Doggone Bones

Sarah Booth Delaney #29

by Carolyn Haines

The next novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.

After a dog belonging to local pet activist Tilly Lawson is snatched right out of her backyard in Sunflower County, MS, Sarah Booth and the Delaney Detective Agency are up to their ears in concerned pet owners. Could Tilly's work liberating abused animals have come back to bite her, or was this a random act of dognapping?

Delaney Detective Agency has their work cut out for them, especially as a troublesome online pet detective agency tries nosing their way into the investigation. But as Sarah Booth and Tinkie start to sink their teeth into the mystery, they discover there's much more at play than they thought: neighborhood rivalries, questionable dog breeders, and an illegal dogfighting operation.

As their digging churns up dangerous attention―and with their own beloved dogs, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, possibly next in line to be dognapped―Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in a race against time to track down the thieves and return the missing pets home.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Carolyn Haines is the USA Today bestselling author of over 70 books. In 2020, she was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. She was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Library Association, the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, as well as the "Best Amateur Sleuth" award by Romantic Times. Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives in Alabama on a farm with more dogs, cats, and horses than she can possibly keep track of.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Booth's friend Tammy asks her to help find Jezebel, a dog who has been stolen. The search is expanded to include Cupcake, another missing canine. Then, when Sweetie Pie and Chablis disappear, they wonder if Sarah Booth's old nemesis, Gertrude, is involved. Could their be a dogfighting ring, and if so, who is running it? It's always fun to revisit these characters, and the story centered on animals is a good one. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Carolyn Haines’ books and the longstanding characters in the Sarah Booth Delaney series, which I found likable for the most part. However, Doggone Bones fell flat for me. As a dog lover, I was excited for a dog-centered story, but the dog kidnapping plot felt far-fetched and unconvincing.

I couldn’t connect with the narrative, which made it a disappointing read despite my affection for the characters. An unfortunate DNF at 34% One star. But I'm not giving up on the author yet since the last novel garnered four stars from me. Perhaps this is just a one off for me.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest opinions.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs were being stolen right from their owners' yards even when locked in and having CCTV cameras. Not for good reasons, either. Dog fighting is illegal and an abomination, but the Sarah Booth Detective Agency works hard to establish a trail and follow it right to the multiple arrests. Good read if you can control your anger at the reality behind it.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Pub Date May 27, 2025
#DoggoneBones by #carolynhaines #SarahBoothDelaneyMysteriesBk29 #minotaur_books #stmartinspress #privateinvestigator #cozymystery #dognapping #ghosts #paranormal #suspense #witty #opposeanimalcruelty #supportanimalshelters #animalabuseisafelony

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines is seriously fun. The book follows Sarah Booth Delaney as she tries to find missing dogs in her county. She encounters corrupt politicians, crooked cops, a possible dog fighting ring, an old enemy, and much more in her quest to discover where these dogs are located.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I thought that the characters were charming and fun. I liked the little mystery. I did deduct half a star because without giving spoilers I thought that the whodunit final villain should have been mixed in the story a bit earlier. I did think it made sense and boy was I surprised when we found out a secret about Sarah Booth's family's past. My jaw was on the floor at the end and that's not easy to achieve with a cozy mystery.

While this book is 29 in the series I do not think you need to have the full context. These books feel a lot like episodes of Murder! She Wrote, in that they do not need to be sequential when you watch them. You will get enough information in the book for it to be self-contained. I have only just started the first few books after reading the more recent books first and it is fun to see where some of the information is coming from but has not dampened my enjoyment of the present story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries with amateur sleuths. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs and fighting for dogs' rights. I do not recommend this book to anyone who is triggered by the mentioned of the mistreatment of dogs. If you've never read this series, I still recommend this book! It was so much fun!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Carolyn Haines for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Delaney Detective Agency takes on a case of dognapping when the beloved pet of a pet activist is stolen from her yard. Both Sarah Booth and Tinkie are pet lovers too and are going to do their best to get Jezebel back. Then another pet is stolen from another older lady.

The detective duo has lots of suspects including a shady police chief, the mayor, the second lady's ne'er-do-well grandson, and a villain who has plagued Sarah Booth for some time and is on the lam from various law enforcement agencies in Mississippi. Then there is the local boy who made it good in pro wrestling and might be dipping into dog fighting and drugs with maybe a side of gambling.

Things get even more tense when Sarah Booth's and Tinkie's dogs are dognapped too.

This was a fun story filled with all sorts of Southern sayings. It also features "assistance" from Sarah Booth's ghost Jitty who makes appearances as famous historical dog lovers. And her boyfriend Coleman has a large role to play too.

This is the 29th book in this series. I've only read one other, but will be putting the series on my TBR stack.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long life to Carolyn Haines and Sarah Booth Delaney series as it's one of my top 5. Another great one that kept guessing, turning pages and made me travel to the South USA and visit wild and great places.
Loved it, great novel
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

In this 29th book in the 'Sarah Booth Delaney' series, private detectives Sarah Booth Delaney and Tinkie Richmond - who run the 'Delaney Detective Agency' in Zinnia, Mississippi - are on a dogs' rights mission.



Animal rights is a cause close to author Carolyn Haines' heart. At the end of the book, Haines notes: "For the past thirty-plus years I've worked with a handful of dedicated friends to support Good Fortune Farm Refuge, a nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare."


Author Carolyn Haines

*****

As the story begins, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired to find a chow chow/spitz mix called Jezebel. The canine has been dognapped from her owner Tilly Lawson, who lives in the nearby town of Nixville, Mississippi.



The abduction seems spiteful, because Tilly is a very active senior citizen who's publicly accused Nixville's Mayor Fenway and Police Chief Garwool of being involved in a dogfighting ring.



The abduction of Jezebel is the tip of the iceberg, because another dog called Cupcake goes missing soon afterward, and other dognappings follow.



Sarah Booth and Tinkie know that people steal pups to use as bait dogs for fighting, or to sell to labs for medical experiments, or to keep as personal pets. Being huge dog lovers, the private detectives are determined to find the missing dogs and punish the thieves and miscreants who abuse them.



The sleuths are aided in their mission by friends and family, including: Sarah Booth's boyfriend, Coleman Peters - the sheriff of Sunflower County; Tinkie's husband Oscar - an influential banker; Harold Erkwell -whose dog Roscoe is an excellent tracker; CeCe Dee Falcon - a journalist; Millie - a restaurateur whose café has the best food in the region; Madame Tomeeka - a psychic; and Dawson Reed - a pet detective who searches for missing animals.



As Sarah Booth and Tinkie investigate, they unearth a number of suspects, including Rutherford Mace, a former professional wrestler whose property - filled with outbuildings - would be ideal for hiding dogs; Zotto Hammerfist - a fighter who teaches in Mace's wrestling school; Ellis Adams - a good-for-nothing teenage boy who's been hanging around with Mace; Gertrude Stromm - a psychopath who's wanted by the police; and more.



Most of the story has Sarah Booth and Tinkie - armed with righteous anger, a gun, and their fists - running around here and there, confronting suspects and searching for the missing dogs.



Often, the detectives have canine 'helpers', including Tinkie's yorkie Chablis, Sarah Booth's hound Sweetie Pie, the tracker dog Roscoe, and a pittie-hound mix called Avalon - who was found in Rutherford Mace’s field.



Sarah Booth and Tinkie follow various real and false trails to resolve the case and identify the culprits.

I'm 100% in synch with Sarah Boothe and Tinkie's dogs' rights crusade, but I can only mildly recommend this novel. To me, the book seems like the work of a young writer in a fiction class who's penning a 'wishful thinking' narrative. I can't believe Sarah Booth and Tinkie, two relatively lightweight gals, would run around BY THEMSELVES (sometimes in stilettos), confronting dangerous men: spying on them; jabbing them with letter openers; making threats; pulling guns, etc.



For instance, in one scene Sarah Booth says: "Oh, I felt certain if I had to slap the snot out of [Police Chief] Garwool....I'd end up in jail. If I could prove Garwool was working with Gertrude - a known criminal and a wanted woman - I intended to run him out of office permanently. After I kicked his butt all over town."



The novel is full of sketches like this, and they're not credible (to me).

On the upside, I like Sarah Booth's personal 'haint'(ghost) Jitty, who shows up periodically impersonating a well-known historical or current figure. Jitty's mission is to advise Sarah Booth, and to nag her to have a baby. In this story Jitty impersonates actress Brigitte Bardot; animal rights activist Henry Bergh; actress Betty White; anthropologist Jane Goodall; and musician Paul McCartney.


Jane Goodall

I also appreciate the 'southernisms' sprinkled through the story. For instance:

"If Ellis's brain was made of TNT, he wouldn't have enough juice to blow his nose."

"She's going to be meaner than a sack full of cottonmouths."

"I'm more like a tick than a spider. Once I'm dug in I'm hard to shake."

"You've crawled inside a croaker sack with a rattlesnake."

I've enjoyed several books in the 'Sarah Booth Delaney' series, and this story seems like an outlier, as if it was penned by a ghostwriter. However, the animal rights cause is trumpeted loud and clear, which might appeal to some readers.



Thanks to Netgalley, Sarah Haines, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Doggone Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 29th instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series which releases on May 27th. I absolutely love this series!

I always enjoy visiting with Sarah and Tinkie it’s like coming home to old friends. I always learn something, this time Sarah Booth and Tinkie investigate dognapping and illegal dogfighting operations. Sadly these things are still going on in todays society, I thought Carolyn handled the subject very well as it is a very heart wrenching subject.

There were plenty of twists and turns and lots to keep you intrigued. I found this book to be a real page-turner, and reading in one day. I’m looking forward to the next instalment

I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley . All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines is fantastic, with many questions, greed, tears, and new revelations.

Will Sarah Booth and Tinkie find the missing dogs?
Sarah Booth and Tinkie are called upon to help find a missing dog in the nearby town of Nixville. Although Nixville is only a few miles away, it is almost like another world, where drugs are easier to get, there is gambling, and dog fights. The local Police Chief only investigates the crimes that interest him and the Mayor. There is a whole underbelly in this town that isn't in Zinnia. Even with all that going on, it is still a small town where people know what is happening but turn their backs and don't talk to strangers.

The animal lover in me cried out in outrage at some of the things Sarah Booth and Tinkie uncovered. The horrors that people do to animals are scary. Yet, their friends were there to help them cope with the aftermath. This installment really brings out Tinkie's temper; there are a few instances where Sarah Booth is the voice of reason. That isn't their usual mode. However, I rather enjoyed Tinkie's colorful descriptions of what she would like to see happen.

Some Updates:

Harold may have another dog with whom Roscoe can be buddies.
Sarah Booth and Coleman may have another dog to go with Sweetie Pie, Pluto, and Poe.
Tinkie and Oscar have another dog to be with Chablis.
Sarah may have learned something about her past, or it could be a ruse.

Five Stars
My rating for Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines is five stars. I love this series. Ms. Haines is a fabulous writer, and I am entirely invested in Sunflower County. It feels like going home and seeing all my favorite people. If you haven't read any of these books, I highly recommend them. Ms. Haines is one of my favorite authors.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines.

Until the next time,


This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doggone Bones, the 29th installment in Carolyn Haines’s beloved Sarah Booth Delaney series, delivers everything fans have come to adore sharp humor, Southern charm, and an irresistibly twisty mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

What makes this novel stand out is its seamless blend of heart and suspense. On the surface, it’s a clever whodunit about a rash of dog thefts in Sunflower County, but beneath the investigation lies a touching exploration of loyalty, compassion, and community. Haines uses the case to illuminate how deeply people connect with their pets and the lengths they’ll go to protect them a theme that resonates emotionally with readers far beyond the mystery genre.

Sarah Booth remains one of the most engaging and dynamic sleuths in contemporary fiction witty, fiercely independent, and delightfully human. Her partnership with Tinkie continues to provide not only comic relief but also genuine emotional grounding. Together, they navigate neighborhood rivalries, shady breeders, and dangerous secrets, all while their own beloved pets, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, face unexpected danger.

Haines’s vivid depiction of the Mississippi Delta and her knack for capturing the rhythm of small-town life bring every scene to life. Doggone Bones is more than a mystery it’s a story about friendship, courage, and the enduring connection between people and the animals they love.

Fans of cozy mysteries with bite, as well as readers who enjoy strong, witty female leads, will find Doggone Bones both entertaining and heartfelt a testament to Carolyn Haines’s enduring storytelling charm.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doggone Bones is one of the most emotional books in the A Sarah Booth Delany Mystery series, but Carolyn Haines manages to handle some tough subjects without pulling the curtain back too far. A long-time animal advocate, Ms. Haines takes us through the terror of losing a pet and all the things that could happen, but she manages to keep the book hopeful and overall positive. Sarah Booth is pulled into a lost case by a good friend. Expecting to spend her time trekking through the streets of a nearby town, Sarah Booth and Tinkie, her partner in crime (but on the good side). Soon They fear the possibility that the dog has been taken by a dog fighting gang or sold for research and there is no way she is going to back off. When another dog is taken, the search intensifies as does the danger our detectives face. Whoever is behind the disappearances do everything they can to discourage the duo.
The men in their lives, including good friend Harold, would rather do thing investigating but as animal lovers, they understand how much this means to Sarah Booth and Tinkie, so they offer their support and keep an eye on all the possibilities. Dangers and discouragement about, but nothing will stop our ladies from discovering what happened to the missing dogs and pray that they care able to bring them back alive.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for allowing me to read an ARC of Doggone Bones and share my love for it.
#NetGalley #StMartins #Carolyn Haines #ASarahBoothDelaneyMystery #DoggoneBones

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment in the Mississippi-based Delaney Detective Agency series, Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines, drops Sarah Booth and Tinkie straight into one of their most emotionally charged cases yet. When a dog is snatched right out of pet activist Tilly Lawson’s backyard, the mystery quickly spirals into something far more dangerous than a simple dognapping. Between neighborhood tensions, shady breeders, and the shadow of an illegal dogfighting ring, the stakes rise with every chapter.

What I loved most is how the story blends genuine suspense with the warm charm of Sunflower County. The relationship between the detectives and their own beloved pups, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, adds a personal, heartfelt layer to the investigation…especially as they realize their dogs might be next on the criminals’ list. The tension builds beautifully without ever losing that cozy Southern wit the series is known for.

The added twist of a meddling online “pet detective” agency brings humor and frustration in perfect balance, making the mystery feel fresh and modern. By the time Sarah Booth and Tinkie piece together the trail of rivalries and cruelty, the result is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

A must-read for cozy mystery fans…especially anyone who adores animals and loves seeing justice served with a side of Southern charm.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Carol Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should probably not have started this series at #26. And probably not with the one dealing with dog thefts. Sara Booth and her partner at the Delaney Detective Agency, Tinkie, have been contacted about a dog that was stolen right out of someone’s backyard.

We had so many characters that it was hard to keep everyone straight. The author provided plenty of background, but I’m sure if I had read the previous books, I would have had a much better handle on who was who and how everyone is connected. Sara Booth has a good batch of friends, including her boyfriend sheriff, and several animals: dogs, horses, a cat and a crow. Oh, and she has a ghost haunting her house that often appears to her as historical figures.

The mystery this time around involved several dogs who were stolen from homes, including Sara Booth’s Sweetie Pie. There’s rumors of a dog-fighting ring, but Sara’s old nemesis, Gertrude, seems to be involved too. There’s was a lot going on and I didn’t quite understand where Gertrude’s character came from, just that she hated Sara. And I didn’t like being worried about the dogs. I like when my detectives have pets, but not when those pets are in danger.

The cover seemed more fun than the book turned out to be. Maybe I’d have a different opinion if I had followed the characters from the beginning, though.

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

DOGGONE BONES – A Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries – Book 29 – by Carolyn Haines

‘After a dog belonging to local pet activist Tilly Lawson is snatched right out of her backyard in Sunflower County, MS, Sarah Booth and the Delaney Detective Agency are up to their ears in concerned pet owners. Could Tilly's work liberating abused animals have come back to bite her, or was this a random act of dognapping?’

I LOVE the storyline and all the interesting characters throughout this book, especially Jitty, in her many forms. Betty White was one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, the novel is bogged down with constant repetition which drives me bat-cr*p-crazy! Authors, please trust in your readers that we don’t need a Polly-Repeat of information to absorb and retain all the titillating details.

That being said, my review is based on an uncorrected ARC provided by the publisher, so my aforementioned misgivings may be a moot point on my part.

The urgent need to know how the story plays out is what kept me pushing through to the end. The history behind Gertrude Stromm in relation to the main character has me needing to read more!

Bring On Book 30!

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with an eBook ARC of DOGGONE BONES at the request of an honest review.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I read the first Sarah Booth Delaney book, I have loved this series. I get deeply involved with Sarah and Coleman and Tinkie and all the other characters who populate the stories.. They are so interesting and richly drawn and of course, there are the animals who contributed so much. It is animals, dog-napping in fact, that first draw the partners into the investigation. Tilly hires them first to find her beloved pooch. Then her arch enemy loses her beloved dog too. What is going on in this sleepy little place. As they investigate, they realize they are at the cusp of something nefarious and deadly and the local powers that be are turning a blind eye at best and participating at worst.

Trying to figure out who the bad guys are and how they all fit together brings Sarah Booth face to face with her nemesis, Gertrude, the woman who has done her best to ruin Sarah Booth’s life. What is revealed, however, at the end of the book is by far the most sinister and cruel revelation possible. And while she was so close to capturing her, Gertrude, once again, escapes justice. I was so hoping for a resolution but that is clearly going to be continued in the next book. Did I ever mention I hate cliff hangers and this one is a doozy..

Five purrs and two paws up.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into Carolina Haines's stories was those with the cat Familiar. Those were awesome and really inspired my interest in books with animal sidekicks or stars. While this book is not quite as good as Familiar whom I miss and would love to see back, it is still worth reading. Can you say crossover?
Sarah Booth and her friends and sidekicks and pets have their work cut out for themselves in this cute cozy featuring a truly frightening subject to those who love their fur family. We start with a stolen dog Jezebel and before Sarah can fully investigate the case another is stolen from an elderly woman. Loosing your dog and imagining the pain those people were going through added the feels to this cozy. We also got a good dose of humor which I think ever cozy needs in the form of Jitty the eccentric ghost. She joins the fun almost from the beginning in full costume setting her for character for those not familiar with the series.
This cozy had all the elements needs to make the story fun and enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[M Steinbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I love the Sarah Booth Delany mystery series, I was unsure about this entry because I love dogs and didn’t want to see any get hurt in a story about dog fighting. I should have known Carolyn Haines would never let me down! I love this entry in the Sarah Booth series and I just love to visit Sarah Booth and all her wonderful friends. One of the things I love most about Sarah Booth is that she is not a character that goes out on her own and is constantly begged by her sheriff boyfriend to stay out of it. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Coleman and all of their friends work as a team and they are smart, kind and compassionate. They work together so well that it’s a joy to watch them solve mysteries and live their lives together. This was a fun mystery to solve and I was surprised, but intrigued by the plot development. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting Sarah Booth mystery! In this story, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are called in to a neighboring town to find a dog that had gone missing. However, this led the both of them to become embroiled in a deeper mystery - one of dog fighting. As a dog owner and lover, this was a harder read than most because it's such a close topic to my heart.

As Sarah Booth and Tinkie get involved, more dogs end up going missing. When the dognapping hits too close to home, it becomes clear that an old foe is also involved. Without giving away spoilers, someone from Sarah Booth's past pops up and divulges a new secret, one that keeps Sarah Booth guessing about her family history.

While the dognappers and the dogfighting ring are taken down, this new secret gives us an idea of the next story to come!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book!

[Amy Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries! I love this series. This is the 29th book by Carolyn Haines. It will be released in May! This book could be a standalone but I would recommend reading them in order to get all the characters and side characters. This story was about a dog napping, dog fighter ring and a small town where Sarah and Tinkie’s dogs band together! The plot was good. I love the characters.

Sarah and Tinkie who is her partner in their detective agency are hired to find a missing dog. They found only more than one missing dogs but criminal activity that surrounds the missing dogs.

I always love the ghost, Jitty, who turns into who ever she wants but it’s always someone on history that we know or don’t in the south.

I have this book 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

[bexbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a dog belonging to a local pet activist is snatched out of her backyard. It is up to the individuals at the Delaney detective agency to solve this mystery and ease the anxiety of local pet owners. As they dig into this case, it becomes clear that there is a lot more hiding than they had previously imagined.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are both absolutely delightful characters. I love the fact that you get to see a lot about the characters and their dogs as well. The dogs are really involved in the story and I loved it! I've only ever read a couple other books in this series, but I definitely want to go back and read more because this town in these characters are fabulous!

If you are looking for your next cozy mystery series, I recommend diving into this delightful series. Thank you so much to Minotaur Books for this arc.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doggone Bones is book #29 in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series by Carolyn Haines.

It’s great to be back in Zinnia with Sarah Booth and Tinkie! Dogs in a nearby town are disappearing from locked yards. Sarah Booth and Tinkie, both animal lovers, want to figure out what is going on. This is a heavier book covering the disturbing topics of dog theft and dog fighting rings. There were times this was hard to read, probably because I know that this type of activity takes place in real life and it’s heartbreaking that these poor animals have to go through that. And then there is the shocking news that Sarah Booth gets at the end of the book. It has me anxiously awaiting the next book!

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has read every book in this series, diving into Doggone Bones felt like catching up with old friends. There's something comforting and familiar about returning to this world and these characters. The charm, the humor, and the heart are all here once again, and I found myself smiling more than once at the banter and clever twists.

This installment kept the pace moving with a lighthearted mystery and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. While not my absolute favorite in the series, it still delivered everything I’ve come to love about these books. It's cozy, fun, and full of personality. What more can you ask for?

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. I’m already looking forward to the next visit with Sarah Booth Delaney and crew.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 29 in a series which I did not know. I've never heard of or read any of the authors work. While it's a stand alone there's still much that I wasn't up on. As much background as possible was there and more would have dragged the story more than it did. The shape shifting ghost was a character I wish I'd know more about, she was popping in and out, a little annoying. I can't say I especially liked any of the characters and the animals weren't fleshed out enough to become attached to. There's a lot of driving back and forth, the cars became secondary characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #DoggoneBones #CarolynHaines #SarahBoothDelaneyMystery #MinotaurBooks #mystery #contemporymystery #bookreview #

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! ;)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Karen Brauneis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought Provoking.

I will be straight with you, this is not the easiest Sarah Booth book I’ve read. I love animals dearly, and the fact that people do such despicable things to them makes my blood boil. I wish there was a way to make them feel all the pain/suffering they have caused. Animals are one of the greatest gifts that we’ve been given, and how an individual treats them, is a strong indicator of the type of person they are. As difficult as the subject matter was, I am grateful for it, because hopefully it will help raise awareness of just how poorly our justice system treats animals. Thanks you Ms. Haines for writing this book. I know it is a subject near and dear to your heart and was very hard for you to write.💕

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doggone Bones is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney cozy mystery series. In this one, Sarah Booth with her detective agency partner and best friend Tinkie look for a missing dog. They find more than they bargained for including a dog fighting ring and an underground dog selling operation.

I absolutely adore this series. It feels like I am catching up with old friends each time a new book is released. However, this book was rather slow in the first quarter compared to earlier books in the series. The girls are mostly asking locals if they have seen the dog. Once the pacing picks up, the subject of dog abuse may turn off some readers. Still, it’s always fun to read about their adventures. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can cheer this book for its support of animal rights and for exposing the plight of stray animals in Mississippi. However, as a mystery I spent a lot of time wondering why Sarah Booth and Tinkie didn't immediately follow up on a clear clue dropped into their laps early in their investigation of the dog nappers. In fact, I went back a few pages to check if I had read the clue correctly. It would've broken the case or at least opened new lines of investigation so that they wouldn't have had to behave quite so recklessly. Also, it looks like Sarah Booth and Tinkie will be repeatedly engaging with their nemesis Gertrude in the next couple of books. I'm not a fan of those kind of storylines as they tend to be less fun and more emotionally damaging.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author and I truly loved it. The FMC is bold, feisty, determined and loves animals. Her business partner is someone you definitely want on your side! I absolutely loved Tilly and Squatty! All the characters of this book were amazing. You really got to know who they were and feel for them. I totally love the Raven, Poe. I want one of my own now lol!

The storyline to this book was great. It had me guessing who the basic guys were. The ending is a cliffhanger but it's definitely not in bad taste.

If you want a cozy mystery with a strong and loveable FMC's, this is definitely a good choice!

[Patricia Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wait impatiently for the next Sarah Booth adventure! This one was so good.

Dogs are being kidnapped all over town and Tinkie and Sarah Booth are on the case.

As they investigate, things get weird. And when there own dogs are taken, nothing is going to stop these two from rescuing all the dogs and bringing the culprits down.

Trouble is there are so many suspicious people! Is everyone in town on the take?

Just when I thought I had it figured out, I did not.

Always a pleasure.

NetGalley/ May 27, 2025 St. Martin’s Press

[Cherise Deeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series! Sarah Booth Delaney is a very likable character as well as the core group of her friends. These books are so creative and have a little grit to them. This installment focuses on a dog napping. Sarah Booth and her partner Tinkie took the case and ended up discovering much more than they were prepared for. These books always have so much action. I love how it was so hard to put down! I highly recommend this series! Give it try ! You’ll be glad you did!
Received this ARC directly from this wonderful author. Thank you