“If I were teaching a course on how to write a mystery, I’d make Carolyn Hart required reading.” —Los Angeles Times Merry, Merry Ghost by Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award winner Carolyn Hart, is the spirited second appearance of spectral sleuth, Bailey Ruth Raeburn, who would never let a little thing like being dead keep her from enjoying the Yuletide holiday or solving a dastardly crime. The light and funny follow up to Hart’s critically acclaimed Ghost At Work—which Publishers Weekly named One of the Best Books of 2008—Merry, Merry Ghost is a true Christmas treat, and Bailey Ruth is a most welcome addition to Carolyn Hart’s coterie of beloved series protagonists, joining septuagenarian sleuth “Henrie O” Collins and the Darlings of “Death on Demand” fame.
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"This was delightful! I had bought this right after I saw a write-up on it in the paper, but couldn't get into it until I finished the other books I had waiting. Boy! This was a pleasant surprise! If you like mystery, give it a try! I was a fun way to think how things often happen, unexplained.... by heavenly help!"
— Janet (5 out of 5 stars)
" Bailey Ruth, the fashion-conscious former resident of Adelaide, Oklahoma, returns at the bidding of Wiggins, Director of Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, to protect a 4 year-old grandson of the town's wealthiest woman. Keith, whose existence has been unknown until now, has been delivered to Susan Pritchard Flynn's doorstep in time to cheer up her final Christmas as her cancer has advances. His arrival disturbs the cast of distantly-related family members who had already made plans for their inheritances. A captivating cozy with multiple suspects and a good deal of charm. "
— Anne, 2/16/2014" Good book for curling up on the couch and sipping tea. She does throw in surprises here and there that keep you guessing. I like the ghost's antics. "
— Rexanna, 2/15/2014" This is the second in the Bailey Ruth series by the author. Bailey Ruth is deceased, and is sent back to earth periodically to help someone with something, in this case, watch over a little boy who has just been left on his grandmother's doorstep. The wealthy woman did not know she had a grandchild, and as she changes her will to leave everything to him, she turns up dead. Did one of her previous heirs kill her, or did she die of natural causes? Bailey Ruth is going to use her heavenly powers to help the living find out while enjoying a little early Christmas spirit. This is a solid story, but nothing special. "
— Laren, 2/9/2014" Nice Mystery. Good Plot. Great characters. very easy read. the murderer suprised me. "
— Natalie, 2/9/2014" This book was incredibly disappointing. I tend to think that, no matter the genre, any book can be rewarding to read as long as it is constructed well by the author, from Brideshead Revisited to Inspector Morse. Unfortunately, Carolyn Hart failed miserably in constructing this novel. I have a few major problems with this book. First, there is nothing "cozy" about a child as a potential murder victim. In the end, he was only marginally in danger but the main character is given the assignment to protect the little boy because "something might happen to him." Secondly, while I understand this kind of book is mostly whimsical, there are some things that go too far for my liking--such as the ghost faking a crime scene in order to see that the first death is investigated as a murder, or the same ghost going out for a midnight drive with the ghost of the first victim in order to get a holographic will signed. Thirdly, I did not care for Bailey Ruth Raeburn as a character. She was extremely irritating. Also concerning the characters, they are all massive cliches. I know, I know--it's a cozy mystery and not Shakespeare, but even this genre does not have to be earth-shatteringly poetic in order to be readable. Thankfully, this was my first Caroyln Hart novel, and it will be my last. "
— cassie, 2/8/2014" This is the second book featuring Bailey Ruth who does assignments for the Department of Good Intentions in heaven. This time Bailey Ruth is sent back to her hometown to help a child be united with his grandmother, Susan Flynn, and when Susan is murdered Bailey Ruth steps into that investigation. For me this book was better than the first in the series. There was less of Bailey Ruth getting scolded for disobeying heavenly precepts which ligtened the book up. "
— Rachel, 2/6/2014" I know this isn't the first book of this new series by Hart, but it was the one I found at my local used bookstore. Plus it's December and just the right time for this book ;-} "
— Sallie, 1/20/2014" Very confusing at first but I enjoyed this one enough to search out the other books in the Bailey Ruth series. "
— Suka, 1/10/2014" I saw this book at the library with all the other Christmas type books. It's a mystery and it seemed to promise some good entertainment and not some overly heart warming mushiness. I was right. It was a fun murder mystery and I enjoyed reading this book. I plan to read some of her other novels now. "
— Melissa, 1/9/2014" This was thoroughly delightful & witty. I fell in love with Bailey Ruth. I was kept guessing til the end. It was a fun Christmas read. I will definitely search out some more Bailey Ruth novels. "
— Cathy, 11/10/2013" Carolyn Hart is a genius! The idea of having a sleuth that can appear anywhere she wants and knows no boundaries is inspired. It made for a fun read. I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series. "
— Caroline, 10/24/2013" Enjoyable, fun, fast read. "
— Peculiar, 10/10/2013" I listened to it on audio (audible). It was a good story but I'm pretty sure if I had been reading it, I wouldn't have finished. It would not have held my attention. I listened to it while delivering mail so it was no biggie. "
— Lynn, 10/8/2013" Cute fast read "
— Dolly, 6/17/2013" Another triumph! "
— Elizabeth, 6/8/2013" Just a great fun read! "
— Killercalico, 3/14/2013" Quite fanciful, but a fun, light read. "
— Nancy, 2/20/2013" Second in a fun series. Likeable, spirited (pun intended) protag. (Ghost sent to earth to help solve a mystery). FA "
— Leslie, 12/21/2012" I just couldn't get into this book.......just not for me:( "
— Kathy, 8/7/2012" You might enjoy this if you like cozies and Christmas themed reading. Very light reading with a likeable main character. I was amused by the main character's attention to clothing and looking stylish. This may not seem unusual until you know more about the character! "
— Terri, 5/20/2012" I had read this before, a few years back, not worth reading again though, so will take it back to the Library. "
— Mary, 4/16/2012" Another fun one - 2nd in the series. "
— Kathleen, 3/2/2012" A light, amusing, simple mystery with a ghost detective. A welcome diversion. "
— Chris, 10/13/2011" It was an okay book. Personally, I prefer Hart's Death on Demand series, but the ideas behind this series are interesting. "
— Mish, 9/21/2011" Too long and overdetailed. "
— Judith, 7/30/2011" I enjoyed thinking of the possibilities of a spirit life, after death. The main character, Baily Ruth is a character indeed. I was unsure till the end when the real murderer was revealed , exactly who was the bad guy because there were several who could have been it. It was a fun story. "
— Pat, 6/26/2011" You know - for all these being quick reads I still haven't been able to figure out whodunnit in either of them! "
— Cheryl, 6/3/2011" I am not sure if I would enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy listening to the audio version. It's a very enjoyable light read with a little murder mystery too. I may just keep going in this series . . . "
— Leslie, 5/9/2011" I so should not have liked this as much as I did: ghosts, Christmas, AND a cozy? But Bailey Ruth is a winning character, and I found her charming despite myself. I don't know that I'd read more in the series, but I did enjoy this foray. "
— Linda, 12/28/2010" You might enjoy this if you like cozies and Christmas themed reading. Very light reading with a likeable main character. I was amused by the main character's attention to clothing and looking stylish. This may not seem unusual until you know more about the character! "
— Terri, 12/17/2010" Really a fun series. Dead person, Bailey Ruth, coming back from heaven to help on earth. She is a character and a half and I've enjoyed both in the series I've read. "
— Beverly, 7/4/2010" Bailey Ruth once again is sent to Adelaide, OK, her home town to protect and help an orphaned little boy receive his inheritance from his recently deceased grandmother. "
— Kitty, 3/16/2010" still having some post-Christmas longing for fun holiday read <br/> <br/>Done. <br/> <br/>A little heavy on the jacquard silk cashmere pump boots with a fur ruff talk, but a lite read. "
— Frynsg, 1/18/2010" A good book about a crazy ghost who doesn't exactly follow the rules, being sent to help a family at Christmas. A newly found grandson, a rich grandmother and murder all make this book a good read. "
— Cheryl, 1/7/2010" Not my usual reading material, since I'm not into a lot of the supernatural genre. This was kind of silly with the premise being that a ghost becomes the guardian angel to an orphaned boy during the holidays. <br/> <br/> <br/>It was okay, but I won't be reading the rest of the series. "
— Grey853, 11/21/2009Carolyn Hart is the bestselling author of the Death on Demand mysteries. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. She is a recipient of the Malice Domestic Lifetime Achievement Award, and In 2014 she received the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award. She lives in Oklahoma City.
Ann Marie Lee is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for narration. She is a Los Angeles–based actress with television credits that include ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Nip/Tuck. Her stage performances for Broadway National Tours and regional theater include Peter Pan, As You Like It, Heartbreak House, and The Cherry Orchard.