I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A Ghostly Reunion
Blurb:
Emma Lee Raines sees dead people
Proprietor of the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, Emma Lee can see, hear, and talk to ghosts of murdered folks. And when her high school nemesis is found dead, Jade Lee Peel is the same old mean girl—trying to come between Emma Lee and her hot boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, all over again.
There’s only one way for Emma Lee to be free of the trash-talking ghost—solve the murder so the former prom queen can cross over.
But the last thing Jade Lee wants is to leave the town where she had her glory days. And the more Emma Lee investigates on her own, the more complicated Miss Popularity turns out to be. Now Emma Lee will have to work extra closely with her hunky lawman to get to the twisty truth.
Emma Lee Raines is a hoot! I absolutely loved her character. A Ghostly Reunion by Tonya Kappes will leave you grinning and grimacing. But the balance of humor and murder mystery is perfect for those who enjoy cozy reads.
Since this was the first book in the series that I read, I was worried that I would find myself out of the loop with the characters and story. First chapter absolved all those concerns. Oh my goodness, rarely do I get insta-love with a storyline. Emma Lee Raines (I can totally imagine her name being said with a Southern twang), is an easy character to understand. Her back story is re-told via her inner monologues. The reason why she sees dead people, and her secret “in-betweener” job is all explained. So I did not feel lost at all. Instead I was instantly immersed into the story. The hilarity with her interactions with the small town folk had me laughing out loud.
“‘Stalagmite Spinach Salad, no salt? I asked, wishing I had a real stalagmite to stab Jade Lee right in the heart.’”
Jade Lee and Emma will be stuck with each other for a while. The fact that they have a dislike for each other makes it better. Gotta say that some people might get their comeuppance, but does it make sense to say that it will be in the most lighthearted way? It never gives off the gruesome aspect of murder. Which can be refreshing. Poor Jade, I didn’t like her in the beginning, but I guess death really does change a person. *snort*
The murder mystery is fun. Emma Lee is a funeral home owning sleuth, what can be better than that?
The twist ending might have been slightly predictable, but it was still enjoyable.
I seriously could not stop thinking about this story once I was finished with it. Needless to say I definitely want to read the next book in the series. Tonya Kappes was also a new-to-me author and if all her other books are like this, I might have found my new favorite.
A Little Note…
I wouldn’t say this had a cliffhanger since the murder that happened in this story is solved, but the murder for the next book in the series already happened so I say read this book first, before the next one.
Other books in the series
(Clicking on images will take you to their respective Amazon pages.)
Are you a fan of cozy mysteries?
Have you read any of the books in this series?
25 comments
Another fabulous book by Tonya! Great review, too!
Love this series, quirky and funny and simply cute reading. Emma Lee is a doll!
She sure is! 🙂
Loved the review and can’t wait to read the book. Tonya is the best. Love all her books.
Thank you Lisa! 🙂
Loved this book! It was funny and had a mystery too so what is not to love.
Exactly! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
This was another great read by Tonya! I love her and her books!
I loved this one so much that I got another book from the series. 🙂
Great review. She always makes me laugh and her writing is a hoot.
Thanks Deana! I lol’d a lot while reading this one. 😀
Thank you so much!! I’m beyond honored and overjoy you like the book. xxoxoxo
You’re so welcome! I loved it! 🙂
Nice review. I loved the book too.
YAY! I”m over you moon you loved it! Thank you, Deb!
Thanks Deb!
I love Emma Lee Raines!! She is hilarious.. thanks for the great review
Awe! Me too. Thank you, Jayme!
Loving Emma too! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Her covers are so great. It sounds like a blast, too! I really need to try her in 2017! That’s good to hear it works even starting this late in the game 😀
Oh yes! I loved the fact that I just got lost in the story. It’s very entertaining. 😉
Thank you so much!! I do love the covers too. SQUEE!
You completely got me at ‘hoot’, then I was completely gone when you said the balance of humor and mystery is well done. Great review!!
LOL Thanks Lexxie. <3
YAY! Yep…they are a hoot and a holler 😉 xo