Bones Behind the Wheel

November 5, 2018
In Copperman’s lively 10th Haunted Guesthouse mystery (after 2018’s The Hostess with the Ghostess), Alison Kerby—who has no problem with otherworldly investigators haunting her inn at the Jersey Shore—is disturbed when a Lincoln Continental containing a skeleton is unearthed in her backyard by crews working to fix erosion after Hurricane Sandy. The 30-year-old remains turn out to be those of local car dealer Herman Fitzsimmons, who had rivalries with other car dealers and a history of extramarital affairs. The upheaval of renovations at the inn; the disappearance of the Lincoln Continental in the middle of the night; and the hostility of a police lieutenant who dislikes amateur sleuths and paranormal phenomena complicate Alison’s life. With the help of husband Josh, ghost private detective Paul Harrison, and others both of this world and beyond, Alison zeroes in on the answers to the cold case. Copperman provides a ton of spirited fun for the reader. Agent: Josh Getzler, Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency.

November 1, 2018
An innkeeper calls on some friendly ghosts to discover who buried a corpse in a car that a crew of workmen doing beach replenishment has dug up on her property.Alison Kerby isn't the only human who can see Paul Harrison and Maxie Malone, the two free-spirited spirits who haunt her Jersey Shore guesthouse. Her mom and her daughter can also see and communicate with the pair. But so far, none of the guests sent by Senior Plus Tours have had the power the Kerby ladies share, so Alison can include two daily "spook shows" among the amenities she offers her guests. Unfortunately, the shows are about the only amenities on offer, since contractors Tony and Vic Mandorisi have put her kitchen out of commission in the course of fixing a beam that sustained damage from a bullet hole in her last adventure (The Hostess with the Ghostess, 2018). Meanwhile, heavy equipment operator Bill Harrelson has dug up most of her beach. The state had sent him out to shore up the dune line eroded in Superstorm Sandy, but Bill, hearing a tale of some pirate treasure that just might be buried on Alison's property, digs a wee hole to investigate. That little hole becomes a really big hole when Bill's shovel hits metal that's not part of a treasure chest but the roof of a vintage Lincoln Continental, complete with decomposed body in the front seat. From that point on, the detective work should really be left to Detective Lt. Anita McElone of the Harbor Haven police force, but gleeful Maxie and Paul couldn't be more excited by the prospect of another hot case. They drag Alison into the chase with results as tumultuous as they are predictable.Who says global warming has no effects on the little guy--or, in this case, gal? What begins as a simple hole in the ground ends up a three-ring circus, with a solution so convoluted only the most devoted fan can begin to appreciate.

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It may be November, but Alison Kerby still hopes to attract visitors to her guesthouse at the Jersey Shore. It doesn't help that there's no beach while the state uses heavy equipment to try to restore the dunes. It also doesn't help when the crew digs up a 1977 Lincoln Continental with a skeleton inside. Now, her beach is a crime scene, although it's a cold case for Det. Lt. Anita McElone. This time, Alison swears she won't investigate. Paul Harrison, Alison's resident ghost detective, and new husband Josh, have other ideas. Then someone steals the car and returns it the following night. When emeralds appear in her house, even Alison admits she's now involved. Her snarky relationship with the police detective adds to the humor in this offbeat, unconventional series with quirky characters. VERDICT Fans of Cleo Coyle's "Haunted Bookshop" series and Juliet Blackwell's "Haunted Home Renovation" mysteries will relish the amusing tone and sarcasm as Alison faces the challenge of running a beach retreat occupied by ghosts, while trying to solve the tenth case (following The Hostess with the Ghostess).--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

November 15, 2018
Innkeeper Alison Kerby, owner of the Haunted Guesthouse on the New Jersey coast, is stunned when she comes home to find an enormous hole in her backyard. Compounding the problem, the contractors doing the minor erosion control find a buried 1977 Lincoln Continental with a decades-old human skeleton in it. In addition to Alison and her family?precocious daughter Melissa and husband Josh?the inn also houses a quartet of ghosts, including Paul, a private investigator in life, and Maxie, once an interior designer and internet whiz. At first adamantly refusing to be drawn into another investigation by Paul, Alison relents when it becomes apparent that Josh, who cannot see or hear the ghosts, and Melissa, who can, are working with Paul to identify the killer. Adding to the chaos, Alison is having a beam replaced in her kitchen, and Maxie, whose interior-design ideas are decidedly odd, demands to remodel the space when the work is completed. Alison's humorous first-person account, featuring remarkably easy-to-believe ghosts, will appeal to fans of Kate Kingsbury's Merry Ghost Inn mysteries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)