E. J. Copperman

I have enjoyed every one of Jeff Cohen's series, but I have to admit that this is my favorite. Cohen has arrived at a perfect blend of knowledge, character, mystery, humor, and heart. What a combination!

As the story unfolds, the mystery deepens. These questions are never as simple as they first appear. As Samuel uncovers more facts, it's obvious that his first hunch (the clerk is not Tyler's friend) was the correct one, but we're all left to wonder what on earth is going on. The mystery show more alone is worth the price of admission.

But what adds depth and heart to The Question of the Felonious Friend is the interplay between the characters. While Samuel's mother has a very small role in this book, we see more of Ms. Washburn's personal life and how Samuel reacts to it. The police in Piscataway, New Jersey, are slowly learning how to work with this young man, too. But for the first time we see Samuel in contact with someone else who's also on the autism spectrum. Tyler has not had the advantages that Samuel has. He has almost no social skills, and quickly becomes mute when stressed. Through Samuel and his relationship with Tyler, we learn how people who are on the autism spectrum should be treated... and how insensitive "normal" people usually are.

I've come to care a great deal for Jeff Cohen's characters. Their personalities and relationships are evolving with each new book. I sincerely hope that Samuel will be around to answer many more questions in the future. show less

**I received a copy of this book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review.**


Living with Asberger's, Samuel Hoenig realizes his social skills are sometimes a bit off, but he puts his research talents to work by opening his own business, Questions Answered. For a fee, he will research any interesting questions put to him by clients. Sometimes, these questions lead him into investigating crimes. With his mother and associate, Mrs Washburn, at his side to help him, show more once he accepts a client's question, Samuel is on the case until he has the correct answer.

In this 3rd book in the An Asberger's Mystery series, Samuel accepts a question from a client who also falls within the Autism spectrum. Tyler Clayton wants to know if a convenience store clerk that he sees daily and who has been to his house to play video games is really his friend. Samuel investigates and answers the question. Clayton's reaction to the answer is not pleasant. Samuel is shocked when soon after the police inform him that the store clerk is dead, shot to death in the convenience store. Standing above the body with a gun in his hand was Tyler Clayton.

Because his answer to Clayton's question may be the reason the store clerk is dead, Samuel begrudgingly accepts another question from Tyler Clayton's brother -- Who killed the store clerk?? He doesn't believe Tyler pulled the trigger, but he will doggedly follow the clues no matter who is pinpointed as the murderer in the end.

I loved this book! Sometimes mystery novels, especially cozies, fall into a formula. A B = C....just with a bit of variation in pets, cute jobs, and campy side characters and the addition of recipes, themed tips or other extras added at the end of the book. This series breaks loose from that mold...focusing on a main character who lives with what most people would term a "disability'' that makes him stand out as different or odd. Samuel uses his unique personality and its positive points to run a research business for clients wanting answers to questions. With his support structure in place to prevent him making inadvertant social faux pas or to help him understand certain nuances of others behavior, Samuel follows each question to its undeniable, correct answer. Even when it requires him to investigate crimes.

The mystery is interesting and engaging, but my enjoyment of the story was more character-based. Having known several people with Asberger's, this book gave me some insight into their behavior that I didn't know before. It was so interesting to read Samuel's point-of-view about others behavior, about others with Asberger's and his thoughts on daily life. I also enjoyed his relationships with his mother and his friend, Mrs. Washburn. They aided him in his investigations....they did not attempt to "fix'' or direct him to change his personality, rather offered advise and opinions from a non-Asberger's viewpoint, and let him form his own conclusions. Available by text message when Samuel finds himself in difficulty, his mother lends her support without pressuring him or over-reacting. Their interactions were perfectly written and made the story more believable and engaging.

The mystery had several suspects, twists and perfect pace. I was engrossed in the story from beginning to end! At first, I really didn't know what to expect....a mystery novel with a main character who has Asberger's...I just wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I was pleasantly surprised!! Great book! Well-written plot and characterization! Samuel and his quirky habits are written in an honest, but endearing way. Asberger's and its effects on behavior are handled in a respectful, truthful manner. Samuel is who he is, and he uses his skills and talents to the best of his abilities.

I highly recommend this book to any reader who wants to step away from "formula'' mysteries and try something different, especially if they know anyone within the autism-spectrum.

EJ Copperman and Jeff Cohen are both pseudonyms for mystery novelist Jeffrey Cohen. This is the 3rd Asberger's Mystery. As Copperman, Cohen writes the Haunted Guesthouse mysteries (one of my favorite cozy series!). As Cohen, he writes the Aaron Tucker and Double Feature mystery series. I can honestly say this is my first experience with an author who collaborates with himself to write a mystery series. I applaud Cohen for his quirkiness that comes across in his novels! I am never disappointed -- fabulous books and very memorable author, no matter which pen-name or personality he is using at the time. :) Love it! Check out his author websites: www.ejcopperman.com and www.jeffcohenbooks.com/wp, show less

“The Thrill of the Haunt” by E.J. Copperman

Copperman brings us another Haunted Guesthouse Mystery in the series. When I saw it come in, I snatched it up, eager to read more of Alison (live guesthouse owner), Paul, and Maxie’s (dead guesthouse residents) latest excursions. Just as “Chance of a Ghost” did, “The Thrill of the Haunt” entertained and kept me reading (even when I should have been working—please don’t tell my boss).

Alison owns a guesthouse in which ghosts Paul and show more Maxie are stuck. Well, Paul is; Maxie finally found the ability to travel outside the house. Because Paul was a private investigator before he died, he has since enticed (coerced is more the word) Alison to aid him in investigating for those alive and well…dead.

In “The Thrill of the Haunt,” Alison is hired by Helen Boffice to track her husband David’s moves. Helen believes David is cheating on her. No, she doesn’t want to divorce him; she wants to make sure he is tied to her for life. Strange reasoning, but I’d be announcing Spoiler Alert! if I said more. But that’s not enough. Alison, among trying to entertain her guests who came for the ‘spook shows’ with the ghosts, is forced to investigate a homeless man’s death.

Running a haunted guesthouse and investigating crimes with two ghosts isn’t all Alison has to deal with. The one guy, Josh, who has been worthy of Alison’s desire for him to stick around is ready to bolt. Josh wants to know what Alison is keeping secret from him. Paul and Maxie want her to acknowledge to the world that they exist and go to lengthy extremes to accomplish this, and Allison’s supposed to be learning from her mother how to cook.

This book is filled with wit, hysteria (maybe that was my hysterical laughter there), and pure entertainment. If you like a good ghostly paranormal that will make your eyes water from laughing, this one is it.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” show less

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Laura Meehan has inherited her father’s paint and wallpaper store. She and her husband are moving from Maryland so that she can run the store that was part of her life growing up and so important to her dad.

The inheritance comes with a big surprise: her father’s ghost has taken up residence in the store. Laura doesn’t believe in ghosts and is sure she is losing her mind.

While trying to deal with her emotions and the ghostly apparition, she arrives at work to find a show more dead body attached to a piece of equipment she uses several times a day. The ghost claims he was elsewhere when the murder happened, but being an ex-police detective, he should be able to help his daughter paint the killer into a corner.

Turns out the list of suspects is quite long. Which one truly had the motive to kill?

I liked Laura and her husband Roy immediately. They have a strong marriage, common sense, and both have a great sense of humor. Roy was totally on board to make the move so that Laura could take over the store, even when he was left with packing up their old place and dealing with the movers to get everything to their new home. Laura stayed in a hotel until the day of the move. Her dad, Amos, melted my heart as he tried to figure out the whole ghost thing while trying to make Laura believe she was really seeing and hearing him. Her reactions felt pretty believable to me. I mean, if I turned around and the ghost of my father was there, I would probably faint and then get a therapy appointment as soon as possible. And I read a lot of ghostly cozy mysteries.

The supporting cast of characters are mostly customers and contractors who come into the paint store. Having worked in the building trades many years ago, I was pleased to see a female contractor among the group. Readers get to know them right along with Laura. They were all on her list of suspects. We also meet Laura’s therapist, Abby. I appreciated the way she approached Laura’s issue.

I enjoyed that Laura and Roy worked the investigation together and talked through theories: Who benefited from the man’s death? Who could have actually had the strength to commit the crime? Amos, the ghost, chimed in with his thoughts and caution as needed. He really wasn’t a fan of Roy. Laura wasn’t a fan of Detective Hannibal Watson, and neither was I, but I think he will grow on both of us. Mr. Copperman allows the story to build at a comfortable pace, dropping clues and inserting twists. All of which sets up an exciting showdown. When all was revealed, I was happy to say that I was on the right track, and the conclusion made complete sense. Amos also learn more of his ghostly skills.

E.J. Copperman writes what he knows, and his fans know he has a talent for writing entertaining ghostly mysteries, with 10 Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries under his belt. He also knows how to put the funny/snarky in all the right places. With All Spooked Up, he has set his new series off to a wonderful start. I am anxious to return to Sea Breeze, New Jersey, to see what he has in store for Laura, Roy, and Amos next. show less