Alison knows the house must have a lot of history, she doesn’t realize at first just how much, nor does she realize there are still two people, well ghosts, in residence. Maxie was the previous owner of the house and died in it, along with a Canadian PI, Paul. Their deaths were officially ruled a double suicide, but a hit on the head with a bucket of compound allows Alison to see her two housemates who ask Alison to investigate their murders. 

The pair barely knew each other and were not romantically involved but died one night after the town council agreed with Maxie that her house should not be sold to a developer hoping to develop a stretch of Harbor Haven shore line. Alison knows nothing about investigating a murder and really needs to get her house in order before November to get the bookings she’ll need for the following summer. 

Still, it’s an intriguing proposition, and with the caveat that Melissa is not to be placed in any danger, Alison starts nosing around and soon finds people other than the developer who are interested in her house providing her with several suspects. When one of her suspects dies, the field narrows, but the stakes increase as someone demands Alison turns something over that she does not have if she ever wants to see her daughter again.  

Night of the Living Deed is a fast-paced, enjoyable mystery with a wise-cracking, but no nonsense, sensible heroine. Alison is immediately likable, as is Paul (Maxie takes a while to grow on you), and daughter Melissa is precocious without being precious. The mystery is fast paced and there red herrings galore, many suspects and several possible motives to keep readers guessing until the end. At first, Alison doesn’t want to see Maxie and Paul, but once she accepts that she can, she learns a family secret and becomes fond of her two permanent house guests. 

Readers can expect good fun from start to finish, a great cast of characters and new friends to help Alison adjust to her new life.  It’s good to have friends—even if they’re ghosts.                                                    

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry