Book Review: Dummy of a Ghost by Sue Ann Jaffarian (Ghost of Granny Apples #3.67)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great characters and story

Cons: The next full novel isn't out yet

The Bottom Line:

Ghost in the dummy

Needs help with unknown danger

Series fans will love

Protective Dummies and Unknown Dangers

It's been a couple of years since we got the last full length novel in the Ghost of Granny Apples series, but in the mean time, we've had two novellas to tide us over and keep us updated on the characters.  Dummy of a Ghost is the second of those, and it's a strong story.

If you've missed the earlier three novels and novella, the series revolves around the Whitecastle family.  Emma is our normal main character, and she has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts.  She has teamed up with her great-great grandmother, Granny Apples, to solve some modern mysteries involving ghosts.  Emma's daughter Kelly can also talk to ghosts, and both of the novellas have focused on this normal supporting character.

Kelly is home in Los Angeles for Spring Break and enjoying a chance to catch up with her friends.  One of those friends is Chris May, a ventriloquist who has a promising career in front of him.  But as Chris's show is ending, Kelly sees a familiar glow from the puppet he was using.

Investigating further, Kelly learns that there is indeed a ghost living in the puppet - a ghost with a warning that Chris is in danger.  Kelly quickly enlists the help of Emma and Granny Apples to try to protect Chris.  But since Chris isn't talking and the ghost doesn't know what is happening, can the trio help him?

As much as I love Emma, it has been nice spending some time with Kelly in these novellas.  Even though Kelly is the view point character here, Emma is really the co-lead in the story, and I enjoyed watching the two of them work together.  Of course, Granny is a hoot as always.  The cast of new characters are interesting and real as well, which makes is easy to care about the outcome.

The plot is strong as Kelly and the rest follow the logical clues to the solution.  Of course, it's not quite that straightforward, but everything makes perfect sense in the end.

This book is roughly half the length of a full novel, so the fact that we get such great characters and a strong story is a testament to author Sue Ann's wonderful ability to craft a good story.  Of course, I'm not surprised since her short stories have shown this as well.  It is well worth the money spent.

While the next novel will be available in print and electronic form, this one is an ebook exclusive.  And we only have a month to wait for that next novel, Ghost of a Gamble, which comes out in April.

In the mean time, be sure to read Dummy of a Ghost.  You will not be disappointed.

While it is easy to jump in here, once you start, you'll want to read the rest of the Ghost of Granny Apples Mysteries in order.

NOTE: I was sent an ARC in exchange for my honest review.