"Switcheroo" By E.J. Copperman: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Having a unique perspective considering their own upbringing, siblings Fran and Ken Stein run their New York City K&F Stein Investigations specializing in locating parents and children of adoption. Their current client is Austin Cobb, a biracial autistic man who wants to hire Fran and Ken to find the parents who gave him up for adoption. Motivating the search is also his need to know whether his autism was the reason why his parents gave him away, but it’s more the fact that his adoptive parents signed nondisclosure agreements that has Fran especially concerned. She’s right to have her suspicions, as soon Fran is threatened, Ken ineffectually kidnapped, and the possible biological parents are linked to a murder

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Image Source Severn House

While most investigators would be extremely alarmed with the intimidation tactics, Ken and Fran are unique. Not only are they oversized and topping way over six feet tall each, they are genetically altered to have enhanced strength and charging portals. Their parents were genius scientists who have been forced to go into hiding themselves, leaving their children to be raised by their aunt. Fran has finally disclosed her special attributes to NYPD Detective Richard “Mank” Mankiewicz, at the same time ending their budding romantic relationship. That’s on her end though, as despite her always calling him for unofficial police help, Mank is more than open to having her in his life. Ken himself is busy with tracking down the mysterious Malcolm X. Mitchell, who claims not only to be another of their siblings but to also share their genetically altered biology.

By this third of the series, the science fiction element is less of a surprise and smoothly plays into the mystery plot. In fact, it’s easy to forget that Fran and Ken are genetic creations, right up until Fran easily hoists a thug off of the ground or throws a table across the room. Fran’s gift for snark and passive-aggressiveness are just as enhanced as her strength, both of which burst out whenever ruffians attempt to futilely intimidate her.

The author’s trademark humor continues to shine, as well as allowing him to return to topics explored in his earlier books which featured an amateur detective on the spectrum. Terms and diagnoses have changed, and here Fran has to adjust how she approaches Austin, taking into consideration his literalness and different forms of expressiveness. Ken and Fran continue to learn more about their background and their parents, and readers will delight in the investigations that allow for super heroism with genuine emotion and a dash of romance. Readers looking for a funny, entertaining twist on the private detective mystery genre will be delighted by this suspenseful, lightly sci-fi novel.

To enter to win a copy of Switcheroo, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "Switcheroo,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 19, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.

You can click here to purchase this book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.