For those who like their mysteries like their sweet tea (southern, strong and sugary) Tonya Kappes Ghostly Southern Mysteries will hit the spot.

This outing, heroine Emma Lee Raine's 'Funeral Trauma' is no better. Her most recent problem is recently exhumed Chicken Teater whose prize hen Lady Cluckington seems to be in danger from Teater's sexy widow. Add in Granny running for mayor and the biggest gossips in town practicing yoga and the whackadoodle quotient is high.

Although you can't escape the eccentric twists sparked by the quirks and foibles of the residents of Sleepy Hollow, Tonya Kappes' well-constructed mystery keeps the plot from flying off in too many directions. The love story between Emma and Jack is definitely a strong thread but does not overshadow the whole and the action is paced perfectly to keep readers turning the pages.

Although I think I enjoyed the first mystery in the series (A Ghostly Undertaking) slightly more, I still had a very good time reading A GHOSTLY GRAVE, and any preference for A Ghostly Undertaking is likely just personal idiosyncrasy, your mileage may vary. I look forward to book three, A Ghostly Demise coming in August. If you are looking for light romance and quirky Southern characters surrounding a well-plotted mystery, look no further, Kappes has you covered with A GHOSTLY GRAVE.

Tonya Kappes has also written the Magical Cures, Laurel London, Olivia Davis and Divorced Divas mystery series.