What do you think?
Rate this book
A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery #5.5
The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary
In this all-new novella from the author of Ghost in the Guacamole, Granny Apples, medium Emma Whitecastle, and psychic PI Jeremiah Jones join forces to find a missing homeless woman.
When a homeless veteran on LA’s Skid Row claims he’s seen the ghost of Mistletoe Mary, a down-and-out prostitute, private investigator Jeremiah Jones seeks the assistance of medium Emma Whitecastle and her great-great-great grandmother, the spirited Granny Apples, to determine if the woman is merely missing or if indeed someone has murdered her.
When a homeless veteran on LA’s Skid Row claims he’s seen the ghost of Mistletoe Mary, a down-and-out prostitute, private investigator Jeremiah Jones seeks the assistance of medium Emma Whitecastle and her great-great-great grandmother, the spirited Granny Apples, to determine if the woman is merely missing or if indeed someone has murdered her.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
25 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Sue Ann Jaffarian
67 books547 followersSue Ann Jaffarian is the author of the popular Odelia Grey mystery series, the Ghost of Granny Apples mystery series and the Madison Rose vampire mysteries, as well as short stories.
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after as a motivational/ humorous speaker. You can visit her on the web at www.sueannjaffarian.com, www.sueannjaffarian.blogspot.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after as a motivational/ humorous speaker. You can visit her on the web at www.sueannjaffarian.com, www.sueannjaffarian.blogspot.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 1, 2015
Retired cop turned PI Jeremiah Jones is asked to help out a vet on skid row in Los Angeles. This vet is ranting to anyone who will listen that Mistletoe Mary has been murdered. Jeremiah thinks that Mary’s ghost may be visiting and trying to get justice. Is he right? Can he team up with Granny to figure out what is happening?
While this book is set during December, it’s not your typical cozy since it is set on skid row and includes many of the types of characters you’d expect to see down there. But don’t let that stop you from reading it. Being a novella, the pace never lags. Yet the shorter length doesn’t mean we get shallow characters – they are as strong as ever in one of Sue Ann’s stories.
NOTE: I received a copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
While this book is set during December, it’s not your typical cozy since it is set on skid row and includes many of the types of characters you’d expect to see down there. But don’t let that stop you from reading it. Being a novella, the pace never lags. Yet the shorter length doesn’t mean we get shallow characters – they are as strong as ever in one of Sue Ann’s stories.
NOTE: I received a copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 8, 2016
A Jaffarian Change of Venue?
Emma and Granny, minor characters? How can that be?
In this murder mystery, the author seems to have tried her hand at a new style of writing. In my humble opinion, as reader with a life long love for mysteries, she was successful with great finesse. A well known, irascible hooker is missing from her L.A. skid row neighborhood. A well liked, elderly homeless man seems to have gone off his rocker. Enter a retired police officer, now a P.I. He's been asked by a friend to check into things among the homeless community and so the action begins.
With this mystery, Sue Ann Jaffarian shows a style of writing that I found reminiscent of Agatha Christie. That is high praise from me. If the author should happen to read this review. ..Congratulations! I hope more is to come
Emma and Granny, minor characters? How can that be?
In this murder mystery, the author seems to have tried her hand at a new style of writing. In my humble opinion, as reader with a life long love for mysteries, she was successful with great finesse. A well known, irascible hooker is missing from her L.A. skid row neighborhood. A well liked, elderly homeless man seems to have gone off his rocker. Enter a retired police officer, now a P.I. He's been asked by a friend to check into things among the homeless community and so the action begins.
With this mystery, Sue Ann Jaffarian shows a style of writing that I found reminiscent of Agatha Christie. That is high praise from me. If the author should happen to read this review. ..Congratulations! I hope more is to come
December 10, 2015
Though it's darker and grittier than the previous "Ghost of Granny Apples" mysteries I've read, I enjoyed this Christmas novella at least as much as I did those cozier tales. I enjoyed meeting PI Jeremiah Jones for the first time, as I have not yet read The Ghost in the Guacamole, in which he is introduced. And it was fun to have the irrepressible Granny Apples show up to help out and liven things up. I loved the optimistic, hopeful ending, which more than made up for the bleakness of the Skid Row setting.
December 23, 2015
I loved this book! I flew right through it, could not put it down! Looking forward to reading the others in this series that I haven't read yet.
December 11, 2018
Granny Apples is back. This time, however, she's assisting Jeremiah Jones, the private investigator introduced in Ghost in the Guacamole. Jeremiah has been asked by a friend who runs a veterans' outreach to investigate claims by a homeless vet that he's seen the ghost of Mistletoe Mary. Who better to help the PI than Granny, who's been itching to do some real detective work. Emma pops up in a couple of phone calls, but this story is definitely Jeremiah's. Will he and Granny be able to find Mary? Is she alive or dead? Who and what is involved in her disappearance?
This is a very good story. I like the addition of Jeremiah Jones to the cast of characters. It allows Granny to get away from Emma and be involved in regular investigative cases while still be in familiar locales and among characters we know. I like her interactions with Jeremiah. I also like that she grows her skills while working with him. While Emma shows up in phone calls, this is definitely Jeremiah's and Granny's case.
In this story, we learn a bit more about Jeremiah's background. Jeremiah is a good investigator. He still has contacts on the police force he not only avails himself to, but assists. There's no animosity. Throughout his investigation, we get to see the type of person he is as he deals with the various people he comes across.
Jeremiah and Granny together are fun. He's still getting used to her popping in and out as well as her (sometimes ornery) personality. He's also still learning what spirits can and can't do while Granny does some growing of her own. And, she really does assist him in the investigation.
As mentioned above, I like the introduction of Jeremiah Jones to the series. Allowing Granny to get out once in a while and do PI work with him can only expand the stories Jaffarian can tell. Emma usually deals with ghosts needing assistance. Though Jeremiah is a medium, his work won't necessarily involve ghosts all the time. Though I enjoy the regular cast of characters and want more books featuring them, I like this sidetrack and can't wait to see more.
This is a very good story. I like the addition of Jeremiah Jones to the cast of characters. It allows Granny to get away from Emma and be involved in regular investigative cases while still be in familiar locales and among characters we know. I like her interactions with Jeremiah. I also like that she grows her skills while working with him. While Emma shows up in phone calls, this is definitely Jeremiah's and Granny's case.
In this story, we learn a bit more about Jeremiah's background. Jeremiah is a good investigator. He still has contacts on the police force he not only avails himself to, but assists. There's no animosity. Throughout his investigation, we get to see the type of person he is as he deals with the various people he comes across.
Jeremiah and Granny together are fun. He's still getting used to her popping in and out as well as her (sometimes ornery) personality. He's also still learning what spirits can and can't do while Granny does some growing of her own. And, she really does assist him in the investigation.
As mentioned above, I like the introduction of Jeremiah Jones to the series. Allowing Granny to get out once in a while and do PI work with him can only expand the stories Jaffarian can tell. Emma usually deals with ghosts needing assistance. Though Jeremiah is a medium, his work won't necessarily involve ghosts all the time. Though I enjoy the regular cast of characters and want more books featuring them, I like this sidetrack and can't wait to see more.
January 28, 2019
This novella had more depth than the other novellas in the series. It featured new character, Jeremiah Jones, who was introduced in the last full length novel. The novella hit on such issues As drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, PTSD, veterans issues and human trafficking. Although Jaffarian, in 140 odd pages or so, didn’t have enough time to delve into the these heavy issues, she provided enough insight that a thoughtful reader would go find more information on them. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Even with these issues at the heart of the novella, there were still some cute scenes with Granny as she helped Jeremiah out.
January 5, 2017
Life isn’t perfect in sunny California just ask ex detective and now private investigator, Jeremiah Jones. Years earlier when he came back from the army he was homeless and lived on the streets of LA but was lucky enough to get a job with the police department. Now as a retired cop he does his best to help others who are in the same terrible living situation as he once was.
Dwayne Burkett, known on Skid Row as Bucket, is elderly and he’s totally out of it because of alcohol and his horrible life. The only thing that seems to keep him calm is his little dog who is very old and looks like he will die very soon.
Lately Bucket seems to be more out of it than usual. He says that the ghost of another street person, Mistletoe Mary, is dead and her ghost is haunting him saying that she was murdered. No one believes Bucket and just assumes that he’s has been drinking way too much. But Jeremiah Jones does believe that something odd is going on and a ghost just might be involved.
Jeremiah has a unique talent. He can see and speak to ghosts like his friend, Emma Whitecastle. The two met on a previous case where a ghost was haunting a restaurant and they soon became friends. Jeremiah has also had the pleasure of meeting Emma’s great, great, great, grandmother, Ish Reynolds, also known as Granny Apples, Granny for short. Granny has been haunting and helping Emma, who also dabbles in investigating murders, for years.
Jeremiah isn’t sure if Mistletoe Mary is really dead and starts asking other people who live on the street if they’ve seen Mary recently. No one has and now Jeremiah does believe that someone has killed her and that her ghost is indeed asking Bucket to help her. But why would Mary go to Bucket and not someone who isn’t a little out of his head? Jeremiah doesn’t know but he wants to find out what’s going on and to also help Mary rest in peace. With the help of Granny Apples, and a few other friends, Jeremiah starts investigating the murder.
“The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary” by Sue Ann Jaffarian is a novella based on her amusing Granny Apples Series. It’s wonderful to see Granny leave her great, great, great, granddaughter, Emma, every once in awhile to help other people who can see and hear her. Granny loves solving murders especially the stakeouts.
There are a few Granny Apples novellas and they’re all as interesting and as much fun as the longer Emma Whitecastle series. They’re short and can easily be finished in one day if you need something good to read before your next 300 page novel. Give one of them a try when you have a free few hours in your busy life.
Dwayne Burkett, known on Skid Row as Bucket, is elderly and he’s totally out of it because of alcohol and his horrible life. The only thing that seems to keep him calm is his little dog who is very old and looks like he will die very soon.
Lately Bucket seems to be more out of it than usual. He says that the ghost of another street person, Mistletoe Mary, is dead and her ghost is haunting him saying that she was murdered. No one believes Bucket and just assumes that he’s has been drinking way too much. But Jeremiah Jones does believe that something odd is going on and a ghost just might be involved.
Jeremiah has a unique talent. He can see and speak to ghosts like his friend, Emma Whitecastle. The two met on a previous case where a ghost was haunting a restaurant and they soon became friends. Jeremiah has also had the pleasure of meeting Emma’s great, great, great, grandmother, Ish Reynolds, also known as Granny Apples, Granny for short. Granny has been haunting and helping Emma, who also dabbles in investigating murders, for years.
Jeremiah isn’t sure if Mistletoe Mary is really dead and starts asking other people who live on the street if they’ve seen Mary recently. No one has and now Jeremiah does believe that someone has killed her and that her ghost is indeed asking Bucket to help her. But why would Mary go to Bucket and not someone who isn’t a little out of his head? Jeremiah doesn’t know but he wants to find out what’s going on and to also help Mary rest in peace. With the help of Granny Apples, and a few other friends, Jeremiah starts investigating the murder.
“The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary” by Sue Ann Jaffarian is a novella based on her amusing Granny Apples Series. It’s wonderful to see Granny leave her great, great, great, granddaughter, Emma, every once in awhile to help other people who can see and hear her. Granny loves solving murders especially the stakeouts.
There are a few Granny Apples novellas and they’re all as interesting and as much fun as the longer Emma Whitecastle series. They’re short and can easily be finished in one day if you need something good to read before your next 300 page novel. Give one of them a try when you have a free few hours in your busy life.
December 26, 2017
Entertaining Holiday themed mystery novella
March 12, 2024
4 stars
December 14, 2015
It was really great connecting with Granny Apple in this book. This book takes you to the homeless areas of Los Angeles with Jeremiah, a private detective and retired police officer. When one of the homeless men continue to rant about Mistletoe Mary being dead, Jeremiah takes it upon himself to find out the truth. What he finds is shocking and sad.
I love the Granny Apple series and can’t wait for the next one to come out.
I love the Granny Apple series and can’t wait for the next one to come out.
December 5, 2015
This was a fun book with Granny Apples helping solve another mystery with Emily, and Phil. In a more up to date setting. The first book they were helping Granny solve her husband's murder from the 1700s. This time they are in Los Angeles in real modern time, helping Red find out what happened to Mistletoe Mary.
The story was a quick read and it is well written. Well worth the time to read.
The story was a quick read and it is well written. Well worth the time to read.
December 19, 2015
Another Great Book
This is another great story with the Ghost of Granny Apples. Being based on the homeless makes you realize how it really is out there & how fortunate we are!! I enjoyed that the story was about Jeremiah and his gift! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghost stories & mysteries!!
This is another great story with the Ghost of Granny Apples. Being based on the homeless makes you realize how it really is out there & how fortunate we are!! I enjoyed that the story was about Jeremiah and his gift! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghost stories & mysteries!!
February 29, 2016
Thank you Sue Ann for a fantastic Granny Apples mystery! I enjoyed learning more about Jeremiah. As usual, Granny added to the suspense and humor. Although this is a short novella, it brings a smile to my face to have more Granny Apples. I am a happy reader to have both full length novels and short novellas like this to read.
December 22, 2015
Although Granny Apples is in this, it is a spin off of the original series. It has Jeremiah Jones as the detective and seer of ghosts. It is a good story, and decent mystery. I think that it has possibilities for a series on its own.
December 13, 2015
This is another fantastic book in the Granny Apples series. There is usually a chuckle or 2 in this series, however this book opens our eyes to some of the sadness occuring on Skid Row. Very well written. The reader could read this book without the others in the series, BUT you won't want to.
December 8, 2015
Good story for the holidays
This is a great series, and this story packs a lot of plot in just a few pages. It's a very good mystery with a wonderful cast of characters. Loved the range of emotions, and the sense of optimism at the end.
This is a great series, and this story packs a lot of plot in just a few pages. It's a very good mystery with a wonderful cast of characters. Loved the range of emotions, and the sense of optimism at the end.
December 20, 2015
This was a great short read! I enjoyed the new characters in the book but love when Granny Apples shows up. The story was a little darker than the previous books with Granny in them. I always look forward to new books in this series!
March 10, 2016
Love the Granny Apples stories. Wish it was in print though as online reading is difficult for me.
December 12, 2015
A mystery with a heart
Lots of mysteries can scare you. All of them should entertain you. This one reminds you of what's important in life.
Lots of mysteries can scare you. All of them should entertain you. This one reminds you of what's important in life.
December 18, 2015
Ghost of Mistletoe Mary
Pretty good story, but a little dragged out Liked it much better than her other series.. The ending was not as clear as could be.
Pretty good story, but a little dragged out Liked it much better than her other series.. The ending was not as clear as could be.
September 6, 2017
Very little of Emma in this one. An investigator they worked with in Guacamole works with Granny in this novella.
August 21, 2023
Good short story in the series. Not as light and fluffy as the series typically is, it is dedicated to Viet Nam vets.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews