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Family Skeleton Mystery #2
The Skeleton Takes a Bow
And the best performance as a skull goes to…
After years of hiding in the Thackery family house, Sid the skeleton is delighted to finally have his moment in the spotlight. He’s starring in a high school production of Hamlet. Well, not so much starring in as being a prop. At least part of him has a part—he’s using his head to play Yorick of “Alas, poor Yorick” fame. Every day, Georgia Thackery’s daughter, Madison, who’s also in the play, brings in his skull, and every night, she takes him home...
Until one night when he’s accidentally left at school—and hears the sounds of someone being murdered. But the next day, there’s no body and no one seems to be missing.
Sid is not a numbskull—he knows what he heard. Georgia thinks he imagined it—until a week later when a body is found. Now Georgia and Sid will both need to keep their heads as they stick their necks out and play sleuth to catch the conscience of a killer…
After years of hiding in the Thackery family house, Sid the skeleton is delighted to finally have his moment in the spotlight. He’s starring in a high school production of Hamlet. Well, not so much starring in as being a prop. At least part of him has a part—he’s using his head to play Yorick of “Alas, poor Yorick” fame. Every day, Georgia Thackery’s daughter, Madison, who’s also in the play, brings in his skull, and every night, she takes him home...
Until one night when he’s accidentally left at school—and hears the sounds of someone being murdered. But the next day, there’s no body and no one seems to be missing.
Sid is not a numbskull—he knows what he heard. Georgia thinks he imagined it—until a week later when a body is found. Now Georgia and Sid will both need to keep their heads as they stick their necks out and play sleuth to catch the conscience of a killer…
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
September 16, 2019
4 stars to Leigh Perry's The Skeleton Takes a Bow, the second in her Family Skeleton cozy mystery series. With autumn beginning last week, I decided to focus my next few weeks on books with Halloween or Thanksgiving themes, beautiful fall scenery and the quaint, mysterious New England small town appeal. After also having a chance to connect with the author via social media, I moved up this book on my list and happily dived in over the weekend -- let's get into the review!
Story
Sid is a skeleton who although murdered in human form many years ago is somehow still alive with an ability to walk and talk. He's lived with Georgia for about 30 years since she was around 5 years old, and only her parents, her sister and her daughter know about Sid. Sid and Madison (Georgia's daughter) take roles in her high school's upcoming Hamlet production which allows for Sid to sit out in the theatre without any concern. When he accidentally overhears a murder being committed, he enlists Georgia and Madison to find the killer before he strikes again. Georgia takes on a part-time SAP instructor role at the high school, in addition to her full-time role as an adjunct English professor at the local college, which both serve to help her meet potential suspects and determine possible motivations. Using the themes and plots from the Hamlet play, Georgia, Deborah (her sister), Madison and Sid draw out the killer but soon find one of their own in grave danger. In the end, the murderer is revealed and all goes back to normal -- as it should in a cozy mystery!
Strengths
One of the signs of a good author is an ability to push readers through their disbelief at some aspect of the plot and still enjoy the story; this is exactly what happens with a walking and talking skeleton in this book. While on the edge of fantasy (as I don't personally know of any real life skeletons who act like Sid), I never stop and think "this couldn't happen." Sid is so well written that he integrates into the plot and setting, and has relationships with other characters to the point of not recalling he isn't actually alive. He's likely to be everyone's favorite character given his humor and lot in life. When the writer can make that happen, the book is off to a good start.
The setting and characters are really growing on me. I find the college atmosphere and the family life dramas very comfy and readable. There are characters who annoy me in a good way and there are characters I feel like I already know in person. The series is worth investing in given the possibilities of future stories, characters and drama. You'll find a few connections to different characters that make you feel part of the book, not just someone watching from afar.
Weaknesses
The pacing in this mystery is generally good but the ending was slightly off. Throughout the story, you'll encounter several potential suspects and a few good red herrings. When you finally learn who the murderer(s) are, you play a waiting game to figure out was it really two people or was one of them just caught up in a situation not fully understanding what was happening -- good suspense; however, when the scene moves from the outing at the Hamlet play to the danger at the cabin, it happens "offscreen" due to the book's narration. I wasn't certain how the murderer(s) got from "this is bad, we have to take this person out" to which person actually wanted to kill the victim(s) to one of the suspects winking at Georgia over the whole situation. I think it could have been more clearly depicted so that you had a better sense of how both of the suspects fit into the overall actions. It would be more tightly woven and an easy 5 in my scale.
Final Thoughts
If you like the cozy, and you want something a little different than the norm, this is a fantastic read. Start with the first book and then read this one (they take about 3 to 5 hours depending on your readying style). If you haven't read a lot of cozies, and you're not looking for something with a little offbeat humor, then this isn't for you. I liked it a lot. I'm hopeful for two big things in the series' future direction: (1) Let's meet Georgia's parents. Who wouldn't be curious about two 60ish college professors who are on sabbatical for a year to work on other things... who just accepted the walking and talking skeleton in their 2 young daughter's lives, who seem to be highly respected. They've got to be kooky, loving and funny... and... (2) Let's learn more about Sid. While the first book covered who he was when he was fully alive, as a reader suspending my alarm over this fantasy component, I would like to know if he is the only skeleton out there, how is it he is still able to walk and talk, will he ever interact with other people or his own family, etc. I think there's more to this piece of the story and I hope the author goes there!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
Story
Sid is a skeleton who although murdered in human form many years ago is somehow still alive with an ability to walk and talk. He's lived with Georgia for about 30 years since she was around 5 years old, and only her parents, her sister and her daughter know about Sid. Sid and Madison (Georgia's daughter) take roles in her high school's upcoming Hamlet production which allows for Sid to sit out in the theatre without any concern. When he accidentally overhears a murder being committed, he enlists Georgia and Madison to find the killer before he strikes again. Georgia takes on a part-time SAP instructor role at the high school, in addition to her full-time role as an adjunct English professor at the local college, which both serve to help her meet potential suspects and determine possible motivations. Using the themes and plots from the Hamlet play, Georgia, Deborah (her sister), Madison and Sid draw out the killer but soon find one of their own in grave danger. In the end, the murderer is revealed and all goes back to normal -- as it should in a cozy mystery!
Strengths
One of the signs of a good author is an ability to push readers through their disbelief at some aspect of the plot and still enjoy the story; this is exactly what happens with a walking and talking skeleton in this book. While on the edge of fantasy (as I don't personally know of any real life skeletons who act like Sid), I never stop and think "this couldn't happen." Sid is so well written that he integrates into the plot and setting, and has relationships with other characters to the point of not recalling he isn't actually alive. He's likely to be everyone's favorite character given his humor and lot in life. When the writer can make that happen, the book is off to a good start.
The setting and characters are really growing on me. I find the college atmosphere and the family life dramas very comfy and readable. There are characters who annoy me in a good way and there are characters I feel like I already know in person. The series is worth investing in given the possibilities of future stories, characters and drama. You'll find a few connections to different characters that make you feel part of the book, not just someone watching from afar.
Weaknesses
The pacing in this mystery is generally good but the ending was slightly off. Throughout the story, you'll encounter several potential suspects and a few good red herrings. When you finally learn who the murderer(s) are, you play a waiting game to figure out was it really two people or was one of them just caught up in a situation not fully understanding what was happening -- good suspense; however, when the scene moves from the outing at the Hamlet play to the danger at the cabin, it happens "offscreen" due to the book's narration. I wasn't certain how the murderer(s) got from "this is bad, we have to take this person out" to which person actually wanted to kill the victim(s) to one of the suspects winking at Georgia over the whole situation. I think it could have been more clearly depicted so that you had a better sense of how both of the suspects fit into the overall actions. It would be more tightly woven and an easy 5 in my scale.
Final Thoughts
If you like the cozy, and you want something a little different than the norm, this is a fantastic read. Start with the first book and then read this one (they take about 3 to 5 hours depending on your readying style). If you haven't read a lot of cozies, and you're not looking for something with a little offbeat humor, then this isn't for you. I liked it a lot. I'm hopeful for two big things in the series' future direction: (1) Let's meet Georgia's parents. Who wouldn't be curious about two 60ish college professors who are on sabbatical for a year to work on other things... who just accepted the walking and talking skeleton in their 2 young daughter's lives, who seem to be highly respected. They've got to be kooky, loving and funny... and... (2) Let's learn more about Sid. While the first book covered who he was when he was fully alive, as a reader suspending my alarm over this fantasy component, I would like to know if he is the only skeleton out there, how is it he is still able to walk and talk, will he ever interact with other people or his own family, etc. I think there's more to this piece of the story and I hope the author goes there!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
November 4, 2019
,,
This series includes a unique aspect, none other than Sid, a collapsible skeleton with the ability to move at will, think, and talk. These attributes certainly hook and intrigue the reader.
Each series invariably contains a mysterious murder that Sid is anxious to assist Georgia in solving. His invaluable skills are of inestimable worth to their success. What a positively vivid imagination and sense of humor Leigh Perry shares with readers!
DESCRIPTION:
And the best performance as a skull goes to…
After years of hiding in the Thackery family house, Sid the skeleton is delighted to finally have his moment in the spotlight. He’s starring in a high school production of Hamlet. Well, not so much starring in as being a prop. At least part of him has a part—he’s using his head to play Yorick of “Alas, poor Yorick” fame. Every day, Georgia Thackery’s daughter, Madison, who’s also in the play, brings in his skull, and every night, she takes him home...
Until one night when he’s accidentally left at school—and hears the sounds of someone being murdered. But the next day, there’s no body and no one seems to be missing.
Sid is not a numbskull—he knows what he heard. Georgia thinks he imagined it—until a week later when a body is found. Now Georgia and Sid will both need to keep their heads as they stick their necks out and play sleuth to catch the conscience of a killer…
The whole investigation commences after Sid overhears a murder that no one can prove ever happened. However, he does everything in his power to convince Georgia to investigate. I was not overly engrossed by this tale, but it wasn't really offensive either.
This is a cozy mystery that offers an intriguing adventure.
-----------------------------------------
The Skeleton Takes a Bow
(A Family Skeleton Mystery Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Leigh Perry (Author)
Print Length: 304 pages
..
This series includes a unique aspect, none other than Sid, a collapsible skeleton with the ability to move at will, think, and talk. These attributes certainly hook and intrigue the reader.
Each series invariably contains a mysterious murder that Sid is anxious to assist Georgia in solving. His invaluable skills are of inestimable worth to their success. What a positively vivid imagination and sense of humor Leigh Perry shares with readers!
DESCRIPTION:
And the best performance as a skull goes to…
After years of hiding in the Thackery family house, Sid the skeleton is delighted to finally have his moment in the spotlight. He’s starring in a high school production of Hamlet. Well, not so much starring in as being a prop. At least part of him has a part—he’s using his head to play Yorick of “Alas, poor Yorick” fame. Every day, Georgia Thackery’s daughter, Madison, who’s also in the play, brings in his skull, and every night, she takes him home...
Until one night when he’s accidentally left at school—and hears the sounds of someone being murdered. But the next day, there’s no body and no one seems to be missing.
Sid is not a numbskull—he knows what he heard. Georgia thinks he imagined it—until a week later when a body is found. Now Georgia and Sid will both need to keep their heads as they stick their necks out and play sleuth to catch the conscience of a killer…
The whole investigation commences after Sid overhears a murder that no one can prove ever happened. However, he does everything in his power to convince Georgia to investigate. I was not overly engrossed by this tale, but it wasn't really offensive either.
This is a cozy mystery that offers an intriguing adventure.
-----------------------------------------
The Skeleton Takes a Bow
(A Family Skeleton Mystery Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Leigh Perry (Author)
Print Length: 304 pages
..
October 20, 2016
It's too bad Sid is fictional. I think I have a crush on a skeleton! :D
Kudos to the author for a unique, interesting cozy mystery. Leigh Perry actually makes a skeleton somehow seem believable, lol!
Kudos to the author for a unique, interesting cozy mystery. Leigh Perry actually makes a skeleton somehow seem believable, lol!
July 25, 2019
This second book in the series was just as fun and enjoyable as the first. The plot moves quickly and had me engaged from the beginning. I love the family dynamics between Georgia, Madison, Deborah, and Sid. Each one brings something different to the stories and I enjoy how Deborah is coming around where Sid is concerned. The author does a wonderful job of humanizing Sid so that he seems almost human even though you know he is a skeleton. The mystery is woven nicely into the story and while I did guess the motive for the murders, I was surprised at the identity of the killers.
This is a wonderfully entertaining series and I am off to request the next book from the library. I can't wait to see what trouble Georiga and Sid can find in the next book.
This is a wonderfully entertaining series and I am off to request the next book from the library. I can't wait to see what trouble Georiga and Sid can find in the next book.
October 16, 2017
Review coming soon.
February 14, 2017
If you have not yet read this series you need to add it to your to be read pile. While yes this is a paranormal cozy it doesn't read like one, in fact Sid, the Skeleton feels like such a real person. He is so much more then just a skeleton who walks and talks. He is a best friend and protector along with being a member of the family. He is funny and intuitive, curious and helpful. In this book Skeleton Takes A Bow, Sid is even an actor. There is no one quite like Sid, which makes him even more endearing. This is a family centered mystery series and in Skeleton Takes A Bow the mystery is very well written. Tugs at the heart strings a bit, gives you the warm and cozy feeling at the end and feels quite plausible given the circumstances. I think this is a brilliant series that started with Leigh Perry and Berkley but is moving to another publisher in October 2017 with A Skeleton Paints A Picture
September 24, 2021
Oh, this was Good! Onto book 3!!!
September 17, 2019
The second book in the 'Family Skeleton' series, was another very fun read, with a really intriguing, twisty-turning mystery. I liked Georgia's sister- Deborah much better in this book, as she became more civil to and about Sid, than in the first book. I am anxious to continue reading more books in this series.
August 19, 2019
I’m a simple kid. I read a book about a friendly walking talking skeleton, I rate it four stars, no matter how unlikely the surrounding cozy-mystery trappings are.
I love Sid. I love Georgia. I love the Thackery household in general. Is the book kinda dumb sometimes? Yeah. But it’s cute, well-intentioned, warm, and forgiving. The family dynamics are complicated but supportive, and Sid has some gnarly metaphysical/emotional issues which feel wholly justified, considering, and which had me all the way in my feelings.
I love Sid. I love Georgia. I love the Thackery household in general. Is the book kinda dumb sometimes? Yeah. But it’s cute, well-intentioned, warm, and forgiving. The family dynamics are complicated but supportive, and Sid has some gnarly metaphysical/emotional issues which feel wholly justified, considering, and which had me all the way in my feelings.
January 31, 2015
These books are silly, but fun! Sid the skeleton is totally over the top, but you'll get more than a few laughs from this one!
October 14, 2022
Good follow up. It was nice to see Sid be out and about and so involved in the solving of the mystery.
October 4, 2017
I love this series so far, the heroine is terrific, her daughter is smart and geeky and Sid is perfect as Yorick.
January 22, 2018
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
May 27, 2016
Georgia has reluctantly agreed to let Sid, her best friend the skeleton, star in the play at her daughter’s high school. Okay, star might be the wrong word since Sid’s skull is playing the part of Yorick in Hamlet. Either way, he’s excited to get out of the house. However, when he is accidently left at the school overnight, he hears a murder. With no body, the police won’t take Georgia seriously. Can Sid and Georgia track down the killer when they don’t know who the victim is?
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 30, 2014
Skeleton takes a bow finds adjunct professor Georgia Thackery even further immersed in the hell that is known as academia. When skeleton Sid overhears a murder at Madison's high school, Georgia enters the ego-stroking world of high school politics. The connections she makes, however, aren't all political...some are serendipidous and lead her down a dangerous path and towards a murderer. I love how Georgia is able to navigate in this cutthroat scholarly world, including dealing with the sharks that are the SAT parents. Raising her teen daughter, while simultaneously tending to Sid's increasing need to be in the world, gives Georgia a level of compassion and perspective that makes her easy to relate to. I look forward to more murderous fun and academic backstabbing in the next book.
January 13, 2015
This book was amusing in that what I feel is the most important character is Sid the skeleton. It seemed to me that the beginning was slow starting but then picked up speed in the story line. The idea of a skeleton as a sleuth and family member with Georgia Tucker, an adjunct professor and her daughter Madison, a high school student made this trio a treat.
March 4, 2020
Sid the skeleton has been playing the part of Yorick's skull in Madison's school production of Hamlet when he believes he's overheard a Murder taking place (after being left behind at the school overnight). Sleuthing ensues . . .
Entertaining cozy mystery! Sid is best!
Entertaining cozy mystery! Sid is best!
August 6, 2016
Highly entertaining series with a creative concept - skeleton as a sidekick.
January 18, 2024
Love these books! Well-written, with interesting surround stories; definitely a cut above. So sorry the series has ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
I can’t remember now how I stumbled across the first book, A Skeleton in the Family, but it was delightful enough that I really wanted to continue reading the series. Alas, my state library system seems to have misplaced the physical copy of this book, and it wasn’t available on Libby until very recently. But now it is, and I’m so excited!
I gave the first book a very generous 4 stars, and this book is even better. Of course, you have to suspend your disbelief, as Sid is a walking, talking, and coherent skeleton, but Perry writes him so well that he’s strangely believable. And the care that he has for both Georgia and Madison is so endearing. He makes us all wish we had a skeleton bestie.
I wish I could have read this faster, but this was my bedtime book, and I kept falling asleep while reading. I look forward to reading more from this series!
I gave the first book a very generous 4 stars, and this book is even better. Of course, you have to suspend your disbelief, as Sid is a walking, talking, and coherent skeleton, but Perry writes him so well that he’s strangely believable. And the care that he has for both Georgia and Madison is so endearing. He makes us all wish we had a skeleton bestie.
I wish I could have read this faster, but this was my bedtime book, and I kept falling asleep while reading. I look forward to reading more from this series!
November 4, 2022
Another fantastic book in my new favorite series. I love the dynamic between Georgia and Sid and how close they are. Throwing in Madison and this makes for a hilariously functioning dysfunctional family. I found the mystery itself to be very unique because it was never 100% certain there was a mystery and so there was little to no police involvement. Georgia and Sid come up with some very creative ways to snoop and I loved following the trail with them. The pacing of the ending was a bit quick, going from being totally stumped to the drama that ensued, but overall so much fun and I can't wait to continue!
October 16, 2022
Cute. Fun. A bit more edge than the typical cozy mystery. These books feel like they were written just for tiny me, who saw the covers of the mysteries my mom read in the ‘90s and thought they all had skeleton characters in them.
January 26, 2025
Book two: Oh I just love Sid. How can you not. I love this cozy mystery series. This one was a little slow moving hence the 4 stars vs 5. But I enjoy this series and will be checking out the next book.
September 4, 2017
This is a fun series, sort of over the line, but who says a skeleton can't be alive?
January 8, 2022
Not quite as good as the first one - at times it was a little on the slow side. But I do enjoy all the comings and goings of this unusual family. On to the next one! 3.5 rounding up.
April 4, 2022
This is such a great cozy mystery series. I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. Can’t wait to read number three.
September 22, 2023
I enjoyed this overall. Sid is the best kind of friend to have though he does eavesdrop a bit too much!
Looking forward to continuing with the series.
Trigger warnings: death, suicide, cancer, kidnapping, some violence
Looking forward to continuing with the series.
Trigger warnings: death, suicide, cancer, kidnapping, some violence
August 23, 2025
The story is about a murder no one saw but Sid the Skeleton heard and now wants to find the body and the killer. It was an easy book to read.
February 17, 2020
This one would have been good to read when the college scandals were at their height.
February 12, 2022
This series is funny. Yeah, I'm totally up with a talking skeleton...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews