Skin and Bones

by Liliana Hart

A new series from the New York Times bestselling author of the J.J. Graves Mystery Series...

Mabel McCoy, a young and widowed tea shop owner in the quaint coastal town of Grimm Island, South Carolina, finds her life as calm as a perfectly steeped cup of tea. The highlight of her month is hosting the Silver Sleuths Murder Society at her charming shop—a group of spirited seniors with a penchant for mysteries. She loves the tranquility and wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when a dashing new sheriff arrives in town with a backlog of baffling cold cases, Mabel's peaceful existence is upended. She’s reluctantly drawn into a tangled web of lies, deceit, and murder that goes far deeper than she ever imagined. With the Silver Sleuths eager to put their fictional detective skills to the test, Mabel must navigate the treacherous waters of real-life mystery-solving. Secrets emerge, old wounds resurface, and Mabel must uncover the truth before it's too late.

Will the Silver Sleuths unravel the town's darkest secrets, or will this be a mystery too perilous for even their sharp minds?

Genres: Cozy

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

Liliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).

Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can't help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.

Since the failure of her first attempt, Liliana’s books have won awards such as: The Daphne Du Maurier, The Suzannah, The Linda Howard Award of Excellence, The Maggie, and many others. Her affiliations include Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.

Liliana loves to cook, and is addicted to reading, Internet Boggle, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.

Enjoy the Adventures!

Reviews

[Antonette Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I haven’t enjoyed a book like this in a long time. In fact, I read it on day (actually stayed up til 2am because I had to know how it ended!!! Had all the elements of Golden Girls meets Nancy Drew. Loved, loved,LOVED all the vintage dresses and music. Loved the silver sleuths (fyi-Walt is my favorite). I told my husband I started a new book and told him the premise-5 senior citizens with 5 important passed jobs where they were great at investigating and now they helped solve an old case. The youngest of the group was the “legs” of the operation (because she was more mobile). This is a GREAT book with all the elements of humor, suspense, romance. I truly can’t wait til the next book comes out. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. You won’t be sorry!!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun first book in a new cozy series from a author I like for romantic suspense. I like the picture painted of the MC and her backup posse of the Silver Sleuths. The male sheriff as the potential romantic interest for the MC, thus fitting the standard cozy template, is a mysterious, intriguing character. Lots more to discover there! The mystery is interesting and the plot moves along at a good pace. There’s some careless stupidity, especially in the climactic scene, that doesn’t work for me but all in all it was an entertaining read.

[Emma Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

What a great new series. An excellent mix of interesting characters, romance and mystery. Despite that the mystery was easy to solve early on in the story, Mabel, Dash and the senior sleuths kept me interested in ow the mystery was solved.
I will! Definitely read the next book in the series when it is released.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this new series.

I've been a big fan of Ms. Hart's Addison Holmes series. And although this is totally different the story really kept my interest. The plot had the perfect mix of mystery and romance. I originally was reading this as a library book, but liked it so much I decided to purchase it.

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dash and Mabel

This is a wonderful new series with the wildest collection of characters around! Dash and Mabel have amazing chemistry and the Silver Sleuths are a talented group of older people who together help solve this mystery. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to further adventures with them. Highly recommended.

[Kelly Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Liliana Hart has done it again. I'm a long time fan of this author. She never disappoints.

I see a great series ahead with Mabel, Dash, and the Silver Sleuths. I can hardly wait for the next book.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow what a read so much fun

What a wonderful invitation to join these characters in such a fun inventive twisted tale. Absolutely loved it and can’t stop long as in to next instalment. Woo hoo come join in the fun.

[carole martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Who Dunn it story

This is a fun, romantic comedic murder mystery. I loved the characters & story line. I didn’t figure out who did it until almost the end. Cannot wait to read the next book.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cozy southern coastal mystery.

[Sorhija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I click for Liliana Hart like I click for Nora Roberts.

[Darlene Mastin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel and Dash

A wonderful read! This is a definite series I look forward to keeping up with and too bad we have to wait six months. Loved the story!

[Kimberly B. Stratemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED! I enjoy anything Liliana Hart writes!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. Liked Ma!bel and the whole gang. Dash isn't bad, either. Moved pretty quick after the Silver Sleuths get going.

[Lila Sedlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting first book of the series

Love Liliana Hart! Each series she writes is a winner! You can really get invested in her characters and the story.

[Douvonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual in cozies, the romance was unnecessary and added nothing. However, the story was good enough that those scenes could be easily skipped without sacrificing plot.

[Cheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series by one of my favorite authors. I have loved her JJ Graves series and knew this one would be awesome. It had me laughing out loud with her detective octogenarians and Mabel McCoy. I love a good mystery with some humor and I highly recommend this one and can’t wait till the next in the series is out.