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Murder by Design #1
Gone With The Ghost
Bailey Burke has had a rough six months—it’s not easy thinking your romantic overtures toward your best friend caused him to kill himself. Except that’s exactly what happened. Ryan is very much dead, having shot himself with his own police-issued gun. Guilt and grief shouldn’t cause hallucinations though, but six months after Ryan went into the ground, Bailey is freaking out and swearing his ghost is standing in her kitchen. Which he is…
Ryan claims he didn’t commit suicide, but was murdered, and he needs Bailey to help him find his killer so he can earn his ticket out of purgatory. Ryan’s counting on a stairway to heaven, as opposed to wings, since that might be a little unmanly for a cop, even a dead one.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day… and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
Murder By Design Series
Book 1- Gone With The Ghost
Book 2- Silence of The Ghost
Book 3- Once Upon a Ghost
Bestselling author Erin McCarthy offers her signature humor in this fun series about an uptight fashion-conscious home stager who finds herself stiletto-deep in murder...
Ryan claims he didn’t commit suicide, but was murdered, and he needs Bailey to help him find his killer so he can earn his ticket out of purgatory. Ryan’s counting on a stairway to heaven, as opposed to wings, since that might be a little unmanly for a cop, even a dead one.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day… and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
Murder By Design Series
Book 1- Gone With The Ghost
Book 2- Silence of The Ghost
Book 3- Once Upon a Ghost
Bestselling author Erin McCarthy offers her signature humor in this fun series about an uptight fashion-conscious home stager who finds herself stiletto-deep in murder...
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2017
3145 people are currently reading
2858 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCarthy
215 books4,826 followersUSA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
June 15, 2021
3 ☆
Let me be upfront - this is not my usual genre. The warmer temperatures are influencing me to select lighter fare. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal factor, then Gone With The Ghost will likely please you more than it did me.
Bailey Burke studied criminology in college, which was where she met Ryan Conroy. He became a detective in the Cleveland police department and recommended Bailey for the forensics team. Bailey soon realized, however, that collecting DNA samples, especially from the live ones, just wasn't her passion. Bailey now runs her own business, staging homes for sale.
After nearly a decade of friendship, Bailey gathered her courage and finally told Ryan of her non-platonic feelings for him. Within 24 hours, he was found dead in his car, a victim of his own hands and police-issued handgun. Bailey spent the past six months in mourning until a ghostly Ryan popped up in her home, imploring Bailey to look into his death. Because while some of his memories seemed as ephemeral as his appearance, Ryan was convinced that he did not kill himself.
Bailey was no intrepid Nancy Drew but her loyalty and a persistent ghost pushed her nose into police business, including dealing with the smarmy and lewd Detective DeAngelo. As secret details about Ryan's life and factual inconsistencies emerged, threats to Bailey escalated. Good thing that Ryan's former partner, Detective Marner, was both willing to offer Bailey a shoulder to cry on as well as to follow the clues to their unsavory conclusions.
This was a quick, lighthearted romp. The first third was a bit too chatty for me but it was probably appropriate pacing for a cozy. The mystery itself was entertaining enough without any dramatic twists.
Let me be upfront - this is not my usual genre. The warmer temperatures are influencing me to select lighter fare. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal factor, then Gone With The Ghost will likely please you more than it did me.
Bailey Burke studied criminology in college, which was where she met Ryan Conroy. He became a detective in the Cleveland police department and recommended Bailey for the forensics team. Bailey soon realized, however, that collecting DNA samples, especially from the live ones, just wasn't her passion. Bailey now runs her own business, staging homes for sale.
After nearly a decade of friendship, Bailey gathered her courage and finally told Ryan of her non-platonic feelings for him. Within 24 hours, he was found dead in his car, a victim of his own hands and police-issued handgun. Bailey spent the past six months in mourning until a ghostly Ryan popped up in her home, imploring Bailey to look into his death. Because while some of his memories seemed as ephemeral as his appearance, Ryan was convinced that he did not kill himself.
Bailey was no intrepid Nancy Drew but her loyalty and a persistent ghost pushed her nose into police business, including dealing with the smarmy and lewd Detective DeAngelo. As secret details about Ryan's life and factual inconsistencies emerged, threats to Bailey escalated. Good thing that Ryan's former partner, Detective Marner, was both willing to offer Bailey a shoulder to cry on as well as to follow the clues to their unsavory conclusions.
This was a quick, lighthearted romp. The first third was a bit too chatty for me but it was probably appropriate pacing for a cozy. The mystery itself was entertaining enough without any dramatic twists.
December 15, 2018
This was a seriously fun read for me, with a new author I'll be sure to follow. Wonderfully warm characters (even the cold ones) and a witty dialogue hold your attention and this story was the antidote I needed after a few particularly dark novels. Light detection, a bit of sexual angst and a few laughs - a perfect recipe for a great afternoon's reading.
August 8, 2023
3.5 Stars for Gone With The Ghost: Murder by Design (audiobook) by Erin McCarthy read by Elizabeth Klett.
This was a fun and light hearted murder mystery with a little bit romance thrown in.
This was a fun and light hearted murder mystery with a little bit romance thrown in.
March 15, 2018
Erin McCarthy is the queen of fun lighthearted reads.
The Good, The Bad, And Everything In Between: I love when the paranormal rubs elbows with mystery especially when it's chock full of humor. I giggled, smiled, and literally LOL a couple of times throughout this book. I enjoyed the various characters including Bailey and Ryan but wish they were more fleshed out. The book is rather short which is awesome for me because I have been struggling with sticking with longer books but, honestly, if it had been longer the characters could have been dug deeper into. In addition there is some closure to the mystery aspect but many dangly bits are left....well...dangling. Now I love me some dangly bits but in my books I don't necessarily like cliffhangers...even minor ones. I enjoyed this book so much though, I like to refer to those dangly bits as appetizers for the next course. I'm really looking forward to digging into the next one too.
In a Nutshell: This really was a fun book but make sure you have the next book lined up so you can jump right into it because you're going to want to.
The Good, The Bad, And Everything In Between: I love when the paranormal rubs elbows with mystery especially when it's chock full of humor. I giggled, smiled, and literally LOL a couple of times throughout this book. I enjoyed the various characters including Bailey and Ryan but wish they were more fleshed out. The book is rather short which is awesome for me because I have been struggling with sticking with longer books but, honestly, if it had been longer the characters could have been dug deeper into. In addition there is some closure to the mystery aspect but many dangly bits are left....well...dangling. Now I love me some dangly bits but in my books I don't necessarily like cliffhangers...even minor ones. I enjoyed this book so much though, I like to refer to those dangly bits as appetizers for the next course. I'm really looking forward to digging into the next one too.
In a Nutshell: This really was a fun book but make sure you have the next book lined up so you can jump right into it because you're going to want to.
January 14, 2018
I’m a big lover of gritty thrillers, the gory kind that leave many turning their heads, but something about the cosy mystery genre has always intrigued me. I have picked up one or two in the past, but never really stuck to them. They are the kinds of books I pick up when I want a bit of a break. However, despite how they are not my favourite kinds of reads, I still find myself intrigued by many books in the genre. Gone With The Ghost, the first book in Erin McCarthy’s Murder by Design series, is one such example.
At its heart, Gone With The Ghost is a cosy mystery; however, it is one of those cosy mystery layered by the paranormal. As I love a good paranormal read, I was even more intrigued by this one. It would be a nice easy read, mixing something I enjoy occasional with something I enjoy on a more regular basis. Part of me was unwilling to set my hopes high, whereas another part of me had set quite high expectations.
As a whole, I really enjoyed Gone With The Ghost. It is not the kind of book that will earn a spot in my favourite list, but it was an enjoyable read. In fact, I’m rather eager to pick up the future books in this series. I’m intrigued as to where the Murder by Design series is going to go, as I feel as though this is the kind of story I will grow to enjoy more and more as I work deeper into it.
You see, I really enjoyed the tone of the story telling. There was quite a bit of dry humour in this one with some wonderful puns, which had me laughing quite a lot. In fact, there were many occasions where I found myself sharing snippets of the story with my friend – I had to read out lines, even paragraphs, so she could appreciate what I was chuckling at. With such a fun way of storytelling, I quickly found myself coming to enjoy our leading character. I wasn’t as crazy about the side characters, in fact there were quite a few I didn’t like at all, but they all played together well in the story.
The thing that I felt the most let down about, though, was the mystery side. As I said, I favour the kinds of mysteries you find in gritty thrillers. This was all very tame to me, it wasn’t the kind of fun I usually enjoy. This reflects my mystery reading preferences, though, and for those who enjoy cosy mysteries I’m sure they will enjoy the mystery side of the story. After all, the story developed well as a whole – it simply wasn’t the kind of mystery I favour.
Overall, though, I had a lot of fun with this one. I’ll certainly be reading more in the Murder by Design series, and I’m sure I’ll be picking up other Erin McCarthy reads in the future. In fact, Erin McCarthy seems to write in quite a few different genres, and I’m interested to read a number of her books.
At its heart, Gone With The Ghost is a cosy mystery; however, it is one of those cosy mystery layered by the paranormal. As I love a good paranormal read, I was even more intrigued by this one. It would be a nice easy read, mixing something I enjoy occasional with something I enjoy on a more regular basis. Part of me was unwilling to set my hopes high, whereas another part of me had set quite high expectations.
As a whole, I really enjoyed Gone With The Ghost. It is not the kind of book that will earn a spot in my favourite list, but it was an enjoyable read. In fact, I’m rather eager to pick up the future books in this series. I’m intrigued as to where the Murder by Design series is going to go, as I feel as though this is the kind of story I will grow to enjoy more and more as I work deeper into it.
You see, I really enjoyed the tone of the story telling. There was quite a bit of dry humour in this one with some wonderful puns, which had me laughing quite a lot. In fact, there were many occasions where I found myself sharing snippets of the story with my friend – I had to read out lines, even paragraphs, so she could appreciate what I was chuckling at. With such a fun way of storytelling, I quickly found myself coming to enjoy our leading character. I wasn’t as crazy about the side characters, in fact there were quite a few I didn’t like at all, but they all played together well in the story.
The thing that I felt the most let down about, though, was the mystery side. As I said, I favour the kinds of mysteries you find in gritty thrillers. This was all very tame to me, it wasn’t the kind of fun I usually enjoy. This reflects my mystery reading preferences, though, and for those who enjoy cosy mysteries I’m sure they will enjoy the mystery side of the story. After all, the story developed well as a whole – it simply wasn’t the kind of mystery I favour.
Overall, though, I had a lot of fun with this one. I’ll certainly be reading more in the Murder by Design series, and I’m sure I’ll be picking up other Erin McCarthy reads in the future. In fact, Erin McCarthy seems to write in quite a few different genres, and I’m interested to read a number of her books.
July 2, 2024
Gone With The Ghost is Book One in Murder by Design, a cozy mystery series by Erin McCarthy. Bailey Burke was grieving over the death of her boyfriend Ryan by suicide. However, six months later, Ryan turns up in her kitchen as a ghost and wants Bailey's help to find out who killed him so he can leave purgatory. Solving crimes was not one of Bailey's strong points, but with the help of her friend Marner, unwitting put her in danger. The readers of Gone With The Ghost will continue to follow Bailey to discover what happens.
Gone with the Ghost is the first Book I read by Erin McCarthy, and I enjoyed it. I engaged with the characters and the story from the first page and continued to the Book's end. I had to laugh at the way McCarthy portrayed her characters and their interactions with each other. The Book is well-written and researched. I like Erin McCarthy's description of Gone With The Ghost settings, which complemented the Book's plot.
The readers of Gone with the Ghost will learn about the role of a home staging stylist in the real estate industry and the dangers of taking drugs.
I recommend this Book.
Gone with the Ghost is the first Book I read by Erin McCarthy, and I enjoyed it. I engaged with the characters and the story from the first page and continued to the Book's end. I had to laugh at the way McCarthy portrayed her characters and their interactions with each other. The Book is well-written and researched. I like Erin McCarthy's description of Gone With The Ghost settings, which complemented the Book's plot.
The readers of Gone with the Ghost will learn about the role of a home staging stylist in the real estate industry and the dangers of taking drugs.
I recommend this Book.
June 9, 2017
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Gone with the Ghost is the first in a brand new paranormal mystery series by Erin McCarthy. While it's an extremely quick read at only 220 pages, everything get done in an ample amount of time to keep readers satisfied. For me, I love paranormal mysteries so any new ones that are being released will almost immediately call my name. On top of that, knowing that this book was written by Erin McCarthy (I used to read all of her books way back in the day) I knew I had to have this one. Did I enjoy it? Very much! It's a lighthearted read and contains a heroine that will make you laugh out loud! It's got the perfect amount of paranormal as well mixed with a mystery that I couldn't solve myself. So all in all, it's a very good book. The only downside for me is the price. This book is really short and paying nearly $5.00 for it is pretty steep- especially considering some of the amazing novels out there for less than this one. But if the price doesn't bother you, or if your a fan of the author and like paranormal mysteries (that are pretty cozy) then I would recommend this one to you!
About The Book
In this new series we meet Bailey. Right from the get-go we also meet her friend Ryan who happens to be a ghost. Of course, he wasn't always a ghost,this only happened when he was "murdered". So imagine Bailey's shock when she does indeed find her dead best friend in her home. Surprised? Yes. Scared? Yup! Happy? Kind of... So what's Ryan's purpose of coming back into his dear friends life? To find out who killed him! And the only person who can help him (and see him) is Bailey. Will they find out who killed him? Was he actually killed or did he do the deed himself? You'll have to find out by reading this one!
Overall, this is a fun little read and I would def. recommend it to those who enjoy these types of books. Remember though, this is a paranormal mystery! Not a romance. Anyway, I can't wait to read the second book which will come out in late August!
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Gone with the Ghost is the first in a brand new paranormal mystery series by Erin McCarthy. While it's an extremely quick read at only 220 pages, everything get done in an ample amount of time to keep readers satisfied. For me, I love paranormal mysteries so any new ones that are being released will almost immediately call my name. On top of that, knowing that this book was written by Erin McCarthy (I used to read all of her books way back in the day) I knew I had to have this one. Did I enjoy it? Very much! It's a lighthearted read and contains a heroine that will make you laugh out loud! It's got the perfect amount of paranormal as well mixed with a mystery that I couldn't solve myself. So all in all, it's a very good book. The only downside for me is the price. This book is really short and paying nearly $5.00 for it is pretty steep- especially considering some of the amazing novels out there for less than this one. But if the price doesn't bother you, or if your a fan of the author and like paranormal mysteries (that are pretty cozy) then I would recommend this one to you!
About The Book
In this new series we meet Bailey. Right from the get-go we also meet her friend Ryan who happens to be a ghost. Of course, he wasn't always a ghost,this only happened when he was "murdered". So imagine Bailey's shock when she does indeed find her dead best friend in her home. Surprised? Yes. Scared? Yup! Happy? Kind of... So what's Ryan's purpose of coming back into his dear friends life? To find out who killed him! And the only person who can help him (and see him) is Bailey. Will they find out who killed him? Was he actually killed or did he do the deed himself? You'll have to find out by reading this one!
Overall, this is a fun little read and I would def. recommend it to those who enjoy these types of books. Remember though, this is a paranormal mystery! Not a romance. Anyway, I can't wait to read the second book which will come out in late August!
dnf
October 26, 2017DNF at 37%
This book... I dunno. I'm not sure if it was it or me, but I was not getting into it. It just seemed like it was taking too long for the actual investigation part of the mystery to get going. Plus, I wasn't connecting with Bailey as a character and just... blech!
I'm not sure if it was the book or me, so I may try this again sometime, but for now, I just don't want to have to force myself with it anymore.
This book... I dunno. I'm not sure if it was it or me, but I was not getting into it. It just seemed like it was taking too long for the actual investigation part of the mystery to get going. Plus, I wasn't connecting with Bailey as a character and just... blech!
I'm not sure if it was the book or me, so I may try this again sometime, but for now, I just don't want to have to force myself with it anymore.
February 19, 2019
A light, easy read. I really liked the writing style. A good mystery and some likable characters. The mc did carry on a little too long and often about lost chances, and the male lead lost some of his shine when the truth came out, but overall a very decent recent. Enough for the next one to end up on my WL. Very borderline cozy, imo.
December 23, 2018
“Gone with the Ghost” by Erin McCarthy was a very humorous book and made me laugh aloud multiple times! I really enjoyed all the characters, because each were well developed had their own personalities. I will be looking into more of McCarthy’s books, and I rate “Gone with the Ghost” 4.5 stars.
August 17, 2020
Kindle-freebie. As always, you pay for what you get. But I enjoyed it.
Six months ago, Bailey Burke's best friend committed suicide. Worse, he did it right after she confessed her love to him. Now she can barely live with herself. When he suddenly appears to her as a ghost and begs her to help him solve the mystery of his murder, she half thinks she has gone crazy. But if he didn't kill himself...who did?
SO, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Bailey Burke is supposed to be a redhead. And like many cozy heroines, she leaves me wondering...do any of these authors actually know a redhead? WE DON'T WEAR PEACH.
How about a nice royal blue? Or green? Or even burnt orange? But why must cozy-mystery authors make such a big deal about their heroines' hair color and then stick them in truly unflattering colors. No wonder this girl can't land a date.
That's that.
I actually liked the setup of this book and would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so vulgar. The plot was interesting enough (though the conclusion was WAY stretching it) and the prerequisite love triangle piqued my interest a tiny bit. Not enough to pay for the sequel, but enough to make me curious. Y'know?
No, what really threw me off was the non-stop vulgarity from the best-friend-turned-ghost. And the heroine herself. And I guess just most of the characters. For a squeaky clean book with barely a kiss, it seems more than half this book centers in some regard around sex. A few cold showers all around would help a lot.
Six months ago, Bailey Burke's best friend committed suicide. Worse, he did it right after she confessed her love to him. Now she can barely live with herself. When he suddenly appears to her as a ghost and begs her to help him solve the mystery of his murder, she half thinks she has gone crazy. But if he didn't kill himself...who did?
SO, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Bailey Burke is supposed to be a redhead. And like many cozy heroines, she leaves me wondering...do any of these authors actually know a redhead? WE DON'T WEAR PEACH.
How about a nice royal blue? Or green? Or even burnt orange? But why must cozy-mystery authors make such a big deal about their heroines' hair color and then stick them in truly unflattering colors. No wonder this girl can't land a date.
That's that.
I actually liked the setup of this book and would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so vulgar. The plot was interesting enough (though the conclusion was WAY stretching it) and the prerequisite love triangle piqued my interest a tiny bit. Not enough to pay for the sequel, but enough to make me curious. Y'know?
No, what really threw me off was the non-stop vulgarity from the best-friend-turned-ghost. And the heroine herself. And I guess just most of the characters. For a squeaky clean book with barely a kiss, it seems more than half this book centers in some regard around sex. A few cold showers all around would help a lot.
March 5, 2018
First in the Murder by Design mystery series that combines amateur sleuth with a dollop of paranormal fantasy. It all revolves around Bailey Burke, a house staging designer and the ghost of her best friend.
My Take
It’s a case of getting out of purgatory. Both literally and figuratively. Ooh, that was mean of me. I normally read a book in a day, but this one. This one took me two weeks. I kept putting it down because it was so dull.
It took forever to get somewhere. I suspect part of it was Bailey’s unrequited love for Ryan…she whined on how she would never be involved with Ryan again, her dreams and fantasies destroyed, all using first person protagonist point-of-view. Another negative contribution was the warm/cool back-and-forth between Bailey and Marner. It’s a good thing some of the other characters told me there might be a romance happening, because McCarthy was certainly wishy-washy about it. Then there’s that “great” friendship Bailey had with Ryan. How could she be so clueless about the guy??
I did like the revenge Alyssa got, lol.
The twist McCarthy put on it toward the end was another downer. I must say it was totally unexpected, so in some ways, it was a plus just for being different. I just wish McCarthy had been as good as she usually is…sigh…
And, unfortunately for me, the ending cliffhanger does make me want to find out what happens next in Silence of the Ghost . But I sure ain’t gonna rush.
The Story
It’s been six months since Bailey Burke kissed her best friend. Six months of grief when Ryan killed himself that day.
It’s a different kind of grief when Ryan’s ghost shows up in her kitchen, insisting he was murdered. He needs Bailey’s help to solve the case so he can get out of purgatory.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day…and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
The Characters
The neurotic Bailey Burke is a former evidence tech who now works as a house staging designer with her own business, Put It Where?, a perfect fit for her neatnik habits. Alyssa Dembowski is a good friend with a night job in IT while Jane is cheap help. Bailey’s mother is a cutthroat prosecutor; her father is a pharmaceutical rep with charm. Jen is her high energy sister married to Doug with four kids, the six-year-old Jasmine, Jessica, Jordan, and finally a boy, Jacob. Grandmother Burke is a master with the back-handed compliments.
Detective Ryan Conroy had been friends with Bailey for the past ten years. Colleen was his sister. Hannah is a hooker who knows every drug dealer in town.
The police department
Detective Jake Marner was Ryan’s partner and friends with both Ryan and Bailey. Detective DeAngelo is a persistent lech. Detective Cox is worse. Officer Rick Pannaconi was first on the scene. Caleb Jensen had been a beat cop when Bailey worked in the department. Sandra still works as an evidence tech and is a friend of Bailey’s.
Allison Loren is the Jenkins/Jensens' real estate agent. A friend of Ryan’s mom’s, Mrs. Murphy, is the real estate agent who’ll be selling Ryan's house. Bridgid is her daughter who went to dance school with Bailey. Christy and Tim (he’s a hottie financier) Jenkins/Jensen want to sell their house quickly.
Mikaela and Barry are the joggers who found the body. Ted, an accountant, is a friend of Jen’s. Nick, an investment banker, has been a friend of Marner’s since college. William Peppers has a fictitious account. Michael Kincaid had been the high school quarterback. Bart is an invisible friend to a little girl.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a graphic cartoon with a house in the background all in purples. A wavy, violet striped band spans the top of the cover and provides a background for the golden yellow title. A small badge set in the lower right corner uses the same yellow as a background with the violet in the text for the series information. It’s a band behind which the ghostly Ryan in jeans and a black and yellow plaid shirt stands back to back with Bailey in a violet sleeveless dress and black heels, one knee bent while she holds a tablet in her left hand. Between them, at their feet, lies a smoking gun on the pale gray sidewalk. An info blurb is at the bottom in purple with the author’s name directly below it in the same purple.
I suspect the title is meant to be a play on Gone with the Wind, but Gone with the Ghost should replace that “ghost” with “idiocy”.
My Take
It’s a case of getting out of purgatory. Both literally and figuratively. Ooh, that was mean of me. I normally read a book in a day, but this one. This one took me two weeks. I kept putting it down because it was so dull.
It took forever to get somewhere. I suspect part of it was Bailey’s unrequited love for Ryan…she whined on how she would never be involved with Ryan again, her dreams and fantasies destroyed, all using first person protagonist point-of-view. Another negative contribution was the warm/cool back-and-forth between Bailey and Marner. It’s a good thing some of the other characters told me there might be a romance happening, because McCarthy was certainly wishy-washy about it. Then there’s that “great” friendship Bailey had with Ryan. How could she be so clueless about the guy??
I did like the revenge Alyssa got, lol.
The twist McCarthy put on it toward the end was another downer. I must say it was totally unexpected, so in some ways, it was a plus just for being different. I just wish McCarthy had been as good as she usually is…sigh…
And, unfortunately for me, the ending cliffhanger does make me want to find out what happens next in Silence of the Ghost . But I sure ain’t gonna rush.
The Story
It’s been six months since Bailey Burke kissed her best friend. Six months of grief when Ryan killed himself that day.
It’s a different kind of grief when Ryan’s ghost shows up in her kitchen, insisting he was murdered. He needs Bailey’s help to solve the case so he can get out of purgatory.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day…and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
The Characters
The neurotic Bailey Burke is a former evidence tech who now works as a house staging designer with her own business, Put It Where?, a perfect fit for her neatnik habits. Alyssa Dembowski is a good friend with a night job in IT while Jane is cheap help. Bailey’s mother is a cutthroat prosecutor; her father is a pharmaceutical rep with charm. Jen is her high energy sister married to Doug with four kids, the six-year-old Jasmine, Jessica, Jordan, and finally a boy, Jacob. Grandmother Burke is a master with the back-handed compliments.
Detective Ryan Conroy had been friends with Bailey for the past ten years. Colleen was his sister. Hannah is a hooker who knows every drug dealer in town.
The police department
Detective Jake Marner was Ryan’s partner and friends with both Ryan and Bailey. Detective DeAngelo is a persistent lech. Detective Cox is worse. Officer Rick Pannaconi was first on the scene. Caleb Jensen had been a beat cop when Bailey worked in the department. Sandra still works as an evidence tech and is a friend of Bailey’s.
Allison Loren is the Jenkins/Jensens' real estate agent. A friend of Ryan’s mom’s, Mrs. Murphy, is the real estate agent who’ll be selling Ryan's house. Bridgid is her daughter who went to dance school with Bailey. Christy and Tim (he’s a hottie financier) Jenkins/Jensen want to sell their house quickly.
Mikaela and Barry are the joggers who found the body. Ted, an accountant, is a friend of Jen’s. Nick, an investment banker, has been a friend of Marner’s since college. William Peppers has a fictitious account. Michael Kincaid had been the high school quarterback. Bart is an invisible friend to a little girl.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a graphic cartoon with a house in the background all in purples. A wavy, violet striped band spans the top of the cover and provides a background for the golden yellow title. A small badge set in the lower right corner uses the same yellow as a background with the violet in the text for the series information. It’s a band behind which the ghostly Ryan in jeans and a black and yellow plaid shirt stands back to back with Bailey in a violet sleeveless dress and black heels, one knee bent while she holds a tablet in her left hand. Between them, at their feet, lies a smoking gun on the pale gray sidewalk. An info blurb is at the bottom in purple with the author’s name directly below it in the same purple.
I suspect the title is meant to be a play on Gone with the Wind, but Gone with the Ghost should replace that “ghost” with “idiocy”.
March 8, 2022
Holy Ghost!!!
Wow…well this book was…interesting.
I haven’t read many books with ghosts, I think one at a push but I went into this one interested. The description made me want to read the book and I’m glad I did.
It’s a story about a woman grieving her best friend after his suicide. The last thing she ever expected was the guy to show up and telling her his suicide was actually a murder and asking for her help to prove it.
Throughout the book we’re shown different sides of people and it has you second guessing their friendliness. I don’t think there was one character I wasn’t suspicious over except the main one.
It has you guessing, it has you wondering and then has you shocked by the actual outcome and when you find out who the actual killer is, it blew my mind and I loved it.
Now I need more…especially after that ending, damn.
Wow…well this book was…interesting.
I haven’t read many books with ghosts, I think one at a push but I went into this one interested. The description made me want to read the book and I’m glad I did.
It’s a story about a woman grieving her best friend after his suicide. The last thing she ever expected was the guy to show up and telling her his suicide was actually a murder and asking for her help to prove it.
Throughout the book we’re shown different sides of people and it has you second guessing their friendliness. I don’t think there was one character I wasn’t suspicious over except the main one.
It has you guessing, it has you wondering and then has you shocked by the actual outcome and when you find out who the actual killer is, it blew my mind and I loved it.
Now I need more…especially after that ending, damn.
June 9, 2018
For the most part I liked this book. I liked Bailey, liked that she stood by her friend, Ryan, even after he died and he blew her off right before he died. Ryan was the one thing about this book I didn't like. As the book went on we learned just how big of a douche bag he was, which made me glad that Bailey was able to dodge a bullet when he blew her off, she deserved someone better.
I really didn't see who the killer was, I thought it was going to be someone else. Now with a second ghost showing up it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
I really didn't see who the killer was, I thought it was going to be someone else. Now with a second ghost showing up it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
May 23, 2017
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *
~ 4 Ghostly Stars ~
What a fun and entertaining mystery. This was exactly what I had been looking for. This book brought me back to my Nancy Drew days as a kid.
I loved the storyline and the characters we met in this book. I will tell you this...this book is not really a romantic suspense story. Yes there is a little bit of an underlying romance that budded but the main point to this book is the mystery and being able to solve it as you read along. I thought I knew who did it, but I was completely shocked when all was revealed. That was the fun of this story. This book also had me laughing. Some of the comments the heroine says were just funny!!!
I want to say this book is a standalone novel but it does have a to be continued ending. This mystery is solved but the author sets up the premise of the next book at the end of this book. I am excited to see where she takes the rest of this series.
Gone With the Ghosts is the first in Erin McCarthy's Murder by Design Series. It is told solely from Bailey's POV. I thought the flow and pace of this story was perfect. I loved how she tied it all together in the end so you aren't left with any questions.
So if you are looking for that fun and entertaining murder mystery story that will keep you guessing until the end. Pick up this book and enjoy!!! It's worth the read.
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~ 4 Ghostly Stars ~
What a fun and entertaining mystery. This was exactly what I had been looking for. This book brought me back to my Nancy Drew days as a kid.
I loved the storyline and the characters we met in this book. I will tell you this...this book is not really a romantic suspense story. Yes there is a little bit of an underlying romance that budded but the main point to this book is the mystery and being able to solve it as you read along. I thought I knew who did it, but I was completely shocked when all was revealed. That was the fun of this story. This book also had me laughing. Some of the comments the heroine says were just funny!!!
I want to say this book is a standalone novel but it does have a to be continued ending. This mystery is solved but the author sets up the premise of the next book at the end of this book. I am excited to see where she takes the rest of this series.
Gone With the Ghosts is the first in Erin McCarthy's Murder by Design Series. It is told solely from Bailey's POV. I thought the flow and pace of this story was perfect. I loved how she tied it all together in the end so you aren't left with any questions.
So if you are looking for that fun and entertaining murder mystery story that will keep you guessing until the end. Pick up this book and enjoy!!! It's worth the read.
Follow Us at :: Book Bitches Blog | Facebook | Twitter
December 19, 2023
Gone with the Ghost
Murder by Design, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I had one of the series on my #WinterGames TBR but didn’t realize it was a part of a series so went ahead and listened to this one to give the series a try.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 12/6/23 - 12/7/23
Stars: 3
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Klett
The Characters:
Bailey Burke
Ryan
The Story:
I found it just okay. A decent mystery but there seemed to be a lot of misunderstanding. The unrequited love aspect just didn’t work for me. As I write this a week or so after reading I don’t even recall the resolution. So, yeah, just okay.
The Random Thoughts:
Murder by Design, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: I had one of the series on my #WinterGames TBR but didn’t realize it was a part of a series so went ahead and listened to this one to give the series a try.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 12/6/23 - 12/7/23
Stars: 3
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Klett
The Characters:
Bailey Burke
Ryan
The Story:
I found it just okay. A decent mystery but there seemed to be a lot of misunderstanding. The unrequited love aspect just didn’t work for me. As I write this a week or so after reading I don’t even recall the resolution. So, yeah, just okay.
The Random Thoughts:
August 19, 2020
Who doesn't love a good, fun ghost story? Gone With The Ghost, the first book in Erin McCarthy’s Murder by Design series, is just one heck of a fun read. One of my favorite genres is a good psychological thriller, but a cozy mystery is a different kind of mystery read so I like to switch back and forth some. This is my first Erin McCarthy read (I'm pretty sure) and I know I'll read more of her now, thanks to this book.
Obviously with Ghost in the title, this is a paranormal book. When I joined GR in 2012 I never (literally) read paranormal books. I always liked only books that were realistic. The truth is, or what I have learned since, is that I never had given paranormal a true chance. Now I love paranormal books. McCarthy incorporated a lot of humor in this book, and I do love a good laugh! The thing about cozy mysteries is that sometimes they almost provide comic relief. If I am reading a darker type of mystery (I was currently reading Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series), sometimes I need to read something lighter and for me, cozy mystery books are perfect.
Obviously with Ghost in the title, this is a paranormal book. When I joined GR in 2012 I never (literally) read paranormal books. I always liked only books that were realistic. The truth is, or what I have learned since, is that I never had given paranormal a true chance. Now I love paranormal books. McCarthy incorporated a lot of humor in this book, and I do love a good laugh! The thing about cozy mysteries is that sometimes they almost provide comic relief. If I am reading a darker type of mystery (I was currently reading Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series), sometimes I need to read something lighter and for me, cozy mystery books are perfect.
January 16, 2021
It was a light-hearted, fun read with laughter, witty remarks and a whole lot of cozy murder mystery. A good choice for some relaxing downtime 💓
April 25, 2022
Not the best introduction to cozy mysteries, yikes
April 26, 2020
A fun, cute read. Bailey is a warm and fun character with distinct strengths and flaws. Ryan is such a player I had to laugh. I don't usually enjoy ghost mysteries but I love the flow of the writing and the humor caught my funny bone. Add in a potential romance with a detective (it is a cozy mystery) and some seriously weird bad guys and I enjoyed it. I will be reading more from this series.
June 2, 2021
This one is very entertaining.
May 24, 2017
Reviewed @ Confessions From Romaholics
Review copy kindly provided by author in exchange for a honest review
Gone with the Ghost is the first in the Murder by Design series which throws together two best friends in a unpredictable situation when one dies and the other is left to solve their death. A death that may be not as simple as the one left behind thought . Our criminal solver Bailey is far from the typical character I expected to be solving crimes. She an interior designer with a flair for staging houses who lives for jobs. She isn’t a crime buff or remotely interested in anything crime related.
She the sort of the woman that likes things to be just right, not rock the boat. Solving crimes was the job of her best friend Ryan . The one who she loved and secretly wanted to be with. So the last six months have been hard on her. Her best friend Ryan went and killed himself and she has been thinking it is all her fault. As killing himself with his service gun , the very day she told him that she loved him. Would make anyone go crazy and the guilt has been eating at her ever since. Bailey isn’t the same person anymore and people have started to notice.
There been no signing of things returning to normal for her. Until low behold, Ryan decides to return to her house to shake things up and get her help. As Ryan is stuck and needs help, this ghost is limbo. Best thing of all , he doesn’t remember what happened that day. A sign of hope for Bailey and she springs her into life. As she wants to know the truth and she do anything to help Ryan because she loves him.
With nary a clue in sight, Bailey has a new spring her step and this detective is soon in her element as the past brings her back to life as she tries to solve the mystery of her best friend ‘s death . However for this first time crime solver, things are going to take us on a surprising chase around town as all will be revealed and you won’t know what just happened.
Gone with the Ghost wasn’t exactly what I was expecting in a good way. With only just hints of romance and a strong mystery, this novel had me hooked and reminded of other woman crime solvers that have come and gone from my life. Bailey wasn’t the most suited crime solver. But she was fun and intriguing as the pieces came together watched her deal with things. For all the guilt that she was carrying , she still had witty and humor that made the book entertaining. She didn’t make this a pity party . I love her first crime solving adventure and hopefully by the end like me . You will be hooked and want more . McCarthy maybe an author I feel in love with because of her NA romances. However she is a versatile author that deliver sounds books and fans should try something new . like I did and be surprised
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Review copy kindly provided by author in exchange for a honest review
Gone with the Ghost is the first in the Murder by Design series which throws together two best friends in a unpredictable situation when one dies and the other is left to solve their death. A death that may be not as simple as the one left behind thought . Our criminal solver Bailey is far from the typical character I expected to be solving crimes. She an interior designer with a flair for staging houses who lives for jobs. She isn’t a crime buff or remotely interested in anything crime related.
She the sort of the woman that likes things to be just right, not rock the boat. Solving crimes was the job of her best friend Ryan . The one who she loved and secretly wanted to be with. So the last six months have been hard on her. Her best friend Ryan went and killed himself and she has been thinking it is all her fault. As killing himself with his service gun , the very day she told him that she loved him. Would make anyone go crazy and the guilt has been eating at her ever since. Bailey isn’t the same person anymore and people have started to notice.
There been no signing of things returning to normal for her. Until low behold, Ryan decides to return to her house to shake things up and get her help. As Ryan is stuck and needs help, this ghost is limbo. Best thing of all , he doesn’t remember what happened that day. A sign of hope for Bailey and she springs her into life. As she wants to know the truth and she do anything to help Ryan because she loves him.
With nary a clue in sight, Bailey has a new spring her step and this detective is soon in her element as the past brings her back to life as she tries to solve the mystery of her best friend ‘s death . However for this first time crime solver, things are going to take us on a surprising chase around town as all will be revealed and you won’t know what just happened.
Gone with the Ghost wasn’t exactly what I was expecting in a good way. With only just hints of romance and a strong mystery, this novel had me hooked and reminded of other woman crime solvers that have come and gone from my life. Bailey wasn’t the most suited crime solver. But she was fun and intriguing as the pieces came together watched her deal with things. For all the guilt that she was carrying , she still had witty and humor that made the book entertaining. She didn’t make this a pity party . I love her first crime solving adventure and hopefully by the end like me . You will be hooked and want more . McCarthy maybe an author I feel in love with because of her NA romances. However she is a versatile author that deliver sounds books and fans should try something new . like I did and be surprised
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
October 10, 2018
I hoped that he had found peace. Hell, I hoped I had.
“I’ve always loved you, Ryan.”
There, I said it. Not in a romantic kind of love way, but as the platonic love that it had always been, even when I hadn’t understood that. It was said with no expectation of him saying anything in return. He wasn’t sentimental. But he surprised me. His voice was gruff, but he managed,
“I love you too.”
it seems too much to ask for ryan and bailey to be together because ryan is already dead.... I'm really sad but I can't cry for I am in the office T^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^TTTTTTTTTT
“I’ve always loved you, Ryan.”
There, I said it. Not in a romantic kind of love way, but as the platonic love that it had always been, even when I hadn’t understood that. It was said with no expectation of him saying anything in return. He wasn’t sentimental. But he surprised me. His voice was gruff, but he managed,
“I love you too.”
it seems too much to ask for ryan and bailey to be together because ryan is already dead.... I'm really sad but I can't cry for I am in the office T^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^TTTTTTTTTT
April 15, 2019
Could not get into it. The best friend/love interest/ghost is a pig who the MC is better off without.
January 27, 2018
Gone With The Ghost
Murder By Design, Book #1
Erin McCarthy
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Bailey Burke has had a rough six months—it’s not easy thinking your romantic overtures toward your best friend caused him to kill himself. Except that’s exactly what happened. Ryan is very much dead, having shot himself with his own police-issued gun. Guilt and grief shouldn’t cause hallucinations though, but six months after Ryan went into the ground, Bailey is freaking out and swearing his ghost is standing in her kitchen. Which he is…
Ryan claims he didn’t commit suicide, but was murdered, and he needs Bailey to help him find his killer so he can earn his ticket out of purgatory. Ryan’s counting on a stairway to heaven, as opposed to wings, since that might be a little unmanly for a cop, even a dead one.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day… and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
Murder By Design Series
Book 1- Gone With The Ghost
Book 2- Silence of The Ghost
Book 3- Once Upon a Ghost
Bestselling author Erin McCarthy offers her signature humor in this fun series about an uptight fashion-conscious home stager who finds herself stiletto-deep in murder... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to know Bailey. She is smart, funny and quirky. I just loved her sense of humor and the inner dialogue that we were privy to throughout the book. I was laughing out loud through most of the book. But I also felt sorry for her because of her guilt over Ryan’s death and her love of him. I also enjoyed that fact that she was socially awkward and definitely neurotic, I thought these things made her seem more real to me. Ryan seemed like a really nice guy and he seemed to be handling being a ghost fairly well. I thought the secondary characters added a lot to the story and I liked getting to know them.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place and eavesdropping in on conversations. I really enjoyed the setting in this book, which is Cleveland. Having grown up in this area, I knew a lot of the landmarks and areas that were discussed and that made everything so much more real.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy fast read. The mystery was carried on well throughout the book. Bailey tried very hard to figure out what happened to Ryan and I was trying to solve it with her.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted paranormal cozy. I really like ghostly paranormals and this one was just great. I cannot wait to read the next one in this series.
Murder By Design, Book #1
Erin McCarthy
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Bailey Burke has had a rough six months—it’s not easy thinking your romantic overtures toward your best friend caused him to kill himself. Except that’s exactly what happened. Ryan is very much dead, having shot himself with his own police-issued gun. Guilt and grief shouldn’t cause hallucinations though, but six months after Ryan went into the ground, Bailey is freaking out and swearing his ghost is standing in her kitchen. Which he is…
Ryan claims he didn’t commit suicide, but was murdered, and he needs Bailey to help him find his killer so he can earn his ticket out of purgatory. Ryan’s counting on a stairway to heaven, as opposed to wings, since that might be a little unmanly for a cop, even a dead one.
An expert in home design, with her own staging business, Bailey can tell you where to place a couch to improve flow and comfort, but solving a crime? Not her area of expertise. But with help from Ryan’s former partner, Marner, she is unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ryan that day… and unwittingly putting herself in grave danger.
Murder By Design Series
Book 1- Gone With The Ghost
Book 2- Silence of The Ghost
Book 3- Once Upon a Ghost
Bestselling author Erin McCarthy offers her signature humor in this fun series about an uptight fashion-conscious home stager who finds herself stiletto-deep in murder... (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to know Bailey. She is smart, funny and quirky. I just loved her sense of humor and the inner dialogue that we were privy to throughout the book. I was laughing out loud through most of the book. But I also felt sorry for her because of her guilt over Ryan’s death and her love of him. I also enjoyed that fact that she was socially awkward and definitely neurotic, I thought these things made her seem more real to me. Ryan seemed like a really nice guy and he seemed to be handling being a ghost fairly well. I thought the secondary characters added a lot to the story and I liked getting to know them.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place and eavesdropping in on conversations. I really enjoyed the setting in this book, which is Cleveland. Having grown up in this area, I knew a lot of the landmarks and areas that were discussed and that made everything so much more real.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy fast read. The mystery was carried on well throughout the book. Bailey tried very hard to figure out what happened to Ryan and I was trying to solve it with her.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted paranormal cozy. I really like ghostly paranormals and this one was just great. I cannot wait to read the next one in this series.
May 23, 2017
Mystery gone ghostly!
Originally posted on NallaReads
Originally posted on NallaReads
I'm so glad Erin is BACK! And not only has she got a tale to tell, it's a freakin GHOST MURDER MYSTERY! And it's in my hometown so I've already got love for this series.
Moving on, I love Bailey: she's smart, she's funny, and she has this adorable awkwardness about her where I instantly connected. Her reaction to Ryan's ghost showing up is so honest and believable. Having a mystery story that really dedicates itself to the story of "who-done-it" versus a budding romance was refreshing. I honestly kept changing who I thought the killer was at every turn! That's what a great mystery will do to you.
Add in the fact that Ryan has that love-able jerk persona (how do I still find him charming!?) that clashes ever so hilariously with Bailey's shyness and there is so much comic relief in this story that it makes it a lighthearted murder....if that's even possible.
That being said...Warner sounds positively delectable and I'm so excited to see where he and Bailey could go. I can't wait to read on with more adventures that Bailey will get in to! This story reminded me so much of Casey Daniels ghost-talking mysteries set in Cleveland so I'm glad to have another delightful series to turn to!
May 26, 2023
This popped up on my recommendations on Scribd, so I thought I would give it a listen as I've been reading some rather weighty books lately and needed something that is a light, quick and fun read.
Gone with the Ghost definitely ticked all of those boxes. I like Bailey as she reminds me of me somewhat; I can completely empathize with the whole cry over everything thing, being an overthinker, and loving with her whole heart.
Ryan, well, he was something else. I appreciate that McCarthy didn't turn this into something weird, . Instead, as they looked for Ryan's real killer, Bailey began to finally heal and see things for what they were and were not.
I definitely found myself entertained and laughed, but this book also touched my heart and I sniffled a few times. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 next!
Narrator Review: The narrator for this series is pretty damn good. I feel as if I'm on a good narrator streak these days!
Spice: 1/5 (there are no sex scenes, but there is talk about sex and a few kissing scenes)
Language: 3/5 (there's some spicy language throughout. Christian readers may find it mildly offensive.)
Gone with the Ghost definitely ticked all of those boxes. I like Bailey as she reminds me of me somewhat; I can completely empathize with the whole cry over everything thing, being an overthinker, and loving with her whole heart.
Ryan, well, he was something else. I appreciate that McCarthy didn't turn this into something weird, . Instead, as they looked for Ryan's real killer, Bailey began to finally heal and see things for what they were and were not.
I definitely found myself entertained and laughed, but this book also touched my heart and I sniffled a few times. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 next!
Narrator Review: The narrator for this series is pretty damn good. I feel as if I'm on a good narrator streak these days!
Spice: 1/5 (there are no sex scenes, but there is talk about sex and a few kissing scenes)
Language: 3/5 (there's some spicy language throughout. Christian readers may find it mildly offensive.)
November 16, 2019
Bailey is shocked when the ghost of her dead best friend shows up asking for help.
What I enjoyed:
* Having Ryan's ghost show up was the best thing for Bailey. She really needed the closure she got from finding out more about his life.
* I want to know more about these "rules" of the afterlife, I can't believe the dead have to pass classes
* Good mystery
What could have been better:
* It is a personal thing, but having a MC smoke or vape totally turns me off and the vaping thing was mentioned very often
*
What I enjoyed:
* Having Ryan's ghost show up was the best thing for Bailey. She really needed the closure she got from finding out more about his life.
* I want to know more about these "rules" of the afterlife, I can't believe the dead have to pass classes
* Good mystery
What could have been better:
* It is a personal thing, but having a MC smoke or vape totally turns me off and the vaping thing was mentioned very often
*
October 24, 2019
Ghost P.I. Partner
The story starts out.... The day I tried to kiss my best friend Ryan he killed himself....Very interesting
Bailey blamed herself for 6 months for Ryan's suicide until Ryan showed up as a ghost that only she could see and hear asking her to help him solve his murder..
This story reminded me of the movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze... I loved the humor and sassy talk between Bailey and Ryan and how he would pop in at odd moments that were embarrassing to Bailey..laugh out loud moments.
I enjoyed this book so much that I'm getting the next book in the series..Thank you for a great story..
The story starts out.... The day I tried to kiss my best friend Ryan he killed himself....Very interesting
Bailey blamed herself for 6 months for Ryan's suicide until Ryan showed up as a ghost that only she could see and hear asking her to help him solve his murder..
This story reminded me of the movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze... I loved the humor and sassy talk between Bailey and Ryan and how he would pop in at odd moments that were embarrassing to Bailey..laugh out loud moments.
I enjoyed this book so much that I'm getting the next book in the series..Thank you for a great story..
March 10, 2025
I did like this story because the paranormal aspect and the potential romance with the main character and a detective. However! However, it’s very dark and sort of depressing. It isn’t lighthearted and cozy like most small town cozy mysteries I read.
I suppose that may be because this book isn’t a small town cozy mystery. And also, murder shouldn’t be lighthearted and sweet, but that’s what I like. I don’t like things to be too serious. This is serious and since I tend to stay in the mood of the books I read, I guess I’m going to be feeling dreary the next several days while I read this 8-book series. Sigh.
Next is book 2 “Silence of the Ghost.”
I suppose that may be because this book isn’t a small town cozy mystery. And also, murder shouldn’t be lighthearted and sweet, but that’s what I like. I don’t like things to be too serious. This is serious and since I tend to stay in the mood of the books I read, I guess I’m going to be feeling dreary the next several days while I read this 8-book series. Sigh.
Next is book 2 “Silence of the Ghost.”
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