The Thrill of the Haunt (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Book 5)

The Haunted Guesthouse books have been some of my favorites in the cozy mystery genre for the simple fact that they’re light, entertaining and, most importantly, don’t insult my intelligence with an ignorant ditz of a main character.I was not disappointed. The Thrill of the Haunt not only met my expectations in the “feel good / cozy” category, but it surprised me with a clever plot that I think far exceeded the standard in the genre.Thrill of the Haunt takes place about four months after Chance of a Ghost. All Allison Kerby wants to do is live a semi-normal life as the proprietor of her fixed-up Victorian guesthouse – or, at the very least, not be referred to as “the ghost lady.” But with resident ghosties Maxie and Paul at her side, a guesthouse full of seniors waiting to be spooked, and two cases to investigate, normal doesn’t exactly fit in her schedule.For the most part, the story splits its time between two main plots – the mysterious stabbing of a local homeless man, Everett (which, even more mysteriously, Allison’s nemesis Kerin is paying her to investigate) and the tailing of a man whose wife suspects of cheating (of course, it turns into so much more than that). I was a little skeptical of having the book split so much between investigating two seemingly unrelated plots – I didn’t even think they could be related – but Copperman does a fantastic job of trying them in together at the end.And by “fantastic job” I mean I may or may not have actually gasped out loud. Several times. It was all dramatic.When Allison’s not investigating her cases (or even when she is), she’s also dealing with several personal struggles, most of which can be boiled down to her refusal to embrace the fact that she can see ghosts like Maxie and Paul. It’s frustrating, because she spends so much of the book acting like she is ashamed of them and that they are such an inconvenience, but she has a successful business because of them (the senior tours markets her guesthouse as being haunted and her guests expect scheduled “ghost shows” – which Maxie and Paul gladly put on even though Allison doesn’t seem to appreciate them). I was really getting sick of Allison’s attitude, but I had a feeling (and was right) that she kind of gets what’s coming to her at the end – and it’s good. I hope her attitude toward them will improve in subsequent books (please say there will be subsequent books!).The only other criticism I had was some of the details didn’t totally match up. For example, on page 195 it says Everett was stabbed 47 times, page 278 his stab-wound count has reached 86 times and, only one page later on page 279, he seems to have gotten stabbed twice more for a total of 88 knife wounds.Sucks to be Everett.

I want to be friends with Alison Kerby. I like her. We think alike - okay, I said that.Ever since the publication of the first Haunted Guest House mystery, EJ Copperman has fascinated me with his? her? insight into the harried, beleaguered mom whose only desire is to raise a happy daughter and renovate her guest house so as to please her guests and make a living.Plus help out those in the afterlife who have arrived there unjustly, or at least unexpectedly. Of course that last bit wasn't of her own choosing. It's taken a while, but Alison has, to some extent, come 'round to dealing with her ghosts and her role as a private investigator. Her compassion is what drives her to succeed for her ethereal clients, even if it does always end up embroiling her in her case.In this latest, fifth book in the series, Alison is caught in a tangle of situations and events. There are the people who want her to openly admit to consorting with ghosts (as opposed to promoting them as a marketing ploy for tourists to stay at her guest house), a woman who wants to exorcise the ghosts, and a dead homeless man and dead adulteress. Then there is the conspiracy between her Dad and deceased budding designer Maxie to get her to turn one of her public rooms into a movie room, and Alison’s own inability to come clean about the reality of her ghostly friends to her latest love interest. Alison has almost more on her plate than she can handle. She loses a little face, but there are poignant moments of growth for her, and she manages to tie up the loose ends with dignity. Well, almost.Copperman uses a light touch with the family drama and great comedic timing with the more slapstick side of Alison's life. He? she? also manages to make the romance realistic, which, as a seasoned mom myself, I appreciate.I still want to be Alison's friend. I want to give her advice about Melissa (Alison, you're doing fine.) I want to get advice about my own reno (do I have to use leveling compound on my basement floor before I tile?). I even want to see if I can coax Maxie into understanding Alison a little more. Let’s face it, I just want to spend more time at Alison's guest house.*Tip: Start at Book #1 in The Haunted Guest House Mystery series, and don't stop until E.J. Copperman stops writing them.

I've really liked the development of the series and the characters, the living ones. I can't say the same for the dead ones. Maxie is just as annoying as she's always been and I really have come to dislike her. Paul is also annoying but to a lesser degree than Maxie. Okay, sure, a story needs conflict but it also needs growth and it seems, by now, there should have been more of a detente between Paul and Alison regarding the detective cases. I get tired of Alison always being put out and angry when Paul asks her to solve a case, and equally tired of Paul presenting a fait accompli in the form of a ghost pleading and manipulating her to take his/her case. A little softening on both sides would be so much nicer. It's good to have every character different from the others, but really, to such a degree? It seems annoying characters -- I'm looking at you Karin -- are used as comedy. I don't see the humor. All this is not to say that I don't like the books, I do and will continue to read the series, but for the sake of my teeth -- I grind them when Maxie is on stage -- please, Mr Author, do something.

So far I have read all the books in order & I highly recommend them!! The books are like building blocks stacked on top of each other adding depth to the characters as you get to know them plus some comedy, drama, romance, cynicism, paranormal happenings & a generous splash of sarcasm!!! My favorite characters are Allison & Melissa (mother & daughter) who are struggling to make the guesthouses home as well as pay for itself. I just hope some of the guests return in future books in the series. The policewoman McElone and friend Joannie are perfect foils in this series too. I am hoping the author furthermore books for this series. They are great!!

Absolutely love these books. Can't help thinking that they would make a wonderful tv show!