Book Review: 'Body on Ice: A Vermont Murder Mystery' by Alan S. Kessler

✰✰✰✰ A pastor's wife, known for her contributions as a Red Cross Volunteer, has hidden a secret life for years. When she's found dead under scandalous circumstances, her secret comes to light. Her marriage has been a sham, and she has enjoyed the "sporting" life. There's no shortage of suspects, but with city corruption manipulating the investigation, it's questionable whether justice will ever be served. This fast-paced story of sex, lies, and corruption will keep your attention as you try to keep track of the clues. 1919 was definitely a year to be remembered.

The Bottom Line: Based on a true story, this novella keeps you guessing with twists and turns and layers of corruption. Just when you think you have it figured out, there’s a surprise at the end. This is a page-turner that left me wishing it had been longer. Enthusiastically recommended for adult fans of mystery based on true events.

Details: Body on Ice: A Vermont Murder Mystery by Alan S. Kessler. Paperback published by Leviathan Books in 2024. 110 p. 978-1938394850 [NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.] 

Book Review: 'Old Haunts' by E. J. Copperman

✰✰✰✰½ Alison Kerby, the proprietor of a haunted Jersey Shore guesthouse, has her hands full with renovations while hosting guests at the same time, not to mention raising her daughter. She just barely has it all under control. What she doesn't anticipate is that things are about to get a lot more interesting when ‘The Swine’ (that's Alison’s ex-husband) suddenly shows up and books a room.

While her daughter is thrilled, Alison has reservations. However, it seems that Alison is not the only one dealing with memories from the past. Both resident ghosts, Maxie and Paul, are haunted by memories of their own exes. Maxie longs to know what happened to her murdered biker, and Paul just wants to know that his ex is doing okay.

Alison agrees find some answers to keep her ghosts happy; after all they have a daily haunting to put on for guests. In doing so, Alison finds herself in a heap of trouble. Between renovating, sleuthing, and raising her daughter, Alison must somehow tactfully keep The Swine at bay.

The Bottom Line: The third installment of The Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries filled me with laughter as I can easily relate to having problems with an ex-spouse. Copperman’s writing style is engaging and fun to read; I look forward to reading more installments in this series. This is the perfect beach read in the summer or cozy up to the fireplace on a cold winter evening with this entertaining mystery. Wholeheartedly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries, paranormal mysteries, and anyone who has ever had to deal with a narcissistic ex. 

Details: Old Haunts (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery) by E. J. Copperman. Paperback published by Berkley in 2012. 304 p. ISBN: 978-0-425-24620-7

Book Review: 'We're Going on a Goon Hunt' by Michael Rex

✰✰✰✰✰ On a spooky night a family goes looking for a goon. Not any goon will do. They are looking for a green one. The goon hunt takes them through a pumpkin patch, swamp, graveyard, and more as they search for the bald, green one. Along the way, the family feels more and more scared, but together they continue. Will they be brave enough to find it?

The Bottom Line: With repeating lines and subtle changes in text, beginning readers will enjoy reading this aloud over and over again. The engaging illustrations feature digitally colored pencil drawings resulting in sharp lines and cool colors. As a companion book to Goodnight Goon, this one is both funny and fun. Highly recommended seasonal reading with your little one or for storytimes.

Details: We’re Going on a Goon Hunt: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex. Hardcover picture book published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-9848-1362-6 

Book Review: 'Oh No, Not Ghosts!' by Richard Michelson

✰✰✰½ With their dad asleep, two siblings try not to make a peep. However, it’s hard to ignore that sound. Could it be ghosts, werewolves, or giants? Oh no, it’s something scarier. Or is it? Check out this suspenseful, seasonal picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: A little bit creepy, and a little bit scary, this picture book demonstrates through rhymes and engaging illustrations that there’s no such thing as ghosts. For seasonal reading and storytime for kids ages 5 - 7.

Details: Oh No, Not Ghosts! written by Richard Michelson & illustrated by Adam McCauley. Picture book published by Harcourt, Inc. in 2006. 44 p. ISBN: 0-15-205186-4  

Book Review: 'The Vanishing Pumpkin' by Tony Johnston

✰✰✰✰½ Johnston and dePaola team up again to bring readers this delightful tale of a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man who just want to make a pumpkin pie on Halloween. Lo and behold, their pumpkin is missing. This just won’t do, so the old couple set off to look for it. Join them as they question a ghoul, a rapscallion, a varmint, and an old wizard. Each has motives to steal the prized pumpkin, but who really did it? This book will keep you turning the pages with a surprise ending.

The Bottom Line: While searching the shelves for new Halloween books to review, I came across this blast from the past. Perfect seasonal reading for kids in grades 1 - 3, this picture book probably has more words in it that kids are used to today, so be prepared to read-along. Illustrated in dePaola’s signature style, this book is enthusiastically recommended.

Details: The Vanishing Pumpkin written by Tony Johnston & pictures by Tomie dePaola. Hardcover picture book published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 1983. 30 p. ISBN: 0-399-20991-3 

Book Review: 'Ralph Masiello's Halloween Drawing Book' by Ralph Masiello

✰✰✰✰½ Kids and adults who have a fascination with Halloween will relish this spooky instructional book on how to draw all things Halloween. Just grab a sheet of white paper or a sketchbook along with a pencil or pen and you're all set to go. Choose from the usual seasonal offerings like pumpkins, bats, and ghosts or for an extra challenge take a stab at owls, ravens and skeletons. There's many more projects to choose from too. [Note: I'm partial to the haunted mansion myself ;)]

The Bottom Line: Kids and adults alike will be inspired. With step-by step drawings so that you can follow along at your own pace, this book is sure to be a seasonal treat for those who love to draw all things Halloween. The lessons start out easy and get progressively more difficult as you turn the pages. Each subject includes a beautiful, mixed media full color finished example. The only thing that would have made it better is a few more tips on how to add color, but this is first and foremost a book about drawing. If you enjoyed this one, check out one of the others as this is just one of many books in the Ralph Masiello's Drawing Book Series which includes topics like dinosaurs, dragons, and bugs. Enthusiastically recommended for artists of all ages who enjoy drawing seasonal, spooky pictures.

Details: Ralph Masiello's Halloween Drawing Book: Simple Steps Make Anyone an Artist written & illustrated by Ralph Masiello. Hardcover picture book published by Charlesbridge in 2012. 32 p.  ISBN: 978-1-57091-541-3 

Book Review: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky' by Jory John

✰✰✰ The Bad Seed is in a bad mood. Even though Halloween is his favorite holiday, he’s grumpy. He has no one to blame, but himself because he just couldn’t put together an awesome Halloween costume in time. Being a bad seed, he decides to trick the others into postponing Halloween to give himself more time. Will his antics work? Or will the others celebrate without him? Check out this short book to find out.

The Bottom Line: As the Bad Seed learns, there’s no need to take your bad mood out on others. Some things just aren’t that big of a deal, and all we need is someone to point this out. However, it’s never too late to make things right. This book is part of The Food Group series, and kids will enjoy this seasonal offering. Oswald’s illustrations were the highlight of this book; nevertheless, this installment didn’t have quite the snarkiness of the original.

[Note: This book comes with 150 spooky stickers; however, since I checked out a copy from a local library, there were none inside. Thus, the stickers were not a part of my book review.]

Details: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky written by Jory John & illustrated by Pete Oswald. Hardcover picture book published by HarperCollins in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-295454-1