Ghost at Work

Bailey Ruth Mysteries #1

By: Carolyn Hart

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

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. 

©2008 Carolyn Hart (P)2008 Books on Tape

I'm so glad I read it

This was a week of sales of first books so I thought I'd try a few new series. I'm so glad I chose this one. Once long ago I read Hart's Death on Demand books. After a couple of years I got tired of them and very nearly passed this book up because of that. This book just made me feel happy. Granted I was completely wrong about whodunit, carrying my hope for the murderer almost to the end, but that's nothing new. This just felt very satisfying. True, it's a cozy, but to me that's a good thing. I often need a cheering book and this fit the bill. I can't wait to read the next two, then I'll have a new series to add to my books to look forward to.

A great new character!

I love Carolyn Hart books but hesitated reading a book with a ghost as the main character. Thought it would be just a little too strange. What a pleasant surprise I had. The character is funny and the concept of a ghost not too far out to be pleasurable. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to Bailey Ruth's next adventure.

Finished it, but didn't like it.

It's a first-person narrative and it got to be grating at times. it moves really slow and some of the thoughts from the so-called ghost were just dumb. I was looking forward to this series but now I won't continue.

The most stylish ghost you ever met.

What made the experience of listening to Ghost at Work the most enjoyable?

This is a fun read - enjoyed it. I listen to a lot of my recorded books while I'm walking - so I don't want anything too heavy or depressing.

What other book might you compare Ghost at Work to and why?

This is a fun "light" mystery - such as you find in the "Dog On It" stories of Chet and Bernie.

Which character – as performed by Ann Marie Lee – was your favorite?

The best character in the book is the main one - Bailey Ruth (the ghost who is not a ghost!). She is fun loving and very much into fashion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Don't think this would translate to the screen.

Any additional comments?

An easy fun listen.

funny poignant sweet

loved it! will listen to it again! thank you for making it for Audible.

first

I have read many books by this author, but had some how missed this one Read with great inflection by speaker. The right voice makes all the difference while listening to a book

Loved it!!

I accidentally got one of the latest books first and enjoyed it so much that I went back and purposely purchased the entire series. Bailey Ruth is so much fun to "solve" mysteries with. She's an elegant southern calamity of errors that produces chaos and confusion that is sure to have you smiling from ear to ear!!

Charming

I loved the story, the characters were all well developed, and the heroine was charming and loveable. Really enjoyed it.

Different take on Angels

Would you consider the audio edition of Ghost at Work to be better than the print version?

I think so.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narrator did a good job on the accents, voices and emotions. But it was way to slow for me and almost gave up on the book. So I put it on my Kindle and raised the speed to 1.25 and then I could continue. There was a lot of loud sucking breathing in before much of the dialog.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Whiggens finally decided to help.

Any additional comments?

I almost didn't buy this book because I didn't care for Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand books I read (way too many notations of way too many books). But I enjoyed this story line. I do think the title is misleading calling it a ghost not an angel. The ending was very good and made the time I spent reading the whole book worthwhile.

A New Friend

I feel like I have met a new friend in Baily Ruth. I loved this book. It was nicely intertwined, full of mystery and Baily Ruth found some family members. Another go to series for me. It is just a comfy mystery. This series is worth the credits! I don't think you will be disappointed.