Please welcome E. J. Copperman to The Qwillery. Inspector Specter is the the 6th novel in the Haunted Guesthouse Mystery series. It features Alison Kerby in her roles as guesthouse owner, Mom, good friend, and private investigator. Detective Lieutenant Anita McElone asks Alison to find out who killed her former partner. In this story we find out a lot about Lt. McElone, who does not believe in ghosts. Featured also are resident guesthouse ghosts, Maxie and Paul, Alison's Mom and Dad (a ghost), and other regulars from the series. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments that display Coppermans's usual wit and sense of humor. This is a fun read with a large cast of characters, surprises and an engaging mystery. If you haven't read any of the prior novels in the series you can jump in here as the backstory is presented without breaking the rhythm of the novel. Inspector Specter is out today.
I have had people tell me that my ghosts aren’t realistic enough.
It’s hard to argue with something like that, particularly since I don’t know any ghosts personally, but as the author of books that have some characters who didn’t take the hint when they died, I have a responsibility to treat the subject seriously, especially when readers are the ones bringing it up.
When you write ghost characters—as I do in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series—you complicate some matters while you simplify others. Yes, you have to deal with the idea that ghosts are in some ways different from the living. But you get to make up all the rules yourself, so you can decide how they’re different.
Be careful when you do that in your novel. If this turns out to be a series, you’ll be stuck with the choices you make for any subsequent books. Readers don’t mind if you make up rules, but they get very testy when you break them.
The central question, however, becomes one of belief. If a writer creates characters who have distinct personalities, who react to things based on who they are and not what the plot demands—but they happen to have died—you’re halfway home. Make the reader believe in the character, and the reader will (usually) sign on to follow that character. Do something cute but artificial, and the reader will (usually) put down the book and go watch TV for a while.
At book signings and “appearances” (that word always makes me feel like I’m going to materialize in a puff of smoke when a genii incants some, you know, incantation) I’ll sometimes get asked the question directly, and that’s when things get tricky:
“Do you believe in ghosts yourself?”
There is no safe haven in that question. If I say that don’t believe in ghosts, I might offend those among my readers who are certain they’ve seen such things. On the other hand, if I declare that I believe in spirits of the undead coexisting with those of us who are un-undead, I run the risk of having some of my audience thinking I’m a nut.
Either way, that’s not how you want to go.
I usually try to sidestep the question by being hilarious (that trick never works), or by saying that I can’t say for sure because I haven’t had any such experiences. But some readers are especially insistent on the subject. Again, I won’t confirm or deny, but I’ll say that people I respect have told me they’ve had experiences they can’t explain, so I take them at their word.
Then, being the slick huckster that I am, I’ll tell them my new book INSPECTOR SPECTER concerns a complete ghost skeptic, Lt. Anita McElone (rhymes with “macaroni”) of the Harbor Haven police department, who under the stress of losing her ex-partner asks Alison Kerby, my main “ghost whisperer,” to contact his spirit and ask him who shot him. It’s the story of someone who doesn’t believe forcing herself to believe because she doesn’t see an alternative.
Okay, so I haven’t used that one yet. But it definitely deserves a tryout. If you see me at a bookstore or a convention (or anyplace but a public restroom) feel free to bring up the subject so I can use that line and see how you react.
Either way, I’ll be glad to see you. As long as you’re not a ghost.
It’s hard to argue with something like that, particularly since I don’t know any ghosts personally, but as the author of books that have some characters who didn’t take the hint when they died, I have a responsibility to treat the subject seriously, especially when readers are the ones bringing it up.
When you write ghost characters—as I do in the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series—you complicate some matters while you simplify others. Yes, you have to deal with the idea that ghosts are in some ways different from the living. But you get to make up all the rules yourself, so you can decide how they’re different.
Be careful when you do that in your novel. If this turns out to be a series, you’ll be stuck with the choices you make for any subsequent books. Readers don’t mind if you make up rules, but they get very testy when you break them.
The central question, however, becomes one of belief. If a writer creates characters who have distinct personalities, who react to things based on who they are and not what the plot demands—but they happen to have died—you’re halfway home. Make the reader believe in the character, and the reader will (usually) sign on to follow that character. Do something cute but artificial, and the reader will (usually) put down the book and go watch TV for a while.
At book signings and “appearances” (that word always makes me feel like I’m going to materialize in a puff of smoke when a genii incants some, you know, incantation) I’ll sometimes get asked the question directly, and that’s when things get tricky:
“Do you believe in ghosts yourself?”
There is no safe haven in that question. If I say that don’t believe in ghosts, I might offend those among my readers who are certain they’ve seen such things. On the other hand, if I declare that I believe in spirits of the undead coexisting with those of us who are un-undead, I run the risk of having some of my audience thinking I’m a nut.
Either way, that’s not how you want to go.
I usually try to sidestep the question by being hilarious (that trick never works), or by saying that I can’t say for sure because I haven’t had any such experiences. But some readers are especially insistent on the subject. Again, I won’t confirm or deny, but I’ll say that people I respect have told me they’ve had experiences they can’t explain, so I take them at their word.
Then, being the slick huckster that I am, I’ll tell them my new book INSPECTOR SPECTER concerns a complete ghost skeptic, Lt. Anita McElone (rhymes with “macaroni”) of the Harbor Haven police department, who under the stress of losing her ex-partner asks Alison Kerby, my main “ghost whisperer,” to contact his spirit and ask him who shot him. It’s the story of someone who doesn’t believe forcing herself to believe because she doesn’t see an alternative.
Okay, so I haven’t used that one yet. But it definitely deserves a tryout. If you see me at a bookstore or a convention (or anyplace but a public restroom) feel free to bring up the subject so I can use that line and see how you react.
Either way, I’ll be glad to see you. As long as you’re not a ghost.
Inspector Specter
A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery 6
Berkley, December 2, 2014
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery 6
Berkley, December 2, 2014
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
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.
About the Author
E.J. Copperman is the author of the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime, continuing with INSPECTOR SPECTER December 2.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
E.J. Copperman is the author of the Haunted Guesthouse mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime, continuing with INSPECTOR SPECTER December 2.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
The Giveaway
What: One entrant will win a Mass Market Paperback copy of Inspector Spectre (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery 6) from the publisher. US ONLY
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on December 10, 2014. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change.*
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What a fascinating and captivating book which I would treasure and enjoy greatly. E.J. Cooperman is a great writer and the books are intriguing and unique. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love the ghosts in this series---I'm really getting attached to them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating book! The Haunted Guesthouse Mystery is a new series for me. Love ghost stories and have added this book to my wishlist. Thanks for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeletebhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
A ghost detective to solve unsolved crimes. That would so neat.
ReplyDeleteInteresting premise
ReplyDeleteI love this series.
ReplyDeletekaye.killgore@comcast.net