This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Mystery Romance
Published by Tantor Audio
Released on February 25, 2020
Source: Publisher
The Delight
The dust is barely settled on her last ghostly murder case when Emma Lee is approached by Mamie Sue Preston once the richest woman in Sleepy Hollow. And, if she’s appearing to Em? She’s been murdered. Off we go on a new ghost mystery full of Southern charm and sass as narrated by the sensational Tiffany Morgan.
Review
A Ghostly Murder is the fourth of the Ghostly Southern Mysteries that could be read/listened to out of order in a pinch, but have some ongoing series threads that make it best enjoyed in order.
Emma Lee has a ticklish issue with Mamie Sue’s need for her ghost detecting because for one, Mamie Sue died a while ago and didn’t seem to have any surviving relations or friends. For another, she was buried by Burns Funeral Home- her family funeral home’s arch enemy. This means some bending and breaking of laws is necessary so she can’t bring Sheriff and boyfriend, Jack Henry in on this one.
Her clandestine murder investigation is joined by a mounting trouble with her sister, Charlotte Rae, over the running of their funeral home because everyone is leaving them to go to burns because of Emma Lee’s ghost escapades that make her seem crazy, someone stealing and hiding incriminating evidence to frame Granny, troubles with Jack Henry’s mom not liking whom he’s dating and then the big one, worry over a secret Jack Henry is keeping and whether their relationship will survive it.
A Ghostly Murder had a lot going on including Emma Lee and her ghostly entourage’s zany, bumbling sleuthing antics paired with her granny’s brand of crazy. Each of these is over the top and really shouldn’t be taken seriously. No investigation would work this way and no detective, amateur or otherwise, would get away with what she does let alone survive it. But, each time, the frolicking way it goes on and the times it has me giggling make me suspend belief and just go with it.
I admit that this one pushed it further than the previous books had. I think it is because I really don’t like the way she is around Jack Henry. She pushes and pulls him about emotionally, keeps important finds and secrets on the murder cases from him though she expects full disclosure in return and for him to look the other way when she or her granny break the law. No, she’s not a bad person and has a generous heart, but her heedlessness does wear thin now and then with me. And, that includes cutting her cranky sister some slack because Emma Lee is the reason they are losing clients and making unilateral decisions with salaries and sponsorships putting them in financial trouble and Charlotte Rae is not in on the secret of Emma Lee’s abilities as a ‘Betweener’ who sees, hears, and must aide murdered ghosts to crossover.
Things have been boiling between Emma Lee and Charlotte Rae through each book and it finally boiled over in this book. Just like Emma Lee seemed to need to see evidence of just how much Jack Henry loved her and that crisis point hit as well. Meanwhile, between Mamie Sue and Junior, yep a second ghost, things were never dull.
The mystery was a bundle of mysteries that needed working out and it got pretty exciting and emotional when all the truth came out. There was a nice bittersweet moment at the end as a result that gave some extra depth to the story.
Tiffany Morgan continues to be a superb narrator and nailed this huge cast of colorful characters from all ages and genders perfectly.
All in all, A Ghostly Murder hit lots of emotions, went a little wild now and then, and delivered a fab cozy mystery in the end. Its a fun and light series that I can strongly recommend to paranormal cozy mystery fans.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met:
New Release #33
Audio #25
COYER Quarantine #6
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I’m glad to hear you liked it. I haven’t heard of this one before now.
They’re just fun entertainment with a mystery which is just the mood I seem to want lately.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m just off cozies right now which is odd because mysteries are the best.
I’m not in the mood for more than one or two a month and I seem to need the paranormal or historical element to make me pick them up. So, this series is perfect for this mood. 🙂
her books are so cozy. I’ve really enjoyed the ones I read
I enjoy her Kenni Lowry series the best, but these are a lot of fun, too.
I like a good cozy-ish kind of mystery and will check this series out!
Glad to put you on to it, Sarah! 🙂
I really like the sound of this series. It sounds like the main character would have gotten on my nerves just a bit in this one but nothing major.
Yes, exactly, nothing major and too fun to miss. 🙂
Sorry to hear Emma was a bit much in this installment, but glad to hear you enjoyed it overall! 🙂
Yeah, I thought she pushed her thing a bit far with everyone, but it wasn’t as bad in the next one.
Sounds like this one left you with a lot of mixed emotions. Emma Lee seems to be a character you are finding hard to like. Appears to be a good series though.
Mostly I like her, but once in a while I can’t get on board with her absorption in her own activities and not much thought for others. This time it was exaggerated, but usually its milder. I do love the series, though. 🙂
Sounds like you are still mostly enjoying this series. Glad it’s keeping you entertained!
I am. I didn’t want it to sound like a disaster, but still wanted to mention that she annoyed me. I’ve finished the next one and it hit me better.
I just finished a light mystery. This review made me want to read another!
They hit the spot for my distracted mood and needing something that would make me laugh.
I do want to hear the audio version of this. Sounds like a southern treat. Maybe requires sweet iced tea on the side 🙂
Look at you! You could be channeling, Granny. She makes the best iced tea. 🙂
Ooh ghost detecting! Sounds like a fun premise. That’s great to know you don’t HAVE to read the books in order.
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I do get a kick out of her solving ghost mysteries.