They’re back!
The residents of Sleepy Hollow are back and there’s murder in the air. Along with some new ghosts.
Venture on.
Enjoy my reviews.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
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A Ghostly Demise/A Ghostly Murder
by Tonya Kappes
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A Ghostly Demise:
A Ghostly Southern Mystery
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Witness (August 25, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0062374912
E-Book ASIN: B00PQRWLRC
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 thought: 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.
My Review
So here we are, back in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky. And yes, Emma Lee still sees and hears ghosts. It’s a side affect of having a giant plastic Santa fall on her and knock her out cold.
Her doctor calls it ‘funeral trauma’, not believing she really communicates with ghosts. Appropriate name as she and her sister run Eternal Slumber Funeral Home.
Emma is shocked and pleased to run into Cephus Hardy. He just up and vanished 5 years ago, leaving his wife and daughter to fend for themselves. It’s only after Doc Clyde starts talking to her that she realizes Cephus is a ghost. Drat, now Doc will tell her grandmother, Zula Fae, and soon the whole town will know she still suffers from funeral trauma.
Cephus tells her he didn’t abandon his family. Says he never left Sleepy Hollow. Adamant that he was murdered. But, he can’t tell her where his body is or who killed him. Emma Lee takes this info to her boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry. Yep, they are now officially boyfriend and girlfriend.
There’s not much to go on, but Jack Henry starts digging. So does Emma Lee, much to his consternation. With two murder cases under her belt, Emma dives back in with no regard to danger. Business as usual, think Jack Henry.
You never know who you;re going to meet in this series. each book introduces new characters, new ghosts. They all have such fun names.
In the south, lots of people go by their first and middle name. You’ll be bumping into Zula Fae again. Emma’s grandmother is following through on her plans to run for mayor, and she’s taking her campaign to a whole new level. She’s such a pistol.
There’s also Mable Claire, Beulah Paige, Hettie Bell, and Cheryl Lynne. to mention a few more. I keep waiting for a Bubba to pop up.
So, the skinny is, someone murdered Cephus. Emma Lee has to solve the case, the whole town thinks she’s still whacko, and her granny is taxing her last nerve. So much fun.
About twenty-five percent into the book, I found my first clue. But, knowing this author, I couldn’t count on that leading me anywhere but down the garden path. So I pressed on, and tripped over a few more clues. Yep, they led all over the place.
I’ll leave you here. Don’t want to spoil anything. Grab it. Read it. Find out for yourself who did what. A good thing is, you don’t have to have read the other books to jump into this series. The author fills you in on past events quickly and in just the right places.
4 Stars
A Ghostly Murder:
A Ghostly Southern Mystery
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Witness (September 29, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0062374936
E-Book ASIN: B00RTMCOPQ
Emma Lee Raines knows there’s only one cure for a bad case of murder.
I told you I was sick, reads the headstone above Mamie Sue Preston’s grave. She was the richest woman in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, and also the biggest hypochondriac. Ironic, considering someone killed her—and covered it up perfectly. And how does Emma Lee, proprietor of the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, know all this? Because Mamie Sue’s ghost told her, that’s how. And she’s offering big bucks to find the perp.
The catch is, Mamie Sue was buried by the Raines family’s archrival, Burns Funeral Home. Would the Burnses stoop to framing Emma Lee’s granny? With an enterprising maid, a penny-pinching pastor, and a slimy Lexington lawyer all making a killing off Mamie Sue’s estate, Emma Lee needs a teammate—like her dreamboat boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross. Because with millions at stake, snooping around is definitely bad for Emma Lee’s health.
My Review
Here we go again. Another murder, another ghost, more fun characters with those double names. I couldn’t wait to dive in and see what Emma Lee was up to.
She’s busy with the murder of Mamie Sue, the towns richest resident, or she used to be. She comes to Emma, offering bug bucks to find out who killed her.
Things get sticky when several other people want that money too. One of them is Eternal Slumber’s arch rival, Burnes Funeral Home. It looks like the showdown will finally happen.
All of the usual characters are back, plus you’ll meet some new ones. The town still thinks she’s crazy, even though Emma Lee has three solved murdered cases under her belt.
The romance between Emma Lee and Jack Henry is still going strong. That saying, “They’re meant for each other,” is so true. I love these two together. And I love that Jack Henry believes that she sees and talks to ghosts. He still gets the heebie jeebies when she talks to one when she’s with him.
I had such fun following Emma Lee around as she stuck her nose in everyone’s business, sniffing out clues. Lots of suspects, some quickly eliminated, some staying in the hot seat. A lovely mess to mull through.
As with the other books, you can read this without having read the others. You’ll get filled in on past events without the story slowing down.
Come meet the residents of Sleepy Hollow. You never know who or what you might bump into.
4 Stars
About The Author –
Tonya Kappes is a USA Today Bestselling Author.
I write fun humorous fiction, some with romance and some with a little mystery.
More than anything I love to connect with readers! I’m a huge fan of them and LOVE getting to know them. Making readers smile, and remembering not to take life too seriously is how I like to write. I’m addicted to coffee, McDonald’s Diet Coke, and Red Hots Candy to keep her going!
When I’m not writing about quirky characters and even quirkier situations, I’m busy being the princess, queen and jester of my domain which includes my BFF husband, three teenage boys, two dogs and one ornery cat.
Author Links:
And be sure to stalk me on Facebook, Twitter, TSU, Instagram!
I have one eBook copy of A Ghostly Demise or A Ghostly Murder to give away. Winners choice.
Entry is easy. Just leave an email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
Have you ever had a strange experience, perhaps a ghostly encounter?
Giveaway ends September 30th.
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Tour Participants
September 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – Guest Post
September 19 – Book Babble – Review
September 20 – Laura’s Interests – Review, Spotlight
September 21 – fuonlyknew – Review, Giveaway
September 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Guest Post
September 23 – Community Bookstop – Review
September 24 – Bea’s Book Nook – Review, Giveaway
September 25 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Review, Giveaway
September 26 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post
September 27 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review, Giveaway
September 28 – Back Porchervations – Review, Interview
September 28 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Giveaway
September 29 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway
September 30 – readalot – Review, Giveaway
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I’ve also read the first two books in this series.
Click on the covers for my reviews.
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