Ghost Gone Wild (Bailey Ruth Book 4)

New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Hart’s good-hearted spirit just can’t say no to an earthly rescue in the fourth Bailey Ruth Ghost novel... As far as emissaries from Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions go, Bailey Ruth is far from the top of the go-to list for assignments in the eyes of her boss, Wiggins. So she’s surprised when she’s dropped off on the outskirts of her old hometown, Adelaide, Oklahoma, at the home of young Nick Magruder. When a window cracks and a rifle barrel is thrust inside, only Bailey Ruth’s hasty intervention saves Nick from taking a bullet. But after she materializes to reassure him, she finds she can’t go back to vanishing. What gives? It turns out Bailey’s been tricked by Nick’s late aunt to come to his rescue, which means Wiggins has no idea where she is—and now she may be trapped in Adelaide forever. Unless she can help snare the person who wants Nick dead...

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of Agatha-winner Hart's whimsical fourth novel featuring departed spirit Bailey Ruth Raeburn (after 2010's Ghost at Work), Bailey Ruth of heaven's Department of Good Intentions arrives at the Adelaide, Okla., home of video-game millionaire Nick Magruder just in time to prevent a gunman from shooting him. Since the shade of Nick's doting Aunt Dee engineered this mission on the sly, Bailey Ruth must operate on earth without her otherworldly powers. When Nick is accused of a murder, she must rely on her wits alone to clear him. Though not fully developed, the secondary characters have some amusing quirks, and even the villain, who's not readily identifiable, has a certain charm. The well-constructed plot offers an ample supply of red herrings. Fans of benign ghosts such as those in Blithe Spirit and Topper will find a lot to like. Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider. (Oct.)

From Booklist

This is award-winning mystery author Hart’s fourth novel featuring Bailey Ruth. She is an emissary from heaven who returns to her small hometown to help people, but the usual protocol has been bypassed by a ghost who wants Bailey to aid the ghost’s troubled nephew, Nick. She sends the unwitting Bailey, who, because of the breach in protocol, is stripped of her usual powers once she arrives. Bailey pushes Nick out of the way when someone shoots at him, but she has no money, identification, or even clothes, which hampers her investigation into discovering who wants him dead. Nick resents Bailey’s help even after realizing his Aunt Dee sent her. The greedy Cole tries to blackmail Nick so he can have the land that Nick wanted to buy, but Cole is killed by a rifle when the two get into an argument. Nick is the main suspect, and Aunt Dee comes to Earth to help Bailey clear him, resulting in a fun partnership. History and hidden treasure add interesting elements to the plot. Fans of Sue Ann Jaffarian’s Ghost of Granny Apples series will also enjoy this entry in an amusing, clever series.. --Amy Alessio

Kirkus Reviews

“One of [Bailey Ruth’s] toughest cases.”

Fresh Fiction

“A light-hearted, well crafted mystery.”

RT Book Reviews More Praise for Carolyn Hart, Winner of Multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards and the Bailey Ruth Ghost Novels

“Bailey is a fun, feisty sleuth...This solid mystery has comedic moments and a surprise ending, providing readers with a thoroughly entertaining story.”

Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Hart’s work is both utterly reliable and utterly unpredictable.”

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“One of the most popular practitioners of the traditional mystery.”

Boston Globe

“Bailey Ruth and Wiggins will delight readers who prefer their mysteries light and seasoned with wit and the supernatural...Hart’s vision of Heaven is a hoot.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Hart’s amusing and vivacious ghostly sleuth puts her invisibility, her gusto and her sharp mind to good use in her latest outing.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Sure to charm even ardent materialists.”

About the Author

An accomplished master of mystery, Carolyn Hart is the New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty-five novels of mystery and suspense including the Bailey Ruth Ghost Novels and the Death on Demand Mysteries. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She has also been honored with the Amelia Award for significant contributions to the traditional mystery from Malice Domestic and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. One of the founders of Sisters in Crime, Hart lives in Oklahoma City, where she enjoys mysteries, walking in the park, and cats. She and her husband, Phil, serve as staff—cat owners will understand—to brother and sister brown tabbies.

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