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Carolyn Hart's latest mystery, "Merry, Merry Christmas" (William Morrow, 282 pages) would make a wonderful gift under the Christmas tree. Featuring the spunky ghost (make that heavenly emissary) Bailey Ruth Raeburn, the book is a warm-hearted holiday whodunit.

Just before Christmas, Susan Pritchard Flynn, of the wealthy Pritchard family, discovers that she has a grandson from her long-lost son, Mitch.

The elderly and ailing matriarch is poised to change her Last Will and Testament in favor of the little boy.

But where there is a Will - especially one about to be altered - there is often mischief - and murder! Susan Pritchard Flynn dies mysteriously before her lawyer can draft a new Will.

Fearing that the previous heirs might threaten the young child, Heaven's Department of Good Intentions decides to send an emissary to protect him.

Despite the fact that she has been known to flaunt the Precepts of Heaven, the ghostly detective, Bailey Ruth, is selected for this task because she has one redeeming grace she always enjoyed Christmas.

She finds herself in the midst of a real mystery and must summon all her celestial wits to safeguard the poor child and bring a murderer to justice.

Carolyn Hart's envisions a Heaven filled with joy, love and laughter.

As she writes: "In Heaven, no matter what our age of death, we are seen at our best."

What a beautiful theology!

Few souls have enjoyed Heaven and Earth as much as the vivacious Bailey Ruth.

For not only is she restored to her youthful vigor, she is allowed to be dressed in the very best (no dreary choir robes for this heavenly spirit) as she changes from one cheerful ensemble to another, always carefully selecting colors which complement her red tresses.

She adopts various identities Officer M. Loy (as in Myrna Loy) and Jerrie Emiliani (for St. Jerome Emiliani, patron saint of orphans) on her mission. Ultimately, in helping the police nab a greedy murderer, Bailey Ruth becomes a true Michaela, as in St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of policemen.

Carolyn Hart's "Merry, Merry Christmas" would make a holiday gift to be treasured by the mystery reader.