The Case of the Guilty Ghost, by Amber Kell and R.J. Scott

[Ulysses]

The Case of the Guilty Ghost (End Street book 6)
Amber Kell and R.J. Scott
Love Lane Books, 2017
Four stars

Aw. The last of Sam Enderson and his vampire lover Bob?

Well, if you have to end a series, go big. Finally, Sam figures out exactly who he is, denying and resisting the truth the whole way. But one thing is clear from the beginning of book 6s, Sam loves Bob so much, he’s willing to confront his true self if that will keep Bob by his side and keep his friends and family safe. After all, it was Bob who got Sam to look hard at his prejudice against paranormals in the first place.

The guilty ghost is question is the ever-irritating Teddy, the ghost that haunts the house on End Street where Sam’s detective agency is located. I will say no more about that, other than to note that I was surprised. Teddy has always been rather a cipher in these books, but now we learn who he was in life and what role he plays in the series finale.

Magic, romance, and the internal politics of the Vampire Kingdom, all come to a head, maintaining the deadpan humor that characterizes Sam’s world-weary personality. Even with his emerging self-awareness, Sam can’t help but feel put-upon by everybody’s inability just to leave him alone.

“Sitting up, Sam found he had been lying on an altar. ‘Yeah, that’s not ominous.’”

All of the stories of all of the preceding books in the End Street series finally come together, filling each page with emotion and action, as Sam Enderson blunders his way to his destiny. All he wants is to be a father to his daughter Mal and a husband to his beloved vampire Bob. And he’ll do anything to get there.

I’m not sure if the last bit is opening a door to another series, or just ending this one in a way that makes one wonder what will happen. No matter. The End Street series has been tremendous fun, and I look forward to re-reading the whole thing some day.