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A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #10
Bones Behind the Wheel Lib/E
Barry Award-winning author E. J. Copperman is back with the tenth hilarious installment in his national bestselling Haunted Guesthouse mysteries.
Haunted Guesthouse proprietress Alison Kerby and her ghostly guest detective, Paul, “auto” know better than to dig into the case of a long-buried sedan and its now-skeletal driver.
Innkeeper Alison Kerby is determined to keep her mind, body, and soul focused on bringing high-spirited hospitality to her lodgers at the Haunted Guesthouse. She simply has no time for any more murder investigations, no matter what Paul Harrison, her resident ghost detective, says.
But this time, the mystery comes looking for Alison. Workers unearth a 1977 Lincoln Continental buried in the sand behind Alison’s guesthouse—and they discover a skeleton still belted in behind the steering wheel.
Paul, of course, is on the cold case—to the extent that a ghostly gumshoe can be—but Alison is still determined not to do the incorporeal investigator’s legwork. Not this time. But her new husband Josh is intrigued, and he offers to help Paul poke into the case of the cold Continental. Uh-oh...has Josh caught the investigation bug? It’s a harsh wake-up call for a harried businesswoman who’d thought she’d told the detective life to hit the road.
What can go wrong? How about everything? As Alison dodges stray bullets, discovers a gun in the guesthouse, and reluctantly probes a decades-old murder that turns out to be shockingly relevant even today, her specter inspector tries to keep her spirits up. But as she searches for the key to unlock the case, is Alison headed for her final check-out? Make a reservation to find out in Bones Behind the Wheel , the tenth fun-filled Haunted Guesthouse mystery from national bestselling author E. J. Copperman.
Haunted Guesthouse proprietress Alison Kerby and her ghostly guest detective, Paul, “auto” know better than to dig into the case of a long-buried sedan and its now-skeletal driver.
Innkeeper Alison Kerby is determined to keep her mind, body, and soul focused on bringing high-spirited hospitality to her lodgers at the Haunted Guesthouse. She simply has no time for any more murder investigations, no matter what Paul Harrison, her resident ghost detective, says.
But this time, the mystery comes looking for Alison. Workers unearth a 1977 Lincoln Continental buried in the sand behind Alison’s guesthouse—and they discover a skeleton still belted in behind the steering wheel.
Paul, of course, is on the cold case—to the extent that a ghostly gumshoe can be—but Alison is still determined not to do the incorporeal investigator’s legwork. Not this time. But her new husband Josh is intrigued, and he offers to help Paul poke into the case of the cold Continental. Uh-oh...has Josh caught the investigation bug? It’s a harsh wake-up call for a harried businesswoman who’d thought she’d told the detective life to hit the road.
What can go wrong? How about everything? As Alison dodges stray bullets, discovers a gun in the guesthouse, and reluctantly probes a decades-old murder that turns out to be shockingly relevant even today, her specter inspector tries to keep her spirits up. But as she searches for the key to unlock the case, is Alison headed for her final check-out? Make a reservation to find out in Bones Behind the Wheel , the tenth fun-filled Haunted Guesthouse mystery from national bestselling author E. J. Copperman.
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First published January 8, 2019
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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 134 reviews
August 19, 2021
In this 10th book in the 'Haunted Guesthouse' series, innkeeper/amateur sleuth Alison Kerby gets drawn into a buried car murder mystery. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Alison Kirby - mother of 13-year-old Melissa and newly married to paint store owner Josh - runs a small guesthouse on the New Jersey Shore.
After a bonk on the head Alison is able to see ghosts.....
.....and regularly hobnobs with the spirits in her house, especially former private detective Paul Harrison and erstwhile interior designer Maxie Malone.
Alison takes advantage of her resident specters by advertising her inn as a haunted house, and this attracts ghost-loving guests all year round. The ghosts oblige by putting on shows twice a day, and the guests marvel at objects flying around, their scarves being pulled, etc.
As the story opens, Alison is very annoyed. Repairs of the Jersey shoreline are ongoing after Superstorm Sandy, and backhoes are digging up the beach.
This makes it impossible for Alison's guests to enjoy a leisurely stroll on the sand. Things get even worse when a huge hole excavated behind Alison's guesthouse reveals the presence of a long-buried 1977 Lincoln Continental with a skeleton inside. The unfortunate bag of bones turns out to be a murder victim who disappeared 40 years ago.
The detective ghost Paul Harrison is THRILLED to have a new case to investigate, and - as usual - he tries to inveigle Alison into assisting with his inquiries.
Alison just wants to run her guesthouse but is nevertheless drawn into the search for the killer, as is her husband Josh, her daughter Melissa, and the other resident ghost Maxie Malone....who's the computer expert of the group.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Maxie - at her own insistence - is also drawing up sketches to re-design the inn's kitchen, which is being renovated by Alison's contractor friend Tony due to bullet damage (from a previous case).
This results in a clash of wills, since Maxie wants the kitchen to look like a piece of modern art and Alison wants the room to be useable as a kitchen. (All this is very funny.)
The murder case is soon complicated by the theft and return of the Lincoln Continental as well as the discovery of a valuable gem, bullets, and a gun in Alison's torn-up kitchen. These incidents spur Alison to get very involved in the murder inquiry which seriously annoys police detective Anita McElone, who wants Alison to BUTT OUT of her case.
As all this going on Alison makes jokes and wisecracks a mile a minute, providing the reader with plenty of laughs.
The case turns out to be convoluted, but I enjoyed the story up until the (almost incomprehensible) denouement. Still, the book is enjoyable light reading.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
December 23, 2018
This series never fails to make me smile and even laugh out loud. E.J. Copperman does a great job of mixing mystery and humor. Bones Behind the Wheel, the tenth book in this series, is no exception. I loved every word of this new book in the Haunted Guesthouse series!
Alison's life is going great...she's remarried, running her guesthouse, loving life...she doesn't have time for murder investigations and dead ghostly detectives. But her resident spirit, Paul Harrison, is having none of that. When an old buried Lincoln Continental is uncovered behind the guesthouse, a skeleton is found inside, belted in behind the steering wheel. And at the very bottom of the hole....something sparkly that might be right at the core of the crime.When Alison is reluctant to help her resident ghost detective solve the case, her husband Josh jumps in to assist. Oh no! A decades old cold case, whizzing bullets, and mayhem make this a fun cozy read...
This series is so much fun! I am never disappointed. Poor Alison....she hoped to retire from helping Paul solve crimes....only to have her new hubby jump in on the game. :) Ya win some....ya lose some. :) The mystery moves along at a steady pace with lots of investigation and funny moments. All in all, a great addition to this series!
As usual the cover art is great! Very eye catching!
E.J. Copperman also writes several other cozy mystery series including the Mysterious Detective, The Asperger's Mysteries (which he co-authors with himself as Jeff Cohen), and Agent to the Paws mysteries.
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Alison's life is going great...she's remarried, running her guesthouse, loving life...she doesn't have time for murder investigations and dead ghostly detectives. But her resident spirit, Paul Harrison, is having none of that. When an old buried Lincoln Continental is uncovered behind the guesthouse, a skeleton is found inside, belted in behind the steering wheel. And at the very bottom of the hole....something sparkly that might be right at the core of the crime.When Alison is reluctant to help her resident ghost detective solve the case, her husband Josh jumps in to assist. Oh no! A decades old cold case, whizzing bullets, and mayhem make this a fun cozy read...
This series is so much fun! I am never disappointed. Poor Alison....she hoped to retire from helping Paul solve crimes....only to have her new hubby jump in on the game. :) Ya win some....ya lose some. :) The mystery moves along at a steady pace with lots of investigation and funny moments. All in all, a great addition to this series!
As usual the cover art is great! Very eye catching!
E.J. Copperman also writes several other cozy mystery series including the Mysterious Detective, The Asperger's Mysteries (which he co-authors with himself as Jeff Cohen), and Agent to the Paws mysteries.
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
January 20, 2019
‘ “Does this area (Jersey Shore) have any history with organized crime?” Paul asked. This was New Jersey, so it was a silly question, but Paul (a ghost) is from Canada and born in London, so we allow him some lack of knowledge on the history of our home state.’ With writing such as this, how can one not enjoy The Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries. E. J. Cooperman’s Bones Behind the Wheel (Haunted Guesthouse Mystery #10) writes some fabulous lines about The Jersey Shore and the State of New Jersey. The passage stated above is just one fine example, and I can say this as I live in New Jersey! This particular book is not a favorite of mine. It is (at least to me) very slow in the beginning - almost laborious- and continues this way until about the last quarter of the book, and then it zips right along. The clever understatements about New Jersey are found throughout the book. I just love these. This story just did not grab me, but I shall continue to read this fun series. 3 stars.
December 31, 2018
E.J. Copperman has a new book out in a series I love, this one is called Bones Behind the Wheel. I love this haunted guest house series, by far one of the best paranormal series out there and written in such an endearing way. The characters both living and not, are so relatable and feel so real. The mysteries surrounding this magical haunted guest house are enough to make me want to book a week there just to experience the goings on of the crew at Alison's guest house. Even if you don't believe in ghosts, this series will make you truly appreciate all that ghosts have to offer those of us in the living world. I love this series and I loved this book.
February 25, 2019
Alison is busy hosting her guests at her ghost ridden inn and doesn’t want to be involved in any more investigations. The town is redoing the sand dunes when a car is found buried with a dead body in it. Her ghost PI drags her into investigating who and what happened. Her other ghost is trying to redo the kitchen with crazy ideas, while the repair are trying to fix the beam that has a bullet hole in it. This book makes more sense because I had read the others in the series but could be read as a stand alone.
August 22, 2020
The next installment in the haunted guesthouse series.
Alison Kerby, the owner of the haunted guesthouse, has decided no more investigations. But Paul Harrison her resident ghost detective has other ideas. Especially when an old Lincoln car is dug up on her property with a skeleton in the driver's seat.
Alison figures that a thirty year cold case has nothing to do with her but somehow there are still people around who are interested in what happened and not letting the truth be told.
So Alison gets pulled into a new mystery. Her ghostly residents help out as well as her husband and daughter. Told with a good dose of intelligent, witty humor, with a dose of sarcasm.
Well- paced and thought out. Clever story and a few side stories going on as well.
Alison Kerby, the owner of the haunted guesthouse, has decided no more investigations. But Paul Harrison her resident ghost detective has other ideas. Especially when an old Lincoln car is dug up on her property with a skeleton in the driver's seat.
Alison figures that a thirty year cold case has nothing to do with her but somehow there are still people around who are interested in what happened and not letting the truth be told.
So Alison gets pulled into a new mystery. Her ghostly residents help out as well as her husband and daughter. Told with a good dose of intelligent, witty humor, with a dose of sarcasm.
Well- paced and thought out. Clever story and a few side stories going on as well.
August 4, 2022
This installment advances the roles of other characters in the story while delivering a solidly convoluted plot that strains credulity. So why the five stars? Because as out there as it was, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the full reveal. Brilliantly told, this series just keeps delivering. Throw in Amanda Ronconi narrating and it is still close enough to perfect for me.
December 3, 2018
I have read only a couple of the previous books in this series and I had a problem keeping the characters apart at first. They are well developed and the wording moves quickly along. The 10th book of the Haunted Guesthouse did not disappoint there are amusing scenes in the book.
Alison Kerby is returning to the guesthouse from a walk on the beach and is surprised to find that workers had uncovered had dug a huge hole on the beach. In the pit, there is a 1977 Lincoln Continental with a skeleton in the car. The determined the body was murdered. Paul her ghostly detective wants to investigate but Alison wants no part of looking into the matter. Paul convinced her husband and daughter to help him. Alison has arranged to replace the beam in the kitchen was the bullet is wearing the beam.
Will finally convince Alison to become involved in the affair? I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Alison Kerby is returning to the guesthouse from a walk on the beach and is surprised to find that workers had uncovered had dug a huge hole on the beach. In the pit, there is a 1977 Lincoln Continental with a skeleton in the car. The determined the body was murdered. Paul her ghostly detective wants to investigate but Alison wants no part of looking into the matter. Paul convinced her husband and daughter to help him. Alison has arranged to replace the beam in the kitchen was the bullet is wearing the beam.
Will finally convince Alison to become involved in the affair? I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 5, 2019
This was the first book I'd ever read in this series, and now I want to start at the beginning! This one was so funny in places, and I just love the author's style of the narration by Alison, the main character. Her sarcasm and quips were cracking me up!
When a body was found inside a Lincoln Continental on the grounds of Alison's guesthouse, her resident PI ghost Paul was excited that they now had another case to work on. For the longest time, Alison refused to have anything to do with the case, but surprisingly her husband Josh was anxious to work on it. He and Paul worked out a texting way of communicating, since Alison, her daughter Melissa and Alison's mom were the only ones able to see the ghosts. The other ghost, Maxie was a hoot! She could be moody and snarky, but in this book she was more interested in decorating Alison's kitchen which was being put back together from a bullet in the kitchen beam.
This was really interesting because there wasn't a current day murder to solve, just the cold case of the guy buried in the car that was in the hole in the yard. I loved how Melissa helped with cases even though she was 13, she was more like the maturity of a much older teen. Since I hadn't read any of the other books, I really had no idea what Josh was like before he started helping out with this case, but apparently he was never interested, so it was pretty cool that Paul thought he would make a good operative, lol. I had definitely not guessed how the man had been killed, what a twist! I thought that the detective in charge was as accommodating as she could be. I got a kick out of Paul going into her office and observing how she worked--along with picking up tidbits about the case. I've got a lot of catching up to do before another book ever comes out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
When a body was found inside a Lincoln Continental on the grounds of Alison's guesthouse, her resident PI ghost Paul was excited that they now had another case to work on. For the longest time, Alison refused to have anything to do with the case, but surprisingly her husband Josh was anxious to work on it. He and Paul worked out a texting way of communicating, since Alison, her daughter Melissa and Alison's mom were the only ones able to see the ghosts. The other ghost, Maxie was a hoot! She could be moody and snarky, but in this book she was more interested in decorating Alison's kitchen which was being put back together from a bullet in the kitchen beam.
This was really interesting because there wasn't a current day murder to solve, just the cold case of the guy buried in the car that was in the hole in the yard. I loved how Melissa helped with cases even though she was 13, she was more like the maturity of a much older teen. Since I hadn't read any of the other books, I really had no idea what Josh was like before he started helping out with this case, but apparently he was never interested, so it was pretty cool that Paul thought he would make a good operative, lol. I had definitely not guessed how the man had been killed, what a twist! I thought that the detective in charge was as accommodating as she could be. I got a kick out of Paul going into her office and observing how she worked--along with picking up tidbits about the case. I've got a lot of catching up to do before another book ever comes out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
January 9, 2019
It is hard to believe that BONES BEHIND THE WHEEL is the tenth book in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series, the writing and characters are as fresh as ever. Tough I recommend reading the entire series (they really are a treat), this can be read a standalone book. Copperman does a god job of catching new readers up without becoming tedious for long term fans.
This time around, we find guesthouse owner and ghost see-er Alison get caught up in a cold case when a 1970’s era Lincoln Continental, along with the skeleton of missing person Herman Fitzsimmons, is discovered, long buried in her backyard. Even though she protests getting involved, she cannot help but investigate with her resident PI ghost Paul and her husband Josh. Their sleuthing leads then down a twisty path full of humor and danger to discover the truth.
In less deft hands, the complicated plot would be a mess, but Copperman handles it all with ease. I immediately felt invested in the story, making the book hard to put down until I came to the final sentence. The characters are endearing and the plot complex mystery kept me guessing.
BONES BEHIND THE WHEEL is a great paranormal cozy read. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
This time around, we find guesthouse owner and ghost see-er Alison get caught up in a cold case when a 1970’s era Lincoln Continental, along with the skeleton of missing person Herman Fitzsimmons, is discovered, long buried in her backyard. Even though she protests getting involved, she cannot help but investigate with her resident PI ghost Paul and her husband Josh. Their sleuthing leads then down a twisty path full of humor and danger to discover the truth.
In less deft hands, the complicated plot would be a mess, but Copperman handles it all with ease. I immediately felt invested in the story, making the book hard to put down until I came to the final sentence. The characters are endearing and the plot complex mystery kept me guessing.
BONES BEHIND THE WHEEL is a great paranormal cozy read. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
April 3, 2022
I liked this 10th book in the series, and hope there is more. One thing that I didn't care for was that this was a very poorly edited book. Not so much misspelling as sentences repeating themselves, or words used in the wrong place. I really disliked that instead of using the word "use", he replaced it several times with the word "utility." Not only did that not sound right, messing with the flow of the sentence, it just seemed off. That is not an American way of speaking, if you will. In this book, Alison is having repair work done to her ceiling from a bullet causing damage to a beam in an earlier book. There are also some state workers moving sand dunes around in her backyard and beach area due to erosion. So when they dig up an old Lincoln Continental buried in her year, that is a minor surprise to the fact that there is also a skeleton behind the wheel. Of course, that needs to be investigated and that is what the story is about.
June 23, 2022
3.5
This is my least favourite story in the Haunted Guesthouse series. Part of Alison's charm (for me, anyway) has been her snarky wit and, while she still delivered some zingers, her overall grumpy demeanour -- reluctant to get involved in a new case that is literally at her doorstep -- became a real downer after awhile. She whined her way through half the book before coming on board and I kept screaming at her, "You're starring in a cozy mystery series, get your act together already!" lol Luckily the great cast of secondary characters, both human and ghost, carried me over the rough patches so I didn't give up. It's a good mystery, a bit quirky, but then all of these books are -- part of their charm. Looks like this is the last book in the series so I'm kind of sad it ended on a low note. I can recommend it overall though, if you like tons of sarcastic wit in your cozy mysteries.
This is my least favourite story in the Haunted Guesthouse series. Part of Alison's charm (for me, anyway) has been her snarky wit and, while she still delivered some zingers, her overall grumpy demeanour -- reluctant to get involved in a new case that is literally at her doorstep -- became a real downer after awhile. She whined her way through half the book before coming on board and I kept screaming at her, "You're starring in a cozy mystery series, get your act together already!" lol Luckily the great cast of secondary characters, both human and ghost, carried me over the rough patches so I didn't give up. It's a good mystery, a bit quirky, but then all of these books are -- part of their charm. Looks like this is the last book in the series so I'm kind of sad it ended on a low note. I can recommend it overall though, if you like tons of sarcastic wit in your cozy mysteries.
March 7, 2020
Never does this series fail to keep me laughing and guessing, and this book was intricate enough to be nearly perfect for me. The regular cast has become like family (since I do ghosts and sarcasm with relish). The mystery was particularly interesting for me, and the whole thing convoluted enough to have my mind doing gymnastics to reach a resolution. Then there's that bait at the end... Looking forward to the next 10 books in the series (hey, a girl can hope...).
November 9, 2019
After finishing Bones Behind the Wheel, by E.J. Copperman, I was so intrigued by the characters and plot lines that I read every other book in this series. It is an usual series. Alison, a pragmatist who absolutely does not believe in ghosts, owns a guest house by the ocean in New Jersey, where she lives with her young daughter Melissa and two ghosts. The ghosts, Paul, Maxie and, on occasion, Maxie’s husband, came with the house, having been murdered there. Paul is a private detective, and Maxie is a young designer with extreme decorating ideas. Alison’s deceased father also visits from time to time.
Having made her peace, sort of, with the ghosts, Alison has found that having a haunted guest house is good for business. What is not good for business, however, is the 1977 Lincoln Continental found buried in the sand behind her house that happens to have a skeleton in it. Alison, her daughter, and the ghosts, must solve the mystery of the car and the skeleton before there are more murders.
I enjoyed this book, and the series. Copperman has created a close-to believable mystery series while avoiding the cliches that a series involving ghosts could easily invoke.
Having made her peace, sort of, with the ghosts, Alison has found that having a haunted guest house is good for business. What is not good for business, however, is the 1977 Lincoln Continental found buried in the sand behind her house that happens to have a skeleton in it. Alison, her daughter, and the ghosts, must solve the mystery of the car and the skeleton before there are more murders.
I enjoyed this book, and the series. Copperman has created a close-to believable mystery series while avoiding the cliches that a series involving ghosts could easily invoke.
January 29, 2019
A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series by E.J. Copperman is a very interesting series. You have Alison Kerby running an inn on the Jersey shore which you would think is completely normal until you learn that ghosts live there and people actually go there to partake in that experience......
Alison has the fortunate (or unfortunate at times) ability to see and communicate with ghosts. And along with herself, her new husband Josh, and her daughter, Melissa, who are all living, she also has three ghosts and a dog ghost living there. Melissa can also see and communicate with the ghosts, unfortunately Josh cannot.
However in Bones Behind the Wheel, the tenth book in this series, Josh becomes involved in the latest case that occurs in the backyard, and he is able to communicate with Paul, one of the resident ghosts via texting.
There is so much to love within this series...... I love the fact that Alison, Melissa and Alison's mother communicate with the ghosts and Josh cannot. I love that Josh tries so hard to be involved in things and when he is finally able to communicate with Paul via texting he is like a 5 year-old on Christmas Eve. I love that Paul can talk to other ghosts through the Ghosternet and love Maxie's high energy even though she's a ghost.
Copperman takes a 40 year-old, cold case and makes it HOT !! I love the twists and turns in the story with all the characters past and present and how they loop together. I love the relationships between the living and the ghosts. I love the setting, an inn on the beach, and the fact that people come to the inn to witness the shows that the ghosts put on. I love that Melissa has a pet dog that is a ghost. I love the innocence of Josh and how it is Alison that is the one trying to protect everyone. I love, love, love it all !!! And I think you will also.......
Alison has the fortunate (or unfortunate at times) ability to see and communicate with ghosts. And along with herself, her new husband Josh, and her daughter, Melissa, who are all living, she also has three ghosts and a dog ghost living there. Melissa can also see and communicate with the ghosts, unfortunately Josh cannot.
However in Bones Behind the Wheel, the tenth book in this series, Josh becomes involved in the latest case that occurs in the backyard, and he is able to communicate with Paul, one of the resident ghosts via texting.
There is so much to love within this series...... I love the fact that Alison, Melissa and Alison's mother communicate with the ghosts and Josh cannot. I love that Josh tries so hard to be involved in things and when he is finally able to communicate with Paul via texting he is like a 5 year-old on Christmas Eve. I love that Paul can talk to other ghosts through the Ghosternet and love Maxie's high energy even though she's a ghost.
Copperman takes a 40 year-old, cold case and makes it HOT !! I love the twists and turns in the story with all the characters past and present and how they loop together. I love the relationships between the living and the ghosts. I love the setting, an inn on the beach, and the fact that people come to the inn to witness the shows that the ghosts put on. I love that Melissa has a pet dog that is a ghost. I love the innocence of Josh and how it is Alison that is the one trying to protect everyone. I love, love, love it all !!! And I think you will also.......
August 28, 2018
A Lincoln continental is difficult to ignore, particularly when it is buried in your backyard along with a skeleton- but that doesn’t mean Alison Kerby doesn’t try, despite her family’s and her resident ghostly investigator’s ardent interest in the very cold case. Adding to the fun is the car’s mysterious disappearance and reappearance. The mystery underlying Bones Behind the Wheel is fascinating - I was captivated from the start.
It is nice to see how Alison’s family interacts and works together on the case, along with Paul, the resident detective (deceased) and Maxie (also deceased). The interplay with Lieutenant McElone is often funny, but it’s clear she is a professional and not one to jump to conclusions, despite her dislike of ghosts. The one weak point characterwise is Alison. It is a case of “she protests too much”. Her reluctance to investigate comes across as a childish tantrum rather than a reasoned behavior. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be curious about the discovery of a car buried in their backyard with a skeleton inside - and that is before it disappears and reappears the following day.
Cooperman’s Haunted Guesthouse Series is a fun, highly original cozy mystery series where ghosts interact with certain humans, and in this case help investigate mysteries. Bones Behind the Wheel is an excellent addition, and it is mainly Alison’s irritating behavior that makes a 5 into a 4.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Bones Behind the Wheel from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
— Crittermom
It is nice to see how Alison’s family interacts and works together on the case, along with Paul, the resident detective (deceased) and Maxie (also deceased). The interplay with Lieutenant McElone is often funny, but it’s clear she is a professional and not one to jump to conclusions, despite her dislike of ghosts. The one weak point characterwise is Alison. It is a case of “she protests too much”. Her reluctance to investigate comes across as a childish tantrum rather than a reasoned behavior. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be curious about the discovery of a car buried in their backyard with a skeleton inside - and that is before it disappears and reappears the following day.
Cooperman’s Haunted Guesthouse Series is a fun, highly original cozy mystery series where ghosts interact with certain humans, and in this case help investigate mysteries. Bones Behind the Wheel is an excellent addition, and it is mainly Alison’s irritating behavior that makes a 5 into a 4.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Bones Behind the Wheel from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
— Crittermom
January 27, 2019
Luckily, it's the slow season for Alison Kerby's seaside guest house, because New Jersey is improving the shore--that is, moving piles of sand around, as far as she can tell--and it's time for her contractor friends to fix the beam in her kitchen. Then the guys outside her house dig up a 1977 Lincoln Continental (who buries a car?) and it has a skeleton inside it. Naturally, that brings the first of many visits from the local police, and a lot of interest from one of Alison's resident ghosts, Paul, who was a private investigator before his transition. Alison insists that she's not going to help him investigate this time, but her new husband Josh and her daughter are both up for a little crime solving. And, really, the crime is thirty or more years old--how could that be dangerous? But it is... This light series is always amusing.
December 25, 2022
This was the last book in the series and it was nice to see Josh get in on the mystery solving. Alison has calmed down quite a bit and was definitely not as irritating as in previous books :). When a car containing a skeleton is dug up in the yard of the B&an, Alison is determined to stay out of the investigation, however, Josh is intrigued and wants to help Paul investigate. Between kitchen renovations that Maxine wants to be in charge of, caring for her guests, gems being found on the property, bullets flying, and threats to her life, Alison has a lot going on for someone intent on not investigating this murder.
January 2, 2019
Bones Behind the Wheel by E. J. Copperman is the 10th book in A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series, and another enjoyable book. I really enjoy this series, innkeeper Alison Kerby and her ghostly friends, keep the action hopping. While smoothing out her beach front property, they discover a 1977 Lincoln Continental buried in the sand. As they dig the car out, they find a skeleton strapped into the car. This book/ series is a fun paranormal cozy series that does not disappoint. I recommended this book/series.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 23, 2018
I've been reading the book in this series and they are all good. This one fell a bit flat for me, it didn't have the normal captivating storyline of the other books.
While I enjoyed the mystery itself, some of the characters need to shine a bit more.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
While I enjoyed the mystery itself, some of the characters need to shine a bit more.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
February 17, 2020
Really about a 3.8; I think it would have been funnier if I hadn't just read Pratchett. This was my first time at this series, so I was confused a time or two as to who was living and who wasn't. I still don't know exactly where the emeralds came from, either.... but I won't say more for fear of spoilers.
January 9, 2019
Alison runs a bed and breakfast that is also her home with her husband and daughter. She has other residents that cannot be seen because they are ghosts. When a car is found in her back yard with a skeleton inside the car she is stuck with a case to solve. She doesn't want to work this one so she leaves it to her husband and Peter a ghost.
This was a very fun read. The Author is so clever with his descriptions and jokes included in the story. I laughed throughout the book.
This was a very fun read. The Author is so clever with his descriptions and jokes included in the story. I laughed throughout the book.
May 19, 2021
This was ok but it can be overlook. Alot of holes. Not consistent enough throughout the book.
August 13, 2023
Just another day at the inn. Ghosts wanting to to redesign the kitchen, dead bodies in cars buried in the back yard. A very cute story with an interesting finish.
February 4, 2019
2.5 Stars
Me thinks the author is running out of ideas: The premise of the book was good, but how it all unfolds was lackluster
Allison Runs a "Haunted guest-house" on the Jersey Shore. Due to a cosh on the head she is able to see, hear, & communicate w/ ghosts (as does her mother & 11 yr. old daughter Melissa). There are three ghosts that happen to be living in her guest-house: Maxie, who was murdered; Paul, a Private Detective, hired by Maxie, who was also murdered; & Everett, Maxie's husband, the three perform for the guests twice daily insuring that the guests get their fill of "haunting"... and there is Alison's father, who is also a ghost & visits when her mother does.
Paul has a connection to the ghostly plane and ghosts seem to find their way to him asking for help finding their murderers and then moving on.
In this book, the plot is different; the beach behind the guest-house is being regraded and sand moved to rebuild the shore. An excavation crew is somehow directed to dig for treasure behind Alison's and find a 1977 Lincoln Continental w/ a skeleton inside.
As the plot moves along the car disappears then reappears the following day...
The ghosts that are related to the murder do not come around until near the conclusion of the book, which made this less interesting than usual...
Me thinks the author is running out of ideas: The premise of the book was good, but how it all unfolds was lackluster
Allison Runs a "Haunted guest-house" on the Jersey Shore. Due to a cosh on the head she is able to see, hear, & communicate w/ ghosts (as does her mother & 11 yr. old daughter Melissa). There are three ghosts that happen to be living in her guest-house: Maxie, who was murdered; Paul, a Private Detective, hired by Maxie, who was also murdered; & Everett, Maxie's husband, the three perform for the guests twice daily insuring that the guests get their fill of "haunting"... and there is Alison's father, who is also a ghost & visits when her mother does.
Paul has a connection to the ghostly plane and ghosts seem to find their way to him asking for help finding their murderers and then moving on.
In this book, the plot is different; the beach behind the guest-house is being regraded and sand moved to rebuild the shore. An excavation crew is somehow directed to dig for treasure behind Alison's and find a 1977 Lincoln Continental w/ a skeleton inside.
As the plot moves along the car disappears then reappears the following day...
The ghosts that are related to the murder do not come around until near the conclusion of the book, which made this less interesting than usual...
February 15, 2023
Oh, man, this series.
It's way too wordy for me. I've said this in past reviews of this series, but it's so wordy that when someone answers a question, I have to go back a half a page or more to remind myself what the question was.
Everything is overexplained.
There are so many unnecessary tags and descriptions - it detracts from the story instead of enhancing it.
And the mystery was awful. It was not well done. In my opinion, it's obvious the author wanted to make crazy, weird things happen for the sake of having crazy, weird things happening. When it was explained why these crazy, weird things happened, it made zero sense. In fact, I can't say without spoiling it, but there's an explanation for one major thing happening (with the car...and then the car again) that made absolutely no sense whatsoever because the reason it happened could have been done in seconds with no moving parts necessary.
so the entire thing fell apart for me at the end when things were explained.
And I mean things were explained - not everything was explained. I guess I'm to the point I'll take lousy explanations that make no sense over no explanations at all and we'll just pretend you didn't make me read this and leave me hanging and have loose ends hanging for eternity.
I used to adore this series but I don't anymore.
It's way too wordy for me. I've said this in past reviews of this series, but it's so wordy that when someone answers a question, I have to go back a half a page or more to remind myself what the question was.
Everything is overexplained.
There are so many unnecessary tags and descriptions - it detracts from the story instead of enhancing it.
And the mystery was awful. It was not well done. In my opinion, it's obvious the author wanted to make crazy, weird things happen for the sake of having crazy, weird things happening. When it was explained why these crazy, weird things happened, it made zero sense. In fact, I can't say without spoiling it, but there's an explanation for one major thing happening (with the car...and then the car again) that made absolutely no sense whatsoever because the reason it happened could have been done in seconds with no moving parts necessary.
so the entire thing fell apart for me at the end when things were explained.
And I mean things were explained - not everything was explained. I guess I'm to the point I'll take lousy explanations that make no sense over no explanations at all and we'll just pretend you didn't make me read this and leave me hanging and have loose ends hanging for eternity.
I used to adore this series but I don't anymore.
October 14, 2018
Ebook/ARC/Mystery: So I had gotten the first Haunted Guesthouse book at a used book store several years ago because I liked the cover. However, it got put on the long list, for years. Then I got picked to read this book which is book 10 on NetGalley in lieu of an honest review. If a book is good, you can read it out of order. I went ahead and started reading book one to get the set up of the Guesthouse, not B&B and got a third of the way through. Then Hurricane Michael came to town and the lights went off for a while. So I started book 10 on my fully charged Kindle. I was lucky and the lights came on 28 hours and no damage to my home. I went ahead and finished this one. So here is my review:
This book won't come out for a while, so no spoilers here. I do like the character of Alison. She's owner of an Guesthouse (it's like a B&B without the breakfast). She has two ghosts living in the house that are, well Paul is pushy and Maxie is annoying. A lot has happened to the characters over the four years. There's lots of personal dynamics. This case has issues and I had some unanswered questions. All and all, it was a fun book. I like the first person narrative. I did wish the author had aged the daughter more and delved more into her.
This book won't come out for a while, so no spoilers here. I do like the character of Alison. She's owner of an Guesthouse (it's like a B&B without the breakfast). She has two ghosts living in the house that are, well Paul is pushy and Maxie is annoying. A lot has happened to the characters over the four years. There's lots of personal dynamics. This case has issues and I had some unanswered questions. All and all, it was a fun book. I like the first person narrative. I did wish the author had aged the daughter more and delved more into her.
August 19, 2018
Take one New Jerseyite guesthouse keeper who interacts with resident ghosts, her hardworking husband who would like to interact with them, guests, family and friends. Then add in an apparent sinkhole in their private beach, a skeleton in a 35 year old car, a compulsive private investigator ghost, a living dedicated police detective, an ever increasing suspect list, stir with plot twists and garnish liberally with snarks and situational humor. The book forced me to read it all in one day! The mystery was good but the snarks really notched it higher!
It is evidently the most recent in a series I never heard of, but the author's way of slipping in relevant backstory made me want to hunt down previous books because of the fun and mysteries, not because I felt lost in the crowd.
I requested and received a free review ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
It is evidently the most recent in a series I never heard of, but the author's way of slipping in relevant backstory made me want to hunt down previous books because of the fun and mysteries, not because I felt lost in the crowd.
I requested and received a free review ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
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