While running the kettle corn stand at Hillbilly Hollow’s Winter Carnival, Emma thinks she only has two raising money for the historical society and keeping off the carnival’s creaky old Ferris wheel.
But when a cranky bookstore owner is inconsiderate enough to turn up dead in the parking lot of the fair grounds, the event descends into chaos. Can Emma solve the crime and lay to rest the disagreeable ghost of the victim?
And what about a certain handsome doctor, who seems on the verge of popping a very serious question? One thing’s for sure, this Winter Carnival will be one to remember!
Blythe Baker is a thirty-something bottle redhead from the South Central part of the country. When she’s not slinging words and creating new worlds and characters, she’s acting as chauffeur to her children and head groomer to her household of beloved pets.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
😏😏😏😏 so they barely date and barely spend anytime together in this book and bammmm they’re engaged????? Oh and there’s a murder, ghost, etc etc. being a glutton for punishment, since I started the series I’m obligated to finish it,, 😒😒😒
I have read all of this series to date. At first, I was concerned that the plots were too alike and that Emma was being portrayed too superficially & too unintelligently to solve her own life issues, let alone mysteries. This book has changed that concern. The characters are all growing in depth; the plot was new. Harrah!
Another fun, easy read about a young woman who sees ghost (only murder victims) after an accident. Good plot but just a tad too obvious - would have been nice for a few more suspects. The way the characters are growing is tremendous as they live their lives and deal with everyday problems and murder. She has been conned into wearing a pink costume at the carnival but there was no way she would hurt her new friend by not wearing it. Her plans for that evening was to spend time with her BFF, a baby store and her BFF's husband's credit card. Firstly though she planned to pick up a book the she and her BFF had loved as children. The used bookstore was run by a quarrelsome individual but his assistant was helpful. When she went back to the carnival the next day it was to find out the the used bookstore owner had been found dead. Her nearby search found a pink button but who did it belong to and was it relevant? Add in snooping, the ghost of the dead man demanding she find his killer and telling Billy (her male BFF and now boyfriend) about her ability to see ghosts. How will he react? Will she be able to learn enough to figure out who the killer is? What will happen once she does?
I enjoy reading this series when I'm in the mood for mindless fluff. They can be incredibly boring though, sigh. A huge percentage of the book is spent on Emma being alone on the farm doing farm chores.
I'm giving it a very generous 4-stars because I do like the characters in it. Emma is a sweet girl, perhaps too much of a spineless carpet. I do wish she would stand up to people who push her around more. For somebody who spent time in the "big city" of NYC, I find her being such a pushover odd. I did like that the author showed a softer side to Betty in this book and that Emma got a tiny bit of a backbone.
This mystery was interesting. There were a fair number of red herrings but I still knew who did it as soon as they were introduced. Only a small portion of the book is spent on the mystery, Emma does a tiny bit of sleuthing, and there is a bit of action with the culprit towards the end.
I could have done without the romantic drama. Considering what a tiny bit of time is spent on that in this series, I found the addition of this drama unnecessary.
I'm on the fence, to be honest, about this series. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't. I'll probably keep reading till I'm done with the series because there are only so many paranormal cozies that I can tolerate. Although it's not really a paranormal, I have no idea what category this book belongs in. If I had to choose, I'd say small town life with some ghosts showing up occasionally.
A good book. This was light on the paranormal element so it may appeal to people who don't really care for the paranormal. I enjoy paranormal cozies. The ghost appeared a couple times and also created a ghostly fog.
The author must be British so some Britishisms creep into the book. That was noted in an Amazon review I read which mentioned broody, and that was used a few times. I had to look up what a waltzer was, a carnival ride. Also no American would call a shopping bag a carrier bag and marquee was used many times instead of tent. The ride operator called Emma "love" and that's definitely a British term. The back cover said something about Emma staying off the Ferris wheel, but the book said she enjoyed riding it.
I intend to read others in the series and also listen to some. These are short reads and this was 142 pages in print (small type). I liked the characters, especially Emma, her grandparents, and Billy. I don't know why Emma objected so much to wearing long underwear. Apparently she thought that it was only for older people. Personally, I like to keep warm.
Emma goes to a bookstore to buy a book for her friend's baby. She can't find it and asks the owner for help. He is a cranky old man and wouldn't help her. But he yelled for his assistant. While at work in the Kettle Corn Stand at the Winter Carnival she hears a scream and then sirens. Turns out somone found a body in the parking lot next door. Everyone runs to the parking lot. The dead person is the bookstore owner. That night he visits Emma. He wants her to find out who killed him. Emma wonders if she should tell Billy about the ghosts. What will he do if she tells him? Come along on this ride as Emma goes about finding the killer. There is suspense, mystery and thrills. There is humor whenever Emma's pet goat is with her. What happens between Emma and Billy? This story is well thought out and well written. Get a copy. You'll be glad you did. I voluntarily received this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
Finally some resolution with Billy. There was also a mention about the cat "Pudding" that she brought home from N.Y. a couple of books back. I like the character growth with Betty and Beth. I still want to know what will happen next. I love the goat and find myself wondering if goats can be house broken. These are cute, clean mysteries that follow the same formula each time. The victim is usually unpleasant. There are three suspects. The heroine comes face to face with the culprit. Still, I like the Emma and her relationship with her grandparents. I like the farm and her work ethic. I was t to know what happens next with Billy, Suzy and Betty.
Hillbilly Hollow seems to teen with curmudgeonly older folks these days, and Emma interacts with all of them as she tries to solve yet another murder. Suzy's pregnancy is progressing and Billy is still in the picture. Who knew that ghosts could be as unpleasant as they had been when they had been alive? And who knew that a ghost might be capable of helping a woman out when she most needed help? Oh, and the cat we've been worrying about finally showed up in Grandpa's barn. Recommended
I love that this series takes place not too far from my home, so I can picture the setting very well. Emma is a optimistic girl who enjoys life and sees the ghosts of murder victims. She has her family and friends and quirky townspeople that are always up for a good laugh. I love these stories that are full of good ol’ hometown folks but murder mysteries as well.
I have enjoyed all of these books and just completed number five. I listened to the first four and they got inside of my head and wasn’t able to put down until finished listening to them. Number five had to be read and the rest of the series also, but I think it made for more enjoyment. Definitely recommend the series to everyone. Looking forward to to number six.
Emma encounters a mean bookstore owner who is later found dead. True to previous experiences, the late man's ghost comes and demands that Emma finds his murderer. Emma begins sleuthing. She also admits to Billy that she see and talks with ghosts. What will his reaction be? Will she find the murderer? Another fun, quick read.These are not deep-thought books.
Baker Bread #6 Ozark Ghost Hunter #6 The associated goings on of the character was interesting in this book, the mystery and ghost parts less so, and the ending gave us a big announcement, which followers of the series would have expected at some point. Anyway an average read, but still good in the context of the series.
Emma is in a dilemma. Should she come clean and share a secret with Billy?
Lots more romance and mystery and this novel. We always wonder if ghosts continue their behavior? Emma is once more Needing to help a new ghost move on. Follow along and see what happens.
I've enjoyed this series, so far. Fun reads, interesting characters. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Hope number seven is as interesting as the previous ones.
I am all caught up in these books. They are funny and loving. With mystery thrown in. And just short enough to to allow me time to get things done. Nice to see that no bad language is used.
Wow what a fun story to read. The book was entertaining and enjoyable to read. The author is well organized. I recommend this book and series to all my friends and family. Happy Reading!
I have so enjoyed all of these books and I’m saddened there are only 2 more left to read. The author is great at weaving a mystery into the story which keeps you mesmerized! Awesome book!
Emma once again gets caught up in a murder when a cranky old man is found dead. Can Billy handle Emma getting involved in another murder? Will Emma ever tell Billy and Suzy her secret?
Emma is settling into her home town and enjoying her new life. Unfortunately the ghosts still find her,. The established characters are developing but the new ones are a little underdeveloped. I'd call this a comfortable cosy.