If a ghost calls, should you answer?

 

In the course of her new job as legal assistant for Attorney Ross Cavendish, Brenna is given an antique telephone as a thank-you from the daughter of a client for helping her sort through her father’s estate after his sudden accidental death. But it turns out there’s more to the old phone than its cool vintage quality. To Brenna’s surprise, it rings without warning, and a cryptic message leads Brenna to wonder if the man’s death really was an accident. But if it wasn’t, then that means there must be a killer close by.

 

Meanwhile, it’s Thanksgiving and Brenna’s parents and two brothers come from Phoenix for a visit. She soon finds herself juggling family, a neighborhood craft fair, and an eccentric old lady for whom she has become legal guardian. Between raccoons, ghosts, an impromptu séance, two jealous suitors, and a possible murderer at large, Brenna’s long weekend is anything but relaxing.

Families and Felons by Kathleen J. Easley is a light and easy read in the cozy mystery genre.  It flows seamlessly, keeps the reader guessing, and the characters are easy to connect with.  Brenna, the heroine, acts sensibly while thinking out of the box.  She can connect with ghosts, yet is aware that this may well encourage other people to think she is crazy.  Her explanations for circumventing the many questions she gets about her knowledge of the murder are quite clever.  She manages to reply without mentioning the supernatural.  There is very little violence, and no swearing; just a good, clean read.  I enjoyed this book which is well deserving of five stars!

—  Readers' Favorite