One of the more “out there” cozy mysteries I’ve read, but in a good way. Wish more of them were open to the absurd humor found here

This was such a unique and interesting story, and was really well-executed. I messed this up and didn't realize it was part two in the series, so now I'm off to read the first one!

Second book in the series. Can be read as a stand alone but book one wll provide interesting information
about the brother and sister and their parents.
Fran and Ken are hired to find a missing 19 year old transwoman Eliza by her father. Meanwhile,
Detective Mankkiwicz also has a missing person case - the subject happens to be Eliza's friend.
Fran's and Mank's relationship is in question since she revealed her origin. When the friend is
found murdered, the question is why and is Eliza in danger. Side story involves the whereabouts of
their scientist parents. The twisty murder plot keeps one engaged in the story.
#SameDifference #SevernHouse #NetGalley

Same Difference by E.J. Copperman covers another case for the Steins, Fran and Ken. The brother and sister solve another case of missing persons, murder and drug dealing while navigating how much to tell people about their beginnings. While trying to find a missing person the duo end up with a dead body and multiple mysteries while being chased around New York. As always, this is a fun read with a lot of NY locations to add to the fun and confusing and confused people running all over.

The author knows how to tell a story with visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, and a backdrop of New York City. It was fun to recognize the locations in the story, even when hiding under a different name. Speaking of hiding, that is what the person responsible for all this chaos in the story is, in plain sight. The writing style is easy to follow along, the tone was comfortable, and the mystery was nicely staged to keep me in the game. I also enjoyed it when Fran stepped out of the page to talk to us, bonus in my eyes. There were a few strategically placed twists that enhanced my reading pleasure, and the pacing was on par with how well this story was being told. I really like this series. Fran and Ken are special, and that uniqueness helps them in their private investigation business. Overall, a terrific read and I can’t wait to see where we go next with this crime fighting duo. I do love Mank.

This is the second book in the Fran and Ken Stein series. They are sister and brother and are private investigators in New York. This time they are looking for a missing person. Eliza who has recently come out to her father as trans is missing and her father is very worried. This is not something that Fran would normally deal with but aspects of the case/story intrigue her. For those who didn't read the first book please do or you will miss out on Fran and Ken's back story. It's fair to say that they are both a little unusual and not simply that they are much taller than most people. Have a USB port for recharging is "interesting"… They have a back story as far as their parents are concerned and that forms a small part of this story.

While Fran has fallen out with her NYPD (boy)friend from the last book they are managing to be civilised initially when they find they are both interested in aspects of this case. The book follows the twists and turns of the case as well as their personal lives. As someone from the other side of the pond I have to say that this is very New York to me, maybe it felt more so than the last one. However I did find it an easy and entertaining reading.

I found the first book entertaining and amusing and could say the same about this one. I really like Fran as a character - her introspective dialogues can be very funny. I guess the story is not particularly deep but it was satisfying enough. The pace is decent and the characters generally work well for me. These are fairly lightweight stories however there's nothing wrong with that and sometimes they fit in really well. I'm sure I will keep reading any future offerings in this series.

Note this book is the second in a series. It can be read stand alone, though, as all important characters and events are described within this book.

Overall, I thought this was a fun book. Investigator Fran Stein has a unique narrative voice and concept, and I enjoyed following the case with her. In particular, I enjoyed how the investigation highlighted how different finding a missing person is contemporary times, as well as hard it can be (in some ways) to purposefully disappear if someone is tracking your movements. The primary case overall centers around finding, and then protecting, a missing 19-year old transwoman, and the book did a pretty good job of tackling some concerns of such an individual.

That said, I found Stein's investigation of her on-the-run parents pretty distracting. Maybe I would feel differently if I read the first book, but I would have enjoyed more focus on just the case at hand in this one.

I think this is a good book for a little light reading, especially if you like a mix of sci-fi (soft), science conspiracies, and mystery. For those who are squeamish, there is a description of a murder, but it's not overly gory.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Same Difference.

I read the first book, Ukulele of Death, in the series and though there were parts I liked, overall, the story didn't appeal to me as much as I had hoped.

But I was willing to give the second book a try because I liked the original premise and Fran and Ken Stein.

Sadly, the sequel didn't overwhelm me and only reminded me of what I didn't like about the first book:

The narrative drags and the mystery is neither interesting or compelling.

The unusual origins of Fran and Ken is repeated ad nauseam; how large and in charge they are, how most men are uncomfortable with how much taller Fran is, how their brute strength basically lets them barrel through anyone and anything.

To add to the repetition; we get reminders about Ken continually mooning over the secretary who works for them, how Mank freaked out when Fran told him the truth about her, how cops are sexist, misogynistic a**holes.

Not surprisingly, Fran and Ken's parents are the most interesting characters and they're in hiding.

Not sure if I'll check out the third book, unless the parents finally make an appearance.