Switcheroo

Fran and Ken Stein Mystery #3

by E.J. Copperman

A new adoption case sets private investigators Fran and Ken Stein on a tangled and corrupted path in this new instalment of the light-hearted and fun cozy mystery series with an intriguing paranormal twist.

New York private investigators – and super-sized, ever-so-slightly-paranormal siblings – Fran and Ken Stein are back in business. Thirty-two-year-old Austin Cobb is trying to find his birth parents to get an answer for a deeply rooted Was he put up for adoption because he’s on the autism spectrum?

Fran and Ken personally know about abandonment, due to their parents leaving to keep them safe, hence the reason they founded K&F Stein Investigations. So naturally they want to help Austin and bring him good news.

But the more the PI duo investigate, the more they find themselves in an entangled plot involving abduction, fraud and murder. Having their past catch up with them and posing a threat to their existence and their parents puts them into even more peril than they bargained for . . .

Fans of Janet Evanovich, Anthony Horowitz, Elle Cosimano and Amanda Flower will enjoy this “hilarious quest” (Kirkus Reviews). A laugh-out-loud, quirky and twisty new instalment in the Fran and Ken Stein mysteries by talented author E.J. Copperman.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2025

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Switcheroo is the third book in the Fran & Ken Stein Mystery series by E.J. Copperman. With their personal and professional experience, Fran and Ken Stein are well equipped to help adoptees search for their birth parents, as Austrin Cobb has asked. All he really wants, apart from perhaps significant medical information, is to know if they gave him up because he is autistic.

But their search is hitting road blocks: the Friendly Family Adoption Service offers no clues at all, and Austin’s adoptive parents signed an NDA, so they can’t reveal what they know. What they do let slip, what Austin can remember, and what Fran can find out from sources in adoption and child services, eventually sends them to the New Jersey town of Kearny, a murdered woman who might have offered Austin up for adoption, and her husband, on the lam since the murder.

Fran is a bit reluctant to ask Detective Rich Mankiewicz for help after their relationship misunderstanding, and when she does turn up at the precinct, to her dismay, the unlovely Detective Emil Bendix asks her out. Mank offers some useful advice, but is a bit chagrined that Fran seems to be using him for access to police resources more than anything else.

Fran keeps getting phone calls warning her to stop looking into adoptions, basically K&F Stein Investigations raison d’etre. Also distracting them from the search is the bothersome, and possibly dangerous, Malcolm X. Mitchell, who is now insisting that he is their brother, and needs to connect with their parents. Not going to happen, and not just because Fran and Ken don’t know where they are.

In this instalment, there’s a declaration of love; Fran is almost fooled by an AI phone call; each sibling is subject to inept kidnapping attempts and assaults by thugs who clearly underestimate their targets, leading to some very amusing fight scenes; trips to Atlantic City; a murderer is caught; and a very nasty money-making scheme is uncovered.

Likely due to her atypical origins Fran’s unique perspective on life means that her narrative is full of original observations and witty asides. While this one can be read as stand-alone, to deny yourself the first two books in this series would be cruel. Once again, hugely entertaining, and more of this engaging cast will be most welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Severn House.

[Tom Rechtien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical EJ Copperman book. And by that I mean excellent. A unique sister and brother private detective team, with a unique set of skills. To say more may be to say too much. All his books are to be recommended.

[John Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun. It's written in a lively and engaging style and the main character, Fran, is someone you'll like and empathise with.

The story is a fairly standard whodunnit, but it's well constructed and intriguing. As whodunnit plots go it's fine. If I has a criticism it's that Fran and Ken's physical strength is used a bit too often as a get out of jail card. It means they are never in any danger, which prevents tension being built up.

This isn't a deep book but it is a fun book. If you are looking for a fun and enjoyable read (and you're not averse to whodunnits) then this should be on your list.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fran’s latest client, Austin Cobb, is trying to track down his birth parents. While he has dim memories of his father teaching him to read using road signs – he was put up for adoption. And the unspoken question has to be – was he put up for adoption because of his autism? But when Fran learns of an unsolved murder that somehow is entangled in this increasingly complicated adoption case, all sorts of odd things begin to happen.

For starters, Fran’s mother contacts her and frantically warns her against having anything to do with someone who turns up in the office, talking and acting like some Hollywood villain. Fran shares her concern with Ken, who I’ll be honest – I didn’t ever like very much. Much of the time, I got the sense that Fran didn’t like him much, either. They spend a lot of time snarking at each other – and while I understand all about sibling rivalry, it too often tipped into passive-aggressive nastiness for my taste.

Fran is more relatable. This time around, we get to see more of her pain at having been brought up by her aunt, rather than her parents. I found some of the situations quite poignant, as the plot gets ever more labyrinthine. There is also Fran’s relationship with Mank, the detective she was formerly dating. I like her confidence in her own attraction, especially as a lot of the men she encounters don’t react or behave well to her being taller and stronger than they are. I thought Copperman successfully nailed that unpleasant dynamic, highlighting it without being preachy or heavy-handed.

I was a bit startled when I heard the news that this is to be Fran and Ken’s last book – though on reflection, I’m not all that surprised. Somehow, the laugh-aloud humour I got used to enjoying throughout the Jersey Girl series is missing here. There were plenty of amusing moments, but just as many times when I felt the humour was either a tad forced or missed its mark. That said, I was caught up in the mystery and was keen to discover who did what to whom. I’ll be interested to see what this talented and quirky writer comes up with, next. While I obtained an arc of Switcheroo from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fran and Ken Stein (clever, right?) are a dynamic brother-sister duo working as private investigators, specializing in helping adopted children find their birth parents. Their latest case brings them to Austin Cobb, a medical researcher on the autism spectrum, who has been haunted by the question of why his birth parents chose adoption. Eager to find answers, Austin hires Fran to investigate, only for her to uncover more questions than answers. But, Fran and Ken aren't your average investigators (but I’ll let them tell you about that).

When I first received my DRC, I wasn’t aware that this was part of a series, so please take my review with a grain of salt as I’m sure there’s a lot of important backstory I missed.

The story definitely grabbed my attention in the beginning. I found Fran’s witty side comments amusing and was intrigued by the mystery unfolding. However, by the end, I found the side remarks to be a bit exhausting, and I struggled to connect with Fran—or any of the characters, for that matter. While I’m sure this book will appeal to many readers, it wasn’t quite for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the review copy!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, with the unique main characters and snappy dialogue. I had to wonder why the detective didn’t get a dna test for the adoptee, though, a genetic genealogist could probably solve this case in about 8 hours. Also I wonder how so many medical records and adoption records could be discussed without any consent or warrant, this see s highly unrealistic. Suspending these issues, the book was a fun read.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and a bit silly mystery series - the premise of Fran and Ken - silly and fun. This third book -the mystery was a bit convoluted - which is why I didn't give it 4 stars - how did all those people find out about Fran and Ken? It's hard to believe that if the bad guys know about them that the government(s) don't and yes I

[LaDonna Qualtieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three books in this series were fun to read. I liked how the author (in character) talks to the reader. It felt interactive and I was drawn in to the sarcastic exchanges. I hope to read more about these siblings and their escapades!

[Kirsti Parsons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy the set-up to the plot, so never returned.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and forgettable, the Marvel stuff is wearing thin.

[Alice Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the first two books in the Fran-Ken-Stein mystery series...complex, compelling, clever, and utterly unique.

[Judy]

Screwball comedy/detective story, with non-human protagonists. Some of it was funny. Points for imagination and inventiveness.

[Lia Marcoux · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's possible this would have made sense if I read #1 and #2 but I doubt it.

[Brooke Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I like the sarcastic narrative style but I don’t think the Ken and Fran series (Superhumans) is really my thing.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series
Fran and ken Stein are a sister and brother investigators who specialize in finding the birth parents of adoptive children. The two have a unique background that is a plus in investigations. The latest client Austin is eager to find his birth parents and discover if they gave him up because he is neurodivergent. As the investigation continues, both are told to stop investigating or face the consequences. The investigation will have them looking into an unsolved murder and child adoptions. The descriptive text will have one turning the pages to uncover what roles the people Fran and Ken encounter play in the case.
#Switcheroo #SevernHouse #NetGalley

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is wonderful. It is unique with protagonists that have a quirky and dry sense of humor and a great premise for the story lines. Even the names of the main characters, Fran and Ken Stein show the kind of humor that this series delivers.

E.J. Copperman writes books that hold your attention, contain humor, and are never boring or the same old thing. I have read all of his books and have loved every one of them. Check out his other series: Haunted Guesthouse, Asperger’s Mysteries, Jersey Girl Legal Mysteries, and An Agent to the Paws Mysteries. I have truly enjoyed all of them.

I listened to these books and found that all the different narrators provided great performances.