So Happy I Found E.J. Copperman

Amanda Ronconi is one of my favorite audio book narrators. I will often try an unfamiliar author based on the narrators, which is why I gave Night of the Living Deed a listen. I am so happy that I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters, and look forward to listening to all the books in the series.

74 people found this helpful

Fun but no cigar

The start of a new series with ghosts and killers and quirky characters, but it's still missing something. Night of the Living Deed, tells the story of Alison, a single mother who receives a whack on the head and now can see ghosts. And the first ones she meets ask her to solve their murders. All this while she's trying to open up a guest house on the Jersey Shore. Let's do this as a pro and con list.

Pro: the author really loves her characters and wants to explore them, the plot isn't predictable, the book delivers on its promise to be fun without being serious, it's a fast read, there are endless opportunities for stories in the future of the series, the narrator is just great.

Cons: there isn't a lot of plot and when it happens there will inevitably be a scene recapping everything so far, the jokes only work some of the time, the author isn't really exploring the idea of the main character seeing ghosts nearly as much as she could so it feels underwhelming, the mystery isn't a primary focus, there isn't very much suspense even as the narrator's life is threatened and in danger, there isn't much development, and there is very little interpersonal drama.

I might read more of the series, but it didn't grab my attention very well.

34 people found this helpful

Had a blast listening to this one!

Listened for fun (Audible)
Tracking Books Read Review (Short)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.25

Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Night of the Living Deed had great characters, a solid mystery, and ghosts who added a bit of unusual to the story!

Story Thoughts: Confession: I picked up this book based on the fact that Amanda Ronconi narrated it. Yes I have gotten to the point where I will pick up books that I haven't heard of because of the narrators. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed the story. I had not heard of E.J. Copperman but I think fans of Juliet Blackwell's Haunted Renovation series would really like this one. Alison is a strong leading lady, single mom, and she can see ghosts which is problematic at times. This particular element has a twist in that one of the ghosts is a private detective trying to solve his own murder. What ensues is just a fun who-dun-it with ghosts, moms, daughters, PTA's, and house renovations. Overall this was just a ton of fun and I can't wait for the 2nd one to come out in audio (these are older books so they are already out in ebook).

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Amanda Ronconi / Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins


Amanda Ronconi simply rocks in most cases and this was no exception. She pulled off Allison, her daughter, her mother, and the two ghosts extremely well. Her timing was dead-on and the personality used was perfect for the characters. I totally recommend this one on audio!

Final Thoughts: Night of the Living Deed surprised me with fun, ghosts, and a leading lady I could root for!

87 people found this helpful

Great Diversion from Daily Life

If you could sum up Night of the Living Deed in three words, what would they be?

Good. Clean. Fun.

What three words best describe Amanda Ronconi’s voice?

Smirk, sarcastic... can't think of a third right now

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

I did laugh out loud sometimes, which always makes my family wonder about my mental health since they don't listen to or enjoy audiobooks. But hey, as long as I'm in my happy place, they pretty much just let me be.

Any additional comments?

This is a nice light listen, although a little too formulaic for my liking. You know pretty early what's going to happen, and the author and reader both know that you know, so I guess that draws the reader in as though we're in cahoots with the whole thing, but willingly going along for the ride anyway. The story gives you enough insight into the characters that you will want to read more to find out what happens next. I love Amanda's voice, just perfect for the main character, although she lacks range for the other characters, especially children and men. But overall, well matched to the story line.

What I like best is that the author doesn't need to get too far into the grim /violent climax a lot of other mystery writers fall into, messing up a perfectly good story by thinking they need to go out with a big bang or shocking finale. I can't think of how many books I will replay only up until a certain point because I hate the gratuitous violence. Character and plot development doesn't really need that thrown in, just seems to be part of the formula for unimaginative writers these days.

I will buy other books in the series, unless they fall below 8 hours in length

27 people found this helpful

Entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Night of the Living Deed the most enjoyable?

Ok so maybe the whole story line is slightly cheezy but it is very entertaining. The characters seem very real...even the spirits. I enjoy listening to books that are offbeat and entertaining and this qualified.

What about Amanda Ronconi’s performance did you like?

Good narration, easy to listen to and each character was could be singled out.

15 people found this helpful

Nice book, won't be continuing the series

This was a cute little novel. There was a fun mystery. The characters were "wacky" and "way out". There were ghosts.

This is probably a great read for many mystery fans. It's light. Which is actually what I really enjoyed about it. I don't require serious reading and deep and meaningful themes in my murder. However, the kid was way too annoying. Please. Either our heroine is the worst mom ever (with the worst relationship with her own mom) or the kid is, well, annoying (to repeat myself.) I don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but trust me, children who act like that one (and who are encouraged to act that way by all the adults around them EXCEPT the mother) have issues. And why does the mother allow these people to hang around? Oh, wait, she can't help it.

Perhaps if the heroine had taken a bit more control of her life instead of always being "forced" into the actions of others. I could have thought of 15 ways to not have gotten into some of the stupid situations that she faced. Sure, Monday morning quarter-backing, but hey, I didn't write it (and yes, it is certainly better than anything I could produce-it's cute).

But I wanted more. Or perhaps better. Better character development. A plot line that really made sense with regard to motivation.

I actually, despite the problems, do recommend this book. It is an easy "read" and a bit of fun. I just don't think that I can continue with the series.

61 people found this helpful

Allison is Annoyed - So Am I

Alison Kirby is the main character in this book. She's is under alot of stress. She is recently divorced. She has taken on the challenge of rehabilitating an old house. She discovers that the house is haunted. Someone has threatened to kill her.

I understand and empathize with Allison complaining and being annoyed - alot. However, i got tired of listening to it. It is true that there are some humerous moments in the book. I found myself laughing out loud more than once.

These humerous moments were not enough to win me over. If the tone changes in subsequent books in the series I may try it again. For right now, this series isn't for me.

42 people found this helpful

Too many "Huh?" instances... (spoilers)

I can believe in the ghosts, no problem, but I had a hard time thinking this woman - Alison Kerby - has the brains of a gnat. She gets phone calls demanding a 'treasure' the caller believes is in Alison's old house and Alison runs around ringing her hands. "Oh my, oh my, what AM I going to do!". I like mysteries from hard edge Jeff Lindsay's Dexter to the cozy Hamish MacBeth stories so don't get me wrong. This story is too full of areas where you are pulled out of the story with a "Huh? nobody is that stupid". AND - although there is much said - repeatedly - about her poor financial condition and she is supporting a nine year old, she decides in the end to generously 'donate' said treasure (worth quite a lot of money!) so "that way I don’t have to worry about it" She has been throughout the story trying to get this "guesthouse" renovated and ready for paying guests and has constantly said how scared she is that she won't make it. So she gives away a fortune. What??

Plus everything gets very neatly tried up - suddenly - in the end, Very tidy. Very Lifetime for Women.

The ghosts are very nice.

11 people found this helpful

LOVED IT

I loved this book, it has humor, murder, and a sorta love interest, which I would have like to see go further.

14 people found this helpful

It got a little boring

What did you like best about Night of the Living Deed? What did you like least?

I like the idea of solving the murder of the ghosts, but the plot dragged on a little too long.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting aspect of the story was the interaction of the ghosts and solving the murders. Least interesting was the maybe going to be a romance/have to fix up my house plot that didn't seem to go anywhere. There just wasn't enough hook and I didn't finish this book.

What three words best describe Amanda Ronconi’s voice?

It's more than three words but "All men sound like Zeb" pretty much describes it. She is an amazing narrator and I find books because of her, but yeah, it's kind of funny.

6 people found this helpful