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Since I stayed up past midnight to do it, I guess I can say I finished reading A Ghostly Reunion this morning. It's part of author Tonya Kappes' "Ghostly Southern" mystery series, featuring Betweener Emma Lee Raines.

At Emma Lee's work place, the Eternal Slumber funeral home, business has been dead. Having free time, however, allows Emma Lee to work on arranging her tenth year class reunion. No one is more surprised than Emma Lee when Jade Lee Peel returns to Sleepy Hollow for the reunion. Jade was the pretty girl, the popular one, the cheerleader, and she made it her personal mission to torment Emma Lee in high school. Worst of all, Jade used to date Emma Lee's current beau, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross. Ten years hasn't changed Jade; she's still a mean girl, and she's still trying to get her hooks into Jack.

When someone murders Jade, there is no shortage of suspects, and when Jade realizes that Emma Lee can see and hear her, she begins badgering Emma to solve her murder. Emma Lee is happy to do so, if only to get Jade out of her hair. As if that's not enough to deal with, now Emma Lee's sister, Charlotte Rae, is demanding the lovely antique sideboard that has been in the funeral home for as long as Emma Lee can remember. Since Charlotte ditched Eternal Slumber for a bigger, fancier funeral home in Lexington, Emma Lee isn't keen on cooperating.

These books are so amusing and witty. I love the humorous turns of phrase that come out in dialogue, and I adore the wacky characters that call Sleepy Hollow home. Emma's Granny, Zula Fae, is a character all on her own!

Favorite line: "If dumb was dirt, she'd only cover about half an acre."

Fun and lighthearted (for a murder!); four stars:

****

Since I had a nap yesterday, I was too wired to go to bed at a decent hour. As a result, I polished off A Ghostly Demise, the third book in Tonya Kappes' "Ghostly Southern Mystery" series.

When Emma Lee runs into Cephus Hardy at the deli, she's surprised to see he's back in town after five years. She's even more surprised to discover that Cephus is dead, and she's the only one who can see him. Cephus insists he didn't abandon his family all those years ago; he claims he was murdered, and now he needs Emma Lee's help to cross over.

Emma Lee knows she'll get no rest if she doesn't agree. However, she also has to deal with dwindling business at Eternal Slumber funeral home, help with her Granny's mayoral campaign, navigate a carnival in town, and suffer the disapproval of her boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry, who thinks Emma Lee needs to leave the investigating to the police. Without a body, though, the police have their hands tied. It's up to Emma Lee to save the day.

These stories are so fun and funny. It was a quick, easy read--perfect for a long, lazy weekend.

Favorite line: "She's always thought she was hotter than Satan's housecoat."

Five stars:

*****

Since storms kept me offline earlier today, I used the opportunity to finish reading A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes. It's the first book in the author's "Ghostly Southern Mysteries" series.

After undertaker Emma Lee Raines is struck on the head by a falling plastic Santa Claus, she has the ability to see and speak to the dead. The local doctor declares she's suffering from "funeral trauma", and half of the town thinks Emma Lee is crazy. When the ghost of newly departed Ruthie Sue Payne appears to Emma Lee, she insists she was murdered and that Emma Lee must help solve the crime.

As if that wasn't enough, Emma Lee's granny, Zula Fae Raines Payne, is the prime suspect, because her late husband was Ruthie Sue's ex, and he left his half of Ruthie's inn to Zula. Emma Lee is determined to prove her granny didn't push Ruthie Sue down the stairs, even if she has to play up the crazy angle in town. Sheriff Jack Henry Ross isn't buying it; he believes that Emma Lee can communicate with Ruthie Sue. When another busybody in town is attacked and left for dead, and Emma Lee's life is threatened, the race is on to find a killer before anyone else is murdered.

This was a light, delightful read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Four stars:

★★★★