A Ghostly Demise

Ghostly Southern Mystery #3

by Tonya Kappes

The prodigal father returns—but this ghost is no holy spirit When she runs into her friend's deadbeat dad at the local deli, undertaker Emma Lee Raines can't wait to tell Mary Anna Hardy that he's back in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, after five long years. Cephus Hardy may have been the town drunk, but he didn't disappear on an epic bender like everyone He was murdered. And he's heard that Emma Lee's been helping lost souls move on to that great big party in the sky. Why do ghosts always bother Emma Lee at the worst times? Her granny's mayoral campaign is in high gear, a carnival is taking over the town square, and her hunky boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, is stuck wrestling runaway goats. Besides, Cephus has no clue whodunit…unless it was one of Mrs. Hardy's not-so-secret admirers. All roads lead Emma Lee to that carnival—and a killer who isn't clowning around.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Ghosts, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fantasy

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2015

About the author

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
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Webpage
tonyakappes.com

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For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Ghostly Demise by Tonya Kappes
Book 3 of the Ghostly Southern Mystery series. Paranormal cozy mystery. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Emma Lee sees ghosts. She helps them resolve a problem so they can move on. Cepheus Hardy shows up in the local deli and Emma Lee doesn’t immediately realize he is a ghost until people start to ask her is she has the funeral sickness again. Now Emma Lee is on the hunt of another murderer.

Entertaining and amusing. Unlikely too and not just because of the ghosts. But small towns gossips for the win.
Laugh-out-loud moments with southern style being the key.

[Yodamom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so disappointed, I was looking forward to reading this, I love cozy Southern paranormal reads.
Meh. It got better towards the last 20%. Something really irked me, and it kept repeating, the author tried excessively hard to push the "Southern" from sayings to food and it was so over the top. it wasn't a little here and there is was a major point the focused on. I am a Southerner and I suffered from excessive eye rolling. The story was okay, the characters were silly to ridiculous and the ending was a relief.

[Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the last book in the series by a long way. Cephues and Digger are interesting ghost characters even if the were kind of cruddy people. The story here actually flows and doesn't have the weird continuity issues as it did with Chicken Teater.

Overall I enjoyed this book, a humorous afternoon read.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

And the hilarious ghostly capers continue for poor Emma Lee Raines when she runs into her good friend's dead beat dad at the grocery store. It isn't until she's got some of the good folk of Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky staring that she realizes that the long-time missing Cephus Hardy is a ghost. I have such a good time with each new installment in the series and the entertaining narration work of Tiffany Morgan.

A Ghostly Demise is book three in this series of standalone paranormal cozy mysteries.

Once Cephus Hardy shows up, Emma Lee understands that he didn't just leave his family and disappear all these years. He was murdered. Solving his death has come right when Granny is running for mayor, the carnival is in town, and their funeral home is struggling with several clients going to the rival. But, ready or not, Cephus isn't going anywhere and the former town drunk is nagging her for his favorite beer or ready to punch any man interested in his widowed wife.

With no actual body, her sheriff boyfriend, Jack Henry, can only do so much, but she does ignore his caution about tangling with a murder case even an old one. She starts to understand his worry when someone nearly kills her. She's been asking the family and those who knew Cephus a lot of questions, but she's no closer to getting to the who let alone the why even as things get even more deadly.

A Ghostly Demise was another light and hilarious cozy mystery. Emma Lee flits about doing her interviews and tracking leads in her bumbling way with her latest ghost client along for the ride. Her life is nuts with all the quirky town folks and their suspicion that she's the craziest of them all since all her years working in the family funeral business have left her with the 'funeral trauma' aka talking out loud to dead people. She gets lucky and likes to ignore Jack Henry's longsuffering common sense advice. I wouldn't mind except she nags him to investigate, but then keeps back facts and clues so she can get to the truth on her own. Basically, I just end up going with it most of the time since this is more comedy than anything and invites the reader/listener to laugh at the antics of these folk of Sleepy Hollow especially Emma Lee's granny.

The mystery is the front and center element. Emma Lee followed the trail to each of her suspects and I had no idea who or why right up to the end. The ghosts are not helpful because they tend to only remember bits and pieces and aren't always right when they are pointing their fingers. Cephus was convinced his rival for his wife just had to be the killer.

Surrounding the mystery is Emma Lee's relationships with her obnoxious sister, her hilarious yet cunning granny, and adorable, patient boyfriend Jack Henry. Jack Henry is the only person to know her secret and he is so good about her seeing ghosts and he tries so hard when she hares off into potentially dangerous situations. I crack up each time she hides so much from him and yet, in the end, he's right there for her and arrived at the answers in the old-fashioned way.

Tiffany Morgan is a hoot as Emma Lee and the rest of the cast with her voices for each and the range she has. She gets the tone and pacing so that the humor is allowed to waft up on its own and isn't over-acted. I'm so glad she continues to do the series.

In summary, the latest was fabulous fun and left me giggling a few times. Sheer entertainment that I think those who enjoy light and easy paranormal cozy mysteries would get a kick out of.

My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Ghostly Demise: Tonya Kappes

What would you do if you could see ghosts? What would you do if you were an undertaker who for some reason has taken on another job? Emma Lee Raines sees ghost. You heard me. She sees ghosts and her title is a Betweener! She is there to assist, guide and help ghosts pass on to the other side. Some need to go to their final resting places and others just need peace. But, Emma’s day begins when someone she things has been missing for five years shows up as she is about to start her day. Cephus Hardy appears. He is her friend father’s and a deadbeat dad that supposedly just left town. Cephus was the town drunk who just vanished five years ago. But, things within the small town of Sleepy Hollow are hectic and this is just what she does not need. With her Granny running for Mayor against believe it or not another undertaker: O’Dell Burns, her boyfriend the Sheriff Jack Henry Ross wanting time with her alone but having to deal with goats on the loose eating the vegetables in someone’s garden, Cephus’s presence is just what she does not need. But, now she has to find out who murdered him. You see: he is no longer missing but his body, not his spirit is somewhere and she needs to find where. Meeting Cephus is a hoot because before he will tell anything all he wants is yearns for is an ice-cold Stroh. Imagine what happens when Emma tells Jack that she sees Cephus. Imagine his reaction! Wanting the ice cold is one thing but not giving her any information about how he died or his death is another. Poor Emma needs to resolve this really fast. But, what does Jack think about her ability to see ghosts? There is no body, evidence or any clues pointing to his death. How can they start an investigation?

As things progress and you meet all of the town gossips and we learn about Bea, Leotta, Mary Anna Hardy and the rest clues come to the surface even as simple as Granny giving out buttons to those voting for her and wait until you hear what happens when someone is voting for the opposition. Granny is a riot and running for Mayor and owning the funeral home is quite a different blend. Driving her moped through town and being chased by the Sheriff you can picture this right out a Laurel and Hardy Movie. Filled with humor, gossipers and some who are glad that Cephus is gone and the truth behind his drinking revealed, just who wanted him dead?

Chaos occurs the minute Cephus sees his archenemy Terk who he thinks if going out with his wife. What he does will remind you never to shun the dead or take them for granted as poor Terk winds up having to go to Dr. Clyde. Emma has all she can do to contain him while Granny places a sign in front of Eternal Home with her slogan for getting elected mayor. But, Charlotte Rae, her financial expert is not happy with the sign and the conversation is quite humorous. Added in now the carnival is in down and the man in charge Digger hits on Emma all the while trying to get clues to the murder. This ghost is relentless and throughout the book he manages to interfere with her date nights. His son Teddy comes back to town claims his wrestling coach took him in as a father further insighting our ghost. But, between Terk and Leotta or Vernon Blake and Leotta his wife seems to be getting around. With Vernon and Bea an odd item and his wife dating this ghost just wants to pin his murder on anyone that might fit the bill. But, Emma is determined to be the undertaker sleuth and the author created an original character whose traits are similar to Jessica Fletcher, Ms. Marple and maybe even Jennifer Hart. Things will spiral out of control as someone else winds up dead. Imagine what happens when the body of a carnie has a stake through the heart. Link this death to one of Granny’s campaign signs and just maybe someone doesn’t want her to win. Could this whole thing have anything to do with O’Dell Burns and those in his camp?

Things really spiral out of control when Emma decides to visit Vernon and finds Cephus’s ring in the grass. But, what happens when she texts Jack, finds her way to Dottie’s place and the goats are let out, Sanford needs to get them reeled in and the entire incident is out of an episode of Saturday Night Live. Accusing Vernon was only a ploy and if he was the killer Cephus would have crossed over. Oh Well! He’s still here!

Emma Lee Raines will not give up and Granny will do anything to become Mayor. This puts them both at odds with the Jack Henry who keeps warning Emma to stay out of the investigation. But, finding herself at the old mill, an explosion that was supposed to deal with her, and then Digger Spears getting killed someone really wants to stop her from finding out who killed Cephus.

Bea Allen is bent on getting O’Dell elected. Emma Lee offers free funeral services to Digger’s family and things spiral even more out of control. But, information from an investigative reporter that used to run the only paper in town that is now closed leads her to information that just might solve the mystery of who killed Cephus and why. A gambling debt but what was it for? A truth that comes out that changes everything and even Cephus will be surprised in the end. Having to deal with Cephus, his whims and his ghostly body was hard enough but two even more. Digger and Cephus would now haunt her presence until the mystery is solved. Who killed them both and why? What happens when Emma figures it out? Will the killer strike again? Will Cephus and Digger ever cross over or will they follow her around forever?

An election with startling results. A funeral undertaker/detective that risks it all to find a way to send two Betweeners to their final resting place. Author Tonya Kappes created a story that might remind readers of the series Dead Like Me where the reapers take the souls and then help the person cross over to the other side. So, what happens at the end will make you smile, laugh and wonder if poor Emma will ever be able to catch her breath and have a break from her job as a Betweener. But, if you look deep down inside the story you will realize that the author brings to light family loyalties, devotion, deceit, lies, betrayals, and a town that comes together when things go wrong. One small town of Sleepy Hollow whose residents put their differences aside when a member of their community needs help. A novel filled with mishaps, fun, humor, mayhem and an undertaker who I am sure will have more murders to solve and more adventures to relate to readers.

Fran Lewis: just reviews/mj magazine

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was sad due to the identity of the killer. I felt the ghost’s pain and devastation when the mystery of his death was solved.
Grandma needs to reel her crazy in, just saying-
Jack Henry- I get that he needs Emma to stay out of his investigations, but dude, don’t be a jerk? There were moments when he was mocking her and being downright condescending and I was wondering why the author had Emma so in love with him😑😑😒😒
Cassie is a spoiled brat!
The mystery was actually a good one, the town is fun, however, Emma constantly ignoring common sense and putting herself in danger, plus some of the other character interactions made this one ehhh. It would be nice if by book three the characters are growing, having more depth, instead of being caricatures of themselves 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t care for this story as much as the first two for some reason. My attention kept wandering. The ending was good. Will give the next one a try.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay read. Normally I like this author but this one didn't work for me. Emma of course is contacted by a ghost looking to move on. He wants her to figure out who killed him. This guy was really annoying and his obsession with beer was too much. The good news is that the truth comes out in the end.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining cozy southern mystery, light on romance, but teeming with ghostly shenanigans and political games.

My jaw dropped when I saw Cephus Hardy walk up to me in the magazine aisle of Artie's Meat and Deli. I was admiring the cover of Cock and Feathers, where my last client at Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, Chicken Teater, graced the cover with his prize Orloff Hen, Lady Cluckington.

A GHOSTLY DEMISE by Tonya Kappes is an entertaining cozy southern mystery, light on romance, but teeming with ghostly shenanigans and political games. It's the third book in the author's Ghostly Southern Mystery series and, while I liked it, I feel that I would have enjoyed it much more if I'd read the previous books. If you are considering starting the series, I would recommend reading it in order as there are a jillion of colorful characters who were obviously introduced in the previous books and it's a bit overwhelming at first to keep them straight.

On the plus side, there were plenty of laugh-out loud moments even as a struggled. This is the background of the heroine as I understand it. Emma Lee, the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home undertaker, can see ghosts of the dead who are stuck between the here and the here-after. Only she and the Sheriff, who happens to be her boyfriend, know of her gift. Neither she nor Sheriff Jack Henry Ross are thrilled about her gift as she doesn't get to choose the when and how of the apparitional interactions. The spirits cannot be shushed when they want their murders solved. I felt that Emma's boyfriend was a saint as it's very difficult for them to plan any quality couple time since the ghosts aren't respectful of it.

The mystery in this book involved the murder of Cephus Hardy. He first comes into play when he greets Emma Lee at the deli demanding her assistance in solving his murder. His timing couldn't have been any worse as Emma's Granny is running a political campaign. Granny used to own the Eternal Slumber Home, but gave it to Emma a few years ago. Now her seventy-seven year old Granny, who is red-haired and twice-widowed, runs the Sleepy Hollow Inn and is famous for her iced tea. Granny is running for Mayor against O'Dell Burns, who runs Burns Funeral Home, the other funeral home in town. Granny will do anything and everything to be elected and keeping Granny out of trouble is a full-time job for Emma already. Needless to say, the competition with Burns doesn't stop at the bodies of dead people.

Chaotic doesn't aptly describe Emma's life as she tracks Cephus' killer with crazy Cephus aiding her search, while coping with Granny's insane antics on the campaign trail, as she's trying to have a quiet lovefest with her boyfriend. Whew!

With loads of laugh-out-loud humor, Southern witticisms and fast-paced action, I enjoyed this enough to where I want to go back and read the first two books. I would think that fans of the series would eat this book up. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys comical Southern cozy mysteries.

My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

3 Wine Glasses!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third book in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries series by Tonya Kappes, Emma Lee Raines is finally starting to get a handle on her "Betweener" skills. Emma has successfully sent off two different ghosts to the great beyond, as well as snared the interest of her long term crush - the local Sheriff, Jack Henry, who knows and accepts that she can communicate with the dead. Now if only the town would stop jumping to the diagnosis of 'Funeral Trauma' every time she acts a little weird (like while talking to a ghost), her life would be going well.

Emma Lee would like a break from dealing with the ghosts of murdered townsfolk. But they just keep passing her name on to the next ghost, leaving her to help them find out the whodunit of their murder. And for such a quiet, unassuming town like Sleepy Hollow, apparently there is much more going on than meets the eye, especially with all the suspects in Cephus' disappearance and murder.

I can't help but like the way Jack Henry handles things with Emma Lee. Here is a man who knows how to work around the weirdness in her life and still manage to get things accomplished. Emma Lee's granny continues to be a larger than life character and a great comedic foil for Emma Lee. Throw in the funeral home rivalry going on with Burns family and it makes for an unconventional small town mystery. I am enjoying my trips to Sleepy Hollow and time spent with this madcap cast of characters and gave this book 3 solid stars.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Witness for the opportunity to read and review the book.

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Wulfwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! This is the third book in the Ghostly Southern Mystery series. I love Emma Lee, Granny and the rest of the folks in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky. In this one it is up to Emma to solve the mystery of what happened to a resident that disappeared from Sleepy Hollow five years earlier. We also find out if Granny wins the mayors race. Of course there is the continued romance blooming between Emma Lee and Jack Henry.
This book can be read alone or out of order. I think it is more fun in order but that is my opinion. Emma Lee explains about her Funeral Trauma and, really, if you want the full story on that you need to read A Ghostly Undertaking. There is mention of the mystery in A Ghostly Grave but nothing to spoil it, if you haven't read it first. There isn't any graphic sex, gory details of violence, (there is a murder just not the blow by blow, blood and guts descriptions), and only minor swearing, (minor for me means less than 10 times for the whole book. I can only recall one time from Charlotte Rae).
If you are looking for a good time, a murder or two, political shenanigans and light romance this book is definitely for you.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma can't wait to tell her friend that she's seen her father only to realize that he is dead. Cephus wants Emma's help to find who murdered him. On top of that Emma has her hands full since granny is running for mayor.
There are many quirky characters in this book, and I feel bad for Emma because she seems to get some crazy ghosts that want her help, and she has a crazy granny that she is constantly trying to rein in. I have to admit that I am not a fan of granny, to me she comes across as self centered, but that is my opinion as from other reviews I've read everyone else seems to love her. I love Jack Henry and his growing relationship with Emma.
The mystery was excellent leading us through Cephus' life to figure out who murdered him, I did not see that one coming, it took me totally by surprise. I loved the ending that leads us into the next in the series, I did get a giggle out of that. I will continue with this series, the characters are strong, and fun.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Lee can't catch a break. She starts talking to Cephus in the middle of the grocery store. The only problem is that Cephus isn't missing like everyone thinks. He's dead. This is not helping Emma Lee convince the town that she is not suffering from funeral trauma. In addition to trying to find out who killed Cephus, she has to deal with her grandmother who is running for mayor and find time to hang out with her guy.

It's a fun read. I do like the series. I'm hoping that the next book is a little different from the first three.

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to be fun. Poor Emma Lee can’t catch a break in her job as a betweener. Cephus Hardy brings drama to her life from the moment he shows up. Emma Lee has to investigate a murder without explaining how she knows the victim was murdered - well, this is usually true but this time it is every more challenging because the whole town just thinks Cephus ran off years ago. But Emma Lee is up for the challenge and figures it out even though she gets put in danger for looking into things. I can’t wait to read the next investigation…. It promises to be entertaining!

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

You would think that with a carnival in town that things couldn't get any weirder, but with Emma Lee and her granny in the mix things are just starting to bubble on the weird side. Toss in the ghost of her friend's missing daddy and his outrageous temper tantrums and you are in for a funny bone tickling ride! Hilarious characters and antics are wrapped into a mystery that no one knew needed to be solved! Great audio book entertainment!

[Amber Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this cozy mystery series by Tonya Kappes. I love a good mystery to solve and the characters are so much fun. Poor Emma Lee having to figure out how to talk to her ghost friends without looking like a crazy person makes me laugh out loud every time. I'm hoping for more Jack Henry time in future books, but overall this is a solid series.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun light read about an undertaker who is a sort of ghost whisperer. This is part of a series. I will also be reviewing the next book in the seriez as I received both in exchange for an honest review. I am already acquainted with some of the authors earlier works including the June Heal Charming Series. Ms Kappes is a good writer who draws you in easily and is great with quirky characters and creative story ideas. There is humor, intrigue and southern flavorin this selection . The main chacter only gets contacted by people whose sirits are unable to be at peace because they have been murdered. Notwithstanding the fact that she is romantically involved with the head of local law enforcement, Emma our funeral director investgates on her own with clues gleaned from the deceased. The family members she has are a great choice for drama, conflict and comic relief. There is justvenough danger as well as twists and turns in the plot to keep it all interesting. There were some swear words in this particular story so if you are sensitive to that be advised. Also there is a reference in this particular work to the said law enforcement officer staying at Emma's place. No erotic content at all. These elements do not occur in all of her writing. For additional informatio view my blog post http://bookishsmart.blogspot.com/2015...

[Rita Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is filled with a great cast of colorful southern characters. Granny is a hoot and rules the family keeping a tight rein on granddaughters Emma Lee and Charlotte Rae. Emma Lee took over the running of Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, the family business with the help of Charlotte Rae while Granny rides around town on her moped and stirring up trouble.

When a ghost shows up for Emma Lee's help in finding his murderer, things start heating up with explosions, fire, and another murder. Meanwhile Granny is busy drumming up votes in her race for mayor.

Will Emma Lee find the murderer before she gets killed?

This is an entertaining mystery story that will keep you reading.

[Yvonne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. Emma Lee Raines can see ghosts. These ghosts appear to her for help in finding out who murdered them.
Cephus Hardy is no different.
Emma Lee has her hands full trying to help Cephus, making time for her hunky boyfriend Jack Henry (who is also the town Sheriff), and keeping
her crazy grandma in check.....
This book is full of fun!! I look forward to the next book "A Ghostly Murder"....

[Frankie Ness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid installment! Not as LOL as the first two, still I enioyed A GHOSTLY DEMISE. Zula stole the scene as she runs for Mayor of Sleepy Hollow, I swear, this lady needs a novella or something.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read from the series. It is an entertaining and relaxing read.

[West Hartford Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A fun, light read. Emma is getting used to being a betweener and has to ghosts to help into the hereafter."--patron

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in the series: I like the characters, I like the humor, I like the ghosts, & I like the stories....

Emma Lee & her sister Charlotte have taken over the family's undertaker & funeral parlor business.... Charlotte on the business side & Emma Lee on the undertaker side.

When Emma Lee is hit on the head by a falling plastic Santa Clause and she begins seeing the ghosts of people her family has buried... unfortunately all those she sees have been murdered and it is up to her to help solver their murders so that they may cross over.

Emma Lee's granny is running for mayor against O'dell Burns the proprietor of the competitive Burns Funeral Home, which has the town of Sleepy Hollow in a uproar & taking sides... However, I felt that granny was over characterized, so I knocked off one star...

Meanwhile Cehpus Hardy shows up after a five year absence and Emma Lee is happy to see him, that is, until she realizes that only she can see him.

Cephus knows he was murdered and insists it was the local coroner, which whom he was last seen having an argument with over Cephus' wife. Cephus was an infamous drunk & gambler, with a secret... a secret someone was willing to kill him over.

A light, fun, & entertaining read

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this story a 3.5 stars (rounded to 4). Zula Faye is running for mayor, Cephus Hardy returns from the dead for Emma Lee to try to solve his murder. This is the third in the series and I am beginning to tire of the over push on southernism. If you can overlook these, the story is entertaining and we actually get to trying to solve it about the last quarter of the book. Up until then, it is about the business, which I find hard to see how they make any money with very few clients. They keep losing customers to the competition.

I liked when Emma Lee laid out the ground rules to Cephus. She needs to add requesting items to eat or drink is off the table, as ghosts can do neither. I tired of the Strohs without the h line.

The narrator did a wonderful job.

[Teresa Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this series shouldn't be a series. It seems like it's very repetitive. How much murder can happen in a small town where they never had murders before? How many times can the female lead and her granny be suspects?

Also, it really annoys me that she refuses to listen to her cop boyfriend and just give him the info so he can investigate. No, she has to go off on these half-assed wild goose chases and gets herself in trouble. Then he comes along and tells her to knock off her crap and let him do his job. She agrees EVERYTIME but IMMEDIATELY does the opposite. I want him to dump her because she's not very smart and very exhausting.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half follows same pattern as the first 2 books in the series: setting the flavor and atmosphere of small town in Appalachia (Kentucky), introducing all the eccentric and idiosyncratic characters, and introducing the story line. The ghost of a man who disappeared 5 years ago reappears to ask Emma Lee to find his killer so he can pass. He gives her clues and names the suspects, but they are all dead ends. Second half is better as someone tries to kill Emma Lee with a pipe bomb, then another man is killed and his ghost asks Emma Lee for help, and finally she gets nosy and finds the killer. This was the best of the series so far.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another perfectly funny and fun installment in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries!

I love that this is really silly and often dramatic (in a silly way, of course) and far-fetched most of the time. But I think these are the things that make me enjoy these books so much. They aren't overly serious and so far I've been guaranteed a laughing-good-time.

I only own the first 4 books in the series (which I'll probably get to #4 later this coming week) but I've already placed an online order for the last 3 because there is no doubt I'll be reading the entire series this year.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Lee sees her best friends absentee dad of five years while at the supermarket. The only problem is she doesn't realize it's his ghost, and she has been recruited to solve another murder.
Cephus Hardy was the town drunk and also a heavy gambler. On the day of his last bet he disappeared. Emma has her hands full with trying to get sheriff Jack Henry to open an investigation as there is no body.

Somebody doesn't want her investigating, and not only she, but her grandmother's life may be in jeopardy this time.

[Danielle Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this one was great! I mean the whole book was great, but I loved the first chapter.. Emma Lee ends up seeing some one from her past Cephus Murphy.. No one knows he died, so when she turns around and sees Cephus in the store she strikes up a conversation no realizing no one else can see him.... so this furthers the gossip about the "funeral trauma"
This book definitely continues with the sass, which I absolutely love..
If your looking for a fun sassy read, I definitely recommend this series..