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The Haunted Ranch Mysteries #4
Tombstones with a View
The dolls are always watching.
Claire Caldwell learned that the hard way in Room 7 of the Desert Rest Motel. But now their owner has vanished, and those glass eyes might be the only witnesses to what happened...
Sheriff Dobson isn't concerned. "Woman finally got tired of those creepy dolls and skipped town. Can't blame her."But Claire knows Mavis would never abandon her collection. Those hundreds of Victorian dolls aren't just decorations... they're her life. Her family. Her obsession.
With the sheriff refusing to investigate, Claire finds herself drawn into the dusty rooms of the Desert Rest, surrounded by glass eyes that follow her every move. The dolls saw what happened to Mavis. If only they could talk.
Meanwhile, someone is stalking Whispering Saguaro Ranch. Cut fences. Threatening notes. A shadow in the barn at midnight. Claire's made some enemies, and one of them wants what she has... no matter the cost.
As Claire searches for answers, she discovers that Mavis has secrets of her own. The Pioneer Cemetery behind the motel holds more than old bones. The dolls hold more than sawdust and porcelain. And the eccentric woman everyone dismissed as harmless may have been hiding something worth killing for.
Now Claire must untangle two mysteries at once, with help from an unlikely her veterinarian fiancé Sam, whose rounds through the desert bring whispers of things people don't want known. Together, they'll learn that in Perdido Springs, the strangest people often have the darkest secrets.
And some collections are worth more than anyone imagined.
Claire Caldwell learned that the hard way in Room 7 of the Desert Rest Motel. But now their owner has vanished, and those glass eyes might be the only witnesses to what happened...
Sheriff Dobson isn't concerned. "Woman finally got tired of those creepy dolls and skipped town. Can't blame her."But Claire knows Mavis would never abandon her collection. Those hundreds of Victorian dolls aren't just decorations... they're her life. Her family. Her obsession.
With the sheriff refusing to investigate, Claire finds herself drawn into the dusty rooms of the Desert Rest, surrounded by glass eyes that follow her every move. The dolls saw what happened to Mavis. If only they could talk.
Meanwhile, someone is stalking Whispering Saguaro Ranch. Cut fences. Threatening notes. A shadow in the barn at midnight. Claire's made some enemies, and one of them wants what she has... no matter the cost.
As Claire searches for answers, she discovers that Mavis has secrets of her own. The Pioneer Cemetery behind the motel holds more than old bones. The dolls hold more than sawdust and porcelain. And the eccentric woman everyone dismissed as harmless may have been hiding something worth killing for.
Now Claire must untangle two mysteries at once, with help from an unlikely her veterinarian fiancé Sam, whose rounds through the desert bring whispers of things people don't want known. Together, they'll learn that in Perdido Springs, the strangest people often have the darkest secrets.
And some collections are worth more than anyone imagined.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2026
183 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
240 books348 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 8, 2026
fantastic read
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Tombstones with a View is great and really expands on the series with several new characters and insights into established ones. I absolutely loved it.
We’ve met Mavis, owner of the Desert Rest Motel before. Primarily because that place is full of Mavis’s antique doll collection, hundreds of dolls everywhere throughout the motel, in every room. Staring at you. In prior stories.
Here Mavis is the center of the story. Her dolls too. Which makes for a unique investigation when Mavis goes missing. We and Claire learn about her in her absence.
Claire’s long time friend, Sara, a journalist from Chicago ,arrives to spend time together. There’s someone who is cutting fences and leaving threatening notes at the Sanctuary. And Sam’s still trying to propose.
Tombstones with a View accomplishes several things along with a terrific mystery. It brings in a new, actually 2 new connected characters and develops an established minor character into one who looks to become one of the found family that Claire is forming around herself.
This also gives Buster, a deputy Sheriff who’s normally shown as useless, a chance to demonstrate extra depth, something I appreciate.
The ending not only ties up all the various plot threads giving us a couple of interesting elements and terrific surprises, but a lovely note for Claire and Sam.
Sara Bourgeois continues to give us a realistic sense of the beauty and atmosphere of the Arizona desert while layering it with the most interesting of mysteries and engaging characters. This series is a real treat!
Cover by Book Covers by Melody
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)
Death Rides The Desert #1
Bones and Cactus Blooms #2
Spirits of the Saguaro #3
Tombstones with a View #4
Body Beneath the Wither #5
Death Waits at Dead Rock #6
Skulls and Sunlit Secrets #7
The Bone Charm #8
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Tombstones with a View is great and really expands on the series with several new characters and insights into established ones. I absolutely loved it.
We’ve met Mavis, owner of the Desert Rest Motel before. Primarily because that place is full of Mavis’s antique doll collection, hundreds of dolls everywhere throughout the motel, in every room. Staring at you. In prior stories.
Here Mavis is the center of the story. Her dolls too. Which makes for a unique investigation when Mavis goes missing. We and Claire learn about her in her absence.
Claire’s long time friend, Sara, a journalist from Chicago ,arrives to spend time together. There’s someone who is cutting fences and leaving threatening notes at the Sanctuary. And Sam’s still trying to propose.
Tombstones with a View accomplishes several things along with a terrific mystery. It brings in a new, actually 2 new connected characters and develops an established minor character into one who looks to become one of the found family that Claire is forming around herself.
This also gives Buster, a deputy Sheriff who’s normally shown as useless, a chance to demonstrate extra depth, something I appreciate.
The ending not only ties up all the various plot threads giving us a couple of interesting elements and terrific surprises, but a lovely note for Claire and Sam.
Sara Bourgeois continues to give us a realistic sense of the beauty and atmosphere of the Arizona desert while layering it with the most interesting of mysteries and engaging characters. This series is a real treat!
Cover by Book Covers by Melody
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)
Death Rides The Desert #1
Bones and Cactus Blooms #2
Spirits of the Saguaro #3
Tombstones with a View #4
Body Beneath the Wither #5
Death Waits at Dead Rock #6
Skulls and Sunlit Secrets #7
The Bone Charm #8
February 25, 2026
3.5 but rounding up since I do enjoy the series. Claire's best friend Sarah is coming for a visit and the town has it's usual strange happenings. This time they are focused on the "Doll Hotel" and it's owner Mavis who has gone missing. Kidnapping is a strong possibility but the search for Mavis doesn't seem to be the primary thing keeping Claire interested. Claire and Sam continue to try and advance their relationship to the next step. The rating is 3.5 because there are some pretty glaring editing issues in this one. Inconsistencies in the plot line and numerous places of repetition. Some were more difficult than others.
January 13, 2026
not everything is as it seems
Claire has her best friend Sara coming in from Chicago and there are so many surprises coming her way. We find out that trouble comes in many forms especially from developers whom want a property. Mavis loves her dolls and her motel and she will not have any developer push her around.
We find out about the motel the creepy dolls. We also find out about Claire’s best friend Sara.
Claire has her best friend Sara coming in from Chicago and there are so many surprises coming her way. We find out that trouble comes in many forms especially from developers whom want a property. Mavis loves her dolls and her motel and she will not have any developer push her around.
We find out about the motel the creepy dolls. We also find out about Claire’s best friend Sara.
January 21, 2026
Very much enjoying these!
Love the characters and their interactions most, and, yes, I'm including the animals. Wouldn't ever leave them out.
Many refreshing things about this series. Women are actually supportive of each other, which shouldn't be rare, but sadly is. Foxes, donkeys, chickens and raccoons, instead of the usual dogs and cats. All great. Definitely continuing on.
Love the characters and their interactions most, and, yes, I'm including the animals. Wouldn't ever leave them out.
Many refreshing things about this series. Women are actually supportive of each other, which shouldn't be rare, but sadly is. Foxes, donkeys, chickens and raccoons, instead of the usual dogs and cats. All great. Definitely continuing on.
January 16, 2026
happy for now ending
Good series. Claire and Sam are a cute couple and although slow, I like watching their relationship developer. The “mysteries” in this story was interesting. A man who wants the motel, and a woman who wants one of the dolls. Claire, with the help of her friends (Sarah has joined her in Perdido) solve the mystery,,,of course. Looking forward to the next book
Good series. Claire and Sam are a cute couple and although slow, I like watching their relationship developer. The “mysteries” in this story was interesting. A man who wants the motel, and a woman who wants one of the dolls. Claire, with the help of her friends (Sarah has joined her in Perdido) solve the mystery,,,of course. Looking forward to the next book
January 19, 2026
Like potato chips!
You can't read just one...or two.. oh heck, I read all 4 in 5 days. Happy now? I have really enjoyed this series and the next book can't get here soon enough. The writing is very smooth and natural. I'm glad the "weirdness" is expanding in the story. Very exciting!
You can't read just one...or two.. oh heck, I read all 4 in 5 days. Happy now? I have really enjoyed this series and the next book can't get here soon enough. The writing is very smooth and natural. I'm glad the "weirdness" is expanding in the story. Very exciting!
January 17, 2026
review
This series is amazing! You can’t put it down! Every character is well thought out and you can just be right there with the story. I am a horse rescuer and I love reading about horses. I can’t wait for the next book!!
This series is amazing! You can’t put it down! Every character is well thought out and you can just be right there with the story. I am a horse rescuer and I love reading about horses. I can’t wait for the next book!!
January 31, 2026
Good book
This is a good addition to the series. There is a lot going on. Claire's best friend is in town and together they investigate what happened to Mavis, the hotel owner. It's a very enjoyable book with a great ending!
This is a good addition to the series. There is a lot going on. Claire's best friend is in town and together they investigate what happened to Mavis, the hotel owner. It's a very enjoyable book with a great ending!
February 2, 2026
Good book but..
I like the series. a fun read with engaging characters. In the other books there were a few inconsistencies. In this one it was big. Sarah arrived by plane and then was driving around in her car. Things like that ruin pull you out of the world.
I like the series. a fun read with engaging characters. In the other books there were a few inconsistencies. In this one it was big. Sarah arrived by plane and then was driving around in her car. Things like that ruin pull you out of the world.
February 8, 2026
fun read!
The latest book in the series is wonderful. I’ve been enjoying this desert cozy. It’s a bit different than others, but it’s part of what makes it so special. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next installment!
The latest book in the series is wonderful. I’ve been enjoying this desert cozy. It’s a bit different than others, but it’s part of what makes it so special. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next installment!
January 21, 2026
THIS WAS AMAZING!
Nice to see an animal abuser and an elder abuser get what they deserved!
And I loved Muffin!
Nice to see an animal abuser and an elder abuser get what they deserved!
And I loved Muffin!
January 30, 2026
great Series.
From beginning to the end there are lots of things happening. Terrific quirky characters in a very unique little town. Can’t wait for the next one.
From beginning to the end there are lots of things happening. Terrific quirky characters in a very unique little town. Can’t wait for the next one.
February 17, 2026
Great story
Sarah is a great storyteller. She finds a interesting idea and is great at crafting a story that everyone will enjoy. I like this story a lot you will too.
Sarah is a great storyteller. She finds a interesting idea and is great at crafting a story that everyone will enjoy. I like this story a lot you will too.
February 27, 2026
Excellent books!
These books are a must read! They are mysterious and delightful!!
I am sure Ms. Bourgeois cannot write her books as fast as I can read them!!!
These books are a must read! They are mysterious and delightful!!
I am sure Ms. Bourgeois cannot write her books as fast as I can read them!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews