Shortly after Emma Lee helps her sister Charlotte Rae move on by finding her murderer; a cat appears, but as it happens the cat is a ghost and along with Mr. Whiskers come two other ghosts; Betsy Lynn Brady & Rachel Bemis...

Betsy's mother was about to get married to Kevin, the King of Rent a Room Furniture. She & Betsy were staying in Kevin's mansion, but all that changed when Kevin fired Rachel, with whom he was having an affair.

Betsy Lynn disappeared about twenty years ago, as did Rachel, two seemingly unrelated cases... no one knows where they went, that is until Emma Lee starts digging around in the past...

Meanwhile Emma Lee's relationship w/ Sheriff Jack Henry Ross becomes rockier & filled w/ more obstacles and her Granny is more of a selfish PITB as ever.

This was a really fast read and it held my interest, I liked the story it had an interesting conclusion.

I'm not sure if there will be any other books in the series, as there was no other ghost hanging around at the end as in the previous ones ( )

A Ghostly Secret is the 7th book in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries series about Emma Lee Raines, and while it still has the trademark humor that the series is known for, things have gotten much more serious for Emma Lee. She's still grieving the loss of her sister when she meets the ghosts of an eight year old girl and a cat. Betsy Lynn Brady doesn't remember what happened to her or Mr. Whiskers, but Emma Lee knows she has to find out so that they can pass over. She's never met a ghost that's so young before, and helping a child proves to be a challenge. Sheriff and love interest Jack Henry Ross lays some news on Emma Lee that shakes up her world too and makes her question her future. Good mystery and I'm curious to see what will happen with all of these characters in the future. ( )

A Ghostly Secret by Tonya Kappes is the seventh novel in A Ghostly Southern Mystery series. Emma Lee Raines owns Eternal Slumber Funeral Home in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky. Emma Lee is a “Betweener”. She has the ability to help murdered spirits cross over to the other side by getting them closure (bringing their killer to justice). Betsy, a young girl, and a cat named Mr. Whiskers are Emma Lee’s latest clients. Betsy has been present for the last six months and has yet to remember what happened to her. With a little help from Debbie Dually, a medium, Emma Lee discovers that Betsy died twenty years ago. Sheriff Jack Henry Ross needs new evidence before he can open the case. Emma Lee gets help from an unexpected source and sets out on the trail of Betsy’s killer. Emma Lee is still dealing with the death of her sister, Charlotte Rae (why does everyone go by two names in small Southern towns). She can always count on Granny to liven things up and shake her out of her doldrums. Emma Lee mistakenly tells Granny a secret which leads to a surprise party (it will have you chuckling and shaking your head in disbelief) and a serious talk between Jack Henry and Emma Lee. Come to Sleepy Hollow for Emma Lee’s latest ghost adventure in A Ghostly Secret.

A Ghostly Secret is an entertaining paranormal mystery novel. The story contains good writing with a nice, easy pace. The characters are well-developed and multifaceted. While I do find Granny annoying and over-the-top at times, she is entertaining. Granny provides humor (a lightness) that the story needs. There is romance in the story, but it does not dominate the story (thank heavens). I really appreciate the well-rounded, balanced story—good characters, mystery, spirits, animals, romance, family, friendship, ghosts and more. My rating for A Ghostly Secret is 4.5 out of 5 stars. If the whodunit in A Ghostly Secret had been harder to solve, it would be a 5 star review. I identified the perpetrator early in the story (insert sigh). It was great that the mystery was a cold case (and nicely plotted out too). I find that refreshing (instead of the main character stumbling over a dead body in the first chapter). I liked the new character introduced in A Ghostly Secret (spoiler). This woman is smart, observant, and friendly. She is a great addition to the series. A Ghostly Secret captured my attention and held it throughout the whole story (which is so rare). I look forward to reading the next installment in A Ghostly Southern Mystery series. ( )

A Ghostly Secret by Tonya Kappes is the best of the Ghostly Southern Mystseries series so far. Not often do you find a book or series that you just fall in love with but this book and series is just that. Everything about it from the setting in small town Sleepy Hollow KY to the interesting loveable characters, to the plot and story draws you in to the book and keeps you wanting more and more.
Emma Lee Raines the owner of the family funeral home just happens to be a Betweener which means she sees the ghosts of people who have been murdered and she helps them to crossover by finding out who killed them with the help of her boyfriend Sheriff Jack Henry.
This time she has to help a little girl who had been murdered 20 years ago. This cold case is proving to be more difficult than others she has helped and on top of that Granny has it in her head Emma Lee and Jack Henry are going to get married, what a fun distraction Granny is with all her shenanigans. Will Emma Lee be able to help little Betsy Lynn or will this be the first one she will fail to Help?
This cold case is an added element that makes this one different than the other books in the series and makes it unique and interesting.
Tonya Kappes shows the emotional side of losing someone with investigating this case and by showing how raw Emma Lee still is after the death of her sister, as well as the prospect of change when Jack Henry gets a job offer from the State police. The story is an emotional roller coaster that keeps the reader riding along not wanting to put it down till the ride stops and when it does it leaves you ready for more.
I loved the book and look forward to what is next for Emma Lee and Jack Henry as well as the next adventure for Granny too. The book would just not be the same without Granny and her unique way of going through life.
If you enjoy a good Southern Cozy Mystery set in a small town, with loveable, interesting characters, a little romance and a good mystery to help solve then you must read this book. I won't give it away but the ending was a surprise and I can't wait for the next book. ( )