What do you think?
Rate this book
A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery #3
Gem of a Ghost
8 hours and 19 minutes
Emma Whitecastle would rather spend time with her boyfriend than help Joanna Reid get rid of her husband's ghost. But when she finds out Joanna's daughter has broken her engagement and attempted suicide, Emma and Granny Apples are compelled to investigate.
The multifaceted mystery unfolds in Hollywood, where a vengeful spirit strikes too close for comfort as Emma and Granny unearth a clue hidden in a haunted diamond. When the case leads Emma and a suave stranger to the historic mining town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, Emma must call upon a ghostly group of Molly Maguires to ease the pain of a century-old marriage gone bad.
Emma Whitecastle would rather spend time with her boyfriend than help Joanna Reid get rid of her husband's ghost. But when she finds out Joanna's daughter has broken her engagement and attempted suicide, Emma and Granny Apples are compelled to investigate.
The multifaceted mystery unfolds in Hollywood, where a vengeful spirit strikes too close for comfort as Emma and Granny unearth a clue hidden in a haunted diamond. When the case leads Emma and a suave stranger to the historic mining town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, Emma must call upon a ghostly group of Molly Maguires to ease the pain of a century-old marriage gone bad.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 1, 2012
39 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Sue Ann Jaffarian
63 books545 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 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 2, 2016
This novel is a cozy mystery with a ghostly twist. The protagonist Emma can see and hear ghosts. She can also talk to them, although she refrains from paranormal conversations if she can help it. In the mundane world, she has her own TV show and a nice boyfriend. Her daughter is safely ensconced in Harvard. Life is good. Even the ghost of her Granny, Emma’s faithful sidekick throughout several books of this series, doesn’t trouble her much. Then one of Emma’s distant acquaintances, Joanna Reid (not ever a friend), asks her to exorcise the ghost of her late husband, Max, and the story starts rolling.
Emma’s communications with Max’s ghost are complicated by the problems of Joanna and Max’s daughter Lainey. Lainey recently broke her engagement to a nice man, tried to commit suicide, and ended up in a ‘special’ clinic. Max’s ghost begs Emma to help his daughter.
When Emma sticks her nose into this tangle of calamities, a new and malevolent ghost rears its phantasmal head. Emma has to speed up her investigation if she hopes to help the new ghost, prevent more disasters, and save Lainey’s life.
The writing is serviceable, and the plot is kind-of inane but with pretensions of depth. The characters are a little silly as well, without the above pretensions. While they rushed about almost at random, overcoming obstacles and simultaneously creating new ones, I smiled indulgently and enjoyed the book, rather to my surprise. Of the few cozy mysteries I have read recently, it was probably one of the best.
Emma’s communications with Max’s ghost are complicated by the problems of Joanna and Max’s daughter Lainey. Lainey recently broke her engagement to a nice man, tried to commit suicide, and ended up in a ‘special’ clinic. Max’s ghost begs Emma to help his daughter.
When Emma sticks her nose into this tangle of calamities, a new and malevolent ghost rears its phantasmal head. Emma has to speed up her investigation if she hopes to help the new ghost, prevent more disasters, and save Lainey’s life.
The writing is serviceable, and the plot is kind-of inane but with pretensions of depth. The characters are a little silly as well, without the above pretensions. While they rushed about almost at random, overcoming obstacles and simultaneously creating new ones, I smiled indulgently and enjoyed the book, rather to my surprise. Of the few cozy mysteries I have read recently, it was probably one of the best.
March 28, 2014
Ruined by stupid choices.
I would have given this a four, maybe even a five if it weren't for the stupid things the author made Emma do. First she puts herself in danger (and breaks her promise) by putting on the ring. Then she cheats on Phil, her boyfriend of TWO YEARS. How do you just throw something like that away so easily! At least have the decency to break up with the poor guy first.
It has been bothering me since the first book how lightly infidelity is treated. Pretty much all the male and some of the female characters have had affairs/mistresses. I get that it's a Hollywood setting but still, there should be a few people with integrity. You'd think Emma would be the last one to cheat because she knows first hand how painful it is, but nope. We have to slog through lame "romantic" set up scenes like him checking the burn between her breasts because he's a "doctor". Emma's dad is a real Dr and she knew she'd be heading home soon, she could have waited to get it checked. And then that stupid scene at the end where she stops driving and runs back to him, yuck. I'm surprised it wasn't raining dramatically.
I'm a little reluctant to read the next book, I really loved Emma as a protagonist but it's going to be hard to read about her without feeling disgust.
I would have given this a four, maybe even a five if it weren't for the stupid things the author made Emma do. First she puts herself in danger (and breaks her promise) by putting on the ring. Then she cheats on Phil, her boyfriend of TWO YEARS. How do you just throw something like that away so easily! At least have the decency to break up with the poor guy first.
It has been bothering me since the first book how lightly infidelity is treated. Pretty much all the male and some of the female characters have had affairs/mistresses. I get that it's a Hollywood setting but still, there should be a few people with integrity. You'd think Emma would be the last one to cheat because she knows first hand how painful it is, but nope. We have to slog through lame "romantic" set up scenes like him checking the burn between her breasts because he's a "doctor". Emma's dad is a real Dr and she knew she'd be heading home soon, she could have waited to get it checked. And then that stupid scene at the end where she stops driving and runs back to him, yuck. I'm surprised it wasn't raining dramatically.
I'm a little reluctant to read the next book, I really loved Emma as a protagonist but it's going to be hard to read about her without feeling disgust.
November 30, 2012
This book grabbed me right away and that's been hard to do. It started losing steam in the middle and there was a personal life twist at the end that made me say - just no no no! Puuuuleeeeasssse! So great start, mediocre middle and not so great ending.
Also, there was a "character" who is presented as sympathetic but who is actually pretty evil. Not sure how I felt about that.
Also, there was a "character" who is presented as sympathetic but who is actually pretty evil. Not sure how I felt about that.
April 1, 2017
I enjoyed most of this book. I am disappointed with part of the story. I won't say much about why I am disappointed to prevent spoiling it for others who haven't read this yet. I also missed a couple characters that were in the last book.
September 17, 2012
I really liked the first two books. This book rambled on, that I got bored in the middle of book3. I skipped to the last two chapters. I was surprised that I understood the ending. Really disappointed with Emma cheating on sweet Phil. Especially after what she went through with Grant.
February 27, 2023
It's such a pleasure to watch the author's writing improve as her series continue. Not that her writing was anything but professional, even at the first, but she seems more comfortable in her writing now.
May 25, 2014
After reading the first two books in this series, I was looking forward to this one for my Memorial Day weekend, summer cozy reading kick off. Unfortunately, Gem of a Ghost just did not delight me as much as the previous two. The beginning was good and grabbed my attention, but from there it seemed to lose steam. The mystery coupled with a paranormal twist of ghosts is what I had enjoyed the most in the previous books, with Emma's romantic escapades not being so much the focus. About halfway through, the book started to lose steam, as Emma's new love interest entered the scene. The emphasis on the mystery started to shift over to the new romantic interest. To my disappointment, for the remainder of the story, this emphasis seemed to stay, right to the end. This was definitely the least favorite Granny Apples mystery to date. Instead of me using words such as delightful and even charming, as I felt with the first two books, I am only left with an "It was ok".
April 1, 2012
Emma is contacted by an old acquaintance who wants Emma to get rid of a ghost she believes is haunting her. Emma initially resists but eventually gets pulled into the mess after all, getting far more than she bargained for. Lives are lost. I thought this story was well-written: the characters were interesting, and the mystery was compelling. Although I found the addition of one particular character interesting, I was disappointed in Emma's reaction. (No spoilers here.) And, I always enjoy learning something about history. However, scary ghosts were once again involved. (That makes two out of three books, with this one being the scariest ghost yet.) I just can't deal with that. This is likely my last Granny Apples mystery for that reason alone.
April 8, 2012
I'm new at this, so I don't know if Goodreads saved my previous comments.
Anyway, I liked the book. It reads fast because you want to keep going to find out what's next. Unfortunately, this can mean that you stay up too late reading. I call it falling into a book.
It's not great literature, but this supernatural cozy is great fun. Interesting things go on, and you find out something about past history, in this case of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, which used to be called Mauch Chunk. The author doesn't give the origin of that original name; Wikipedia says it was derived from the word for Bear Mountain in the local language of the Lenape people.
You learn something of the times of the Molly Maguires, coal miners who protested how they were treated by the mine owners in 1876.
Anyway, I liked the book. It reads fast because you want to keep going to find out what's next. Unfortunately, this can mean that you stay up too late reading. I call it falling into a book.
It's not great literature, but this supernatural cozy is great fun. Interesting things go on, and you find out something about past history, in this case of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, which used to be called Mauch Chunk. The author doesn't give the origin of that original name; Wikipedia says it was derived from the word for Bear Mountain in the local language of the Lenape people.
You learn something of the times of the Molly Maguires, coal miners who protested how they were treated by the mine owners in 1876.
April 9, 2016
I hope she stays with Phil.
February 21, 2022
I read this book as part of a local library challenge (read a book with a gem on the cover), I've never read or heard of the author of these books before this one, and I doubt I'm the target audience, so take this review with a grain of salt.
WHAT WORKED:
The general mystery and the family drama behind it was mostly intriguing. Haunted artifacts, vengeful ghosts causing havoc, dangerous lovers, it's naturally exciting stuff, and easily the most interesting part of the story. Sometimes, the ghost story lags, but it picks up after a bit, and has some several exciting moments I won't spoil here.
WHAT NEEDED WORK:
Everything else.
Emma's not the most interesting protagonist. Everything in her life is fine, so that the story has to throw in a romance angle that I'll talk about in a minute. The family she's working for has all the intrigue, so I would have liked to see the story from their perspective.
Then there's the romance, boy did I not like it. Emma has a happy relationship with a guy, but halfway through the story, a sexy many appears, and I thought to myself, "Oh, boy, we're doing this story." Paint-by-numbers white knight/dark knight story. Guy A is good and capable and stable and loving and wonderful in every way, but Guy B is SEXY. It really makes Emma look shallow because it's not like her relationship with guy A has any serious problems whatsoever that influence her attraction to guy B. And it's not like guy B is some superman, in fact he's kind of an ass, regularly pushing her past her comfort zone and straight-up ordering her around at times. But he's hot. That's really it. Again, it makes Emma look shallow that this takes up so much of the story and it's based on so little.
But there's still the exciting mystery, right? Well, sort of. As I said, it drags for a while because the stakes are hard to gauge. And the final confrontation happens off-screen. How much richer would it have been to see it play out?
OVERALL: An interesting premise with some high points, but ultimately lets itself down by having the ending action occur off-screen while the foreground gets filled with a sub-part romance that makes me like the protagonist less. 4/10. Not terrible, just bad.
WHAT WORKED:
The general mystery and the family drama behind it was mostly intriguing. Haunted artifacts, vengeful ghosts causing havoc, dangerous lovers, it's naturally exciting stuff, and easily the most interesting part of the story. Sometimes, the ghost story lags, but it picks up after a bit, and has some several exciting moments I won't spoil here.
WHAT NEEDED WORK:
Everything else.
Emma's not the most interesting protagonist. Everything in her life is fine, so that the story has to throw in a romance angle that I'll talk about in a minute. The family she's working for has all the intrigue, so I would have liked to see the story from their perspective.
Then there's the romance, boy did I not like it. Emma has a happy relationship with a guy, but halfway through the story, a sexy many appears, and I thought to myself, "Oh, boy, we're doing this story." Paint-by-numbers white knight/dark knight story. Guy A is good and capable and stable and loving and wonderful in every way, but Guy B is SEXY. It really makes Emma look shallow because it's not like her relationship with guy A has any serious problems whatsoever that influence her attraction to guy B. And it's not like guy B is some superman, in fact he's kind of an ass, regularly pushing her past her comfort zone and straight-up ordering her around at times. But he's hot. That's really it. Again, it makes Emma look shallow that this takes up so much of the story and it's based on so little.
But there's still the exciting mystery, right? Well, sort of. As I said, it drags for a while because the stakes are hard to gauge. And the final confrontation happens off-screen. How much richer would it have been to see it play out?
OVERALL: An interesting premise with some high points, but ultimately lets itself down by having the ending action occur off-screen while the foreground gets filled with a sub-part romance that makes me like the protagonist less. 4/10. Not terrible, just bad.
January 19, 2020
This is the first book by this author that I have listened to or read but I really enjoyed it, so it won't be my last, in fact I might have to get the other books in the series as well. I loved the characters and the writer wrote about them so well that I actually found myself caring about what happened to them. The ghostly visits really added to the fun of the story, especially the granny telling everyone what to do even if they couldn't hear hear her. The mystery was good the way it straddled the human and paranormal word and even though there was a lot of history it didn't bog the story down.
When an old family friend asks Emma to get rid of her husband's ghost her immediate reaction is no but when she learns the women's daughter and her own daughters friend has tried to commit suicide she is compelled to visit her. The sad story the girl tells her tugs at Emma's heartstrings and she soon finds herself knee deep in ghostly vengeance. But ghosts can't hurt humans, right? The death of a teenage girl seems to prove otherwise. The girl was wearing the same ring as the first girl was when she attempted suicide. Is there a connection? Emma with the help from her ghostly Granny start an investigation into the rings past as they fight to get to the bottom of the curse before another life is taken.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a really good job bringing all the characters to life with there own unique voices.
When an old family friend asks Emma to get rid of her husband's ghost her immediate reaction is no but when she learns the women's daughter and her own daughters friend has tried to commit suicide she is compelled to visit her. The sad story the girl tells her tugs at Emma's heartstrings and she soon finds herself knee deep in ghostly vengeance. But ghosts can't hurt humans, right? The death of a teenage girl seems to prove otherwise. The girl was wearing the same ring as the first girl was when she attempted suicide. Is there a connection? Emma with the help from her ghostly Granny start an investigation into the rings past as they fight to get to the bottom of the curse before another life is taken.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a really good job bringing all the characters to life with there own unique voices.
March 19, 2021
When infidelity raises its head in cosy mysteries it tends to surface right at the start when the heroine (for it is normally a woman) discovers that hubbie/boyfriend has been making the beast with two backs with her best friend, his secretary, or, occasionally, every woman within a 10-mile radius.
As a result the heroine often moves away and starts a new business - be it a bookshop, bakery, ghost hunting, scrap booking, etc.
As we move into book three of the Granny Apples series, "Gem of a Ghost", Emma Whitecastle is wondering whether her feelings for Phil are strong enough. Then she meets Indiana Jones look-alike Quinn Keenan and, well, they kiss (looking at some of the outraged reviews that should probably be KISS!), thus breaking one of the cardinal rules of cosies :)
This time Emma is investigating a mysterious diamond, all those who wear it begin to deteriorate mentally and most former owners have topped themselves.
It's not as well plotted as earlier books in the series and while the solution is interesting it is not particularly well constructed.
As a result the heroine often moves away and starts a new business - be it a bookshop, bakery, ghost hunting, scrap booking, etc.
As we move into book three of the Granny Apples series, "Gem of a Ghost", Emma Whitecastle is wondering whether her feelings for Phil are strong enough. Then she meets Indiana Jones look-alike Quinn Keenan and, well, they kiss (looking at some of the outraged reviews that should probably be KISS!), thus breaking one of the cardinal rules of cosies :)
This time Emma is investigating a mysterious diamond, all those who wear it begin to deteriorate mentally and most former owners have topped themselves.
It's not as well plotted as earlier books in the series and while the solution is interesting it is not particularly well constructed.
January 25, 2020
Granny Apples is the fun ghost of a woman hanged for a crime she did not commit, and her descendant is a woman who sees / hears her and other ghosts. The descendent is Emma who also has a weekly TV show and is well known for her ability even if most do not believe it. Emma gets a call from a friend who says that she wants the ghost of her first husband gone. Then said ghost arrives with more information including his concerns about their daughter. Lots of research to be done and more to work with a very angry ghost. This is a good cozy and not ghost busters or whatever, just a satisfying read for an afternoon.
Sandra Murphy is excellent as narrator and the fact that I listen at 125 speed has more to do with my " hurry up " self than anything else.
Sandra Murphy is excellent as narrator and the fact that I listen at 125 speed has more to do with my " hurry up " self than anything else.
April 7, 2019
3.5* but I rounded it up.
Took my time to read it although it’s quite an easy read. I chanced upon the later book in the series, “Ghost in the Guacamole” and loved it. This story which is the earlier novels was so-so for me.
A typical mystery revolving a rich friend of Emma Whitecastle who senses that her ex-husband is haunting her. Well in a good way. Seems like the ring she got for him is haunted. And it is the haunting that causes his death. Now, the ring is haunting her daughter so she seeks Emma’s help to get to the bottom of this mystery.
It’s an ok commute type of read but if you want something more developed, pick the later books in the series.
Took my time to read it although it’s quite an easy read. I chanced upon the later book in the series, “Ghost in the Guacamole” and loved it. This story which is the earlier novels was so-so for me.
A typical mystery revolving a rich friend of Emma Whitecastle who senses that her ex-husband is haunting her. Well in a good way. Seems like the ring she got for him is haunted. And it is the haunting that causes his death. Now, the ring is haunting her daughter so she seeks Emma’s help to get to the bottom of this mystery.
It’s an ok commute type of read but if you want something more developed, pick the later books in the series.
January 9, 2023
The characters continue to draw me into the series, and this book was another enjoyable addition to the continuing storyline. A few of issues (for me)-
1. too many times did I say "Has Emma lost her ever-loving mind?"
2. the historical information about the Molly Maguires was good but could have stood a bit more depth
3. does there always have to be a love triangle?!!!
4. I can not stand a vengeful ghost
Otherwise, really enjoyed the story. Not a lot of mystery in this one, but still a great read.
1. too many times did I say "Has Emma lost her ever-loving mind?"
2. the historical information about the Molly Maguires was good but could have stood a bit more depth
3. does there always have to be a love triangle?!!!
4. I can not stand a vengeful ghost
Otherwise, really enjoyed the story. Not a lot of mystery in this one, but still a great read.
March 10, 2020
I love the Granny Apples series. Filled with supernatural suspense along with a dash of romance and always a murder to solve, Emma struggles sometimes to use her gift to assist whatever trauma either the ghosts or humans are enlisting her help with. But this brave woman continually faces down whatever she needs to and solves each mystery with courage, fortitude and common sense. I can't wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2018
Great Story
This novel was truly intriguing and had me guessing all the way through. Everything seemed believable. My only objection is the
tone—-sad, angry, scary, and unrelenting. Don’t expect anything to relieve the mood; however, that is exactly how life is sometimes. Definitely well worth reading as long as you understand it is not a funny book.
This novel was truly intriguing and had me guessing all the way through. Everything seemed believable. My only objection is the
tone—-sad, angry, scary, and unrelenting. Don’t expect anything to relieve the mood; however, that is exactly how life is sometimes. Definitely well worth reading as long as you understand it is not a funny book.
January 23, 2020
3.5 stars
This book was a bit more disturbing than the previous ones. Emma was in over her head and like usual, she wasn't going to listen to the sound advice of those around her. Emma doesn't always know best! I admit to not liking the choices she made but will continue reading this series to see how these choices pan out.
This book was a bit more disturbing than the previous ones. Emma was in over her head and like usual, she wasn't going to listen to the sound advice of those around her. Emma doesn't always know best! I admit to not liking the choices she made but will continue reading this series to see how these choices pan out.
December 11, 2017
I enjoyed the characters but I was a little disappointed because I was expecting a more straight up mystery, even with the paranormal tie in than a curse gem. In spite of that, I found the history of the diamond and the events in Pennsylvania interesting.
February 3, 2019
The book was a suspense thriller with love and murder that spanned the east and west coast of the United States giving a brief look into our country’s past. It was an easy read. And a must read for those who enjoy ghost stories.
March 22, 2020
The laughs are many with Emma and Granny. This time tracing back the origin of a stone ring, was it cursed, or what caused people to commit suicide. Cute series and narration is enjoyable. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
January 25, 2022
It's a very good story, although, like others, I'm not a fan of the romantic path the lead character goes down in this book. Still, it's a very engaging and well written series and I'll probably read the next book eventually.
October 23, 2022
A great cozy paranormal mystery series. The stories are set in real towns with people who were actually connected to the town. It was an added bonus to learn about Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Where this town honored the life of the Olympic athlete, Jim Thorpe.
February 22, 2017
Emma and Granny Apple are still very entertaining.
Look forward to the next book.
Look forward to the next book.
November 2, 2017
It was a good read
December 22, 2017
I love this series! So much fun to read. Ms. Jaffarian always has a surprise twist in these books that keep me interested. These are my latest go-to for when I want a break from more serious reading!
January 19, 2018
Enjoyable cozy mystery series.
June 8, 2018
Enjoying this cozy series!
May 15, 2019
I really enjoy this series. There are lots of twists and turns in the mystery!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews