Carolyn G. Hart

Carolyn Hart's second book to feature Bailey Ruth Raeburn is a charming variation on the "cozy" -- with quirky characters and most of the violence happening off-screen. Bailey Ruth is a departed spirit, who's on her second mission to her own hometown of Adelaide, OK as a Heavenly agent from the Department of Good Intentions. Always a lover of Christmas, Bailey Ruth is overjoyed to find herself in the physical world, assigned to protect Keith -- a small boy being reunited with his wealthy but show more ailing grandmother, Susan. Susan announces her intention to rewrite her will, in order to leave her estate to her only blood relative, Keith. Bailey Ruth has her hands full trying to find out who then spiked Susan's nightly hot chocolate with an overdose of her heart medication, since all of the in-laws who stand to inherit Susan's millions all have motive to want to see her pass before her will is changed. Hart manages to inject a lot of humor into Bailey Ruth's antics, as she struggles to follow the "precepts" that forbid her to make her presence known to the mortals around her. I enjoyed this one far more than the introductory volume, and particularly liked the narration of the Book-on-CD version by Ann Marie Lee. A pleasant, light holiday mystery read!

Originally reviewed for the staff recommendations page of my libraries' website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec11-02.htm show less

The Good: I have extreme love for Carolyn Hart's writing. No matter the series, she always writes a helluva good cozy mystery. Scandal in Fair Haven is just that, a fantastically plotted mystery that drags you in and keeps you guessing throughout.

The Bad: I have learned that the Henrie O. series isn't destined to be one of my favorites. While I love Hart's writing, I don't exactly like Henrie O. herself. She's a spunky older lady, which is awesome, but she has an overbearing nature that show more shows way too much at times. I wanted to like her, but it's seeming less and less likely. show less

One of the weakest in the series, I think. I liked the concept: preventing a murder taking place, but, well, for the first time, it feels to me that Hart has phone one in.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say a full 30% of this book consists of the repetition of plot summary in the form of multiple POV introspections. The reader with the weakest of comprehension skills would have found this overkill and I was quick to lose patience with it. The ultimate solution wasn't all that stunning show more a revelation either; and the justification for one of the murders (they're trying to prevent one, but there are others) was weak and felt tacked on in order to up the body count.

Also, as a general, series-wide aside - I don't ever want to read about Max Darling being Joe Hardy all grown up, ever again. Hart's editors should ban her from continuing to abuse this nugget; it's always shown up in every book, but in this book no less than 3 times. Please let it stop.

I'm sounding a bit snippy, but after 26 books any author is more than entitled to have one book that fails to live up to expectations; it's probably statistically probable. But I do have to wonder how much longer she plans to keep our daring duo going. show less

I love this writer for many reasons. Just look at her picture on the jacket: doesn't she look like someone you'd have fun with? These Bailey Ruth mysteries are a shining example of that kind of fun. Not only is the usually disembodied protagonist a point of view a gal can grow attached to; she's also a character in every sense: "What a character!", "She has high moral character.", "As an agent of the plot, she offers unique challenges and equally unique opportunities to a writer.", etc. I show more read Bailey Ruth mysteries instead of taking Zoloft. Art beats science once again! show less