So this month, the first book I’ll be highlighting is one that I actually haven’t read before, but now I can see why this series is so doggone popular! As you probably already could tell by the title of the blog post, I’m talking about the first entry in E.J. Copperman‘s very successful Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series, Night of the Living Deed.
As you can likely tell from the title of the series, this is a “paranormal” Cozy Mystery Series, specifically a ghost paranormal. Some of you may know that I have somewhat mixed feelings about paranormal themed Cozies. At their worst, they can feel like “cheats” – if the sleuth just psychically “knows” who the killer is, why is solving the crime impressive? And how exactly do you expect to convict a criminal on the expert testimony of “my magic cat told me he did it”? (Yikes! I actually enjoy reading several paranormal Cozies that feature magical cats!)
Fortunately, these sort of shortcuts aren’t present in this particular Cozy. The ghosts in this entry are bound to follow rules – in this case, the most important is that they aren’t able to leave the location in which they died. So in the years since their unfortunate demise (by poison, so they never saw the killer directly), they’ve been frustrated and unable to follow the clues that might lead to the reason they were killed.
Well, you might ask: In that case, what use is it to even have a ghost? Fortunately one of the deceased individuals who is haunting is a private detective, so while he isn’t able to directly influence the world outside the house or personally gather evidence, he’s able to help guide the star of the Cozy, Alison Kerby (divorced single mom and guest house owner).
As a result, there’s a good mixture of why the crime needs to be solved (these ghosts just won’t leave Alison alone otherwise!) and expertise that many beginning Cozy sleuths might lack (fortunately one of them actually knows a bit about investigating crime). Of course, stakes are raised significantly when Alison begins getting threatening messages, and the local police don’t necessarily seem too invested in quickly solving the crime – but isn’t that always the case in the surprisingly dangerous world of small town Cozy settings?
All told, I found E.J. Copperman’s Night of the Living Deed a very enjoyable read. I hope that people keep recommending it for years to come >>> by then I may be all caught up with this very good series!
If you’re interested in seeing more highlights of some of the other most popular and/or recommended Cozy Mystery authors/series, visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
P.S. E.J. Copperman also writes the Asperger’s Mystery Series and the Mysterious Detective Mystery Series. As Jeffrey Cohen he writes both the Double Feature Mystery Series and the Aaron Tucker Mystery Series.
Barbara says
Hi
Recently read The Question of the Missing Head and wanted to read more from the author and discovered The Haunted Guest House mysteries. Read the first two, liked them and will read more later.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbara, thanks for letting everyone know how much you enjoyed the first two Haunted Guesthouse mysteries. This is a series I’m sure I’ll follow.
Kim D. says
Absolutely love this series! Can’t wait for the next book! 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kim D, Thanks for the E.J. Copperman shout-out!
Marsha says
I have read every book in this series and loved each and every one!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marsha, I don’t know why it has taken me so long to finally get on board! I’m glad I tried the first book…
Merrilee says
I copied this directly, quoting, from the website for Jeffrey Cohen (Jeffcohenbooks.com) He writes the E. J. Copperman series, as well as other mysteries. Quoting, “Jeff Cohen is the nom de plume for Jeffrey Cohen, writer of intentionally funny murder mysteries in the Double Feature and Aaron Tucker series. As E.J. Copperman he writes the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series, and now collaborates with himself on the Samuel Hoenig Asperger’s Mystery series.” When I looked up E. J. Copperman to find more of the haunted house mysteries, I was directed to Jeffrey Cohen’s website. I have read the first book, and I might have started the second. I can’t remember if I finished it, but I know I enjoyed the first one.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Merrilee, I probably should have added this to my entry, but I just left it off. If you go to his page on my site, I also have his Jeffrey Cohen mysteries listed… Thank you.
Rob says
Danna: Et all: If you like the paranormal and ghost cozies, may I introduce (if I haven’t already) Sid! The skeleton in Leigh Perry’s
series about A Skeleton in the family, Skeleton Takes a Bow and the newest, Skeleton Haunts a House. A great read about an English professor, her daughter and family that live in a house with a skeleton named Sid. I had a blast with this series. I hope you give it a try. Very human (and humane) and fun, witty, clean
and just good fun. I can hardly wait till she comes out with a fourth book. ANd we are getting close to the Halloween season, after all! Skeleton Haunts a House is perfect for the seasonal offerings.
Linda says
I love this series – not only are the ghosts fun but it takes place at the Jersey Shore near where I live. So it feels even more personal to me as I recognize some of the places that are mentioned.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series, and it’s good to hear that they continue to be good! It’s really fun when you discover a series that takes place in your neck of the woods. That’s how I felt when I read Carolyn Hart’s Death on the River Walk years ago…
Sheila in CT says
Read the series. Thoroughly enjoy the books, stories and the whole group of characters. Looking forward to the next book in December.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila in CT, and I see that December’s will take place during the winter. Great for those of us who rely on books to bring us the seasons!
Frances says
I’ve read the first book and found it very entertaining. The ghosts were funny and “down to earth” without breaking my reader’s willingness to accept them as characters. The pace is lively and engaging.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Frances, I totally agree. I like that the ghosts have limitations. It is a fun read.
Susan* says
MargaretStashEmpress recommended one of Copperman’s ‘Mysterious Detective’ novels in last month’s roundup. It sounded so good, that it went straight on my ‘Want’ list, and now, finding that Copperman is a pseudonym for Jeffrey Cohen, just adds a double reason to look for it.
I have one of the Cohen ‘Double Feature Mysteries’ that you mention, and, being a (very) minor classic movie buff, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven’t come across more, yet, but I’m looking! 🙂
This author knows his stuff and writes about it well. I recommend this rara avis – a male cozy author! – to anyone who hasn’t yet discovered him!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, now you’ve got me thinking I should try a Double Feature mystery. I love the classic movies! It’s funny how some of our passions lead us to try different themes. I started Diane Vallere’s Mad for Mod series because of my enjoyment of Doris Day movies…
Margaret StashEmpress says
Its a fun series for sure!
Mary says
I very much like the Cozy Mystery Paranormal stories – or at least some of them.
Isn’t it great that there are so many authors in so many genres for so many readers! I often find it interesting to see why some do not like a genre or sub-genre that I like, most times I think those people have an understandable reason.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, back in the late 90s, and I would never have guessed there be so many different Cozy Mystery themes. It is great!
Linda MH says
I love the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series. The author’s great sense of humor comes shining through in each book. I’m looking forward to the next book in this enjoyable series–I believe it is due out in December.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda MH, yes, Spouse on Haunted Hill is due out in December, and it looks super cold!
Brandy says
I loooove this series. I just finished reading the last book last night and cant wait for the next to come out in Dec.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Brandy, I’m glad I finally tried the first book in this series! It seems like there are so many people who agree that it is super good…
Pat says
Along the same line, there is Alice Kimberly(Cleo Coyle) and The Haunted Bookshop mysteries, which are quite enjoyable.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pat, you’re right. >>> It is sort of in the same line…