by Sandra Murphy

We have reviews of two mysteries perfect for this Halloween season-Ghost to the Rescue, the new book by Carolyn Hart, and Ghost Wanted, also by Carolyn Hart. Details at the end of this post on how to win copies of both books, and a link to purchase them.

Ghost to the Rescue by Carolyn Hart
Review by Sandra Murphy

Bailey Ruth has her work cut out for her at a writer’s conference. It seems Deidre Davenport’s daughter has wished upon a star, and you know what happens then—the wish is forwarded to Wiggins, head of Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions. He then dispatches an angel to assist (quietly, of course, and never revealing herself except in the direst of situations).

In this case, Deidre has written six books but now can’t come up with an idea that will make it past the first paragraph. The checking account balance is sinking fast, but there’s hope in the form of a teaching job at Goddard College. It’s between Deidre and Harry, who self-published. Jay Knox, of the rich, connected Knox family, says self-publishing is the wave of the future and hints that Harry has the job—unless Deidre wants to change his mind. A notorious womanizer, Jay leaves no doubt as to exactly what would get her the job.

Jay drops by with champagne to celebrate what he considers a win/win situation. Deidre disagrees and tells him to leave. She has a little help from Baily Ruth, who feels the need to reveal herself from the beginning. It’s disconcerting for Deidre—one minute Bailey Ruth is there, and the next she’s either gone or just invisible. It’s enough to make a writer think she’s lost her mind.

However, Bailey’s there to be Deidre’s muse and get her past the first paragraph. Of course, some of her efforts to steer the police in the right direction don’t go as planned and seem to make matters worse—but really, it will all work out in the end.

A writer’s conference lends itself to a lot of suspects. Many writers hearing the words “three-book-deal” will respond, who do I have to kill? Jay’s accepted money to get books in front of an agent who promised to promote them to a publisher. Most are badly written. Witnesses are all too willing to tell what they saw. Since writers tend to pop out of the potted plant just to give the 30-second elevator speech about their book, a “surefire bestseller,” there are a lot of them, too.

To pay Jay, Liz withdrew money from the joint checking account without telling her husband. Now the car needs repair and there’s no cash to be had. Maureen had an affair with Jay that ended when he dumped her. Cliff was tired of trying to promote unpublishable books. Harry wanted the job as a way to get a traditional publisher to notice his books. A second murder narrows the suspect list.

Bailey Ruth gets to interact in an upfront and personal way with Police Chief Sam, steer Deidre’s romance, and solve the murder. I only wish I’d been there.

This is my favorite of the Bailey Ruth series. Details of the writer’s conference ring true for anyone who’s attended one. As Bailey Ruth learns, writers can be ruthless, both on and off the page.

You can use this link to purchase this book:


Ghost Wanted by Carolyn Hart
Review by Sandra Murphy

Bailey Ruth is back—she’s sent from Heaven when someone on Earth needs help, specifically in Adelaide, Oklahoma. Wiggins is in charge of such things—but this time he’s not his usual brusque self. Of course, there are a lot of rules, including one about not hanging out with other ghosts. That’s easily avoidable most of the time, but this visit is the exception.

Lorraine is a ghost, too. She haunts the estate—now turned college campus—where she used to live, and the only person she talks to is Ben, the night guard. There have been odd incidents all week: roses have been left in obvious places (a method Lorraine has used in the past to get shy couples together), a gargoyle fell off the roof, a rare book was stolen, and Michelle Hoyt, the student who’s under suspicion, has disappeared.

Bailey Ruth is able to meet Lorraine and even teach her a few things about appearing and being discreet in front of living people—it makes them so nervous. Working together, they plan to catch the culprit in the act. Unfortunately, Ben finds the thief at the same time and is shot.

Information from Wiggins, paired with her own investigation, has Bailey Ruth wondering about a past death—was it really an accident, or was it murder? And if it was murder, what was the motive?

Michelle shows up at the police station to report she was abducted and held prisoner for the past two days. The acting police chief doesn’t believe her and orders her held for the theft of the book. Quick thinking on Bailey Ruth’s part sets the girl free. Working with the newspaper’s editor, Joe (Lorraine thinks he and Michelle would make a great pair), Bailey Ruth works behind the scenes, mostly unseen, to save Michelle’s reputation, inspire her relationship with Joe, and solve a couple of murders.

The Bailey Ruth mysteries are a romp through Adelaide as Bailey gets in and out of trouble, often to the exasperation of Wiggins. She has every intention of following the rules, but… with Bailey Ruth, there’s always a “but.” This time it’s more challenging, since the chief of police is on his honeymoon and his second-in-command is in the hospital with a broken leg. Still, she manages to follow the clues, if not the rules, and provide a satisfying solution for all.

Bailey Ruth has had four adventures (excuse me, Wiggins: I mean, “missions”) so far. Start anywhere, but add the rest to your to-be-read pile. Bailey Ruth’s an angel you want by your side.

To enter to win a copy of both Carolyn Hart books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Ghosts,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 17, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

You can use this link to purchase this book:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her new one Bananas Foster. Sandy’s latest short story “The Tater Tot Caper” is one of eleven stories in The Killer Wore Cranberry: Fourths of Mayhem. The annual Thanksgiving anthology has eleven stories and this year, includes recipes. And it’s on sale! Available in all e-versions and in print.