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.
Rating: 3 stars
This was my first Bailey Ruth book and it was fun. I often forgot she was a ghost.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun series Carla. 😊🍓🌾
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