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Haunted Paint Store Mysteries #1
All Spooked Up
Paint store owner Laura Meehan makes the discovery of a lifetime in her shop when she stumbles upon a body and . . . her dead father’s ghost! This brand-new Haunted Paint Store Mystery has Copperman’s signature wit, humor, and zaniness aplenty!
Dealing with her father’s recent death, Laura Meehan decides to move back to her New Jersey hometown and take over the paint and wallpaper store he opened after quitting his straining job in the police. Knowing that she is uprooting her own and her supportive husband Roy’s lives, she’s determined to continue her father’s legacy and keep the business alive.
But that doesn’t seem to be the only thing alive when Laura discovers that her store is haunted by none other than her deceased father! Either that or Laura has finally lost her mind and developed Ghost Traumatic Stress Syndrome . . .
When she discovers the body of the town’s deadbeat painter Ernie on top of all that, Laura is determined to find the culprit who’s rudely used her store as their murder scene, with the help of her ex-police detective father’s ghost—real or not, Laura might as well make use of his expertise!
It turns out Ernie owed a lot of money to a lot of people. Could one of them have reached breaking point and killed the freeloader?
A lighthearted, fun, and quirky cozy mystery with an intriguing paranormal twist. Perfect for fans of Copperman’s Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries and Cleo Coyle’s Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, as well as funny and cozy mysteries by Janet Evanovich, Elle Cosimano, and Amanda Flower.
Dealing with her father’s recent death, Laura Meehan decides to move back to her New Jersey hometown and take over the paint and wallpaper store he opened after quitting his straining job in the police. Knowing that she is uprooting her own and her supportive husband Roy’s lives, she’s determined to continue her father’s legacy and keep the business alive.
But that doesn’t seem to be the only thing alive when Laura discovers that her store is haunted by none other than her deceased father! Either that or Laura has finally lost her mind and developed Ghost Traumatic Stress Syndrome . . .
When she discovers the body of the town’s deadbeat painter Ernie on top of all that, Laura is determined to find the culprit who’s rudely used her store as their murder scene, with the help of her ex-police detective father’s ghost—real or not, Laura might as well make use of his expertise!
It turns out Ernie owed a lot of money to a lot of people. Could one of them have reached breaking point and killed the freeloader?
A lighthearted, fun, and quirky cozy mystery with an intriguing paranormal twist. Perfect for fans of Copperman’s Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries and Cleo Coyle’s Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, as well as funny and cozy mysteries by Janet Evanovich, Elle Cosimano, and Amanda Flower.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2025
9 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Copperman
34 books839 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 33 reviews
October 28, 2025
3 stars for me.
Laura Meehan is a paint shop owner,and the last thing she need is to find a body. Ernie is dead,and it seems that he own a lot of people money.Add her father ghost who appear in shop from time to time,and she will have more on her hands than selling paint.Together with Laura husband Roy she need to find out who killed Ernie,and used her store to do that.
Will Laura get the answers,or will the killer try to frame her?
First in series it was a quick and easy read.I liked Laura,and her husband Roy was very supportive,even when she said that her father ghost was in shop,he only asked how he looks now?Sometimes mysterious, sometimes funny it was a good first book in this cozy mystery series.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for arc,the review is honest and my own.
Laura Meehan is a paint shop owner,and the last thing she need is to find a body. Ernie is dead,and it seems that he own a lot of people money.Add her father ghost who appear in shop from time to time,and she will have more on her hands than selling paint.Together with Laura husband Roy she need to find out who killed Ernie,and used her store to do that.
Will Laura get the answers,or will the killer try to frame her?
First in series it was a quick and easy read.I liked Laura,and her husband Roy was very supportive,even when she said that her father ghost was in shop,he only asked how he looks now?Sometimes mysterious, sometimes funny it was a good first book in this cozy mystery series.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for arc,the review is honest and my own.
October 8, 2025
E.J. Copperman delivers another delightfully quirky cozy mystery with All Spooked Up, blending humor, heart, and a touch of the paranormal. When Laura Meehan returns home to run her late father’s paint and wallpaper shop, she doesn’t expect her biggest problem to be that her dad’s ghost is haunting the place—or that she’ll stumble upon a dead body amid the paint cans.
With her father’s spectral guidance and a healthy dose of skepticism, Laura dives into solving the mystery of the town’s least reliable painter’s murder. The result is a charming mix of small-town secrets, family bonds, and ghostly hijinks.
Copperman’s trademark wit and warmth shine through, making this a fast, feel-good read perfect for fans of light paranormal cozies.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
With her father’s spectral guidance and a healthy dose of skepticism, Laura dives into solving the mystery of the town’s least reliable painter’s murder. The result is a charming mix of small-town secrets, family bonds, and ghostly hijinks.
Copperman’s trademark wit and warmth shine through, making this a fast, feel-good read perfect for fans of light paranormal cozies.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2025
I wanted to love this. I was hoping since it was set at the Jersey Shore that there would be a tie-in with Alison Kerby and one of her many projects at her guesthouse but it wasn't to be. This book had Copperman's trademark humor and I did chuckle throughout but then it seemed to be trying to hard to work it in and it felt forced at times. Then there was the lack of investigation; I get that this is the first book and Laura is settling in to her new normal but I didn't really feel that the investigation was the main focus of the book. And the ending didn't work for me. I am hoping the series develops more as it continues but I had a difficult time getting through this one.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #SevernHouse for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #SevernHouse for an honest review.
October 28, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
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Loved it and the casual mention of the Haunted Guesthouse series. I hope there is a crossover eventually.
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Loved it and the casual mention of the Haunted Guesthouse series. I hope there is a crossover eventually.
November 2, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up
After her father’s death, Laura moves back to her New Jersey hometown to run the paint and wallpaper store he ran for years. When the body of one of his regulars is found in the store and Laura is one of the top suspects, she sets out to clear her name and that of the store. She didn’t realize, though, that she would be getting assistance from her father’s ghost!
This author has written several series, but the only one I’ve read to date is the Haunted Guesthouse series. I really like those books, so had high hopes for this one. It’s a good story and there are several first-in-a-series issues (if this is indeed the beginning of a new series) that I hope will work themselves out in future books, but I didn’t enjoy this as much as the Guesthouse series.
For the most part, I liked Laura, but her husband Roy seemed almost too supportive to be real. Maybe that’s more of a ‘me’ issue than a book issue though? There is a group of people – so far, mostly regular customers of the store – who will likely be recurring characters, at least until Laura makes more friends in town. I wasn’t thrilled with the depiction of the almost inept police officer, but maybe that will change too if the series progresses?
The identity of the murder victim wasn’t a surprise, and there were plenty of suspects to think about. I kept changing my mind about who the culprit was, and hadn’t decided on a most likely culprit until it became obvious in the book. The motive made sense for that character.
If this is the start of a new series, I will read the next book before deciding whether to pursue it beyond that point.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
After her father’s death, Laura moves back to her New Jersey hometown to run the paint and wallpaper store he ran for years. When the body of one of his regulars is found in the store and Laura is one of the top suspects, she sets out to clear her name and that of the store. She didn’t realize, though, that she would be getting assistance from her father’s ghost!
This author has written several series, but the only one I’ve read to date is the Haunted Guesthouse series. I really like those books, so had high hopes for this one. It’s a good story and there are several first-in-a-series issues (if this is indeed the beginning of a new series) that I hope will work themselves out in future books, but I didn’t enjoy this as much as the Guesthouse series.
For the most part, I liked Laura, but her husband Roy seemed almost too supportive to be real. Maybe that’s more of a ‘me’ issue than a book issue though? There is a group of people – so far, mostly regular customers of the store – who will likely be recurring characters, at least until Laura makes more friends in town. I wasn’t thrilled with the depiction of the almost inept police officer, but maybe that will change too if the series progresses?
The identity of the murder victim wasn’t a surprise, and there were plenty of suspects to think about. I kept changing my mind about who the culprit was, and hadn’t decided on a most likely culprit until it became obvious in the book. The motive made sense for that character.
If this is the start of a new series, I will read the next book before deciding whether to pursue it beyond that point.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 25, 2025
I quickly bonded with Laura. Copperman has the knack of depicting difficult and painful life events through the lens of a protagonist, who tends to deflect their pain through humour. It’s something a lot of us do. But it means that while still giving the subject sufficient emotional heft and respecting its seriousness – I also found myself grinning at Laura’s take on her predicament.
I sympathised with her over the loss of her father – losing a parent can be devastating and she is clearly still grieving. To the extent that she’s reasonably convinced that she’s seeing her father’s ghost because she doesn’t want to let him go. I was also impressed at Copperman’s depiction of Laura’s therapist – they often get a bad rap in fiction and Laura’s sessions with her are often amusing, but also sensitive to Laura’s feelings of loss. I’m aware that you’re probably thinking this is a rather sad book buoyed by the occasional shafts of humour – when it’s nothing of the sort.
Laura and her loyal, loving husband, Roy, are uprooting themselves and relocating to the hometown where Laura’s father settled to open a paint and wallpaper shop. They have a tightknit relationship I really appreciate. But then, one of the Laura’s most obnoxious customers is murdered in her store and from then on, she is increasingly drawn into the investigation – especially as she and her young assistant both come under suspicion. There are a pleasing number of suspects – Ernie isn’t a popular man – with plenty of plot twists and a nice ramping of tension near the end. The denouement and ultimate murderer makes complete sense – which isn’t always the case in cosy mysteries – leaving me finishing the book with a sigh of satisfaction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – Copperman is back to his best form. And now I’m eagerly anticipating the next book – I want to see how Laura and Roy will settle into their new home. Highly recommended for fans of cosy whodunits set in small-town America. While I obtained a copy of All Spooked Up from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
I sympathised with her over the loss of her father – losing a parent can be devastating and she is clearly still grieving. To the extent that she’s reasonably convinced that she’s seeing her father’s ghost because she doesn’t want to let him go. I was also impressed at Copperman’s depiction of Laura’s therapist – they often get a bad rap in fiction and Laura’s sessions with her are often amusing, but also sensitive to Laura’s feelings of loss. I’m aware that you’re probably thinking this is a rather sad book buoyed by the occasional shafts of humour – when it’s nothing of the sort.
Laura and her loyal, loving husband, Roy, are uprooting themselves and relocating to the hometown where Laura’s father settled to open a paint and wallpaper shop. They have a tightknit relationship I really appreciate. But then, one of the Laura’s most obnoxious customers is murdered in her store and from then on, she is increasingly drawn into the investigation – especially as she and her young assistant both come under suspicion. There are a pleasing number of suspects – Ernie isn’t a popular man – with plenty of plot twists and a nice ramping of tension near the end. The denouement and ultimate murderer makes complete sense – which isn’t always the case in cosy mysteries – leaving me finishing the book with a sigh of satisfaction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – Copperman is back to his best form. And now I’m eagerly anticipating the next book – I want to see how Laura and Roy will settle into their new home. Highly recommended for fans of cosy whodunits set in small-town America. While I obtained a copy of All Spooked Up from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
August 17, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC
I picked up All Spooked Up hoping for a zany cozy mystery with a ghostly twist, but it felt more like slogging through a corporate memo. A policeman named Hannibal Watson should’ve been a playful nod, but instead it pulled me out every time I read it. That moment set the tone for much of my reading experience: clever ideas that never really found their footing. The murder body drops fairly early—about 10% in—but instead of diving into the mystery, the story stalls.
The bulk of the narrative is spent on the main character’s disbelief about her father’s ghost. She knows she’s seeing him… but also insists she can’t be seeing him… and then a therapist even advises her to “just accept it.” Meanwhile, she frequently comments on how wonderful her husband is, especially how supportive he was in quitting his job so they could run her late father’s struggling paint shop. Logically, I couldn’t help but wonder why both of them would abandon steady jobs to take on a barely-thriving business.
What surprised me was just how little sleuthing actually went on. Her father, once a sharp police detective, doesn’t contribute much beyond shrugs and cheap shots at his son-in-law. Laura, meanwhile, spends her energy sparring sarcastically with Hannibal Watson, flattening him into the butt of jokes rather than a functioning detective. Honestly, I didn’t understand what Watson had done to deserve being the butt of so many remarks, other than stand around looking frustrated.
The mystery’s resolution comes out of nowhere, with clues and connections conjured like a bad magic trick. It’s a slow crawl to a rushed, nonsensical end. The premise has undeniable charm: a haunted paint store, family legacy, and paranormal cozy energy. But the execution felt scattered, weighed down by skepticism circles and side-commentary rather than a satisfying mystery core. I finished this ARC out of obligation, but I’m not itching for the sequel.
I picked up All Spooked Up hoping for a zany cozy mystery with a ghostly twist, but it felt more like slogging through a corporate memo. A policeman named Hannibal Watson should’ve been a playful nod, but instead it pulled me out every time I read it. That moment set the tone for much of my reading experience: clever ideas that never really found their footing. The murder body drops fairly early—about 10% in—but instead of diving into the mystery, the story stalls.
The bulk of the narrative is spent on the main character’s disbelief about her father’s ghost. She knows she’s seeing him… but also insists she can’t be seeing him… and then a therapist even advises her to “just accept it.” Meanwhile, she frequently comments on how wonderful her husband is, especially how supportive he was in quitting his job so they could run her late father’s struggling paint shop. Logically, I couldn’t help but wonder why both of them would abandon steady jobs to take on a barely-thriving business.
What surprised me was just how little sleuthing actually went on. Her father, once a sharp police detective, doesn’t contribute much beyond shrugs and cheap shots at his son-in-law. Laura, meanwhile, spends her energy sparring sarcastically with Hannibal Watson, flattening him into the butt of jokes rather than a functioning detective. Honestly, I didn’t understand what Watson had done to deserve being the butt of so many remarks, other than stand around looking frustrated.
The mystery’s resolution comes out of nowhere, with clues and connections conjured like a bad magic trick. It’s a slow crawl to a rushed, nonsensical end. The premise has undeniable charm: a haunted paint store, family legacy, and paranormal cozy energy. But the execution felt scattered, weighed down by skepticism circles and side-commentary rather than a satisfying mystery core. I finished this ARC out of obligation, but I’m not itching for the sequel.
November 4, 2025
All Spooked Up by E.J. Cooperman is the debut of A Haunted Paint Store Mysteries. I anticipated a fun, paranormal-themed cozy mystery. While reading All Spooked Up, I felt like I was wading through quicksand and slowly sinking (I wondered if I would ever reach the end of the book). The narrative unfolds solely through the main character's perspective, which quickly becomes repetitive. She frequently fixates on her father's ghost, wavering between believing she's seeing him and doubting his presence. At times, it feels as if she should simply accept what's happening and carry on, given her ongoing conversations with him. I did tire of the comments about her wonderful husband who gave up his job, so she could run her father’s store. I was curious as to why Laura sold her father’s house and how it sold so quickly. The mystery was a letdown. There was little sleuthing. Laura spent time speculating and talking about the case with her husband and her father. I thought Laura’s father, a former police detective, would help Laura solve the case. Naturally, her father was never in the main part of the store when a crime was committed. The ghost’s contributions are mostly shrugs and taking pot shots at his son-in-law. I wasn't pleased with how Detective Hannibal Watson was depicted, especially with Laura making him the target of her jokes. The mystery lacked development. I had a suspicion as to the resolution of the crime, but it was based on a gut feeling instead of the clues (which were lacking). The conclusion felt hurried and the resolution appeared somewhat implausible, raising questions about its origin. While All Spooked Up presented a promising concept, its execution did not fully realize its potential.
December 1, 2025
I have been a fan of E J Copperman, aka Jeff Cohen, for quite a long while ever since reading his Double Feature mystery series. If you haven't read those, please do. They are superb.
He has got the haunting gig down really well. His Haunted Guesthouse series is fun and now he's got the Haunted Paint Store series to add to the shelf.
This one felt a weensy bit more snarky, in the best possible way, than his other books. There's snark abounding in his other series but this one is next level...again in the best possible way.
I like the premise of a dutiful daughter coming back home after her father dies and she takes over the paint store he's had forever. I like that her husband is willing to uproot and move back to her Jersey shore hometown. I am a bit jaded from the other cozy/amateur sleuth books I've read and I kept waiting for Roy to be a horse's patoot. I am pleased that he is quite the nice and understanding spouse.
I like that Laura thinks the ghost of her deceased dad is a figment of her imagination and goes to therapy to see if she can untangle her brain. I like the therapist too.
I like the quick mention of the Haunted Guesthouse in a nearby town. PLEASE let there be a crossover...pretty please!!!
All the way around, I liked this book and I really look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I can definitely recommend this book and this author in both his guises.
He has got the haunting gig down really well. His Haunted Guesthouse series is fun and now he's got the Haunted Paint Store series to add to the shelf.
This one felt a weensy bit more snarky, in the best possible way, than his other books. There's snark abounding in his other series but this one is next level...again in the best possible way.
I like the premise of a dutiful daughter coming back home after her father dies and she takes over the paint store he's had forever. I like that her husband is willing to uproot and move back to her Jersey shore hometown. I am a bit jaded from the other cozy/amateur sleuth books I've read and I kept waiting for Roy to be a horse's patoot. I am pleased that he is quite the nice and understanding spouse.
I like that Laura thinks the ghost of her deceased dad is a figment of her imagination and goes to therapy to see if she can untangle her brain. I like the therapist too.
I like the quick mention of the Haunted Guesthouse in a nearby town. PLEASE let there be a crossover...pretty please!!!
All the way around, I liked this book and I really look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I can definitely recommend this book and this author in both his guises.
November 16, 2025
Laura Meehan has moved back to Sea Breeze with her husband Roy. Her father, a retired police officer, had opened the Breezewood Paint and Wallpaper store. After his death, Laura and Roy have returned as she plans to keep the store open. Things have been hectic, living in a hotel while waiting for their furniture to arrive, but seeing her father in the paint store was a shock. It seems his mostly complete form spends his time in the store. No one else can see him and Laura thinks that she is going crazy and needs a therapist. When Laura arrives for work one morning she finds one of painters dead in a most gruesome death. A detective arrives and she can’t believe that his first name is Hannibal. Possible reasons for his murder may have been the money he owed to the other painters, his cavalier treatment of his wife and daughter, a former teacher of his and a loan shark. I found the story a bit confusing, at times, as there were almost too many characters to sort through. I did enjoy the often slightly sarcastic humor displayed by Laura and her husband. When she is threatened to stop asking questions, with her father’s “help” will they find the murderer before any more lives are lost? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
July 24, 2025
#AllSpookedUp #NetGalley is the first in a new paranormal series by the very talented E.J. Copperman.
Laura has decided to take over her father's paint & wallpaper shop in New Jersey.
Her father's recent death spurred the decision, but she has no idea her dad is still there, tethered to the shop, in ghost form.
Laura thinks she's crazy, she blames it on her grief, but whatever the reasons, he's there.
Laura is trying to make the store her own, but the longtime customers don't make it easy. Ernie, the slacker, thinks he can intimidate her into letting him get his supplies with his take now, pay later tactics, but Laura isn't falling for that.
Ernie's temper doesn't scare her, but when she finds him dead, in her store, she realizes somebody was mad enough to shut him up, permanently.
This is a fun, laugh out loud cozy mystery, that I enjoyed reading.
Laura is a great character, the author's take on her sense of humor is refreshing, and I was immediately drawn to her character.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this fun cozy mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Laura has decided to take over her father's paint & wallpaper shop in New Jersey.
Her father's recent death spurred the decision, but she has no idea her dad is still there, tethered to the shop, in ghost form.
Laura thinks she's crazy, she blames it on her grief, but whatever the reasons, he's there.
Laura is trying to make the store her own, but the longtime customers don't make it easy. Ernie, the slacker, thinks he can intimidate her into letting him get his supplies with his take now, pay later tactics, but Laura isn't falling for that.
Ernie's temper doesn't scare her, but when she finds him dead, in her store, she realizes somebody was mad enough to shut him up, permanently.
This is a fun, laugh out loud cozy mystery, that I enjoyed reading.
Laura is a great character, the author's take on her sense of humor is refreshing, and I was immediately drawn to her character.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this fun cozy mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
October 18, 2025
I was a huge fan of the author’s Haunted Guesthouse series and when I saw this was the start of a new series, I did not hesitate to request and read this. And I was not disappointed! This series was one of the best cozy mystery debut series book I have read in such a long time. The main character was hilarious and I was rooting for her from the beginning. I am excited to see how the series will expand on the relationship dynamic between the main character and her ghost father. I typically try not to solve the mystery as I’m reading as I like to be surprised and enjoy the story and while I had an inkling I knew where the story was going, there was enough red herrings to make me question what I thought I knew. Overall, a very fun read and a great debut for the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with an electronic ARC. This is my honest review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with an electronic ARC. This is my honest review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 5, 2025
I really enjoyed meeting Laura and her husband Roy’s characters. It’s so few and far between that you get to read about a happily married couple doing the sleuthing in a mystery, and I really liked that. The detective was an acquired taste, but he was a good guy overall. And I just loved Amos’s ghost—he was awesome especially something he did toward the end.
The showdown was a good one, and it was cool how both Laura and Roy faced off with the killer. Laura had been going to therapy since she thought she was seeing things when her dad’s ghost started hanging around. Maybe once she admits he’s really a ghost, she won’t need sessions anymore, but at least the therapist, Abby, had a wicked little sense of humor as could be seen at the very end. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Severn House via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
The showdown was a good one, and it was cool how both Laura and Roy faced off with the killer. Laura had been going to therapy since she thought she was seeing things when her dad’s ghost started hanging around. Maybe once she admits he’s really a ghost, she won’t need sessions anymore, but at least the therapist, Abby, had a wicked little sense of humor as could be seen at the very end. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Severn House via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
November 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
This was a quirky cozy mystery with a paranormal twist that attracted me as it stood out from your usual small town whodunit. Laura is a likable and relatable main character her determination to take over her father’s paint store and keep his legacy alive really anchors the story. I enjoyed following her through the humor, and the unexpected situations the haunted store threw at her.
Her father’s ghost added an interesting layer, but I didn’t feel as connected to him as a character, which made some of the paranormal scenes feel a bit flat for me. The mystery itself was entertaining, though somewhat predictable, and I guessed the culprit before the big reveal. Even so, the humor and lively narration kept the story enjoyable, making it an easy, pleasant read for fans of cozy mysteries with a light paranormal twist.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review
This was a quirky cozy mystery with a paranormal twist that attracted me as it stood out from your usual small town whodunit. Laura is a likable and relatable main character her determination to take over her father’s paint store and keep his legacy alive really anchors the story. I enjoyed following her through the humor, and the unexpected situations the haunted store threw at her.
Her father’s ghost added an interesting layer, but I didn’t feel as connected to him as a character, which made some of the paranormal scenes feel a bit flat for me. The mystery itself was entertaining, though somewhat predictable, and I guessed the culprit before the big reveal. Even so, the humor and lively narration kept the story enjoyable, making it an easy, pleasant read for fans of cozy mysteries with a light paranormal twist.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review
September 28, 2025
I requested this book because I thought I had read this author before. But after reading this one and looking at his backlist, I hadn’t which I’ll rectify ASAP. Back to this book, Laura’s dad died, and she’s started running his business and trying to deal with the grief that must have her hallucinating the ghost of her dad. When a dead body is found in the store, she decides to use her hallucination to help her solve the murder since her dad was a police detective many years ago. This book is so fun, and I especially like how Laura goes to a therapist because she just can’t believe her dad is still around as a ghost. I’ll definitely read the next because this author’s sense of humor is very apparent in this book, and that was like icing on the cake. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
August 15, 2025
A lighthearted, funny story that involves a paint shop, a ghost and a murder. I enjoyed this book, it was a fun investigative mystery with some good banter between characters, particularly Laura and Detective Watson.
Unfortunately, I found it a little predictable and it lost a bit of momentum in the middle with some pointless rambling.
My biggest issue was possibly a plot hole in Chapter Four? Laura mentioned installing a “Closed Circuit Monitor System” and was watching these monitors while in her office, however this was never mentioned again, even when there was an important mid-day theft later in the book? This confused me.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, I found it a little predictable and it lost a bit of momentum in the middle with some pointless rambling.
My biggest issue was possibly a plot hole in Chapter Four? Laura mentioned installing a “Closed Circuit Monitor System” and was watching these monitors while in her office, however this was never mentioned again, even when there was an important mid-day theft later in the book? This confused me.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2025
I enjoyed EJ Copperman’s Haunted Guesthouse series and thought this book would follow along those lines. All though it does seem to try that, it just doesn’t seem to work out quite the same. The ghost is not likeable or very helpful. The idea of giving up two very good jobs to sell a few gallons of paint a day seems like a very bad idea and the whole mystery in the book just didn’t work. The motive was pretty thin and the resolution was really unbelievable. I do have to say it was one of the most unique cozy methods of death I’ve ever read, but even that did not make the book more interesting. It is a quick, easy to read mystery and not unenjoyable, just not very exciting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
The setting for this cozy ghost murder mystery was intriguing: a paint store, full of potential for colorful clues and hidden secrets. However, despite the promising premise, I found myself not as captivated by the story as I'd hoped. The mystery itself felt somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the intricate twists and turns I typically enjoy in this genre. While the ghostly element added a unique touch, it wasn't as seamlessly integrated into the plot as it could have been, leaving me wanting more. The characters, though likable enough, lacked the depth and complexity to truly draw me into their world. Ultimately, the book fell short of my expectations, leaving me with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
November 1, 2025
‘But I knew he was there.’
Laura has uprooted her and her husband’s lives to come home and take over her father’s paint and wallpaper business after he’s passed away but apparently not on. Things go awry when she finds that her father’s ghost still resides in the store and if that’s not bad enough, one of their least favorite customers dies by paint shaker. Not impressed by the sarcastic detective in charge Laura, her husband and her father set out to solve the case themselves. Laura see saws back and forth from thinking she’s completely crazy to perhaps only slight in this offbeat first outing. I only wish the author would have spent a few paragraphs here and there actually painting a picture of what our leading characters looked like and made them a bit more three dimensional.
Laura has uprooted her and her husband’s lives to come home and take over her father’s paint and wallpaper business after he’s passed away but apparently not on. Things go awry when she finds that her father’s ghost still resides in the store and if that’s not bad enough, one of their least favorite customers dies by paint shaker. Not impressed by the sarcastic detective in charge Laura, her husband and her father set out to solve the case themselves. Laura see saws back and forth from thinking she’s completely crazy to perhaps only slight in this offbeat first outing. I only wish the author would have spent a few paragraphs here and there actually painting a picture of what our leading characters looked like and made them a bit more three dimensional.
November 7, 2025
All Spooked Up is book #1 in the Haunted Paint Store Mystery series by E.J. Copperman.
Laura Meehan and her husband, Roy, move back to her New Jersey hometown after her father’s death. She takes over his paint and wallpaper store and finds that it is haunted by her father’s ghost. When there is a death, Laura investigates with the help of her father’s ghost. There were plenty of suspects and the mystery kept me guessing. This was a good start to a new series and I look forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Laura Meehan and her husband, Roy, move back to her New Jersey hometown after her father’s death. She takes over his paint and wallpaper store and finds that it is haunted by her father’s ghost. When there is a death, Laura investigates with the help of her father’s ghost. There were plenty of suspects and the mystery kept me guessing. This was a good start to a new series and I look forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 11, 2025
While Haunted Paint Store Mysteries isn’t a spinoff of A Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries, both take place in the same universe. Laura Meehan starts seeing the ghost of her father in the paint shop she recently inherited from him shortly before discovering the body of a deadbeat painter inside her paint shaker. Like Laura, readers aren’t sure whether she’s truly seeing her father’s ghost or if her imagination is working overtime. Some of the best scenes in the book are between Laura and her father’s ghost, a retired police detective. While the story doesn’t flow as smoothly as I would’ve liked, I still enjoyed reading it. I recommend reading.
September 13, 2025
I didn’t like this book particularly. The main character had basically no idea what was going in and every piece of evidence was basically handed right to her. In a detective/mystery novel you want to feel like the hero/heroine earned solving of the case but I didn’t feel that way here. And then the reveal was horrible. Why would you make the statutory rapist the murderer if their victim. That plot line was completely unnecessary and it felt completely illogical and nonsensical. Even if it was a long time ago surely someone would have recognized her. Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2025
All Spooked Up is the first book in A Haunted Paint Store Mystery series. It has the author’s signature humor, quirky characters and a resident ghost.
Overall this was an enjoyable book although the pace seemed sluggish at times, the ending was just a bit strange, and the humor, while it produced a few chuckles, seemed to be more than necessary. Every other paragraph was written for the sake of humor and it didn’t always enhance the story or increase the reader’s enjoyment.
I have hopes for this series, so I’ll be back. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
Overall this was an enjoyable book although the pace seemed sluggish at times, the ending was just a bit strange, and the humor, while it produced a few chuckles, seemed to be more than necessary. Every other paragraph was written for the sake of humor and it didn’t always enhance the story or increase the reader’s enjoyment.
I have hopes for this series, so I’ll be back. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
November 19, 2025
Laura Meehan and her husband Roy move back to her hometown to take over her late father's paint store. What she finds is a dead body and if that isn't enough, her father's ghost keeps making an appearance. Can Laura solve the puzzle of what happened at the paint store?
This is a funny cozy full of all the elements of a good cozy mystery. There were enough red herrings to keep you guessing and I enjoyed the characters.
A good start to a new series.
Thanks NetGalley and Severn House for the chance to read the story and give my opinion
This is a funny cozy full of all the elements of a good cozy mystery. There were enough red herrings to keep you guessing and I enjoyed the characters.
A good start to a new series.
Thanks NetGalley and Severn House for the chance to read the story and give my opinion
October 4, 2025
After her father's death, Laura has decided to move back with her husband to run her father's paint and wallpaper store. When her father's ghost appears in the store, Laura questions her sanity. When the body of a dead customer is found in the store, she hopes that her father's previous job as a police detective will help in uncovering the murderer.
First in a new series with interesting characters and look forward to reading more about them.
#AllSpookedUp #SevernHouse #NetGalley
First in a new series with interesting characters and look forward to reading more about them.
#AllSpookedUp #SevernHouse #NetGalley
October 7, 2025
All Spooked Up - E.J. Copperman
This is another example of a book that I thought was written by a female and it was only librarian note ~ “E.J. Copperman is the pen name for author Jeff Cohen” that told me otherwise. lol unless Jeff is a lady. Not that it matters, I enjoyed the story nonetheless and would love to read more in the series as they emerge.
Brilliant 👏 I can’t wait for the next one.
This is another example of a book that I thought was written by a female and it was only librarian note ~ “E.J. Copperman is the pen name for author Jeff Cohen” that told me otherwise. lol unless Jeff is a lady. Not that it matters, I enjoyed the story nonetheless and would love to read more in the series as they emerge.
Brilliant 👏 I can’t wait for the next one.
October 19, 2025
Twisty Tale
Mr. Cooperman's twisted mind brings us a delightful tale just in time for Halloween. His main character, Laura inherits her father's paint and hardware store. It is frquented by a collection of eclectic characters and...her father's ghost. It's well plotted with a selection of suspects, a plodding detective, a few twists and an exciting finish. I highly recommend it.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
Mr. Cooperman's twisted mind brings us a delightful tale just in time for Halloween. His main character, Laura inherits her father's paint and hardware store. It is frquented by a collection of eclectic characters and...her father's ghost. It's well plotted with a selection of suspects, a plodding detective, a few twists and an exciting finish. I highly recommend it.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
August 14, 2025
A fun mystery that make you laugh out loud at times. EJ delivers a story that is easily read in a short amount of time and is hard to put down. Laura takes over her dads paint shop after he has passed away. She discovers two things--a dead body and her dad's ghost. I look forward to reading more from Copperman.
October 6, 2025
This was a cute, fun cozy mystery of the type I've come to expect - and enjoy - from Copperman. In the beginning, I kept thinking it felt very familiar - and it still did, throughout my read - but that familiarity felt comforting and pleasant, not redundant or objectionable. I love Copperman's characters and the blend of mystery and family that are always worked into the stories, as well as the snarky asides. The plot line was a little far-fetched, but I didn't mind. It was silly fun, and a very enjoyable read and I'd definitely pick up another in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
November 7, 2025
This was an easy to read cosy mystery. It was a little slow moving. I’m not sure why Laura was so wigged out about her Dad being a ghost. It was kinda funny that the one detective was named Watson. Definitely check it out if you’re a fan of cosy mysteries
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