As I settled into my favorite reading nook on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I found myself drawn to “Night of the Living Deed” by E.J. Copperman. I’ll be honest – I picked it up on a whim, enticed by the quirky title and the promise of a supernatural mystery. Little did I know I was in for a delightful rollercoaster ride that would keep me entertained until the wee hours of the morning.
From the moment I cracked open the book, I was immediately drawn into Alison Kerby’s world. As a newly divorced mom myself, I couldn’t help but relate to her desire for a fresh start. The Jersey Shore setting brought back fond memories of childhood vacations, and I could almost smell the salty air as I read. But what really hooked me was the unexpected twist – Alison’s ability to see ghosts after a bump on the head. I mean, who hasn’t secretly wondered what it would be like to communicate with spirits?
Copperman’s writing style is a breath of fresh air. The author’s wit shines through in every page, perfectly capturing that distinct “Jersey attitude” that had me chuckling out loud more times than I care to admit. The blend of home renovation details with supernatural elements was surprisingly engaging. As someone who’s addicted to home improvement shows, I found myself equally invested in Alison’s guesthouse transformation and the ghostly mystery she was trying to solve.
One of the strongest aspects of the book, in my opinion, is the character development. Alison is refreshingly real – a mom trying to juggle her responsibilities while dealing with the most unusual of circumstances. Her relationship with her daughter feels authentic, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the challenges of single parenthood. The ghosts, Maxie and Paul, are far from your typical spooky specters. Their personalities are so well-crafted that I often forgot they were, well, dead.
However, I did find the pacing a bit uneven at times. Some parts of the mystery felt rushed, while others dragged on longer than necessary. There were moments when I wished the author had delved deeper into the supernatural aspects of the story. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed the light-hearted approach, but a little more ghostly lore wouldn’t have gone amiss.
One passage that really stuck with me was when Alison first realizes she can see ghosts. Copperman writes, “I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and looked again. They were still there, looking at me expectantly, as if I was the one who didn’t belong.” This line perfectly captured the surreal nature of the situation, and I found myself pondering how I would react in Alison’s shoes.
The author’s ability to balance humor with moments of genuine emotion is commendable. There’s a scene where Alison reflects on her divorce and her hopes for her daughter’s future that brought a lump to my throat. It’s these touches of realism amidst the fantastical elements that elevate the book beyond a simple cozy mystery.
Reading “Night of the Living Deed” made me reconsider my preconceptions about the cozy mystery genre. I’ve always been more of a hardcore thriller fan, but this book showed me that sometimes, a light-hearted mystery with a supernatural twist can be just as engaging. It’s reminded me of the joy of reading purely for entertainment, without the need for intense, edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! It’s the perfect read for anyone looking to escape reality for a few hours. Whether you’re a fan of mysteries, enjoy a good laugh, or are just curious about what it might be like to renovate a house with ghostly helpers, “Night of the Living Deed” has something for everyone. I’ve already ordered the next book in the series, and I can’t wait to see what adventures await Alison and her spectral friends.
In the end, “Night of the Living Deed” was like finding an unexpected treasure – a book that made me laugh, kept me guessing, and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s not often that a book surprises me this much, but E.J. Copperman has definitely earned a spot on my “authors to watch” list. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to go house hunting for charming Victorian fixer-uppers – preferably with a ghost or two included!