Inspector Specter

By: E.J. Copperman

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Just when she thought she'd seen everything... Detective Lieutenant Anita McElone is one of Harbor Haven's finest. She's also a hard-boiled ghost skeptic. So when she shows up on the doorstep of Alison Kerby's Haunted Guesthouse to ask for supernatural help in solving the murder of her former partner, it's hard to tell which woman is more flabbergasted. But McElone is dead serious, so Alison promises to help in any way she can - even asking her resident ghosts, Paul and Maxie, for help with the case. As Paul's spirit source reveals some troubling information about the deceased detective, Alison wrestles with what to tell McElone. First, though, she has to find her... because the lieutenant has suddenly disappeared.

©2014 Jeffrey Cohen (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wish there were more in the series!

What made the experience of listening to Inspector Specter the most enjoyable?

The narrator. She is absolutely fantastic.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters of Paul and Maxie.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was at the end when Lt. McElone showed gratitude to the main character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

All of these books in the series are excellent.

Fun Little Mystery with Ghosts

The story revolves around a B&B that has two resident ghosts. This are not dangerous/vicious ghosts but do have unique personalities. One ghost is an ex-private eye who pesters the owner of the B&B to assist him in his sleuthing. The beginning third of the story is a bit slow but gets moving quickly as the story develops. Its a cute story.

Hilariously entertaining!

What made the experience of listening to Inspector Specter the most enjoyable?

It was great to finally see Anita involved in a paranormal situation.

What did you like best about this story?

That Anita and Allison became closer afterward.

Have you listened to any of Amanda Ronconi’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have listened to them all and I have a hard time choosing a favorite. I'm waiting for more!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really enjoyed it, all the more because I've listened to the rest and feel "at home" with the characters. It's kind of a comforting feeling.

Any additional comments?

I'd highly recommend anyone who likes a haunting story, but more on the "light" side, to listen to these books.

The series is getting very formulaic

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It's a decent listen to pass the time, but there's nothing really earth-shattering here.

Would you be willing to try another book from E.J. Copperman? Why or why not?

Yes. I like the series, and it seems to be progressing toward something very interesting, but it's doing so slowly with a lot of the mundane and annoying as filler.

What about Amanda Ronconi’s performance did you like?

Amanda is the perfect voice for Allisen. She has the exasperated and snarky tone down perfectly. Unfortunately, she can also come across a bit whiny as well.

Any additional comments?

We get a few peeks into more of the dynamics of the ghost world in this book, and Paul seems to be progressing along nicely.

Unfortunately, outside of that we have the typical formula. A case is reluctantly taken on by our "heroin", she stumbles through it, and constantly missing obvious clues to her case and to the side story that is going on. The author is also very lazy in how she allows this to drag on as well ("I was about to make the phone call that would end all this silly, drawn-out drama, but oh something else came up... for the third time), which makes it even more frustrating.

I wish Allisen were a smarter, less annoying character, but I do love the supernatural aspect of the series.

I love this series

The books in this series are so good that I am sad when I come to the end. The characters are well developed and funny. Their are enough personality quirks that make the characters come and alive. and seem real. The plot is rich with many twists and turns so it never becomes stagnant. This is one of my favorite series and I can't wait until the next book is available.

Great book

loved it! great twists. kept me listening. look forward to more! keep them coming E.J.

Clever and Amusing

I thought the story cleverly done. Light hearted mystery. Reader seemed to fit the character well.

Excellent

I love this book. I have listened to all The Haunted Guest House stories one after the other and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I laughed out loud on many occasions.
The narration was so good, I was sad when I got to the end. Amanda Ronconi is a joy to listen to.

this was 1 of the best yet!

if you are following any of these fun mysteries at the guesthouse "down the shore" of New Jersey.. then u will enjoy this chapter. our family of special folks that are on another plane are still trying to help their Private Eye business thrive. Alison's only concern is how to be the best host possible. including the special tour group that comes back for the covert haunt experience at a real haunted house. Isn't it great? Enjoy!

funny

loved it! nice exciting story. kept my interest and couldn't wait to get back to it.

Another lovely installment

As entertaining and comforting as previous novels in the saga, McElone's plunge into the ghost world is hilarious, and all the other characters we know and love are in top form too.

A truly good read, light humorous and fun.

If you could sum up Inspector Specter in three words, what would they be?

fun, witty, enjoyable

Who was your favorite character and why?

very much the mother, she was just a loveable character.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

again, I find this question so difficult because the story, was so enjoyable and just a pleasure to read.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes in places I certainly laughed, but did not really cry.

Any additional comments?

A great read, try investigating the work also of Chris Fieldwater, he has written some great works, and I understand not everyone would enjoy his work, but in my eyes most enjoyable, much like Km woods as well and John Ringo,

Great cozy mystery as usual!

I love this series! great humour and interesting mystery going on all read with great charisma

Good story.

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were likeable and fun. The story was amusing and interesting. I thought the narrator did a good job and was easy to listen to.

Ok, but…

the premise is intriguing and in fairness, it lives up to expectations for the most part, at least with regards to the concept. For me, the problem was the narration. I found her voice irritating in the extreme and her inflections gave the story the impression of a low budget US drama on some obscure channel. Perhaps to an American audience the reception is more positive, but to myself, from the UK, it felt quite tacky. I wish I had read this book instead, I suspect that I may have enjoyed it more but as it stands, I was unable move past the low budget made for TV vibe.

If you don’t want to claw your own ears after five minutes, give it a listen, if you do, it doesn’t get better, run away!

okay but not great

slightly entertaining and with the feeling it was written to become a kids television series. Nothing nasty ever seems to happen even if people are killed it's made nice and slightly funny.

So, far, my favourite!

I know some reviewers have complained about the side stories with Alison's best friend, Jeannie, her husband, Tony and baby Ollie, but you know what, I quite enjoyed Ollie going "Ga!" and Amanda Ronconi saying it! My only gripe is I hate the term "Baby Girl" used by adult men referring to adult women. Creepy.
I thought this story really brought Allison and Detective Lieutenant Anita McElone's relationship forward somewhat. Deep down, you know Anita *likes* Allison a little bit and just tollerates her. Can't wait to listen to the next in the series!

Beyond cosy crime

Who knew there were new crime genres out there. This book is in a league of its own.

There are ghosts. You will not forget that because the author will remind you constantly. Why the laptop flies across the room. Why the handkerchief appears from nowhere…

Either this book is for people with the memory of a goldfish or it’s been edited by someone paid by the word published.

Not so much cosy crime as coma crime. Not for me.

Spectator

Again, I loved it. Copperman is a terrific writer with great insites and humour! Amanda Riconi is an excellent narrator and really brings the stories to life! Can't wait for the next one!

Too Complicated, and a Pointless Side Story.

Oh dear. Why is the pointless side story back? The last book was the best so far - clear, concise, and no waffle.
Every occasion the Ollie side story appeared, I wanted to shout, "Stop Wasting Time!". No point to it - it adds nothing to theme, plot progression or character development.
Enough ranting.
I listened in 3 large chunks over 3 days. Good original idea for a plot, but it became over complicated and I lost interest. Maybe some of the characters were not honed as well as usual. Maybe there were just far too many characters (why the bikini girl? why the seaside hat waving? - would've worked just as well with all that cut out). People were introduced that had the potential to become involved and move the story forward...but then they simply disappeared.
Maybe edited by someone different in the publishing house? The least enjoyable of all Haunted Guesthouse Books so far.