Scarlett's wedding plans come to a screeching halt when the perfect church for the ceremony appears to be currently occupied by a spiteful ghost bride. I was all anticipation for this latest installment featuring a gal with ghostly talents, her ghost friends, and her very understanding fiance to solve the latest murder mystery and it didn't disappoint.
Diamonds Are a Ghost's Best Friend is the fifth installment of an ongoing series of ghostly murder mystery adventures that work best in order to get Scarlett's romance and the progression of her grasp of her magic though yes, each book presents a resolution to the mystery by the end.
In this latest, Scarlett and Lucas are starting to plan their wedding and figuring out their future plans. Scarlett is reluctant to set a date and make plans because she knows that it will be the beginning to the end of her time in Beechwood Harbor and having to say good-bye to her flower shop, some good friends, and the good life she had there. She wants to be with Lucas in Seattle and share their lives, of course, and Lucas' patience and understanding go a long way.
But, before she can get too worried about that, the perfect setting for their marriage is an iffy prospect with a ghost who will only cut out the antics if Scarlett solves her murder, Flapjack her ghost cat is acting mysterious, and what is with the weird vandalism to flower pots in her shop? Soliving the crime of a few years back is looking like a longshot, but with the help of her ghosts friends and Lucas, she will try. And, maybe figure out how to keep her snobby domineering mother from taking over her wedding.
Each of these is always fun and thoughtful at the same time. I enjoy the antics of Flapjack and the interactions with the other ghosts and its sweet to see Lucas and Scarlett together. The relationship has come a long ways from when Scarlett tried to hold Lucas at arm's length and broke into a sweat over any type of commitment. She still takes a bit to come to grips with change, but its the more natural feelings anyone feels when they have enjoyed a place and made friends that they must leave behind. Lucas has always been so understanding and patient. He's amazing when it comes to her being able to talk to ghosts and the magic she can wield and I love it when he goes along on some of her ghostly casework.
There are some scenes between Scarlett and Flapjack that are particularly poignant because her old cat is also struggling with the changes a wedding will bring in his usual crusty way. And, a scene with Hayward had me feeling strongly sentimental.
The ghostly mystery was actually less of a draw for me compared to everything else, but still a good element. This time, its a bride killed just before the wedding and no strong clues pointing toward any one of the suspects. I enjoyed following along as Scarlett and the others investigated.
This book felt like a wrap up to the series or maybe simply it was the end of a series arc with a new one beginning next. I'm not sure and haven't seen anything to say for sure. Either way, it would be find in the sense that its good place to stop though I would happily keep reading books in the series.
Amanda Ronconi did another stellar job voicing the book and the characters. Honestly, I think more than half the shine I feel for these books is because of her work. From a laconic Flapjack, gentlemanly Hayward and spritely Gwen, sexy Lucas, and to wry Scarlett, I feel I'm right there with them on the case or in the flower shop.
All in all, it was sparkling and fun and I'm already wanting more as soon as I hit the end of this one. Well developed, humor-laced, and engaging characters make this a paranormal cozy mystery series that I can easily recommend.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.