Ghost Blows a Kiss

Bailey Ruth #10

by Carolyn G. Hart, Ann Marie Lee (Reader)

Bailey Ruth takes on a puzzler of a mystery when she's sent to Adelaide, Oklahoma to rescue a woman in trouble.



The late - as in Dearly Departed - Bailey Ruth Raeburn is delighted when she's assigned a new mission by Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, even if she is no good at following the rules for Earthly Visitations. This time she's determined to be the perfect unseen emissary, no matter what it takes.

Arriving late in the evening in her old hometown of Adelaide, Oklahoma to find a woman drowning in a pond, Bailey Ruth carries out a daring rescue with textbook invisible effort. But Bailey Ruth soon realizes there's more to Fran's accident than a late-night walk gone wrong. The young widow was running away - but what from?

Soon Bailey Ruth finds herself caught up in a complex web of family secrets, loyalties and lies - and if she doesn't act fast, an innocent will be locked up for a very long time . . .

Like a warm hug from a loved one, GHOST BLOWS A KISS is the perfect escapist read for cozy mystery fans, whether you're old friends with the lively, always entertaining Bailey Ruth or have yet to make her acquaintance.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Paranormal, Fiction

Audio CD

Published August 24, 2021

About the author

Also writing as Carolyn Hart.

An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart


DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29

The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.

Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.

Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.

www.CarolynHart.com

And for cat lovers:

DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart

I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.

In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.

Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;

. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.

A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.

. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.

And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.

Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 10th book in the humorous 'Bailey Ruth' series, the heavenly emissary is sent to Oklahoma to prevent a miscarriage of justice. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Bailey Ruth Raeburn is deceased but still very active. She works for 'Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions', which sends emissaries to Earth to help people in trouble. Emissaries are supposed to be discrete, unnoticed, and silent.



Nevertheless, Bailey Ruth can never manage to remain inconspicuous, and her supervisor is reluctant to send her on missions. Still, when an emergency arises Bailey Ruth is dispatched to Adelaide, Oklahoma to save a drowning woman.



Bailey Ruth rescues the woman, an antiques dealer named Fran Loring.



It turns out Fran was running from the scene of a murder when she fell into the pond. Fran claims she saw a dead woman and panicked, but it's likely she'll be the prime suspect. Bailey Ruth believes Fran is innocent, and aims to make things right.

The murder victim is Sylvia Chandler, the second wife of Arthur Chandler, an oil magnate who's on his deathbed. Since her husband fell ill Sylvia has been running the oil company, and has plans of her own for the business.



Since Arthur Chandler is dying, his son, two daughters, and their spouses have gathered at the Chandler mansion.



Each of these people would benefit from Sylvia's death, but Acting Police Chief Howie Harris - who's a rather dim bulb - considers them 'too elite' to be questioned.



Howie himself has underlying motives, since he hopes to replace Police Chief Sam Cobb, who's on leave. Thus Howie kisses up to Mayor Neva Lumpkin and says he'll solve the case quickly WITHOUT incurring police overtime....all of which is important to the mayor. Howie plans to arrest Fran, and - as far as he's concerned - case closed.

Bailey Ruth will have none of it though, and takes on the guise of Detective M. Loy to question the Chandler family members - and other persons of interest - herself.



Luckily, Bailey Ruth can teleport and 'magically' change her outfits, so she can go anywhere and be anyone. Thus Bailey Ruth can be dressed to the nines and in a restaurant one moment, and wearing a black suit and standing on a suspect's doorstep the next. Moreover, Bailey has an ally in her quest to save Fran Loring. Lead detective Don Smith has taken a shine to the antiques dealer and vows to help clear her name.



Bailey Ruth is a hoot. She has good detective instincts; sneaks into (absent) Police Chief Sam Cobb's office and uses his computer; searches through file cabinets; leaves helpful messages on Acting Chief Howie Harris's desk; etc. Surprisingly for a ghost, Bailey Ruth can also eat and drink, and she freely digs into the bag of M&Ms Sam Cobb stashes in his desk.



The book isn't very realistic (the lead detective dates the prime suspect), but it's an enjoyable cozy mystery. In addition, Bailey Ruth's numerous outfits and delicious meals add a fun element to the story.





Thanks to Netgalley, Carolyn Hart, and Dreamscape Media for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghost Blows a Kiss by Carolyn Hart is the 10th A Bailey Ruth Ghost Novel. Bailey Ruth Raeburn is being sent to earth on the Rescue Express to help Fran. After saving Fran from a near drowning, Bailey Ruth finds the woman implicated in a murder. Bailey Ruth as Detective M. Loy works to solve the crime (she gives herself a promotion). Bailey Ruth must work the case without Sam Cobb this time around. Bailey Ruth works to solve two murders without breaking too many precepts in this short story (only 175 pages). There are quite a few suspects for her to consider. I normally love diving into each Bailey Ruth novel, but I had a hard time with this one. The writing lacked an ease, it was disjointed, and there is such a thing as too many details. I do not need to know what a person is wearing down to the color of their shoes. I missed Chief of Police Sam Cobb and could have done with less of Howie Harris. This is an entertaining series. While the other books in the series can be read on their own, Ghost Blows a Kiss is not one. It is best read after reading Ghost at Work (the first book in series which will give you groundwork). While Ghost Blows a Kiss is my least favorite book in the series, it will not keep me from checking out the next A Bailey Ruth Ghost Novel. Bailey Ruth is a spirited emissary with a passion for fashion.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, but it’s been a few years since I picked it back up ! Such fun and a great mystery !

[Reina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery solving ghost with a flair for fashion who is apparently unable to stay quiet and invisible? yes, please! A fun and quick read that I found enjoyable. Some of the plot is a bit rushed, and I don't think most police forces are quite as pliable as this one, but I was in the mood to be entertained, and it did the job.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF I've tried other books in this series but can never get interested. I think the amount of detail and personal asides clogging the action is what defeats me.

I've enjoyed her other series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavenly inhabitant Bailey Ruth is again sent to help out an earthly resident of her old home town, Adelaide, OK. She finds young widow Fran almost drowning, but when she rescues Fran, Bailey Ruth learns that she's saved the young woman only to find her the chief suspect in a murder. While rich entrepreneur Sylvia is nursing her dying husband, she herself is killed. The acting police chief would rather suspect impecunious Fran than the wealthy stepchildren of Sylvia. Meanwhile, the police detective on the case finds himself falling in love with Fran, with no way to clear her.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth returns to her hometown with no clear direction on what her mission is about. She rescues a woman from drowning and discovers a dead body. With Chief Sam out of town, Bailey Ruth and Detective Lot must get to the bottom of things. A fun story and a surprise ending when she discovers what her real mission was on this trip!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth is an emissary sent to earth from Heaven. She has strict precepts for earthly visitations:
1. Avoid public notice
2. No consorting with other departed spirits
3. Work behind the scenes w/out making your presence known
4. Become visible only when absolutely necessary
5. Do not succumb to the temptation to confound those who appear to oppose you
6. Make every effort not to alarm earthly creatures
7. Information about Heaven is not yours to impart …

In this book Bailey’s mission is to save Fran from drowning in the pond or so Bailey thinks. She quickly realizes there has been a murder Fran is mixed up in, and Bailey struggles to follow the rules as she strives to assist Fran in proving her innocence.

I picked up this book not realizing it is number ten in a series. It is was humorous with great characters and an interesting plot. I am sure I missed some tidbits for coming in late to the series. I’ll definitely try to start at the beginning.

[Anne Blatchford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't finish this one. Too many irrelevant things described (ex: color of clothing or styles) that had nothing to do with the story. At first, I found it cute and I had a few laughs but then it just kept up. Found myself skimming pages to get to the point of the story. About 3/4 through it I just gave up. I really tried. To be fair...I did like the main character. I just got a library. notice another book I wanted was on hold for me and I decided to go and grab it and start it instead of struggling through this one.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Blows a Kiss by Carolyn Hart is the newest in the grand dame of cozy mysteries offerings. I love Bailey Ruth Raeburn. She is a heavenly emissary from the Department of Good Intentions in heaven. She is the perfect character, using both meanings of the word. She is a highly effective emissary but one who had trouble following the rules. The rule most difficult for her is the one admonishing about being seen by humans. She just can't seem to function that way. Her supervisor from the department, Wiggins, has seemingly adjusted to the fact that that is how she operates. With her Oklahoma accent and her highly attuned sense of fashion, Bailey Ruth is the perfect character and ALWAYS solves her crime. She has made friends on earth despite the fact she's been gone for years and the best of those is Chief Cobb, Adeline's Chief of Police. She is dismayed to learn that he is on a leave of absence and has been replaced, temporarily she hopes, by Howie, who is incompetent at best. Don Smith, a detective has taken charge of this case, a trumped up charge of murder against Fran Loring, an attractive young widow who happened to be in the wrong place.

Bailey Ruth is a throwback to the time when she was alive: 50's probably. She has left her long-suffering husband in Heaven chasing his own pursuits. Bailey Ruth has advantages over earth-bound detectives: she can remain invisible, she can tele-transport from place to place, and she can take human for whenever she likes, dressed however she wants to be dressed. Hence, her alter ego. Detective M. Loy, or officer or special agent. Bailey Ruth is a hoot. She is the best character in the cozy genre and her books are always worth the read. This was a good mystery. The culprit was one of several I had pinpointed but could never narrow down to one. Bailey Ruth hung in there and "got her man." It was an enticing story.

I listened to the audiobook version. If ever there was a perfect pairing between character and read, it is Ann Marie Lee. She is Bailey Ruth. Her old-fashioned charm combined with her lovely accent, bring Bailey Ruth alive as no other could. She captures the other characters well but as this is a first person narration, the character of Bailey Ruth is primary. What a fabulous book and a fabulous listen!

I was invited to listen to the audio of Ghost Blows a Kiss by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ghostblowsakiss

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth

This was a short novel in which Bailey Ruth travels once again to Adelaide to solve two murders. It’s a plausible story with a lot of suspects in one house to keep up with. Detective M Loy, Bailey Ruth gave herself a promotion, is on her own conducting interviews and deducing who committed the crimes and why without breaking too many precepts. It’s an entertaining read but more like a novella than a full novel. It’s not the best Bailey Ruth book but fun.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun, upbeat series. Well, sort of. I mean, there is always a murder....but Bailey Ruth is so fun and entertaining and, well, enjoyable.

[Shavona Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. Sent from Heaven's Department of Good Intentions back to her hometown, Bailey Ruth must intervene to save Fran from drowning. But things go from bad to worse when poor Fran is implicated in a murder. Bailey Ruth can't just leave her to fend for herself - it's just not her nature. Bailey Ruth must save Fran even if it means breaking the rules set by the Office of Divine Intervention. Bailey is quite the detective and a fashionista to boot. We hear a lot about her fashion choices. She is quite adept at dropping clues for the local police department to aid in their investigation -to save her client of course. The narrator is quite entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I requested this audiobook from Netgalley, I did not realize this was the tenth book in this series. Having said that, I enjoyed this story and had no problem following the story. This series stars Bailey Ruth Raeburn, a dearly departed person who is given the opportunity to return to earth. She is given an assignment by Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, the problem is that she has problems following the rules for Earthly Visitations. Bailey Ruth is sent to her old hometown of Adelaide, Oklahoma to find a woman drowning in a pond. She rescues her while remaining invisible, but it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to the story. She knows there is more to do to complete her mission. Bailey Ruth finds herself caught up in a web of family secrets, loyalties and lies and if she can't fix the situation, an innocent person, Fran, will be locked up for a long time.

I don't usually read paranormal cozies, but this was a fun story. Throughout the story Bailey Ruth is disguised as Detective Lot which enables her to question people and gather evidence, which she then leaves for the Adelaide police. She is smart, well dressed (often described), organized, compassionate, and entirely thrilled to be able to enjoy good food, especially at a favourite restaurant from her living days. Her skills help keep innocent victims from being blamed for crimes. This is a good mystery with lots of suspects, hints and red herrings. I really enjoyed the narration by Ann Marie Lee. Her voice was a great fit for Bailey Ruth and her expression and inflection added much to the story. A great one to listen to. If you enjoy fun cozy mysteries, then I recommend you pick this one up. The publisher generously provide me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Bailey Ruth Raeburn is sent to Adelaide, Oklahoma to solve a murder and prevent an innocent woman from being imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. As always, Bailey Ruth has a difficult time sticking to the rules (precents) for Earthly Visitations. In case you didn't know, Ruth Bailey is deceased and a Heavenly emissary for Heaven's Department of Good Intentions.

I love the author's definite interpretation of Heaven as well as how visitors from there should act on earth. Ruth Bailey and her earthly disguise as Detective Loy is a terrific main character. Smart, attractive, well dressed (as readers learn loads of details), organized, compassionate, and entirely thrilled to indulge in earthly pleasures (well food at least) during her assignments. Her compassion and cleverness keeps innocent victims from being blamed for crimes. I love how she finds ways to leave information in the modern Adelaide police system.

A good mystery with seemingly too many suspects, hints and red herrings abound. Each book in the series is a delight to read, and this one is no exception.

I would like to thank Canongate Books, Severn House Publishers and Net Galley for allowing me to read this lovely book and express my opinions above.

[kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the premise of the book that the deceased Bailey Ruth is sent on a special mission from heaven to earth! She can appear or disappear at will. She can eat food and she can change her outfit at any time. She does end up showing herself to the main character who needs to be absolved from being the main suspect for murder. It is truly a typical “who done it” going through the various suspects like where they were, what was happening and who has motive, that type of thing. Very methodical with a bit of humor thrown in. An entertaining read!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey is a ghost... or an angel depending, who works for Heaven's Department of Good Intentions. Part of her job is being sent back down to Earth to help those who are in need, though there are rules she has to follow - the rules for earthly visitations. Try as she might, Bailey often struggles with staying completely quite or unseen, but her heart is in the right place. Follow Bailey as she tries her best to find the true murderer and save Fran from being wrongfully arrested.

First of all, this book was SO fun. Regardless of the murder aspect of this one (which is one of my favorite genres) Bailey is so easy to love with her great personality and huge heart. She is sassy and comical and boy does she love her clothes (even if no one is going to see them because she's invisible. This had some "Clue" vibes and I adored listening to Bailey and following along as she tried to find the real killer.

[Wendy Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery with a Heavenly emissary sent from the Department of Good Intentions. While Bailey Ruth is sent to earth to help those in difficultly, she breaks a few rules along the way. But even the rules are broken with the best intentions.
Sent to a house full of family drama that leads to two murders, Bailey Ruth uses her skills and supernatural gifts to save the innocent and see justice is done. It is a cute story that has you wondering what Baily Ruth is going to do next and who is the killer.
There are twist and turns to the plot and the characters are enjoyable. I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to listen to the audio version narrated by Ann Marie Lee. The narration, voices and accents make this an enjoyable story to pass the time on a road trip or just getting chores done around the house.
Not familiar with Carolyn Hart, I now want to read or listen to more of her stories as this one was very entertaining.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #10. The last book in the Bailey Ruth series as Carolyn Hart has since retired from writing. As Bailey Ruth blows a final kiss goodbye boarding the rescue Express, I took the last lines of the book “farewell, sweet souls” as a personal goodbye to this cozy series.

I have enjoyed reading this cozy mystery series. And the books can be read in any order, but it is more fun to start at the beginning as you get to know characters that make cameo reappearances along the way.

Once again, Bailey Ruth saves the day with her quick wit, her compassion, her commanding presence as detective Loy, and of course, a fashionable collection of outfits. I loved the surprise ending when she discovers what her real mission was on this trip!

Like a warm hug from a loved one, GHOST BLOWS A KISS is the perfect escapist read for cozy mystery fans, whether you're old friends with the lively, always entertaining Bailey Ruth or have yet to make her acquaintance.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in this charming series "Bailey Ruth Cozy Series" by cozy author Carolyn Hart. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinions are my own.

We return to our protagnist Bailey Ruth who is back on earth to save a woman from drowning and save her from a murder charge. She is working alone and must contend with multiple suspects as well as a greedy wealthy family who are all suspected by her in the death. The police are convinced they have their right suspect and Bailey must delve further into the death to discover the clues that lead to the rightful suspect.

I enjoyed this next in series. I like the paranormal aspect and how the author writes so well of the sleuth building suspects and clues to keep the reading turning the page. A enjoyable cozy series I look forward to returning to.

[Sharon Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Carolyn Harts' Bailey Ruth ghost stories. In this series, recently departed Bailey is returned to earth to try to help someone in need in her old hometown. A ghostly train delivers her (unseen) to the site of the trouble where she helps rescue someone and a dog in danger. The character (who can assume an earthly shape if necessary), but lurk unseen as the plot unfolds, tries to solve the murder of a wealthy matron and absolve her client. Always pushing the edge from the rules her heavenly boss, the train engineer keeps reminding her about, Bailey always gets her criminal.
This imaginative series, from the talented Ms. Hart, always delights with the turns of the plots and inventions given to the character, who even as a ghost loves dressing well! You might even laugh out loud!

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reading this one at the same time as the book Scythe because I needed something light to offset the heavy themes in that hefty novel. Well, this one is certainly light. Frustratingly so. The detective work used to solve the case is ridiculously full of holes, the romance is so forced and rushed that I am not sure when my nausea will subside, and the one redeeming grace, the use of literary quotations, soured when the author attributed a Sophocles quote to Cicero. So, despite the fact that Shakespeare is quoted twice in the novel, this one only gets two stars from me. Thankfully it was short. I will not be reading anything further from this series.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth Raeburn, an emissary from the Department of Good Intentions arrives in time to rescue a drowning woman. But Bailey Ruth soon realizes there is more to Fran Loring’s accident then a late night walk. Fran was running from what exactly or whom? With Chief Sam Cobb out of town, Bailey Ruth slips into her disguise as Detective M. Loy, to try and solve two murders that the Acting Police Chief is determined to pin on an innocent widow. With her charm and her fashionable attire, Bailey Ruth fleshes out the real killer in this adorable mystery.

[Cherie Waggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth is quite a character in this series. I wonder what she was like in life...her life of course is fiction but she sounds like a real pill. Carolyn G. Hart sets this series in Oklahoma, where she did live, and might still, but I heard she moved to Arkansas. That could be misinformation. It's nice to read books that are set in Oklahoma, my home state, even though the town of Adelaide doesn't exist, there are a lot of the towns mentioned in the books that do. They're all pretty much the way Bailey sees them. Never been to Green Country? Make a visit with Bailey Ruth.

[Jody Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the Carolyn Hart mysteries. This one tells the latest episode when Baily Ruth climbs aboard the Rescue Express and accepts her latest assignment from the Heavenly Department of Good Intentions. Pure fun who-dun-its with all the clues to keep you guessing and always the culprit is believable. For a quick read of pure escapism when you need to give your brain a rest from Pulitzer Prize worthy literature, I recommend this series.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 10 in the Bailey Ruth Ghost series and it's a great read. It can be read as a stand alone, Carolyn Hart does a good review in Chapter 1. Bailey Ruth is sent back to her home town of Adelaide, Oklahoma by the Heaven's Department of Good Intentions just in time to save a woman, Fran from drowning. A complicated family has Bailey Ruth hopping. A fun enjoyable read. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Lynn Enright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good story with Bailey Ruth sorting through all the circumstances to solve a mystery.

Carolyn Hart has shared another in her series of well planned mysteries featuring Bailey Ruth. It is enjoyable to read this fun mystery. I like the twists of the story and that the culprit isn’t easily evident. The cast is populated with likable and easy to dislike characters for a fun read. This is the tenth in Ms. Hart’s Bailey Ruth series and I look forward to upcoming stories.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read every word Carolyn Hart has ever written and she is one of my top favorite easy/cozy mystery writers. This book was so completely disjointed, badly edited and stilted/stiff conversation and obvious plot tricks I would almost bet that there was a ghost writer. It did not sound like CH to me at all. I hope it was just a one time fluke and will keep reading but this was really disappointing.

[Laura Prindable · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for an audio ARC of Ghost Blows a Kiss by Caroline Hart. This was the 10th in a series and my first from this author. Cozy mysteries must not be my cup of tea. I did like the Heavenly helper though. Fran has been plotted against for a murder and receives help from a Heavenly helper Bailey. Although the narrator was lively and did a great job

[Jill Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first reading of A Bailey Ruth Ghost Novel. The plot was easy to follow and I did not feel that I missed anything by not reading the first 9 books in the series. I listened to the audiobook and found the narration to be a bit over the top. It came across as comical how upbeat and southern the narration was.