I give it three and half stars! I think this series is really fun. The first book Ghost Ala Mode, took place in part, in Julian, California and the second book took place at Catalina Island. So I like the Southern California aspect to the stories. The main characters, Emma Whitecastle and the ghost of Granny (Granny is the 3x great grandmother to Emma and was know for her pie making) are well written and entertaining. ( )

This is the second book in the cozy mystery series, "Granny Apples" and I enjoyed it more than the first one. Emma Whitecastle sees and hears ghosts. When she goes to Catalina on vacation with her new beau, Phil who we meet in the first book, she meets Tessa North, a ghost in a bikini. She and Granny are determined to help Tessa "cross over", but first they need to find out why she is still on earth. After talking to Tessa, Emma assumes she was murdered and sets out to solve the mystery of her death. Along the way, we meet more ghosts, Emma has problems to solve and there are some laughs. I certainly will look for the next one in this series. ( )

I think I liked the first one better - a bit less tragic - but this is a great second instalment in what I hope will be a great series. Lots of ghost action, a good murder plot which you think you see coming but with a nice little twist at the end. I like the characters and I look forward to reading more. ( )

In this second Granny Apples mystery, author Sue Ann Jaffarian hooked my interest immediately with the poignant tale of Tessa North. Emma Whitecastle is a level-headed, intelligent woman who's recently learned that she can see and talk to ghosts, and her newfound talent has led to a career in television. In The Whitecastle Report, Emma tries to give as unbiased an accounting of each situation as possible, never divulging her ability. As an investigative reporter, she knows how to start digging in the archives to find the facts she needs. As she slowly unravels the facts of Tessa's brief life, Jaffarian spins a tale of politics and the Kennedys, of romance and parties and the Hollywood high life of the big names who attract schools of beautiful starlets. That this case also touches closely on the lives of Emma's former in-laws only gives it more emotional punch.

It was interesting for me to see that Granny Apples takes a backseat in this book-- at least most of the time. I have to admit that I really didn't miss her all that much because she tends to be cantankerous and easy to take offense. (I have a low tolerance of such folks.) Fortunately she seems to have been mesmerized by old television programs, and while those sitcoms and cop shows are warping her perspective and her vocabulary, I foresee Emma being forced to do some damage control. (At least have Granny watch Inspector Morse instead of the drek she has been, Emma!)

In the two books of this series thus far, I see Jaffarian's trademark humor and sensitivity. Even though this is a paranormal series, she's created down-to-earth characters and California history-flavored plots that are a delight to sink into. I enjoy a paranormal mystery now and again, as long as they don't go too over the top. Sue Ann Jaffarian knows just how I like them. Will I be visiting Emma Whitecastle again? You better believe it! ( )

A fun, well-plotted mystery that I enjoyed almost as much as its predecessor. If the ending had been a bit lighter, I might have enjoyed it just as much. ( )