Book Review: The Silent Ghost by Sue Ann Jaffarian (Ghost of Granny Apples #3.33)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great story and emphasis on minor characters

Cons: Short!  I want more!!!

The Bottom Line:
Granny does college

And finds a ghost near Harvard

Series fans will love

Can Kelly Solve the Mystery of the Silent Ghost?

Author Sue Ann Jaffarian has recently found a new home for her popular Ghost of Granny Apples paranormal cozy mystery series.  Unfortunately, the next book won’t be out until April of 2014.  However, to keep the fans happy, she is releasing a couple of e-books between now and then.  The first of those book is The Silent Ghost, and it’s just been released.

The series of novels focuses on Emma Whitecastle, a 40-something woman who has just found that she can see and communicate with ghosts.  This all started with Granny Apples, her great-great grandmother who was killed under mysterious circumstances.  But that’s the first book.  The novellas are focusing on Emma’s daughter Kelly who has just started communicating with Granny herself.  Kelly is off and college, but it appears she will be solving some ghostly mysteries while she is there.

Kelly Whitecastle is returning to campus after an afternoon of studying in a coffee shop when she is approached by another woman.  Tanisha Costello is certain she is being haunted by a spirit at home, and wants Kelly’s help to figure out how to get it to stop.

It’s not quite as out there as it sounds.  Kelly is the daughter of Emma Whitecastle and can indeed talk to spirits, but Kelly doesn’t want to have anything to do with Tanisha.  However, Granny Apples, Kelly’s great-great-great grandmother, insists, and soon the two are visiting Tanisha to figure out if there is a ghost in her apartment.  Even if there is, can Kelly do anything about it?

Since Kelly has been only a supporting character, this is the first chance we’ve really had to get to know her.  I found I really liked her.  She and Tanisha were the central human characters, and their emerging friendship was fun.  Both were well developed.  Of course, Granny is always a hoot; any time spent with her is a blast, and I really enjoyed seeing her again.

Since this is a novella, the story is simpler than the books.  Still, I found it intriguing and couldn’t wait to read more.  Things move forward steadily, and the ending was satisfying.

As always, the writing is great, so the electronic pages fly by.

Speaking of which, at the end of the novella are previews for the earlier novels in the series.  If you are new to Granny, those and the novella will be enough get you to buy the books.

If you haven’t checked out this series yet, The Silent Ghost is the perfect way to get acquainted.  And if, like me, you’re already a fan of Granny, you’ll really enjoy her latest adventure.

NOTE: The author did gift this to me as a birthday present.  There was no mention of an honest review, however, since I have reviewed all of her other books, I’m sure this review isn’t a surprise.

If you are looking for the full length novels in the series, here are the Ghost of Granny Apples Mysteries in order.