Ghost to the Rescue

At the start of bestseller Hart's sprightly sixth Bailey Ruth ghost novel (after 2014's Ghost Wanted), 13-year-old Katie Davenport prays for help for her 36-year-old single mom, Deirdre, an author with writer's block. In dire financial straits, Deirdre is desperate to land a position teaching creative writing at Goddard University in Adelaide, Okla. Fortunately for the Davenports, Katie's pleas reach heaven's Department of Good Intentions, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn is dispatched to Earth to help out. She materializes just in time to intervene when Deirdre is propositioned by obnoxious Jay Knox, the Goddard official who will decide whether she gets the job. When Knox is later bludgeoned to death, Deirdre's prints are on the murder weapon, a champagne bottle. Bailey Ruth must now prove Deidre's innocence. The logic of Bailey Ruth's powers isn't crystal clear. For example, she can create whatever fashionable outfit she wants to wear, but needs a wig to disguise herself. But fans of this cozy series fans won't mind a bit. Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency. (Oct.)