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Ghostly Southern Mystery #1
A Ghostly Undertaking
A funeral, a ghost, a murder. It’s all in a day’s work for Emma Lee Raines . . .
Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she’s suffering from “funeral trauma.” It’s trauma all right, because the not-so-dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne, innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee’s granny, she’s adamant that she didn’t just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.
Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can’t cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee’s high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn’t ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie’s ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risk being haunted forever.
Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she’s suffering from “funeral trauma.” It’s trauma all right, because the not-so-dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne, innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee’s granny, she’s adamant that she didn’t just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.
Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can’t cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee’s high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn’t ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie’s ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risk being haunted forever.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
402 people are currently reading
3242 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Kappes
295 books3,600 followersBeloved 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:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...
Webpage
tonyakappes.com
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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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,
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:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...
Webpage
tonyakappes.com
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/
For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
December 12, 2021
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes
1st in the Ghostly Southern Mystery series. Paranormal.
Emma Lee Raines is hit on the head by a plastic Santa. Now she sees ghosts that are “in between”. Ruthie is the first ghost and she’s sure she was murdered. Emma Lee investigates with the help of Ruthie and Sheriff Jack Henry Ross.
A cute mystery with lots of southernisms and plenty of humor.
🎧 I alternated between a paperback and an audiobook that was narrated by Tiffany Morgan. I sped the narration up to 1.4 to avoid the southern drawl.
1st in the Ghostly Southern Mystery series. Paranormal.
Emma Lee Raines is hit on the head by a plastic Santa. Now she sees ghosts that are “in between”. Ruthie is the first ghost and she’s sure she was murdered. Emma Lee investigates with the help of Ruthie and Sheriff Jack Henry Ross.
A cute mystery with lots of southernisms and plenty of humor.
🎧 I alternated between a paperback and an audiobook that was narrated by Tiffany Morgan. I sped the narration up to 1.4 to avoid the southern drawl.
September 4, 2019
Review to come!
August 26, 2016
This book was very disappointing. I read a lot of cozy mysteries and was looking forward to this story because an undertaker sounded like something different from the usual cooking/baking, sewing/knitting, or store owner/witch type of story which is so prevalent at the moment. Throw in an annoying ghost and it sounded like an interesting, fun mystery.
Characters:
The characters in this book are some of the most one-dimensional I have ever encountered. There’s a vicious village gossip, a talkative hairdresser, a hunky sheriff, a Grande Dame of the South type of grandmother, an annoying sister, etc. And they’re not even consistent in their one-dimensionality. The characters’ actions are often completely nonsensical considering their situations. Add a TSTL heroine and I couldn’t relate to (or like) any of the characters in the book.
Plot:
It just doesn’t make sense. At all. Example 1: The murderer changes the dead victim’s clothes. Why? It’s never explained. Example 2: If you’re being investigated by the IRS for tax fraud, wouldn’t you expect them to actually talk to you at some point? Instead of only ever talking to your granddaughter?
There are at least half a dozen more instances like this when things just don’t add up. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Conclusion:
I don’t really like to leave negative reviews but in this case I felt like the author didn’t even try to deliver a well thought-out story. This was my first book by this author and it will definitely be the last.
If you want to read a good mystery with a ghost, try the ‘Ghost-in-Law’ mysteries by Jana DeLeon. They have quirky characters, lots of action, and several laugh out loud moments.
Characters:
The characters in this book are some of the most one-dimensional I have ever encountered. There’s a vicious village gossip, a talkative hairdresser, a hunky sheriff, a Grande Dame of the South type of grandmother, an annoying sister, etc. And they’re not even consistent in their one-dimensionality. The characters’ actions are often completely nonsensical considering their situations. Add a TSTL heroine and I couldn’t relate to (or like) any of the characters in the book.
Plot:
It just doesn’t make sense. At all. Example 1: The murderer changes the dead victim’s clothes. Why? It’s never explained. Example 2: If you’re being investigated by the IRS for tax fraud, wouldn’t you expect them to actually talk to you at some point? Instead of only ever talking to your granddaughter?
There are at least half a dozen more instances like this when things just don’t add up. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Conclusion:
I don’t really like to leave negative reviews but in this case I felt like the author didn’t even try to deliver a well thought-out story. This was my first book by this author and it will definitely be the last.
If you want to read a good mystery with a ghost, try the ‘Ghost-in-Law’ mysteries by Jana DeLeon. They have quirky characters, lots of action, and several laugh out loud moments.
March 10, 2023
I have been out sick the last couple of days and needed something cozy. I have always loved cozy mysteries. I heard good things about this one and found it on my libby app. I liked some of the characters and the mystery aspect was great but, this didn't feel cozy enough. I didn't like all the town busybodies. I don't like the whole attitude of smile to your face, but the minute you turn around, in goes the knife. So not my thing. While this was bingeable I didn't really enjoy it like I hoped. Don't know that I will continue with the series.
April 26, 2020
Emma Lee is the mortician at a funeral home her family owns, she also experiences ghosts since a large plastic Santa fell on her head. Ruthie, is a battle ax everyone thought had an accident and fell down the stairs so she contacts Emma at while Emma is tying to conduct her funeral. Emma has not learned the skill of ignoring things others can’t see while others are around so everyone thinks she’s weird and says it’s “funeral trauma” which is small town speak for her being doolally. Just as Emma and Ruthie start to investigate Ruthies claims, the hot law enforcement guy Jack says he’s suspicious too and there you have the plot.
Emma is awkward and this point is belabored to death, add some inconsistencies to this story and it’s just not strong enough to make you want to read more. The red herrings were goods, but there was just something lacking for me that made it forgettable and not a series I’d bother with so I’d say 2.75 stars. Or a 4 on the scale of 1-10. There were good aspects of the book but also enough a short comings that it wasn’t a cozy story or series I could get into.
Emma is awkward and this point is belabored to death, add some inconsistencies to this story and it’s just not strong enough to make you want to read more. The red herrings were goods, but there was just something lacking for me that made it forgettable and not a series I’d bother with so I’d say 2.75 stars. Or a 4 on the scale of 1-10. There were good aspects of the book but also enough a short comings that it wasn’t a cozy story or series I could get into.
January 14, 2020
I spotted this series a while back in reviews at Braine's Talk Supe blog and I always meant to try it because it sounded like my favorite type of cozy mystery with the southern charm, paranormal and romance elements added in. I finally got my kick in the pants when the audio edition came out recently and I was ready to give author, narrator, and ghost-seeing undertaker a go.
Emma Lee Raines has been able to see, hear, and speak to ghosts since an unfortunate incident when a full-size Santa decoration fell down and hit her in the head. Unfortunately, she didn't have the presence of mind to hide the fact that she talked to the dead so people in her small Kentucky town think she's a loo loo. They chalk it up to her being among dead bodies too long as she grew up in the funeral parlor business and took over as the undertaker when her folks retired leaving it to her and her sister.
Emma Lee doesn't see the ghost of every person who dies, but the recently departed Ruthie Sue Payne is insisting to Emma Lee that she was pushed down a flight of stairs at the B&B that she ran with Em's granny. There is no love lost between those two old ladies since they shared the same dearly departed husband. Ruthie is the ex and Granny was the second wife and widow. Her high school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn't convinced it was an accident and, unfortunately, sees Granny as a prime suspect. Emma Lee has to jump in and play detective now with the ghost of town busy body as her partner.
A Ghostly Undertaking dips into cliche territory when it comes to the small town southern charm, but it was also fun so I forgave it. Emma Lee is the every day girl misfit who has always been the odd girl and too weird for the rest of the town who might be crazy, but not that type of crazy. It takes her a bit to believe that she's really seeing and hearing ghosts because she believes she is crazy because everyone, including her family, said she was. Her little blip has already cost the funeral home business and her sister rides her all the time. So, she has some stops and starts before she really gets going in the detecting and chatting with the ghost Ruthie. I felt sorry for her, but Emma Lee came into her own in this story which was great to see.
When Jack Henry came around, she was adorkable and she didn't see that he was feeling just as awkward. He has to do his job, but he also was just as interested in her. He was so handsome that she didn't realize that he was shy and found it tough to break the ice. They were cute and I loved seeing him in her corner when no one else was.
The mystery was actually both simple and twisting. The author dropped plenty of clues, but also there were several suspicious types and secrets to lay some false trails.
All in all, I found this fun and an easy listen. It set things up nicely for a series full of small town shenanigans, quirky characters, and interesting ghostly antics. Paranormal cozy mystery fans really must give this one a look see.
Narrator Review: 4 stars
Tiffany Morgan is a well known narrator, but I think this is my first time listening to her work. I thought she did great with the cast of characters, genders, ages, personalities, tone, and pacing. There was a bit of whine to her voice and occasional sing-song to her southern accent that would catch my ear, but not a huge detraction once I got used to it. I'm glad she's voicing this series because I think its a good match.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Emma Lee Raines has been able to see, hear, and speak to ghosts since an unfortunate incident when a full-size Santa decoration fell down and hit her in the head. Unfortunately, she didn't have the presence of mind to hide the fact that she talked to the dead so people in her small Kentucky town think she's a loo loo. They chalk it up to her being among dead bodies too long as she grew up in the funeral parlor business and took over as the undertaker when her folks retired leaving it to her and her sister.
Emma Lee doesn't see the ghost of every person who dies, but the recently departed Ruthie Sue Payne is insisting to Emma Lee that she was pushed down a flight of stairs at the B&B that she ran with Em's granny. There is no love lost between those two old ladies since they shared the same dearly departed husband. Ruthie is the ex and Granny was the second wife and widow. Her high school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn't convinced it was an accident and, unfortunately, sees Granny as a prime suspect. Emma Lee has to jump in and play detective now with the ghost of town busy body as her partner.
A Ghostly Undertaking dips into cliche territory when it comes to the small town southern charm, but it was also fun so I forgave it. Emma Lee is the every day girl misfit who has always been the odd girl and too weird for the rest of the town who might be crazy, but not that type of crazy. It takes her a bit to believe that she's really seeing and hearing ghosts because she believes she is crazy because everyone, including her family, said she was. Her little blip has already cost the funeral home business and her sister rides her all the time. So, she has some stops and starts before she really gets going in the detecting and chatting with the ghost Ruthie. I felt sorry for her, but Emma Lee came into her own in this story which was great to see.
When Jack Henry came around, she was adorkable and she didn't see that he was feeling just as awkward. He has to do his job, but he also was just as interested in her. He was so handsome that she didn't realize that he was shy and found it tough to break the ice. They were cute and I loved seeing him in her corner when no one else was.
The mystery was actually both simple and twisting. The author dropped plenty of clues, but also there were several suspicious types and secrets to lay some false trails.
All in all, I found this fun and an easy listen. It set things up nicely for a series full of small town shenanigans, quirky characters, and interesting ghostly antics. Paranormal cozy mystery fans really must give this one a look see.
Narrator Review: 4 stars
Tiffany Morgan is a well known narrator, but I think this is my first time listening to her work. I thought she did great with the cast of characters, genders, ages, personalities, tone, and pacing. There was a bit of whine to her voice and occasional sing-song to her southern accent that would catch my ear, but not a huge detraction once I got used to it. I'm glad she's voicing this series because I think its a good match.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2021
Nothing like realizing you can see ghosts when you not only work in a funeral home, but live there as well! What could possibly go wrong with that!?! Humor laced with southern wit is very entertaining while wrapping a murder mystery and family drama into the mix then topping it off with awkward dating and you'll be giggling your way through the book in no time!
February 12, 2015
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was immediately attracted by the cover and I admit that I took the book before reading the synopsis. But how not to be drawn to it? A heroine working for a funeral company, humor and ghosts that are determined to haunt her until she helps them? Yes? Are you intrigued? I knew it! So as you can imagine, I spent a good time with this first volume and I’m curious to read more now.
Emma had an accident some time ago and has since hallucinations or at least that’s what she believes. Yes until a new death occurs and Ruthie, the old lady that she is preparing for the funeral, materializes before her. Now, Emma realizes that she is not crazy in fact but that does not change how people look at her. So of course everyone is watching her and everyone is asking many questions about her sanity when she talks to herself. So yes excuses rife as to why she seems taken into animated conversations all by herself. But specifically back to the story, Ruthie has just died, but she knows she was murdered and she wants Emma to find her murderer. Alas, our heroine is far from being an investigator, but she remains determined to help the old lady, especially when the only suspect of the story is Granny, Emma’s grandma. Taking things in hand, the young woman will ally with the sheriff of the city to discover the real culprit! Jack is the only person who believes in her gift and this story could link them together.
I enjoyed exploring this story, it is fresh and full of ideas. I always appreciate a ghost novel, and it was very nice to read this one. Although this is not really complicated, it was interesting to follow the Emma’s adventures and to try to understand with her who was the person responsible for the Ruthie’s death. It’s pretty funny to see the relationship between our two heroines changing along the course of the story while they were not really close at the start. Through her investigation, Emma will find out more about her grandmother, things she did not expect elsewhere. I admit that the murderer was also a surprise for me because I didn’t get a name for the culprit and I agreed with Emma’s assumptions. But that’s not all because it was also quite touching to see her with Jack without understanding what he really wanted. But their relationship slowly evolves with the chapters and I’m curious to see what will happen for the future.
So it was a good introduction to this series and I’m now curious to read the second volume.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was immediately attracted by the cover and I admit that I took the book before reading the synopsis. But how not to be drawn to it? A heroine working for a funeral company, humor and ghosts that are determined to haunt her until she helps them? Yes? Are you intrigued? I knew it! So as you can imagine, I spent a good time with this first volume and I’m curious to read more now.
Emma had an accident some time ago and has since hallucinations or at least that’s what she believes. Yes until a new death occurs and Ruthie, the old lady that she is preparing for the funeral, materializes before her. Now, Emma realizes that she is not crazy in fact but that does not change how people look at her. So of course everyone is watching her and everyone is asking many questions about her sanity when she talks to herself. So yes excuses rife as to why she seems taken into animated conversations all by herself. But specifically back to the story, Ruthie has just died, but she knows she was murdered and she wants Emma to find her murderer. Alas, our heroine is far from being an investigator, but she remains determined to help the old lady, especially when the only suspect of the story is Granny, Emma’s grandma. Taking things in hand, the young woman will ally with the sheriff of the city to discover the real culprit! Jack is the only person who believes in her gift and this story could link them together.
I enjoyed exploring this story, it is fresh and full of ideas. I always appreciate a ghost novel, and it was very nice to read this one. Although this is not really complicated, it was interesting to follow the Emma’s adventures and to try to understand with her who was the person responsible for the Ruthie’s death. It’s pretty funny to see the relationship between our two heroines changing along the course of the story while they were not really close at the start. Through her investigation, Emma will find out more about her grandmother, things she did not expect elsewhere. I admit that the murderer was also a surprise for me because I didn’t get a name for the culprit and I agreed with Emma’s assumptions. But that’s not all because it was also quite touching to see her with Jack without understanding what he really wanted. But their relationship slowly evolves with the chapters and I’m curious to see what will happen for the future.
So it was a good introduction to this series and I’m now curious to read the second volume.
November 7, 2014
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Knappes is 2015 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries series. I love ghost stories and cozy mysteries so I figured this one would be a perfect match for me. I loved the set up- Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, a young woman as a the funeral director, Emma Lee Raines, a murder, a ghost and maybe a hint of romance.
When the recently departed Ruthie informs Emma she did NOT fall down the stairs, but was pushed, she demands Emma find out whodunit so Ruthie can pass on to her just rewards. It is in Emma's best interest to do so since Ruthie and Emma's grandmother had a long running feud. Emma is worried her grandmother could be a suspect. Emma teams up with the local sheriff, Jack Ross, a man she nearly kissed once while still in high school, and who knows about her “gift”, to solve the mystery.
I enjoyed this off beat and kind of usual cozy mystery. I loved the small town humor , where everyone knows everything you did five minutes after you did it. The whodunit part kept me guessing all the way to the end and I will confess, I never even suspected who the killer was. Emma was a bit hard to figure out. She is perhaps a little naïve or was too sheltered or something. She is a quirky with some apparent issues which I never really understood... something called the funeral traumas, which she obtained from a bump on the head. She is evidently not much of a drinker and was at times too immature for her age and suffers from a lack of confidence. I do believe the local sheriff might be able to help her out with some of these issues.
Other than some very mild violence and language this is a clean, PG rated book, and would appeal to all cozy mystery lovers. This would be a great book to curl up by the fire with. 4 stars
This is the first book in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries series. I love ghost stories and cozy mysteries so I figured this one would be a perfect match for me. I loved the set up- Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, a young woman as a the funeral director, Emma Lee Raines, a murder, a ghost and maybe a hint of romance.
When the recently departed Ruthie informs Emma she did NOT fall down the stairs, but was pushed, she demands Emma find out whodunit so Ruthie can pass on to her just rewards. It is in Emma's best interest to do so since Ruthie and Emma's grandmother had a long running feud. Emma is worried her grandmother could be a suspect. Emma teams up with the local sheriff, Jack Ross, a man she nearly kissed once while still in high school, and who knows about her “gift”, to solve the mystery.
I enjoyed this off beat and kind of usual cozy mystery. I loved the small town humor , where everyone knows everything you did five minutes after you did it. The whodunit part kept me guessing all the way to the end and I will confess, I never even suspected who the killer was. Emma was a bit hard to figure out. She is perhaps a little naïve or was too sheltered or something. She is a quirky with some apparent issues which I never really understood... something called the funeral traumas, which she obtained from a bump on the head. She is evidently not much of a drinker and was at times too immature for her age and suffers from a lack of confidence. I do believe the local sheriff might be able to help her out with some of these issues.
Other than some very mild violence and language this is a clean, PG rated book, and would appeal to all cozy mystery lovers. This would be a great book to curl up by the fire with. 4 stars
February 11, 2015
After being rendered unconscious by a large plastic Santa Claus, Emma finds she has the ability to see dead people. Specifically people who have been murdered. Unfortunately for her now she is the only person in town who can see the town's number one busybody, Ruthie, and it's up to her to solve the crime before anyone else falls victim.
Along the way she enlists the help of Jack Henry, the town's policeman but with her grandma the number one suspect she has to walk a fine line between helping to track down the killer and protecting her family.
A Ghostly Undertaking is a quick and fun cozy mystery set around a family run funeral home. It's not perfect, there are a few things that didn't quite work, some things I would have liked her to spend a little more time with, but there is enough good in there for me to say this is a good book and a promising start to a new series.
Along the way she enlists the help of Jack Henry, the town's policeman but with her grandma the number one suspect she has to walk a fine line between helping to track down the killer and protecting her family.
A Ghostly Undertaking is a quick and fun cozy mystery set around a family run funeral home. It's not perfect, there are a few things that didn't quite work, some things I would have liked her to spend a little more time with, but there is enough good in there for me to say this is a good book and a promising start to a new series.
October 21, 2018
I just love Tonya's books! Her humor and personality is totally reflected in her writings, making each book a joy to read!
September 2, 2017
This was funny!
Emma Lee is one of two daughters who take care of the Eternal Slumber funeral home in Sleepy Hollow,
Kentucky. Her Granny, Zola Rae, and her parents took care of it before her and her sister Charlotte.
The funeral home is getting ready for the viewing of one of the town's prominent citizens, Ruthie Sue Payne co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn. Granny Zula is the other owner. Granny and Ruthie were at one time both married to Earl Way Payne. Granny was married to him when he died and left a lot of his stuff to her, which Ruthie did not appreciate!
Emma Lee is watching the proceedings at the viewing when she can't believe she is looking at the deceased standing next to her!
Ruthie starts to talk to Emma Lee and tells her that she was pushed down the stairs by someone! She needs Emma to help her solve the mystery!
The situations you can think that Emma can get into are so funny that as you read the book you are laughing out loud! People begin to think that Emma is "crazy" when they see her talking to herself in the hearse when Ruthie is with her because no one else sees Ruthie!
You need to read the book to enjoy it, it is very good, well thought out and well written!
Emma Lee is one of two daughters who take care of the Eternal Slumber funeral home in Sleepy Hollow,
Kentucky. Her Granny, Zola Rae, and her parents took care of it before her and her sister Charlotte.
The funeral home is getting ready for the viewing of one of the town's prominent citizens, Ruthie Sue Payne co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn. Granny Zula is the other owner. Granny and Ruthie were at one time both married to Earl Way Payne. Granny was married to him when he died and left a lot of his stuff to her, which Ruthie did not appreciate!
Emma Lee is watching the proceedings at the viewing when she can't believe she is looking at the deceased standing next to her!
Ruthie starts to talk to Emma Lee and tells her that she was pushed down the stairs by someone! She needs Emma to help her solve the mystery!
The situations you can think that Emma can get into are so funny that as you read the book you are laughing out loud! People begin to think that Emma is "crazy" when they see her talking to herself in the hearse when Ruthie is with her because no one else sees Ruthie!
You need to read the book to enjoy it, it is very good, well thought out and well written!
January 26, 2015
Emma Lee Raines is your average girl, well average if you consider she is a beautician to corpses and can see ghosts. When a ghost comes and tells her they were murdered, Emma Lee feels that she must help the ghost solve their murder or be haunted by them forever. All this while Emma Lee's grandmother Zula Fae, keeps causing all shorts of outrageously funny trouble...with Emma Lee responsible for reining her in.
Southern hospitality and charm stream off the pages in this new mystery series. A Ghostly Undertaking is a fun, quite humorous, fast paced story. Lots of possible suspects, fascinating detecting style and a marvelous cast of southern characters makes for a wonderful mystery read.
I received this ARC copy of A Ghostly Undertaking from Witness in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication February 24, 2015.
Written by: Tonya Kappes
Series: Ghostly Southern Mysteries
Sequence in Series: 1
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Witness
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Rating: 4 Stars
ISBN-10: 0062374648
ISBN-13: 978-0062374646
Genre: Mystery
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Southern hospitality and charm stream off the pages in this new mystery series. A Ghostly Undertaking is a fun, quite humorous, fast paced story. Lots of possible suspects, fascinating detecting style and a marvelous cast of southern characters makes for a wonderful mystery read.
I received this ARC copy of A Ghostly Undertaking from Witness in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication February 24, 2015.
Written by: Tonya Kappes
Series: Ghostly Southern Mysteries
Sequence in Series: 1
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Witness
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Rating: 4 Stars
ISBN-10: 0062374648
ISBN-13: 978-0062374646
Genre: Mystery
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 5, 2019
3.5 stars, 1.5 heat
A Ghostly Undertaking was a fun little trip into a new world from Kappes. Crazy families, a hearse driving heroine and a cutie cop!
The Gist: Emma Lee, well, she's about done with everything. Her crazy family that maybe offed the competition, the ghost in pink bedroom slippers that's haunting her,the gossiping town that's talking how she has the 'funeral trauma' and gone a little crazy, the oh so tempting cutie cop that's maybe gonna arrest her gran for murder. It's just. Really yall? Really?
I liked Emma Lee. She's cute. She's an undertaker and a little eccentric with her hearse driving self. She's a trooper and tries her best to roll with the punches. Defends her family-- even if they're nutty-- and despite herself has a soft spot for pain in the butt ghosts. She's easy to like and root for as she tries to hunt down the truth.
There's a tiny starting of romance with the cop in town who's on the case of who offed her grandmom's nemesis. Jack Henry's a good guy. Understanding and supportive and just a nice guy. I'm looking forward to seeing them get a bit more involved. It's pretty PG and just a taste so far.
The mystery. Lawdy the drama. So Emma Lee's grandmom and the dead lady...they married the same man. Not at the same time but still. And then they had to live and work together after he died. So when Ruthie ends up dead it's obvious who's gonna be looked at. lol The mystery was pretty good. I figured it out fairly early but it was still fun watching Emma Lee and Jack Henry piece it together.
Overall, A Ghostly Undertaking was a fun time. A quirky town, a unique setting, a little tease of romance. I'm ready for more from this group.
A Ghostly Undertaking was a fun little trip into a new world from Kappes. Crazy families, a hearse driving heroine and a cutie cop!
The Gist: Emma Lee, well, she's about done with everything. Her crazy family that maybe offed the competition, the ghost in pink bedroom slippers that's haunting her,the gossiping town that's talking how she has the 'funeral trauma' and gone a little crazy, the oh so tempting cutie cop that's maybe gonna arrest her gran for murder. It's just. Really yall? Really?
I liked Emma Lee. She's cute. She's an undertaker and a little eccentric with her hearse driving self. She's a trooper and tries her best to roll with the punches. Defends her family-- even if they're nutty-- and despite herself has a soft spot for pain in the butt ghosts. She's easy to like and root for as she tries to hunt down the truth.
There's a tiny starting of romance with the cop in town who's on the case of who offed her grandmom's nemesis. Jack Henry's a good guy. Understanding and supportive and just a nice guy. I'm looking forward to seeing them get a bit more involved. It's pretty PG and just a taste so far.
The mystery. Lawdy the drama. So Emma Lee's grandmom and the dead lady...they married the same man. Not at the same time but still. And then they had to live and work together after he died. So when Ruthie ends up dead it's obvious who's gonna be looked at. lol The mystery was pretty good. I figured it out fairly early but it was still fun watching Emma Lee and Jack Henry piece it together.
Overall, A Ghostly Undertaking was a fun time. A quirky town, a unique setting, a little tease of romance. I'm ready for more from this group.
June 16, 2015
What a fun cozy mystery!
I love the small town feel, the colorful townsfolk of Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, all the gossiping, the family dynamic between Emma Lee and her grandma & sister, especially Ruthie's comments and persistent attitude. I gobbled A GHOSTLY UNDERTAKING in one sitting!
The murder mystery gave me a good run around. I suck at solving cases like this so I gave up trying to figure things out. I instead enjoyed the ride and allowed Emma Lee and Ruthie solve the latter's murder for me.
Looking forward to the next installment. My visit to Sleepy Hollow sure was fun!
I love the small town feel, the colorful townsfolk of Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, all the gossiping, the family dynamic between Emma Lee and her grandma & sister, especially Ruthie's comments and persistent attitude. I gobbled A GHOSTLY UNDERTAKING in one sitting!
The murder mystery gave me a good run around. I suck at solving cases like this so I gave up trying to figure things out. I instead enjoyed the ride and allowed Emma Lee and Ruthie solve the latter's murder for me.
Looking forward to the next installment. My visit to Sleepy Hollow sure was fun!
August 17, 2021
This isn’t the greatest book I’ve ever read, lots of holes in the plot, but it’s perfect for my bedtime reading when I’m half asleep and not paying much attention.
February 19, 2015
I received this ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
Tonya Kappes is a new to me author, yet her books have apparently been around for awhile! A Ghostly Undertaking was initially published in 2013 but has been reprinted this year! I love me a good paranormal mystery! Murder mysteries combined with ghosts are just a delight! Though this one has all the right elements to it, I did find myself not quite as enthralled as I had hoped. But it was still an interesting read.
Emma Lee works in a funeral home with her sister, it's a family run business that they are now in charge of after their parents retired. In Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky you get the whole small town feels. Everybody knows everybody's business and secrets are hard to come by. Add in a murderer to this mix and you can expect chaos.
Emma was just trying to tend to Ruthie Sue Payne's funeral services when suddenly Ruthie shows up wearing her pajamas trying to get Emma's attention. This is sort of a first even for Emma. She had an accident some time ago where she got hit on the head, she saw a ghost then but wrote it off as being a side effect from her injury. Now she knows that it had to be real, for Ruthie is standing there shouting that she was murdered, that her death wasn't accidental as claimed.
Emma is sweet character. I would say she might be the typical girl next door type from the South, but don't quote me on that! She's the good girl type, in that she tries to do what's right. She's respectful, has manners and all those other good traits.
She does her best to look into Ruthie's murder, especially when it looks like her own Granny is a suspect. The two of them ran an inn together and now Granny plans to sell it and Ruthie was always against that idea. Emma knows her Granny couldn't have done it, but she has to find the evidence to prove it.
In comes the sheriff, Jack, who just happens to be Emma's old school days' crush. There are still feelings for him and he's the only one who seems to accept Emma's ability of seeing and talking to ghosts, or Ruthie at least. But Emma's pretty sure he's just being nice because he wants her particular skill to help him solve the murder case.
This was a rather quick read! I probably could've finished it in a day, but other things got in the way. I sort of pegged the murderer down, usually it's just me making a guess with no sound logic behind it and I was right! Sorta! I tend to change my guesses too, but I never really came up with a good second suspect myself! One thing that nagged at me was there was a clue of sorts that only Emma knew about. Ruthie appears to her wearing her pajamas because that's what she died in. Yet when her body was found, she was wearing clothes. It never gets said why the murderer changed her clothes. In fact, that detail gets totally forgotten about when they catch the murderer.
The pacing is what you can expect from a murder mystery read. It was a slow going kind, yet not dreadful. It builds in tension. It was kind of cute seeing Emma playing detective. She tries to do things like on the TV shows and writes a lot of things down. It's practical at least and does help with trying to remember things. Always wonder how the investigators on TV remember all those details without writing all these things down!
Overall it was a cute read. There were a few flaws, like with that one detail I mentioned towards the end. I have the second one to read for review and depending on how that one goes will help me decide if I want to continue the series. It has a bit too much simplicity for me going on, the ghost aspect is by far the most intriguing element that makes it stand out from all the other mystery reads out there.
Overall Rating 3/5 stars
A Ghostly Undertaking (Re)Releases February 24, 2015
Tonya Kappes is a new to me author, yet her books have apparently been around for awhile! A Ghostly Undertaking was initially published in 2013 but has been reprinted this year! I love me a good paranormal mystery! Murder mysteries combined with ghosts are just a delight! Though this one has all the right elements to it, I did find myself not quite as enthralled as I had hoped. But it was still an interesting read.
Emma Lee works in a funeral home with her sister, it's a family run business that they are now in charge of after their parents retired. In Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky you get the whole small town feels. Everybody knows everybody's business and secrets are hard to come by. Add in a murderer to this mix and you can expect chaos.
Emma was just trying to tend to Ruthie Sue Payne's funeral services when suddenly Ruthie shows up wearing her pajamas trying to get Emma's attention. This is sort of a first even for Emma. She had an accident some time ago where she got hit on the head, she saw a ghost then but wrote it off as being a side effect from her injury. Now she knows that it had to be real, for Ruthie is standing there shouting that she was murdered, that her death wasn't accidental as claimed.
Emma is sweet character. I would say she might be the typical girl next door type from the South, but don't quote me on that! She's the good girl type, in that she tries to do what's right. She's respectful, has manners and all those other good traits.
She does her best to look into Ruthie's murder, especially when it looks like her own Granny is a suspect. The two of them ran an inn together and now Granny plans to sell it and Ruthie was always against that idea. Emma knows her Granny couldn't have done it, but she has to find the evidence to prove it.
In comes the sheriff, Jack, who just happens to be Emma's old school days' crush. There are still feelings for him and he's the only one who seems to accept Emma's ability of seeing and talking to ghosts, or Ruthie at least. But Emma's pretty sure he's just being nice because he wants her particular skill to help him solve the murder case.
This was a rather quick read! I probably could've finished it in a day, but other things got in the way. I sort of pegged the murderer down, usually it's just me making a guess with no sound logic behind it and I was right! Sorta! I tend to change my guesses too, but I never really came up with a good second suspect myself! One thing that nagged at me was there was a clue of sorts that only Emma knew about. Ruthie appears to her wearing her pajamas because that's what she died in. Yet when her body was found, she was wearing clothes. It never gets said why the murderer changed her clothes. In fact, that detail gets totally forgotten about when they catch the murderer.
The pacing is what you can expect from a murder mystery read. It was a slow going kind, yet not dreadful. It builds in tension. It was kind of cute seeing Emma playing detective. She tries to do things like on the TV shows and writes a lot of things down. It's practical at least and does help with trying to remember things. Always wonder how the investigators on TV remember all those details without writing all these things down!
Overall it was a cute read. There were a few flaws, like with that one detail I mentioned towards the end. I have the second one to read for review and depending on how that one goes will help me decide if I want to continue the series. It has a bit too much simplicity for me going on, the ghost aspect is by far the most intriguing element that makes it stand out from all the other mystery reads out there.
Overall Rating 3/5 stars
A Ghostly Undertaking (Re)Releases February 24, 2015
March 15, 2020
Emma Lee co-owns a funeral home with her sister. Emma recently suffered a head injury. Since the head injury, Emma can see ghosts not just any ghosts but ghosts who were murdered. Recently deceased Ruthie Sue died in what everyone believes was an accidental fall. However, Ruthie wants Emma to help find her killer. Everyone in town knows everything about everyone and gossip regularly. Most people in town believe Emma has a case of funeral trama and needs to seek medical help. Although Sheriff Jack Henry Ross finds Emma talking to no one, he doesn’t think Emma is nuts. Sheriff Ross believes Emma is truly speaking to Ruthie ghost and asks Emma to help in solving Ruthie’s murder.
This is a unique cozy mystery. The characters are wonderfully quirky. The plot moves at a quick steady pace with well-placed red herrings and misdirections. The mystery kept me engaged until the end, I was surprised at whodunit. There is plenty of humor included in this supernatural southern cozy. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.
All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.
This is a unique cozy mystery. The characters are wonderfully quirky. The plot moves at a quick steady pace with well-placed red herrings and misdirections. The mystery kept me engaged until the end, I was surprised at whodunit. There is plenty of humor included in this supernatural southern cozy. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.
All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.
October 23, 2013
Another Awesome book by Tonya Kappes! I was hooked from the first page. I stayed up last night and read the whole book in one sitting. I love Emma Lee Raines, who works in the family business with her sister running the local Funeral Home. Emma had an accident and since then she can see ghosts. At first Emma Lee thinks the ghosts are hallucinations, until Ruthie comes to her own wake wearing her bunny slippers. Ruthie is her granny's nemesis and was married to granny's late husband. Ruthie tells Emma Lee that she was murdered, and demands that she help her. Of course since Ruthie and granny didn't get along, granny is a suspect. It is up to Emma Lee and Ruthie to find the killer, until she gets help from the sexy sheriff Jack Henry. This book is full of humor,mystery,and colorful characters that you will fall in love with just like I did. I am so happy that this is going to be a series. I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens to Emma Lee next.
February 22, 2016
I don't know how it's looked at for writing in the review section before you've read the book, however I 'had' to stop in here because I'd like my thoughts to be seen by those whom were part of sending me this book. Corny or not I just wish to express how I feel.
Thank you Harper Collins Publishers and William Morrow for this gift. I don't think I've ever in my life owned or read a "cozy mystery" before and this couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I just finished an amazing thriller last night and now I can't wait to grab my tea, blankets, all my cold/bronchitis/flu remedies and curl up into my comfiest spot to read this tonight. Coughing attacks may slow me down, but I'm thrilled to be able to read this. Some "Ghostly Southern Mystery" fun is exactly what this sad and sick heart needs. Thank you so very much!! <3
Thank you Harper Collins Publishers and William Morrow for this gift. I don't think I've ever in my life owned or read a "cozy mystery" before and this couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I just finished an amazing thriller last night and now I can't wait to grab my tea, blankets, all my cold/bronchitis/flu remedies and curl up into my comfiest spot to read this tonight. Coughing attacks may slow me down, but I'm thrilled to be able to read this. Some "Ghostly Southern Mystery" fun is exactly what this sad and sick heart needs. Thank you so very much!! <3
May 2, 2015
This is actually a 2.5 star read, but I went up to 3 rather than down to 2. The whole premise of this series is so much like Casey Daniels' Pepper Martin series that it's almost funny. This book was nowhere near as good as those books. I know Ms. Kappes herself is from Kentucky, so why continue the stereotype of everyone having 2 names and the towns having stupid names? Slick Lizard?? My family is back in eastern Kentucky and while you will find some of both of these things, I find them them to be the exception rather than the norm. Anyway, that's just me on my soapbox. The solution to the mystery was actually good, but the ghost was so annoying it took perseverance to get to the end. I do have the next one in the series in The Pile, so will get to it...probably later rather than sooner.
March 5, 2015
Love,love,love! Tonya Kappes is a fabulous story teller and she has done it again with A Ghostly undertaking. A Cast of characters and a story so well written you will think you are right there in the midst of all the happenings. This charming whodunit will bring you hours of fun reading. You will be in captivated from the start and will eagerly be waiting the next book to find out what Emma and the gang will get into next. I am excited for the next one in this series.
March 2, 2015
3.5 stars
January 28, 2020
I am a big fan of this author and I have been wanting to try this series so I was excited when I seen that Tantor Audio was going to have this one for review!
This was a lot of fun! I love a good southern cozy and I have a feeling that I am going to really enjoy this series once I get into and get to know the characters more. Emma Lee can see the dead and everyone thinks she has "funeral trauma" because nobody would believe she can actually see dead people. Not sure if she is in the right business since she is an undertaker or if it's the perfect business!
When Ruthie Sue dies she pops up where Emma Lee can see her and won't go away until she finds out who killed her, the only bad thing being that one of the suspects is Emma Lee's own grandmother, but there are a few others that have a reason for wanting her dead.
I really like d the Sheriff Jack Henry who had lots of southern charm and didn't mind Emma Lee helping since he knew she could see Ruthie and kind of used her to help him solve things. Though he also has other reason to want to keep her close by as he really likes her.
It had a great mystery that I had a bit of a time figuring out and I would totally recommend it to cozy mystery lovers!
This was a lot of fun! I love a good southern cozy and I have a feeling that I am going to really enjoy this series once I get into and get to know the characters more. Emma Lee can see the dead and everyone thinks she has "funeral trauma" because nobody would believe she can actually see dead people. Not sure if she is in the right business since she is an undertaker or if it's the perfect business!
When Ruthie Sue dies she pops up where Emma Lee can see her and won't go away until she finds out who killed her, the only bad thing being that one of the suspects is Emma Lee's own grandmother, but there are a few others that have a reason for wanting her dead.
I really like d the Sheriff Jack Henry who had lots of southern charm and didn't mind Emma Lee helping since he knew she could see Ruthie and kind of used her to help him solve things. Though he also has other reason to want to keep her close by as he really likes her.
It had a great mystery that I had a bit of a time figuring out and I would totally recommend it to cozy mystery lovers!
February 2, 2019
Emma Lee is the co-owner of a funeral home. Ruthie Sue has recently passed has come to Emma lee asking for help as her death was an accident. Emma Lee has to find the killer so she can rest in peace.
Sleepy Hollow is a small town in KY. Everyone knows everything and gossips of course what to talk about anything exciting. People think Emma is a nutcase.
Can Emma keep everyone happy from her sister to her grandmother rules? Can she find the killer before it is too late?
Emma Lee and Sheriff Jack Henry Ross were fun to read about and can’t wait to see where things go.
A fun paranormal cozy read that I enjoyed reading. I was kept guessing on who the killer was. That is always a big deal for me. No fun knowing who it was right off the bat. The author does a wonderful job with the characters and setting. The town is cute and one you can find yourself relating too. This is the first book I have read by the author and it sure will not be the last.
Sleepy Hollow is a small town in KY. Everyone knows everything and gossips of course what to talk about anything exciting. People think Emma is a nutcase.
Can Emma keep everyone happy from her sister to her grandmother rules? Can she find the killer before it is too late?
Emma Lee and Sheriff Jack Henry Ross were fun to read about and can’t wait to see where things go.
A fun paranormal cozy read that I enjoyed reading. I was kept guessing on who the killer was. That is always a big deal for me. No fun knowing who it was right off the bat. The author does a wonderful job with the characters and setting. The town is cute and one you can find yourself relating too. This is the first book I have read by the author and it sure will not be the last.
July 31, 2021
I loved the humour and whole premise of this book. Emma Lee working in a funeral home was already an interesting angle for our leading lady and then we added the fact she could actually talk to her deceased clients and I was sold. I liked the small town of Sleepy Hollow with it's eccentric busy body residents. I thought the murder mystery parts were well done. I will definitely be checking out more of the series when I need a fun break from heavier reading!
April 20, 2022
Set in the south in a small town, Emma Lee and her sister run a funeral home. When a large Santa fell on Emma Lee's head, she woke up to find that she was seeing and could talk to dead people. When her granny's romantic rival falls down the stairs, she come to Emma Lee to insist she was pushed and Emma Lee has to find her killer.
For the first story in a series, this was pretty good. Emma Lee has some nice quirks having grown up as the funeral home girl in her small town. When her highschool crush tries to take notice of her, she knows it is because he believes she can talk to the murder victim and believes it will help solve the crime. There's enough southern charm in this one to make it cute. I will read on.
September 1, 2021
Just the cutest! Loved Emma Lee, Ruthie and the Sheriff. It made my heart happy that Emma Lee and the Sheriff had history and their romance was the cutest. The mystery was fun and Emma Lee was hysterical. I need more in this series!!!
May 26, 2023
Ghostly Murder Mystery
Ruthie haunts Emma Lee, owner of the local funeral home, until she agrees to help solve her murder since she is the only one who can see Ruthie! Good mystery.
Ruthie haunts Emma Lee, owner of the local funeral home, until she agrees to help solve her murder since she is the only one who can see Ruthie! Good mystery.
June 29, 2025
I loved this book! Story is well written and moves along quickly. The characters are likable and kept me guessing until the very end. Already ordered the second book when I was only halfway through this one!
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