Customer Reviews

Ghost at Work (Bailey Ruth Mysteries, No. 1)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While heaven is, well, heavenly, Bailey Ruth Raeburn, late of Adelaide, OK, makes it known to Wiggins, head of the Department of Good Intentions, that she wants to help someone on earth in "dire straits". Wiggins tells her she may do so, although due to her rash, impulsive and "spirited" nature, she will be on probation and she must remember all the precepts of being a ghost among the living. With a copy of the rules firmly in hand, she is immediately dispatched right back to Adelaide to find herself on the back porch of the Episcopal Church rectory just as Kathleen, the pastor's wife, is discovering a dead body.

The victim, one Daryl Murdoch ,is not quite the upstanding citizen and dedicated church member he appears to be. It seems there are quite a few people who would rather have Daryl dead than alive.

Bailey Ruth now has the ability to appear when the need arises or to be invisible when she wants , a useful skill in her job to find the real murderer and absolve the pastor and his wife of any accusations because as it turns out, they too might have had a motive. As Bailey Ruth investigates the crime, the reader will laugh out loud at all of her antics while she learns to function as a ghost with a mission. Being invisible is great for moving from place to place quickly and being one step ahead of the investigation.

She begins to narrow down the suspects one by one and at the Halloween Spook Bash held at the church hall, the suspense builds when the lights go out and someone goes missing. It becomes evident to her, but certainly not to the reader, who the real culprit is. Along with a few pop-ins by Wiggins along the way, Bailey Ruth identifies the murderer and ties it all up nicely just before the rescue express sweeps into Adelaide and takes her heaven bound once again.

Hart writes a classic cozy with all the traditional elements of the genre. What she adds is her own exceptional brand of wit and humor along with a fabulous cast of well fleshed out characters. As usual, Hart has such a wonderful way with descriptions, the reader feels they are right there on the scene. The plot is well developed with plenty of suspects, all with motives to commit the crime. This is a truly enjoyable new series with non-stop fun . If you are a mystery fan, this is definitely one not to be missed ! Highly recommended.

I'm a big fan of light murder mystery series - they're like Brain Candy to me. I enjoy the Scumble River series, the Joanne Fluke series, Janet Evanovich, the Coffehouse mysteries and many others. This one starts with an interesting twist - our "civilian turned sleuth" is a ghost. The problem is, it's just plain silly. The initial bumbling of our departed spirit turned guardian angel is a comedy of errors that would make Lucy Ricardo blush. There is almost no interesting dialogue - it's chapter after chapter of the lead characters inner ramblings. When the opportunity for an insightful moment presents itself, the author shies away and goes for slapstick. I really had to push myself to keep picking it up - only my stubborn refusal to leave a book unfinished made me do it.

Combine the 1941 "Topper" ghost series, Nancy Atherton's "Aunt Dimity" and throw in Mignon Ballard's angel series and a little of the Dolly Parton ghost christmas movie and you have a fun ghost mystery. A 1960's woman returns to a 2008 world to help her family solve a murder. She is baffled by all the new computer "stuff" and loves to wear the new fashions. She appears and disappears at will, solves a murder, thwarts a kidnapping and potential murder of her niece and makes it back to heaven without getting in too much trouble with the angel in charge of dispersing the dead to earth. It's funny, entertaining, and still has enough mystery to hold your interest. I will read more of Ms. Hart's works and you should too.

This murder mystery has some things going for it: a large number of suspects, great pacing, well-placed summations and reminders. It introduces a new 'detective' character, and is a good set up for an ongoing series.

But I found it far too light for my taste. It's all plot and gimmick, with not enough character development, subplot, or exploration of issues/themes. I've had similar reactions to popular mystery titles by Lillian Jackson Braun, Rita Mae Brown, and Sue Grafton. Perhaps fans of those authors would also enjoy this new series.

I really disliked the main character, Bailey Ruth. She reminded me of Angela Lansbury, and I never found that TV series appealing.

Bailey Ruth Raeburn and her husband, Bobby Mac, were killed in a boating accident many years ago. Bailey Ruth wants to lend a helping hand and makes an appointment with Wiggins, the man in charge of the Department of Good Intentions, which is renowned for helping those on earth who are in dire need of aid. Before Wiggins can explain all the rules and regs of her position as emissary (what you and I would call a ghost), Bailey Ruth finds herself whisked off to a house in Adelaide, Oklahoma, where the pastor's wife has just found a dead body on her porch a few days before Halloween. Bailey Ruth has to discover the identity of the killer before the pastor's wife is hauled off to jail.

This is the first book by Carolyn Hart that I've read, and I thought she added an interesting twist to the cozy mystery genre by having a ghost as the sleuth. As befits someone who's written as many books as she, Hart is quite workmanlike at delineating her characters, setting the scene, moving the plot along, and planting red herrings.

But somewhere along the line, the entire book began to lose air like a leaky souffle. It was fun to see Bailey Ruth become acquainted with SUVs, cell phones, and computers, and for a woman known to speak and act without thinking, she naturally broke almost all of Wiggins' rules by the end of her first evening in Adelaide. But some things just didn't add up. Her lack of a corporeal body is emphasized, but why does she need to eat and sleep? Bailey Ruth keeps mentioning Bobby Mac, but we never hear a peep out of him, or see him for that matter. Are there divorces in Heaven? And why did I keep picturing Tom Bosley as Wiggins?

All in all, I'd have to say that Ghost at Work is average. Your mileage may definitely vary!

I have read every "Death on Demand" book with great enjoyment. Not having enjoyed the "Henry O" series as much I was a bit apprehensive about a new one. What a DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE!!! Bailey Ruth is a hoot of a character who seems to find herself in more unusual predicaments with every passing moment.....and trying hard to justify her breaking of the Precepts to her mentor Wiggins. As a ghost she has a special knack for investigating the suspects in a murder case, even helping some of them to redeem themselves while she appears and disappears with seeming abandon. I loved this book and this character and can't wait for the next Bailey Ruth adventure!

The British have a word, "twee". No, it's not a tree according to Sylvester the Cat. It's... how to describe it? Imagine "The Sound of Music", but with all the rough stuff removed. That's getting close to "twee". Don't get me wrong. Twee is not without a certain charm. Indeed, the works of, say, Alexander McCall Smith are all charm (and all Twee). All of which brings us to "Ghost at Work", Carolyn Hart's new book in what promises (threatens?) to be a new series. It is Twee to such a degree that it could be "Gwoing" in Brooklyn. And, as you may suspect, to paraphrase "Lou Grant", I ...er... am not a big fan of... twee. But you may be. Ms. Hart is the author of literally dozens of books (sometimes as Carolyn "G." Hart) and has developed, over the past many years a loyal and diverse following. This latest, about a ghost sent to earth to solve crimes, may well appeal to you far more than it does to me. For myself, I'll take my ghosts from Jonathan Carroll (The Ghost in Love) or Noel Coward (Blithe Spirit), but for those who are of a more "ethereal" mindset, you might just want to go climb this "twee".

"Ghost at Work" isn't your typical mystery and hard core fans of the genre might not like the humor thrown into the writting, but I sure did! This the first book by Carolyn Hart I have read and it is not likely to be the last.

The story centers around the recently dearly departed Bailey Ruth Raeburn, who returns to earth with the goal of helping the pastor's wife out of trouble when a body is found that could lead to her and the pastor being accused of murder. No spoilers from me, but the story is well layed out, often very funny, and very entertaining!

A welcome taste of something a little different! Recommended!

I'm very familiar with Ms. Hart's "Death on Demand" series, less so with Henrie O, so I was most interested to check out Bailey Ruth. It starts a little slow, which is understandable given that it's the first book and that we have to be given an introduction. The ghost/mystery combo is a bit unusual, but I don't find it off-putting at all. Neither the ghost part nor the mystery part are, in my opinion, hard core or overly scary or unsettling; I'd consider the book a "cozy." I hope to read more "Bailey Ruth" to see where this goes!

Baily Ruth is in heaven literally. But she is getting bored with bliss so she seeks a position with The Department of Good Intentions. Employees of this department are sent to earth to help people who are in trouble. Baily Ruth makes the cut. She is hired and dispatched the same day. Her new boss Wiggins, a fussy do-gooder, sends her back to earth with one warning follow the rules and never let them think you are a ghost. From the beginning you know that Baily Ruth will fail at both.

Kathleen, the rector's wife, finds a dead body on her porch. Not only does she know the deceased but she hated him as did her husband. She is certain she will be suspect number one. Baily Ruth arrives just in time to help out. But just getting rid of the body isn't enough. To get Kathleen out of trouble, Baily Ruth must solve the crime.

Carolyn Hart is one of my favorite authors. I love her Henrie O and Death on Demand series. However I found Ghost at Work to be a little contrived. I wondered if the author's editor said paranormal subjects are hot, write one. The premise of The Department of Good Intentions is very clever. It would make a good plot for a TV series. Think Touched By An Angel or Highway to Heaven.

I found the book slow at the beginning but I am sure that is because there was so much exposion needed to establish the character, the premise for this book as well as the future series. The pace picked up the more I read. I could only give it three stars but I am sure book 2 in the series will be a five star volume.

I recommend this book