Helpful Score: 5
First Line: Incandescent dashes of pink and gold spangled the fluffy white clouds that arched over the entrance to the Department of Good Intentions.
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 wrecked 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!
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 wrecked 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!
Helpful Score: 5
What a terrific start to a new series by Carolyn Hart! I really could not put this book down. Bailey Ruth is a gem, and it is fun to watch her antics as she tries to fulfill her first mission from the "Department of Good Intentions." Can't wait to read the next one.
Helpful Score: 3
I have to confess, I've never read any of Carolyn Hart's other cozies. However, I really liked this "cozy" with a twist. Definitely something different and an easy read.
Helpful Score: 3
First of all, teenaged girls in 2008 dont use the word swell or even swellest, which isnt even a word, even if they are a PK (Pastors Kid).
The dearly departed Bailey Ruth Raeburn has been asked to join the Department of Good Intentions, her role, to return to earth in spirit form, being called a ghost is against regulations, and help out those in need. Sounds easy, that is if there werent all those silly little precepts about when you can appear in human form and who you can scare the be-gee-bees out of.
Bailey pops in just in time to see the body of the towns bad guy Daryl Murdock sprawled dead on the back porch of the rectory and the PW (Pastors Wife) trying to figure out what to do it.
What ensues is a very good who done it with a cast of characters that all look guilty from afar, that is until Baily goes around Wiggins (her heavenly supervisor) wishes and starts to investigate the facts.
Great start to a new series.
The dearly departed Bailey Ruth Raeburn has been asked to join the Department of Good Intentions, her role, to return to earth in spirit form, being called a ghost is against regulations, and help out those in need. Sounds easy, that is if there werent all those silly little precepts about when you can appear in human form and who you can scare the be-gee-bees out of.
Bailey pops in just in time to see the body of the towns bad guy Daryl Murdock sprawled dead on the back porch of the rectory and the PW (Pastors Wife) trying to figure out what to do it.
What ensues is a very good who done it with a cast of characters that all look guilty from afar, that is until Baily goes around Wiggins (her heavenly supervisor) wishes and starts to investigate the facts.
Great start to a new series.
Helpful Score: 3
A disappointment. A fan of Carolyn Hart (particularly the Henry O series), I looked forward to it, but it just never caught me. I missed the sharpness of her other series - this book was more like marshmallows. One thing that particularly annoyed - and distracted me - was trying to fix this book in time. I kept trying to figure out how long Bailey Ruth had been dead and how old she and her children were at that time. Maybe this will be brought out in future books, but I won't be there to read them.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a light and entertaining "who-dun-it" mystery. For those deep into the genre, or who read a lot of novels, it will probably
seem thin. The book is "family friendly". This story takes place in a small town in Oklahoma it may offer insights to those who
did not grow up in a small town with a Christian (protestant, presumably, in this case) community.
Bailey Ruth is my kind of ghost. She can remain unseen or can will herself to be seen, but she can always be heard and felt. She
can zoom anywhere by just thinking where she wants to be, but earthly objects she is holding look to mortals to be levitating.
Her adventures are captivating and fun; the murder is clean (no blood even); the villain is a mystery till the end, and evil is
properly punished.
As for the story line, it held my interest; the book is neither very compelling nor boring. Towards the end, I was trying to
guess who the villain would turn out to be. I failed to guess correctly; those who ready many mysteries probably will find the clues
obvious enough.
seem thin. The book is "family friendly". This story takes place in a small town in Oklahoma it may offer insights to those who
did not grow up in a small town with a Christian (protestant, presumably, in this case) community.
Bailey Ruth is my kind of ghost. She can remain unseen or can will herself to be seen, but she can always be heard and felt. She
can zoom anywhere by just thinking where she wants to be, but earthly objects she is holding look to mortals to be levitating.
Her adventures are captivating and fun; the murder is clean (no blood even); the villain is a mystery till the end, and evil is
properly punished.
As for the story line, it held my interest; the book is neither very compelling nor boring. Towards the end, I was trying to
guess who the villain would turn out to be. I failed to guess correctly; those who ready many mysteries probably will find the clues
obvious enough.
Helpful Score: 2
This was the first Carolyn Hart book I ever read. It was OK. I liked the character Bailey Ruth and the situations, but I felt it just didn't move along a well as it could have. Somewhat predictable, but enjoyable enough. I would probably read another from the series.
Helpful Score: 1
My first book by Carolyn Hart I read---I really enjoyed it but a few things puzzled me such as someone else posted---why did a ghost have to eat? I don't get that. I do however love that one of her disguises was Myrna Loy---a favorite actress of mine as well lol. I liked it so much that i'll read the 2nd, maybe it will explain more. :)
I loved this book! Carolyn Hart has another winner with this first in a new series.
I thought I'd like this book, but I did not. Not sure why, I love her Death on Demand Series. I loved the concept of the book, but it just did not come off. Hopefully other people may enjoy it.
I couldn't finish this book. I tried to give it a chance because Hart is one of my favorite authors, but the cutesy sugary sweetness made me gag. I hated the whole "heaven" business with its lack of coherence and reason. I'm disappointed that Hart has jumped on the paranormal bandwagon with such a poor offering - she is a much more talented writer than this.
I really enjoyed the first in the series.
Bailey Ruth Raeburn has always been great at solving mysteries. Why should a little thing like her death change anything? In fact, being dead gives her more of an opportunity to be on top of events. Bailey Ruth is delighted that her unique position as a ghost makes it possible for her to lend a helping hand, sometimes seen and sometimes not. And if anybody needs a little help, it's Kathleen, the pastor's wife. There's a dead man on her porch, and once the body is discovered, the pastor is sure to become a suspect.
Uncharitable people might call it meddling, but Bailey Ruth knows Kathleen needs her help! As a member of Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, Bailey Ruth goes back to earth to extricate Kathleen from a dire situation. If Bailey Ruth has to bend a few rules to help Kathleen save her family, Wiggins, her fussbudget supervisor, will make sure it all turns out right in the end.
I enjoyed the book a lot but, for my taste it was just a TAD too long and some of the stuff in it could have been left out and it wouldnt have hampered the book at all! A couple parts of it were just boring but all in all a good read! I did get the next one hoping they get better as they go along I really like Baily Ruth Raeburn and her senior angel guide!
Uncharitable people might call it meddling, but Bailey Ruth knows Kathleen needs her help! As a member of Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, Bailey Ruth goes back to earth to extricate Kathleen from a dire situation. If Bailey Ruth has to bend a few rules to help Kathleen save her family, Wiggins, her fussbudget supervisor, will make sure it all turns out right in the end.
I enjoyed the book a lot but, for my taste it was just a TAD too long and some of the stuff in it could have been left out and it wouldnt have hampered the book at all! A couple parts of it were just boring but all in all a good read! I did get the next one hoping they get better as they go along I really like Baily Ruth Raeburn and her senior angel guide!
This was a great book. I love the concept of this book, and the main character Bailey Ruth is one of my favorite's. It was nice to read a book that the main character actually has some character, which has been lacking in many of the books I have read lately.
I loved this book, but i started with Merry Merry Ghost where I feel in love with the charecters. Can't wait to read the third book in this series.
