annieb123's Review of Ukulele of Death (A Fran and Ken Stein Mystery)

by E. J. Copperman

Meet Fran and Ken Stein - a private investigator duo who refuse to let a little thing like being not entirely human stop them from doing their jobs.

"Twisty and bonkers and fun" Multi award-winning author Catriona McPherson

After losing their parents when they were just babies, private investigators Fran and Ken Stein now specialize in helping adoptees find their birth parents. So when a client asks them for help finding her father, with her only clue a rare ukulele, the case is a little weird, sure, but it's nothing they can't handle.

But soon Fran and her brother are plunged into a world where nothing makes sense - and not just the fact that a very short (but very cute) NYPD detective keeps trying to take eternal singleton Fran out on dates.

All Fran wants to do is find the ukulele and collect their fee, but it's hard to keep your focus when you're stumbling over corpses and receiving messages that suggest your (dead) parents are very much alive.

Ukuleles aside, it's becoming clear that someone knows something they shouldn't - that Fran and Ken Stein weren't so much born, as built . . .

The Ukulele of Death is the first in a new series of light-hearted, paranormal tinged mysteries that are filled with off-beat humor, heart and the wry wisdom that's E.J. Copperman's signature style.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Ukulele of Death is the first book in a new SF(ish) mystery series by pseudonymous author E.J. Copperman. Released 2nd May 2023 by Severn House, it's 284 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a tongue in cheek lightly humorous mystery opener with a brother/sister pair of private investigators who aren't entirely human, but not entirely robot either. There are quirky aspects which are never really explored, such as them having to plug in to recharge occasionally (but not consistently). There's also endless repartee around their physical appearance, Fran is remarkably tall, and the author never lets an opportunity pass to comment on it.

The plot and investigative puzzles are pretty well constructed and the writing is entertaining and lighthearted. The humor will be hit or miss for most readers. I found it repetitive and trying in places. I did love the premise of semi-human super intelligent created protagonists and thought the background and world building for the overarching evil-shadow-corporation back-story was intriguingly done.

Four stars. Odd but eminently readable; tries too hard to be funny in some places. Credible plot and well executed.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Reading updates

17 May, 2023: Started reading

17 May, 2023: Finished reading

17 May, 2023: Reviewed