated.

I seriously wouldn’t want to have to rely on Alison for anything. She has a private investigator licence so she ought to know the basics of investigating but all she does it demand a cop hand over information and ask other people for advice. Alison isn’t really that motivated to investigate the murder and so it was difficult for me to muster up much enthusiasm either. I couldn’t understand why she kept rejecting Paul’s help in order to find his lover either.

The baddie was fairly obvious and it was frustrating to be literally chapters ahead of Alison’s investigation. The clues were repeated so many times I felt like hitting Alison over the head with a wrench myself. A little more subtlety would be awesome. I also found the complications in Alison’s love life unsatisfying - her ex acted as a device to show her independence rather than contributing to the plot. Sparks didn’t fly on her date with her client either and that sort of fizzled out.

I would really love for Alison to commit to the investigation business and help out willingly. If she put the same drive into investigating that she apparently does with her guesthouse then she wouldn’t be floundering around for so long. It would also help her relationship with the two ghosts. Paul achieved some measure of peace in this novel and I hope that Maxie develops into a more rounded character in the future. I wanted to like this novel but there were too many things that detracted from the overall experience.

[Darcey Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding read! I love the way the author ‘speaks’ to us via the main character. It makes me feel included and special as I listen to the book. Her characters are engaging as is the story line. The narrator is superb! I recommend this book, this series, to all who enjoy a ghost story with a twist!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Alison's ex husband shows up unexpectedly, and the two resident ghosts turn out to have unfinished business of their own.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid continuation in the Haunted Guesthouse series. I enjoyed this one just as much as the first two. It is well-paced with an engaging plot. The key players are all there, plus a few new ones. The characters are unique and the interactions between them felt organic and unforced.

An enjoyable series with a couple of friendly ghosts who add some extra intrigue to the story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and funny mystery.

[Victoria Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 still nice and cosy little mystery however this one was very predictable. Still enjoying my light reading for January but now looking forward to some more substantial reads next month.

[Gloria Feit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Kerby returns in the third in what is billed as the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series by E.J. Copperman. Alison, a single mother of a precocious ten-year-old daughter, after her divorce from the man she not-so-lovingly refers to as “The Swine” returned to the town where she grew up, Harbor Haven on the Jersey Shore, purchased a house over a century old, hoping to live out her dream of running a guest house. Those plans changed somewhat after Alison discovered that the previous owner of the house, “Maxie,” is still there – sort of. Actually, it’s Maxie’s ghost who is still there, as well as that of a young detective named Paul, who had been hired by Maxie shortly before death threats had been carried out against her, with both of them becoming murder victims. Alison, her mother and daughter seem to be the only ones who can see them. But on the positive side, word has gotten around, and the ‘haunted guesthouse’ is now being booked by a tour agent for senior citizens interested in what is billed as a “unique experience,” promising two-a-day “ghostly happenings.” Maxie, who died – and still remains – at 28, and Paul – English-born and Canadian-raised, and wanting to keep his hand in the p.i. business, so to speak - have no problem with that, especially as they are apparently incapable of leaving the house.

It is a typically hot – make that ‘very hot’ – July “down the shore” in Harbor Haven. Alison has her usual contingent of guests, most of them the normal group of seniors, when Alison discovers “The Swine” on her doorstep. Uninvited, and certainly unexpected, he states that he and the woman for whom he left Alison have broken up, and indicates that he wants them ‘to be a family again.’ To further complicate matters for Alison, the body of a man is discovered in a neighboring town, and police identify it as that of a man to whom Maxie was briefly [4 days, to be exact] married. Alison undertakes to try to find out who killed him, and why.

As if this isn’t enough for her to deal with, Paul asks Alison to try to track down the woman to whom he was about to propose before his untimely death; the engagement ring was in his pocket at the time. With her [as they are described] ‘non-alive assistants’ and her best friend, the very-pregnant Jeannie, Alison undertakes to do what has to be done to resolve all these issues, in well-plotted and very funny fashion. [As just a small example, I cite the author’s description of a man who runs a collection agency, “wearing a sport coat so loud he had to shout to be heard over it.”] But the humor and charm of the writing is difficult to capture – you simply have to get this book and experience it for yourself – it is highly recommended.

[T K Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book One was a delight, but numbers Two and Three have been middlin’ at best.

What kind of a person calls her ex-husband “the Swine” yet she’s such a doormat when he arrives unexpectedly she lets him stay at her house? The book lost me at that point. I believe the author is inferring Allison does it for the benefit of the daughter. But one, Melissa is not stupid and two, it’s cruel to give a child that age any false hope that her parents may become close again.

Ghost #1 wants Allison to find out what happened to the girl he was going to ask to marry before he met his demise. Paul’s worked himself up into such a state that it’s detrimental to his ghost health. Unfortunately that leaves the series’ character who acts most mature in a dowdy slump.
Ghost #2’s mother is obviously being framed for murder. This leaves Maxie justifiably concerned, demanding Allison fix the problem. Since these things don’t happen overnight, we readers are subjected to Maxie misbehaving like a spoiled child rather than the adult she allegedly is -or was before her demise.

My review of the first book says Allison “happily defers to the police”. Now three books in and her skill as a private investigator consists almost entirely of getting information from police officers. She doesn’t seem to even know how to do the simplest Google search, leaving computer stuff to Maxie.

There are a lot of plotlines and characters to remember including the inn’s guests. Most of whom are less than pleasant. Maybe that’s what seemed amiss with this book. It was hard to care about the main characters and none of the newly introduced people.

[M.L.D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was OK. I liked the protagonist and her snarky narrative voice. But she's not really keen on the detective stuff, which puts a pall over the whole book. Why should I care about the murder if she doesn't? Another thing that drove me nuts: in a book written in 2012, the fact that Allison couldn't do a basic Google search for either of her investigations (especially locating ghost Paul's former girlfriend) was laughable. LAUGHABLE. I laughed. And no, telling me that she has an old computer doesn't excuse this. Not when there is a computer user in the house.

Also, when Ghost Paul suddenly says: don't tell stuff to Person X, I had assumed it was because his PI sense was tingling. (Because, of course, I had already figured out Person X was our murderer.) However, he never told anyone WHY he'd said that, resulting in unnecessary endangerment of Allison. And he never explained why he had that thought, never apologized for not giving her a head's up that was a potentially dangerous person there. Gah.

Finally, Maxie the ghost acts like a thirteen-year-old, not someone approaching 30, and was annoying as hell.

Not sure if I'll pick up other books in this series, if this is indicative of character development and world-building.

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book I've read in this series, and it tells me it isn't for me. The concept could open itself up to a lot, but there are a lot of things that didn't make sense to me, such as why the protagonist is registered as a PI but doesn't know how (or even want to) to investigate. She can't even use the internet to do basic searches. The whole having a B&B and not providing meals also didn't make sense, and she didn't seem to have any real interactions with the guests about their stay - also running a B&B with construction going on didn't make that much sense.

It felt to me like a lot of things were thrown into this just to make the novel or series seem a fraction off-beat or cute. I didn't buy into it. One example, having a dumb waiter installed to get to the attic room. Why?

I couldn't engage with any of the characters to a level that would make me return to this series, which is a shame as I really to enjoy cosy-mysteries.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could be an engaging series is let down by a cast of less that likeable characters. I want to like Alison more than I do. I can't put my finger on exactly why but I just can't warm to her. And we are repeatedly told how wonderful and mature 10 yr old Melissa is but there is nothing in her behaviour to evidence this. And don't get me started on Maxie the ghost - I think she is supposed to be fiesty and "spirited" but honestly she just comes across as a kind of angry and mean and selfish. She also is incredibly immature - seeming more like a petulant rebellious teenager than a woman of 28. Don't think I will continue on with this series.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old haunts by E.J. Copperman is the 3rd book in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series. Maxine's exhusband, Big Bob's remains are discovered and Alison is hired by his old friend Luther to investigate his murder. Another fun book in the series where Alison does a great job putting her new private investigator skills to use, even though she is unable to get much help from her resident ghost private investigator, Paul, this time. I enjoyed catching up with the characters especially the two resident ghosts and look forward to their next case.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I apologize to E.J. Copperman for this 2-star rating. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two of the Haunted Guesthouse series, but this one fell flat and I was easily distracted. As a matter of fact, I felt as distracted as Allison was. I hope she can redeem herself in the next installment.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, clean read. I love the sarcastic humor. I had the mystery figured out fairly quickly (well the who, but not the why) so I still enjoyed the read.

Sexual content: mild – a few innocent kisses
Language: none (at least that I remember)
Violence: mild
Drugs/Alcohol: mild – adults drink

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

She is quickly becoming an annoying character. Sometimes the narration is hilarious, but other times, like when she hems and haws dealing with her daughter, when she CLEARLY sees both the good and bad choices and then leaps for the bad - it gets old.

[Cilla Savary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mystery that moves along at a good pace. This one is a two-fer! The basic storyline for the series is a bed no breakfast house with 2 ghosts stuck there.

[Robin Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised on how much I'm enjoying this series. And just when you figure you know who did it, the author twists the ending to something else.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. The mystery was good, even though I figured it out way too soon, and the subplot with the ghosts was excellent. The relationship drama between all the people in the house and family was well done. The father was done perfectly. The daughter is done well too, very much a tween, not too smart or ridiculously young for her age. So many authors fail at that so I praise those that get it right.

Best of all, I love, love, love the MC, Alison. She’s funny, sarcastic, sardonic, self-deprecating only to the right point and she breaks the fourth wall several times. I love it.

There were a lot of feel good moments and the author is very good with description. At one point the something along the lines of someone turning around and found the MC was grinning at his sweet description and I realized I was smiling too. It wasn’t for the exact same thing but it was almost. It was just adorable.

I really appreciated that the seniors really were seniors who would possibly act the way they do being in their 70s and 80s for the most part. They were active and without dementia.

I like that the ghosts haven’t been dead very long. It’s unusual. Usually ghosts in books that stick around and haunt a house are decades or centuries old. These two have only been dead a couple of years.

But there were things that really irritated me. Luther and Melanie went on and on with him trying to convince her to investigate and her saying she wasn’t the right person. Way too long. Way way too long.

I’m pretty black and white about domestic violence. This is only a mild spoiler. You learn about it early on. If someone had hit my daughter even once, I’d be done with him too. He’d have to do a lot for me to ever forgive him. The mother was acting normal about it. I could understand why the daughter would accept his apology and stay with him because he allegedly only did it once, but it would be completely unreasonable for her to expect me to trust him or care about him again without a lot of concrete changes in his behavior. I’ve been in that situation and now I have to deal with him regularly and it is very hard. So I hated how they painted him as the sweetest guy in the world who would never hurt anybody. Even if his friends didn’t know he hit his girlfriend once but if he got that angry once it would stand to reason that he’d get angry at other times too even if he was never violent again. At the end I was privy to enough information that I forgave him but it was still hard to accept that he was as sweet as everyone thought he was.

The police gave the MC way more info than they normally would or should have and they never really explained why they kept the woman in jail for so long. They didn’t need to in order to accomplish what they wanted. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I am totally against frivolous lawsuits but I would definitely sue over intentional wrongful imprisonment.

I enjoyed the book and will read the next one soon.

The reader of the audiobook, Amanda Ronconi, was excellent. She did both male and female voices well and had the main character’s locution just perfect. I really felt that she was Alison.

[Edie Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

E.J. Copperman's "Old Haunts" offers a charming, if somewhat predictable, foray into the cozy mystery genre, yet manages to deliver a satisfying punch with its concluding twist. While seasoned mystery readers might find themselves piecing together the "who-done-it" fairly early on, the journey through the quirky world and the engaging characters makes for an enjoyable read, ultimately culminating in a surprising revelation that redefines the narrative.

The novel introduces readers to a cast of characters that are both relatable and endearing, providing the true heart of the story. Leading the charge is Alison Kerby, a woman with a unique ability to communicate with ghosts. Her pragmatic approach to her supernatural gift, coupled with her desire for a normal life, creates a compelling protagonist. She's not a detective in the traditional sense, but her reluctant involvement in solving spectral mysteries makes her an accidental sleuth with a refreshing perspective. Supporting her is a delightful ensemble of spectral residents, each with their own distinct personalities and unresolved earthly issues. These ghostly figures, far from being mere plot devices, become integral to the charm and humor of the book, often providing both clues and comedic relief. The living characters, from the skeptical but supportive police detective to the various townsfolk, add layers to the community, making the setting feel vibrant and lived-in. Their interactions, both with Alison and the unseen, drive much of the narrative's warmth and humanity.

While the primary mystery might not keep you guessing until the final pages, the real strength of "Old Haunts" lies in its exploration of connection, unresolved pasts, and the idea of finding peace, both in life and beyond. The core message woven throughout the narrative is one of closure and the importance of addressing unfinished business. Each ghost Alison encounters is tethered to the living world by something left undone or unsaid, and her role becomes less about catching a culprit and more about helping these spirits, and often the living, find resolution. It subtly suggests that true peace comes from confronting truths, forgiving, and letting go. The unexpected twist at the end serves to reinforce this theme, challenging preconceived notions and highlighting that appearances, whether spectral or corporeal, can be deceiving. It elevates the story beyond a simple whodunit, transforming it into a more profound reflection on the lingering echoes of the past and the enduring power of human relationships.

In conclusion, "Old Haunts" is a cozy mystery that, despite its somewhat transparent central puzzle, shines brightly through its memorable characters and a surprisingly poignant core message. It's a testament to Copperman's ability to craft a story where the journey with the characters and the underlying themes are just as, if not more, rewarding than the solution to the mystery itself.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mystery. Alison runs a guest house and has two ghosts that inhabit the place. She has them perform for certain guests as she markets the place to a senior plus groups who are interested in staying in a haunted house. Her one ghost asks her to find the woman he had been about to propose to and wanted to know if she was ok. It turns into a huge project and Alison wants to do this without his help.
Alison's other ghost reads a newpaper article and finds out her ex-husband's bones had been discovered and it appears he had been murdered. Alison is then hired by the owner of a motorcycle shop to find out who killed the man. Alison gets some death threats and learns a lot about motorcycle gangs.
At the same time Alison's ex-husband shows up and wants says he wants to rekindle things and visit for awhile. She is dealing with him sweat talking everyone including her daughter while doing several investigations. As usual things don't go as planned as some of the guests are complaining about not getting an authentic ghost experience, other guests who shouldn't see the ghosts are asking about strange things happening, Alison is having trouble getting information on Paul's former girlfriend and various other things.
This is not a super serious mystery and I enjoy suspending reality for a bit. Part way thru the book I did figure out who the killer and enjoyed how the story was crafted and how eventually Alison figured it out. I enjoy the descriptions of the remodeling work that Alison and her friend, Tony, perform on her house. I also like how others in her family and her friends in town are incorporated into the story. I like the series and look forward to reading the next book.

[Samyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot. Alison Kirby, a 30-something divorced mother of a nine-year-old girl, purchases a large seaside fixer-upper house to create a vacation inn. During rehab of the property, Alison is hit on the head with a bucket of wallboard compound. She comes to with an amazing new ability. She can see ghosts. Two live in her home, a distinguished private investigator, Paul, and a saucy and misbehaving home decorator, Maxie. Alison makes a deal with her ghosts - she will help Paul with his private investigations if he and Maxie help her put on ghostly shows to keep a steady flow of guests for her inn. The novels traverse the lives of Alison, her daughter, mother, ghosts, and assorted quirky friends, like the local police chief and newspaper owner. Murders are solved, missing persons are found, and occasional mayhem ensues. The series, at this time, consists of 8 full-length novels and two shorts. More to come, no doubt!

Liked. Delightful listening. Sarcastic and funny lead character, excellent character development, a creative plot line for each book, no sex, no objectionable language.

Not so hot. A bit slow for my taste - not criticism, rather a preference.

Written by E.J. Copperman, narrated by Amanda Ronconi, Audible originals, first story released in 2013. Each novel is 8-10 hours of listening.

Recommended - nothing profound, simply fun reading.