The Thrill of the Haunt (#365) by E.J. Copperman showed up under my Christmas tree just a day or two after I added it to my GoodReads "To Read" list, and it turned out to be every bit as beguiling as the cover blurb promised. It's #5 in the Haunted Guesthouse series and even though there are resident ghosts involved it's still firmly in the cosy mystery camp.
Alison Kerby is a single mother and reluctant Private Investigator. She'd much rather be deciding what to do with that extra room that never quite succeeded as a game room in her Jersey shore guesthouse than tracking down clues. Her mother and daughter have always been able to see and hear ghosts, but Alison only acquired the ability when she was conked on the head. That's when she first met ghosts Paul and Maxie, the budding young interior designer who previously owned the guesthouse. Paul was a PI before his unfortunate death bound him to Alison's guest house and the only way to keep him out of her hair is to keep him busy sleuthing. Alison has been forced to obtain her own PI license to do the outside legwork and interact with the human clients. Juggling their demands, a promising relationship with an old friend, her daughter Melissa's school schedule and the demands of her ghost-hunting guests isn't easy. Throw in the complications from investigating the death of a local homeless veteran and following a philandering husband around, and there's plenty to keep everyone occupied here!
The Thrill of the Haunt is a light and breezy read, but with enough twists to keep you guessing the solutions right up to the final pages. Besides, you have to love an author whose pen name memorializes a beloved pet. You have to know he writes with heart as well as humor. What's not to enjoy?
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