Insider Joe by Kelly Young

My favourite ghost is back in the third installment of the Haunted and Harassed series by Kelly Young. Joe is a bit more curmudgeonly than Casper the Friendly Ghost, but he has a lot of spirit, making him not only fun, but lovable. From his botched idioms to his criticism of change, grumpy old Joe adds humour to what would otherwise be an eerie haunting. I enjoyed seeing the many faces of Joe and learning some of his secrets when the old shed on his former property was demolished during renovations.

Insider Joe drew me in with its story of a cold case involving the Mafia, and the camaraderie of human characters and ghosts kept me entertained. Main characters, Carmen and Bass, joined by their sidekick funeral home owners, Will and Pat, develop an unexpected alliance with Detective Wolsey. Their attempt to solve a decades-old murder case is helped and thwarted by the antics and tantrums of Joe and the ghostly murder victim. Terrifying scenes (it is, after all, a ghost story) mingle with humorous exchanges and a touch of Shakespearean romance. 

Intrigue builds as shocking facts are exposed during this cold case investigation. Author Kelly Young’s easy-going writing style sets the reader directly into the story. I felt like I was right there with the characters, jumping at all the appropriate spots, shocked at each new revelation, mouth dropping at the ‘Wow’ moment with its unexpected twist.

Readers will appreciate the Canadian setting and references to real places. Locals will love reading about familiar places, and non-locals will enjoy the virtual trip to Ontario. And for cat lovers, a dash of felines, ghostly and real, adds to the reading pleasure. There’s so much to love about Joe and his friends in this most cozy and ghostly Canadian mystery. Bet you can’t read just one book. This series is a must-read for fans of humorous paranormal cozies. And if you’re not a fan yet, you will be.