An Open Spook

If you're a fan of the Haunted Guesthouse series, this book takes place from the POV of Alison's mother. In the books, Alison's POV is that her mom is a bit of a loveable dingbat who cannot see anything short of perfection when it comes to her daughter and granddaughter. This comes through loud and clear in this novella, and it's a bit wide-eyed for my tastes, but it's not overbearing.

If you're not already reading the haunted guesthouse series, this little novella would do well as a stand alone short-story, I think. The ghosts in this book (and the series) are very interactive and work with Alison to help solve mysteries; both for the living and the dead. It's a bit scooby gangish, but it's entertaining.

This particular short story's show more plot centers on the POW/MIA bracelets that were worn during the Vietnam era to show support for those that didn't come home. I liked the author's handling of the subject; she doesn't lean one way or the other (anti or pro war) but she's respectful throughout to both the soldiers and those that protested. I also liked how the author took a long held belief and twisted it around to show that sometimes, we might think we're doing the right thing by holding on, but it could be that letting go is what's ultimately the best. I learned more than a few facts about the bracelets (before my time) and I especially liked the small addendum at the end of the novella.

My favourite line from the story comes from a conversation between Alison's mother and her deceased husband's ghost:

“Don’t sell yourself short,” I told my deceased husband. “Your heart was in the right place.”
“Technically, my heart is in an urn somewhere, isn’t it?” show less

over all, these are clean, whimsical, cute books, even if the world view is a bit off. 'nuff said to explain the 5-star rating

told from the perspective of allison kirby's mother, loretta. her father conveniently absent in this one after having just returned in the last book.

plot: tribute to/reminder of the viet nam war; both sides of the story equally represented (briefly). story centered on POW bracelets. interesting take and different from the other books. whole thing occurs during a hurricane where the characters are trapped in the guesthouse w/the power out.

Book 203 - EJ Copperman - An Open Spook

I wish I could find something good to say about this hauntingly awful short novella. Linked with WW2 bracelets and why someone hasn’t moved on to the other side after dying….is…quite embarrassingly bad in almost its whole premise.

A mother and daughter who not only can see ghosts but use them to ‘solve’ supernatural problems. The potential was there for something better but it is just deep story finished with a deep sigh.

Yawn…

A ghost comes back, looking for the POW bracelet that is holding him back from moving onto the other side with his also now dead fiancée, whom he recently reconnected with.

Apparently, the newest guest in the Guesthouse has the last remaining bracelet w/ the Sargent's name on it.

The book was actually a short story, and it is told from the main character's mother's point of view.... Which I found weird & didn't much like.

I also didn't like the abrupt switching of time going back to when the narrator originally bought her POW bracelet and the events that happened around her bracelet.

I felt as if the author just wrote something to appease those of us who hadn't heard from her in a while... Not a great or well written effort.

An Open Spook A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
This story is about POW bracelets and ghosts. It's a short novel and first book by this author for me. I did not enjoy the narrator's voice at all! I am glad it was a short book!