GHOST IN THE WIND is Book 7 in E.J. Copperman's Haunted Guesthouse cozy mystery series. I am always a little giddy at the prospect of reading a new Haunted Guesthouse mystery. These stories are always entertaining because I love ghosts, and the characters are a blast. E.J. Copperman adds another level of fun to GHOST IN THE WIND by having Alison's ghostly client be one of her pop idols from her teen years. Because singer Vance McTiernan's music meant so much to Alison growing up, fellow sleuth and ghost friend Paul worries her judgment might be off.

There are two main parts to GHOST IN THE WIND—the mystery itself and the conflict between amateur sleuth Alison Kerby and private detective, and friend, Paul Harrison. The social aspect of GHOST IN THE WIND is just as entertaining as the mystery. I love the family feeling in this Haunted Guesthouse series, which includes the resident ghosts. The relationships are so tight-knit and the characters are so well-defined and complex, they enrich the story enormously. GHOST IN THE WIND also had Alison trying to get along and make friends with her boyfriend's friends. The comedy of errors that is Alison's attempt at making new friends adds a lot of humor which alleviates some of the tension.

The mysterious death of Vanessa McTiernan, daughter of ghost musician and temporary squatter Vince, makes for an engaging puzzle for a few reasons. It is not immediately obvious that there actually was a murder, and the client isn't completely reliable. Vince isn't a bad guy, but Paul's instincts as an investigator tell him Vince is picking and choosing what he tells them. So in addition to hunting down a possible murderer, Alison has to sort through everything Vince says and separate fact from fiction. There are a few thrills and chills in GHOST IN THE WIND, but the humor balances them out. The small secondary mystery involving a wandering female ghost keeps the reader guessing and mixes things up a little.

GHOST IN THE WIND is brimming with spooks of all kinds along for the ride—both familiar friends and unexpected guests. Although she is a reluctant sleuth, I like that Alison gets some acknowledgement from other characters that her detecting skills are improving. I eagerly await the next book in this phenomenal Haunted Guesthouse series by E.J. Copperman.

Book Summary

Murder and mystery on the Jersey Shore from the national bestselling author of Inspector Specter...

Never meet your heroes—especially when they’re dead…

Guesthouse owner, single mother, and reluctant ghost whisperer Alison Kerby is about to sit down to movie night with her family and friends when she’s struck speechless. Floating before her is the ghost of her musical idol, 1960s English rock star Vance McTiernan. He’s in desperate need of help from Alison and her resident ghostly gumshoe, Paul Harrison.

Reports claim that four months ago, Vance’s daughter died from a drug overdose. Vance, however, thinks she was murdered. While Alison agrees to help, Paul is suspicious of Vance’s motives. But after the body of the alleged killer is found in the movie room, Alison and Paul must act quickly before someone else finds a stairway to heaven...