Ukelele of Death

By E. J. Copperman

What a fun read! Humor, mystery, and a dash of sci-fi combine to make a sure-fire hit.

In Ukelele of Death , author E. J. Copperman introduces us to a new crime-solving duo — brother and sister Fran and Ken Stein. The characters play out the true love and drive-you-crazy aspect of any sibling relationship but with a secret bond and I’m not talking about their Private Investigation business helping people find birth parents.
Their names are your first clue. I imagined Fran, as the hilarious British actress Miranda Hart, whose self-titled series forever broke the fourth wall, telling viewers how she really felt. Ken, I see as a cross between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Steve Howey, who started out as the goofy football player son-in-law on Reba and now, almost 20 years later, playing Schwarzenegger’s role in the TV version of True Lies.

This is my first time reading Copperman, known for both his Haunted Guesthouse and Jersey Girl Legal Mystery series.

He hooked me with the very first line. Not only was I intrigued with Fran and the mystery from the onset, he introduced the rich supporting characters as the plot twisted and turned, offering satisfying chuckles all along the way.

I highly recommend Ukelele of Death to anyone looking for a new cozy series and an enjoyable, light beach read.

I received this advance reader copy from Simon & Schuster, courtesy of NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.

Order online or buy now at your favorite independent bookstore. Mine is Sellers Books and Art in Jim Thorpe, PA.

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

​By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs


 

While the 400 plus pages lay out an exciting story, with well-drawn characters and plot twists aplenty, I don’t know that I’ve ever been livid when I reached the end of a book — perhaps happy or sad to say goodbye to characters I came to know and care about but never angry. 

​But then, I can’t remember ever reading a book where the authors apologized and said they are working as fast as they can to write the next book. I had no idea this was the 21st book in the series. Perhaps Agent Pendergast fans may be more forgiving.

​While I do still recommend this excellent science fiction/fantasy mystery, it is with one caveat. Wait until the 22nd book in the series is available and thoroughly enjoy both together. Or if new to the series, read the sequence which will be the Leng Quartet, according to the authors: The Cabinet of Curiosities, BloodlessThe Cabinet of Dr. Leng and the yet to be published fourth book.

​I received this advance reader copy from Grand Central Publishing, courtesy of NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.  

Order online or buy now at your favorite independent bookstore. Mine is Sellers Books and Art in Jim Thorpe, PA.

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