Ghost at Work

Title: Ghost at Work

Author: Carolyn Hart

Publisher: William Morrow

Copyright Date: 2008

Print Date: October 2008

ISBN: 9780060874360

Pages: 290

Series: 1st in the Baily Ruth Mystery series

Book Description:

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.

Comments:

This post has been a long time coming. I hope I can remember my impressions. So... the background behind this was interesting. Not entirely original (plenty of books/movies/etc. have deceased come back to aid the living and I recently posted on another crime-solving ghost book), but that didn't make it less interesting. The image of heaven was somewhat amusing.

For the mystery part... hang on, let me remember who the bad guy is, then I can tell you if I guessed... Oh yeah, no I didn't guess. Maybe I should have. Looking back I guess there were clues. I just didn't see them.

The part that bothered me? Bailey Ruth and all she did to cover up evidence. It made me cringe, the idea of evidence being tampered with. Partly because I aparently believe in "the system" (I hadn't realized... maybe it was the forensic classes.) And partly because I've been firmly brainwashed to believe that you can never completely cover your tracks (despite the number of people who get away with their crimes), so it felt like it was making things worse.

Anyway, for the characters. Baily Ruth was mostly likeable, with some traits that hae the potential to irritate. Bayroo was a great character. Kathleen needed to grow a spine. I liked Cheif Cobb. And Wiggins added a lovely humorous touch to the overall story. (And if you're thinking, who are these people, well, maybe you need to read the book.)

Will I read more of this series/author? Yes, I have the second book already. But not soon. It was a slower read for me, and right now I do better with quicker reads.