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Murder by Design #6
Ghosts Like It Hot
Bailey Burke, reluctant spiritual medium, escapes the frozen winter with her boyfriend, Detective Jake Marner, and heads south. But in a city like Key West, murder and ghosts don’t take a vacation.
A romantic sunset cruise turns not-so-romantic when a body floats by, followed by an abandoned yacht--the passengers missing. So much for searching for her lost shaker of salt. Instead she’s tracking down a killer who has left no clues.
With ghosts harassing her at every turn, can Bailey solve the mystery of the floater and get back to sipping a piña colada and soaking up the sun?
Book 6 in the Murder By Design series continues with Bailey’s hilarious adventures in mystery solving!
A romantic sunset cruise turns not-so-romantic when a body floats by, followed by an abandoned yacht--the passengers missing. So much for searching for her lost shaker of salt. Instead she’s tracking down a killer who has left no clues.
With ghosts harassing her at every turn, can Bailey solve the mystery of the floater and get back to sipping a piña colada and soaking up the sun?
Book 6 in the Murder By Design series continues with Bailey’s hilarious adventures in mystery solving!
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2019
60 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCarthy
216 books4,825 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 13, 2025
Ghosts in The Keys
"'The last check you write should be to the undertaker,' I said. 'And it should bounce. Irish proverb.'" - Bailey Burke to Jake's mom and dad.
Bailey and Jake board a plane to Key West, Florida for a one week vacation (even though the beginning of the book they say they'll be there 4 weeks) when Bailey meets her first ghost. Yep, although she thought she'd get a vacation away from apparitions, she still stumble upon one. After the ghost cries in the aisle as people walk through her, Bailey tells her she'll help her move on. After all, the ghost has been stuck in the plane over 30 years.
Then the couple begins by getting on deck a boat they'll stay on for 2 days, but that doesn't go right either when Bailey panics thinking the captain is a killer and then they find a floating body.
The ghost of the floater appears and Jake knows Bailey must help. And being that Jake is a homicide detective, he can't help but begin poking into finding the killer.
So Bailey and Jake team up go catch the culprit with each person using their individual skill sets. Pretty slapstick in my opinion being Bailey has little experience on detective work and Jake has little experience with apparitions.
"'The last check you write should be to the undertaker,' I said. 'And it should bounce. Irish proverb.'" - Bailey Burke to Jake's mom and dad.
Bailey and Jake board a plane to Key West, Florida for a one week vacation (even though the beginning of the book they say they'll be there 4 weeks) when Bailey meets her first ghost. Yep, although she thought she'd get a vacation away from apparitions, she still stumble upon one. After the ghost cries in the aisle as people walk through her, Bailey tells her she'll help her move on. After all, the ghost has been stuck in the plane over 30 years.
Then the couple begins by getting on deck a boat they'll stay on for 2 days, but that doesn't go right either when Bailey panics thinking the captain is a killer and then they find a floating body.
The ghost of the floater appears and Jake knows Bailey must help. And being that Jake is a homicide detective, he can't help but begin poking into finding the killer.
So Bailey and Jake team up go catch the culprit with each person using their individual skill sets. Pretty slapstick in my opinion being Bailey has little experience on detective work and Jake has little experience with apparitions.
August 25, 2025
Another fun, flirty, comical adventure, with Bailey and Jake!! went far East Coast this adventure to Key West. Learned a little bit about the area and the Edward Dahl. So no compliance. Complete Audible listen making my drive and chores more pleasurable.
June 14, 2023
I have one more book left to read in this series, and I'm bummed! Bailey has really grown on me over the last 6 books, but Erin does have a llama-themed cozy mystery series that I plan on diving into as soon as I'm done with Dances with Ghosts.
While I do adore Jake, and think that he is good for the high-strung, overly uptight, and neurotic Bailey, he showed his ass more than once and I didn't really care for it. However, I AM glad that he didn't give in to pressure from
Bailey is finally, FINALLY, F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. learning to embrace her gift instead of trying to run from it. Even Jake is starting to realize that if he wants to be with her, he must accept what all that entails.
I thought so many times I knew what was going on, only to find out that I was either half right or completely wrong. There were also a few things that seemed out of place or that Erin had overlooked,
This may be my favorite book of the series!
While I do adore Jake, and think that he is good for the high-strung, overly uptight, and neurotic Bailey, he showed his ass more than once and I didn't really care for it. However, I AM glad that he didn't give in to pressure from
Bailey is finally, FINALLY, F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. learning to embrace her gift instead of trying to run from it. Even Jake is starting to realize that if he wants to be with her, he must accept what all that entails.
I thought so many times I knew what was going on, only to find out that I was either half right or completely wrong. There were also a few things that seemed out of place or that Erin had overlooked,
This may be my favorite book of the series!
May 18, 2020
Another day another body... poor Bailey she just wants to go on vacation with Jake and enjoy the warm Florida weather but their luck is always tainted. This time they see a dead body in the ocean and of course they want to know what happened.
Jake can’t seem to enjoy vacation any more than Bailey even though he’s in another state he still used his detective skills to uncover what happened.
There is never just one ghost with Bailey there are many of course thus funny sweet tale takes them to warmer weather but the same old dead bodies and ghosts seem to follow them.
I love this series they are fun reads always sweet story’s and we get to see Baileys insane life. Jake is almost getting use to the ghosts that seem to appear where ever they are. Not to mention all the trouble Bailey seems to have follow her.
Jake can’t seem to enjoy vacation any more than Bailey even though he’s in another state he still used his detective skills to uncover what happened.
There is never just one ghost with Bailey there are many of course thus funny sweet tale takes them to warmer weather but the same old dead bodies and ghosts seem to follow them.
I love this series they are fun reads always sweet story’s and we get to see Baileys insane life. Jake is almost getting use to the ghosts that seem to appear where ever they are. Not to mention all the trouble Bailey seems to have follow her.
January 2, 2023
Scribd Audiobook
I’ve been listening to this cute series for the past couple of days. The characters are well established & the female lead is, while a little wacky, quite capable of thinking in a straight line. So, when she does something so stupid, so asinine in her pursuit of a killer, I have to question the author’s intent. Am I supposed to think she’s always been so stupid, or is this a one-off just to get a rise out of the reader? It was kind of a letdown to be honest.
I’ve been listening to this cute series for the past couple of days. The characters are well established & the female lead is, while a little wacky, quite capable of thinking in a straight line. So, when she does something so stupid, so asinine in her pursuit of a killer, I have to question the author’s intent. Am I supposed to think she’s always been so stupid, or is this a one-off just to get a rise out of the reader? It was kind of a letdown to be honest.
May 4, 2024
Book 6 in the Murder By Design series changes up the scenery a bit, leaving behind the cold weather for beach vibes. The change of scenery was nice and brought new air to the books.
As I am approaching the seeming end of this series, I will say that Murder by Design is an easy series to go through, incredibly fun and entertaining. If you find yourself in a reading slump, I highly recommend this series. I listened to it o audiobook while painting and/or doing my tasks at work.
As I am approaching the seeming end of this series, I will say that Murder by Design is an easy series to go through, incredibly fun and entertaining. If you find yourself in a reading slump, I highly recommend this series. I listened to it o audiobook while painting and/or doing my tasks at work.
March 29, 2020
Murder at sea
Bailey and Jake try to take a much-needed fun-in-the-sun vacation but, of course, it can't be that easy. They encounter a ghost right off the bat, but he's a bit different that her usual. Suffice to say, they have an adventure to remember. The only issue I had was a lot of typos and improper word usage in the last quarter of the book. Otherwise, a fun read!
Bailey and Jake try to take a much-needed fun-in-the-sun vacation but, of course, it can't be that easy. They encounter a ghost right off the bat, but he's a bit different that her usual. Suffice to say, they have an adventure to remember. The only issue I had was a lot of typos and improper word usage in the last quarter of the book. Otherwise, a fun read!
March 21, 2024
This is a fun, entertaining read. I love how Bailey and Marner worked together in this one to solve the murder. I enjoy reading the progression of their relationship throughout the series. The mystery has some similarities to the previous books. Overall, entertaining read. The story is easy to get into and read.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
June 17, 2024
4.5 Stars
I love this series I really do but the typos get on my nerves. Anyway, enough about that, let's move on. The story itself is brilliant - Bailey and Marner go on holiday to get away from it all and to get some sun (sounds good to me about now!). Poor Bailey though. What she actually gets is more ghosts (of course!) and a dead body. Loved it.
I love this series I really do but the typos get on my nerves. Anyway, enough about that, let's move on. The story itself is brilliant - Bailey and Marner go on holiday to get away from it all and to get some sun (sounds good to me about now!). Poor Bailey though. What she actually gets is more ghosts (of course!) and a dead body. Loved it.
April 7, 2024
Still 2 1/2 stars for this series. Fine to listen to when doing chores or between more complicated or hard novels. Protagonist is not a person I would like in any way, and is almost impossible to relate to.
December 21, 2019
Love this series!! Been a fan of Erin McCarthy for years, don’t normally read these type of books, but read the first Bailey book and was hooked! Helpful to have read the past book in the series, love her & Marner. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks Erin!!
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October 5, 2020Cute
This is a cute, quick read. I have enjoyed this series and can not wait to read the next installment.
This is a cute, quick read. I have enjoyed this series and can not wait to read the next installment.
February 21, 2021
Another good book in the series. I loved the story line and it was a very relaxing read.
January 16, 2023
short, cozy mystery with a good plot. You have likeable and interesting characters to maintain your interest. I enjoyed this book
January 20, 2023
I am caught up in this series and I really am enjoying it. Excited for the next book.
February 8, 2023
Bailey and Jake attempt to go on holiday but the ghosts find them anyway.
July 30, 2023
Enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery.
August 24, 2023
Giving this four stars because in my opinion it was the best one yet. A nice little mystery with a bit of action and the furthering of the relationship between Jake and Bailey.
March 13, 2020
Bailey can see ghosts and she has been stumbling across a number of dead bodies lately, the ghosts of these bodies are looking for help so they can cross over. Bailey is not a detective but her boyfriend is and hes not completely on board with believing Bailey can see ghosts, but he cant explain things that Bailey knows or the little noises that come out of no where.
Bailey and her boyfriend decide they need to get away from it all and go to Florida for a vacation, and of course a ghosts stewardess is on their plane. Bailey tries to ignore her but the ghost knows Bailey can see her. Bailey promises to help her on the way back.
As Bailey and her boyfriend are on a relaxing boat soaking in the warmth and sunshine they discover a dead body floating in the water near their boat and of course the ghost of that body appears soon after. Bailey knows if she wants to salvage ths vacation she needs to solve this crime ASAP.
I really like this series, entertaining little mysteries that remind me of the tv show " GHOST WHISPERER" which I loved.
Bailey and her boyfriend decide they need to get away from it all and go to Florida for a vacation, and of course a ghosts stewardess is on their plane. Bailey tries to ignore her but the ghost knows Bailey can see her. Bailey promises to help her on the way back.
As Bailey and her boyfriend are on a relaxing boat soaking in the warmth and sunshine they discover a dead body floating in the water near their boat and of course the ghost of that body appears soon after. Bailey knows if she wants to salvage ths vacation she needs to solve this crime ASAP.
I really like this series, entertaining little mysteries that remind me of the tv show " GHOST WHISPERER" which I loved.
February 8, 2023
This was another great addition to the series! Maybe I still preferred the previous title, but this one was so cool. I love the Florida setting and it made me really crave a little getaway somewhere warm (since I read this in January).
The mystery was fun to read but also quite obvious. Since
I had a few moments where I got so annoyed, the first was when Bailey was not believed to be over 21 in the bar, it made my blood boil!! Had I been her, I would have called the police, or have Marner just go back and tell the barman he had it wrong or something. The way she also walked away without cell phone not knowing the area was making me so nervous!
Jake was also??? Why would you not listen to what Bailey is telling you about Mark?? He is a potential murderer and stole your stuff, maybe listen, talk to the police? Do something??? No, he just wants to get drunk and go dancing. When at the end they
There were also very cute moments, such as when Bailey meets a man and his wife is still around because she wants to keep caring for him, it was so sweet.
Overall it was a lot of fun, and I am quite sad there’s just one other book in this series so far.
The mystery was fun to read but also quite obvious. Since
I had a few moments where I got so annoyed, the first was when Bailey was not believed to be over 21 in the bar, it made my blood boil!! Had I been her, I would have called the police, or have Marner just go back and tell the barman he had it wrong or something. The way she also walked away without cell phone not knowing the area was making me so nervous!
Jake was also??? Why would you not listen to what Bailey is telling you about Mark?? He is a potential murderer and stole your stuff, maybe listen, talk to the police? Do something??? No, he just wants to get drunk and go dancing. When at the end they
There were also very cute moments, such as when Bailey meets a man and his wife is still around because she wants to keep caring for him, it was so sweet.
Overall it was a lot of fun, and I am quite sad there’s just one other book in this series so far.
December 8, 2019
Sixth in the series, it helps if you read at least the first book to get how Bailey comes to her ghost seeing abilities and who Marner is. The whole series are fun cozy mysteries with the least likely character to figure it out. I love Bailey and her klutzy, fussy self and getting to like Marner more and more as he assists her while being an actual detective. We get a glimpse of Grandma in this book and Mom being a real person, that was fun. As always I enjoyed this and look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews