Bone to Be Wild

Sarah Booth Delaney #15

by Carolyn Haines

Sarah Booth Delaney is heartbroken: her fiancé Graf Milieu has decided to move to Hollywood permanently, leaving their relationship in shambles. Sarah Booth has a perfect distraction, however, in the form of the Black and Orange Halloween ball her best friends are throwing in New Orleans. Sarah Booth plans to dance the night away to the swinging tunes of her old flame Scott Hampton's blues band. But just as the party gets going, Scott receives a mysterious message that threatens his life and the lives of his bandmates. Sarah Booth knows that a new case is just what she needs to take her mind off her failed relationship with Graf, and she's ready to help Scott investigate. And then the message turns from threat to reality when the bartender from Scott's club is gunned down in a drive-by. Enlisting Sheriff Coleman Peters and the rest of her friends from Zinnia, Mississippi, Sarah Booth is caught in a race against the clock as she tries to stop a killer from striking again.

With a twist around every corner, Sarah Booth's zany adventures will delight readers in Carolyn Haines's latest Southern cozy, Bone to Be Wild.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Paranormal, Humor, Murder Mystery

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2015

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

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah Booth is becoming ridiculous

How often is Sarah Booth going to do stupid things and get away with it? I'm getting truly sick of it. No matter how often she "almost dies" or gets seriously injured, by the next book she's back to the same old thing. In this book she did it multiple times! No one would be that dumb. It is making her unlikeable. Beyond that, I thought the mystery was both too simple and too complicated. Too simple in that the culprits were totally obvious, and too complicated in that lots of things were left as loose ends. This is one of my least favorite of the series.

[✴ Cindy ✴ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this series takes place in the south, but some of the misogyny is disgusting.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU NEED A CRASH CART AND CARDIAC ARREST TEAM for the newest entry in Carolyn Haines', Sarah Booth Delaney series. This is page turning, non-stop murder solving at its best. Set in a county in the Mississippi Delta this series has a little paranormal, meet Jitty the residence ghost; a little love and murder mystery plots that pull you in to all the twists and turns you can only imagine, and then some! A Southern background that is so real it leaves you dripping in the humidity and characters so real that you have to be there. Meet Tinkie, Cece, Harold, Oscar, Millie, Coleman and many other quirky friends as you fall into the world of Zinnia, in Sunflower County, Mississippi. You won't want to leave! Read this series from the beginning and get ready for the next installment, which cannot come soon enough. We will all be hanging on the edge of the cliff, heart pounding, until the next book arrives!

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm wondering just when Sarah Booth became the savior of Zinnia. How is it that when there is a potential crime everyone, including the sheriff, expects Sarah Booth to jump on the case? I can see everyone else wanting Sarah Booth to help, but the Sheriff? Does he not have confidence in himself? I kept shaking my head with that, it really affected what I thought of the story.

I thought parts of the drama at the blues club was predictable. You just had to look at what didn't make sense.

There were a couple of funny parts, parts that I didn't expect Sarah Booth to do. I don't know that I would ever eat anything she cooked, nor would I trust her to conspire with Henry, his little action was just as bad as Sarah Booth.

I think we're getting to a point in the series where Sarah Booth is allowed to find happiness and the series end.

[Wanda Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully exciting mystery wrapped up in Southern Culture, love, grief, and compassion. Sara Booth is single and hurting. There are several gentlemen who would like to pursue her but out of love, they are trying to give her time to heal, while still jostling to be the next in line.
This mystery shows the love and compassion that Zennia has for this unconventional detective while she and Tinkie work in dangerous conditions to solve the murders.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
Wanda Williams
Cove, Texas

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. It's a great story even in its implausibility. Although I saw the plot twist before it happened, the true culprit came mostly as a surprise. (I did wonder about this character early on, but the author excelled at distracting me with red herrings.) The book ends with the plot of the next one introduced, but without a cliff-hanger (thank you Ms. Haines!).

More wordy review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/120696...

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone wants to put Scott Hampton's blues club, Playin' the Bones, out of business even before it re-opens under his ownership. A local cult that believes white men are superior to women and other races could be responsible. But is it just a "local" cult or is something or someone else with a lot of money in the background?

Gertrude Strom sells her B&B for $200,000 over market value to Yancy Bellow and gets out on bail. What does she have to do with all this? She is still determined to get revenge on Sarah Booth because she believes SB's late mother tattled about her illegitimate pregnancy. Insanity, right?

SB does lots of impulsive, foolish, and dangerous things, but you have to overlook these foolish actions to enjoy this series, which is fast, fun, and entertaining.

But why would Graf have to break off his relationship in order to get to know his daughter?????

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Booth is still grieving the loss of her fiance who has returned to the West Coast to be with his daughter. Sarah is blue and is helping her friend, Scott, open his new club. The band members and the club are being threatened but by who and why are the big questions. Sarah Booth and Tinkie are investigating but leads are few. The ending is very opened so hope the next book in the series answers some of the questions. The book was a quick and easy read.

[Janet Armentani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great and a bit sad Sarah Delaney story.

[Chelsey Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Booth Delaney is a woman detective after my own heart! For quite a few years now I have followed this series and have anxiously awaited each new release every spring. I love emerging myself in the southern culture that makes up these stories because I just so happen to be a proud southern belle myself, so you can imagine that I have a lot in common with Sarah Booth. Each new book in the series is filled with many of the same loveable characters. This book hit a few heartstrings, however, because our lovable Sarah Booth is suffering from a broken heart and a broken engagement. At first I thought she was going to let it get the best of her, but we all know that she can never turn down a new mystery to solve! Plus, there are quite a few men in this book that she could easily “kill” time with while getting over her break up!

Sarah reconnects with quite a few people from her past, characters that have shown up in a few of the past installments to the series, and she actually ends up taking a case for an ex-beau of hers. Like I said, Sarah is suffering from her recent break-up, but she does her best to put all of those feelings past her. As always, the story is fast-paced and very easy to follow. Sarah’s loveable dog, Sweetie Pie, is just another endearing touch that makes this series worth following. Sarah is built to be a realistic character, written with flaws and good qualities alike; she is genuine and I have absolutely loved following her on each of her cases. I hope the series will continue and only get better and better.

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review***

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
What a way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon with Sarah Booth and the gang. While this one wasn't as funny as usual, it was still an entertaining read. Sarah and Tinkie had their little quarrels and Chapman and Sarah had their tiffs where she wanted to do things he didn't want her to do, but she figured out a way to do them anyways without having to break her promise. As usual, the whole gang of dogs and cats were there. Roscoe was into his usual mischief and Pluto was usually getting down with the attitude thing.

Of course, there were some new characters in town, good grief, you can't kill the main characters!! And, sadly Sarah and Graf are on hiatus. Of course, she is heartbroken and who knows what will happen with that relationship? I personally think the long distance thing isn't going to work anyways. Plus he's becoming a bigger actor and you know that means bigger head. Sarah doesn't have the money to widen the doors at Dahlia House.

While I love this series, and have been reading it for years, I'm thinking there needs to be some kind of big shake up going on. They are starting to become a little redundant. Perhaps it's time to let Sarah Booth settle down and use those eggs before they have definitely gone to waste.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mending her heart after a broken engagement, Sarah Booth Delaney finds herself taking another case on the eve of, old flame, Scott Hampton’s blues club opening in Zinnia, MS. Unsure if threats to the dawning club and Scott’s band are serious, the sheriff and Sarah Booth are cautious until the club’s flirtatious bartender is gunned down outside right before Sarah Booth’s very eyes. This starts a tailspin of trouble for Scott and Sarah Booth as she untangles the mystery of who is wreaking havoc, and whether it’s personal or something more. Bone to Be Wild is another charming and page-turning cozy mystery from author Carolyn Haines which is steeped in southern flavor, blues history, and some unexpected twists and turns that will have loyal Bones readers and those new to the series on a fun and unforgettable ride.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bone to be wild by Carolyn Haines.

This was another winner in the marvelous Sarah Booth Delaney series. Sarah Booth has returned home again to lick her wounds at Dahlia house. The romance with Graf is over and done and now its up to Sarah to rebuild her life without him.

An old friend from Sarah's past has also returned to the delta but for different reasons. Scot and his blues band are opening a new nightclub. The whole town is talking in favor or this great new development...all but someone. That someone has been sending threatening messages and it sounds like they mean business.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in the thick of it with their detecting techniques. The list of possible villains is unending but will they find the right person before its too late?

One of the best in this series and my favorite.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't bad. Definitely an improvement over the past few. There was the usual far reaching conspiracy involving obvious people and at least one you're not supposed to suspect. In this case there were several. It was good for a summer read.

I started reading these years ago and immediately liked Sarah Booth. But over the past few years I've grown to like and appreciate Tinkie even more. Sarah Booth is still very much the same impulsive, rebellious person she's always been. I finally realized that my change in feelings toward the characters is because Tinkie is a grownup, and Sarah Booth just isn't. Would love to see her grow up a little and have a real relationship with Coleman.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I think this book may be my favorite one of them all...it has everything a good series should! The book lierally starts off with a bang, and the excitement continues almost to the last page! You will find heartbreak, a music man (smoking hot, as Cece says) from Sarah Booth's past, a hunk of a sheriff (another man from her past)...and you may need a cold shower or two from the wonderful descriptions! All my favorite characters from the series have returned, along with a few new ones....Love this book...if you have not yet read this series, start from the beginning...You won;t be sorry to get involved with this one set in the Mississppi delta.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Booth is dealing with mending her broken heart after Graf and with all the old flames in Zinna that should not be a problem. The real problem is whether or not Sarah Booth is ready to move on in her life.
Scott Hampton is opening a blues club and is receiving threats when the bartender is gunned down right outside the club the trouble really has begun.
Sarah Booth is solving a murder mystery as well as her own personal journey in this story filled with laughter, love and grief.
I love the Blues history and the southern culture feel of the story.
Can not wait to read the next one!!!

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong and suspense filled

With Bone to Be Wild, Carolyn Haines once again proves herself as queen of humorous suspense! No matter how serious and sad the event of the story, Tink and Sarah Booth find humor to help themselves and the reader push forward. This book hits the readers heart as well as the funnybone.
I can't classify this or her last few books a cozy mysteries because they are too intense for that, but this one like the others is a must read anyone who loves Carolyn Haines and Sarah Booth Delaney!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are better people than I who can give this book the proper review. I am not that gifted. I can tell you if you enjoyed the previous Sarah Booth books, this one will not disappoint. I think it's one of the best to date. A lot of happenings happen. A lot of feels is felt. And It's comforting to know that even though a series has been around for awhile, the stories still remain fresh and exciting and leave the reader desperate to read the next one. Don't make us wait too long Carolyn.

[Sallee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read others in the early part of the series and enjoyed them. I see that the MC has matured. Her and her dear friend, Tinkie work together as private detectives. When an old lover, Scott Hampton opens a Blues club there are people willing to commit murder to keep it from happening. The story moves along nicely and there is plenty of mayhem, a bit of humor, and several love interests for Sarah Booth Delaney of Dahlia House in Zinnia, Mississippi to keep you turning pages.

[Nese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially very slow to start with, the book keeps getting more and more suspenseful with a lot of twists and turns after the first couple of chapters, leaving the reader wondering who the bad guys are, if anybody is what he appears to be and where the story is going. The best things about this series is the way the author describes his home state beautifully, that while reading the book one feels being transported to beautiful Mississippi, and the relationships the characters have with each other and their pets. I really enjoyed the story telling and the mystery with a lot of quirky characters who differ from each other distinctively. What really takes away from this beautifully written book is mentioning repeatedly how hot and bothered characters are sexually in a juvenile way, and descriptions of how one of the female characters manipulates men and leaves them breathless and helpless by biting her lower lip with her front teeth while looking at them through fluttered eye lashes. (This is not only tiresome because it is mentioned so often, but it makes the character look like a caricature. How old are these characters, 14 years old? ) And then every available and attractive men in her vicinity is crazy about the main character who can’t fight them off often enough. I could also do without the s word mentioned here and there. Four stars.

[Becki Basley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born to be Wild By Carolyn Haines (a Sara Booth Delaney mystery). (RB Digital Audiobook Libray Loan) This book is a continuation of the last book , Booty Bones, and for this part of the series. I feel you need to read them in order. Which should start actually with the book Smarty Bones then Booty Bones then this one.
Now that her relationship with Graf has ended l, Sara heads to New Orleans and the ball that CC worked so hard to plan in the last book. The band happens to Headed by one of Sara’s old flames and now very good friend , Scott has bought the local blues club in Xinnia and someone is not happy about it. Sara and Tinkie are on the case which will lead then dealing with a group of religious zealots as well as Sara personally exacting revenge on a person who desperately needs a lesson given to them and an old enemy returns to threaten Sara. Interesting book definitely tell that Carolyn did her research.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the season, I like to read a cozy set around Halloween. This book starts off at a Black and Orange Halloween ball.

I had never read a book from this series and was a little hesitant since it mentioned a ghost friend, but the author included the paranormal character nicely into the storyline.

Scott’s blue band and new music venue is getting resistance from the local church cult and some of the crew affiliated with his new venture come to danger and receive threatening messages. Sarah Booth is funny in her own right and love life. The mystery was good and dealt with the morals of the church people and some of the dealings that help fund their mission. There is a lot of information about the blues and the storyline has a Southern flair. It was exciting, dealt with a contemporary issue and well written. I would definitely read more from this series.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Almost too many characters and trying to figure out who is who. At the end when Sarah got burned and it took most of her hair, she went home and the story ended. You would think she would have needed some kind of treatment. And the other woman who was burned pretty bad, sat there and talked to Sarah after it happened. Anyone who knows what burns do, would know she would be sedated and given pain meds and rushed to the hospital. And, I figured out early that this woman was a plant. The guy she was suppose to be with never mentioned anyone coming to be with him. Everyone just took her at face value, which is odd, considering how many bad things were going on. Other than that, the story was intertaining.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sarah Booth & Tinkie are nosy but not necessarily even decent PIs. They consistently miss obvious items in every book that causes more damage and harm to themselves and others. The plant in this story was pretty obvious and they missed it. Also, JT & Cece's romance was a few days old in this story and it was ridiculous and stupid how "in love" they were. I think it would be the extremely rare man who would be ok with being involved with Cece ever so I didn't buy into their portion of the story at all. The last item to note is that these characters are supposedly in their 30s yet go around performing juvenile pranks on others which was just weird. Not a great book in the series.

[Wilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story about a female detective who has just been dumped by her boyfriend. He friend, Scott, who is a musician opens a blues club in a small town in Louisiana and is getting threats right and left that warn him not to open the club. The first open night his bar tender is murdered and the plot thickens.Sarah Booth Delaney, who is always referred to as Sara Booth??? begins her investigation and the book is both funny and intriguing.

I would recommend this for a light read and I may just look up another of her books. This is the 15th in a series so I have many to choose from.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. This Sarah Booth adventure was a wild one. Heartbreak healing and a hefty dose of heartthrobs. At fifteen books in I am ready for ties to wrap up and for Sarah Booth to find herself a stable relationship with one of her many suitors. The book kept my interest for 70% and then it became a bit repetitive from past books. It ended a bit differently though. It was a nice solid read, but I will be taking a break from the series for a bit.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, the author weaves a story that is rich in characters and plot. Atmospheric of the Deep South and buzzing with danger. Scary description of religious zealots and manipulations. I can’t help but wonders how much damage the pretender did being so good in his role (don’t want to give anything away though).

[Ilona · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started off well, then reeeeally bogged down. I skipped a large chunk, picked it up later, read to the end ... and discovered that a significant (and very unpleasant) thread was not tied up in this book. Presumably all that negative tension will continue in the next book. Which I will not be reading.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read about the life of Sarah Booth Delaney. Poor girl is so unlucky in love but has such great friends. This story was different from the others which was a nice change. I am reading the series as I can find the books so I have to fill in the missing pieces. Haines does a good job to bring everyone up to speed.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being from the New Orleans area I supposed it would have been different if I read it instead of listening to the audiobook. The mispronounciation of jambalaya and the last name Hebert was just rough.