What do you think?
Rate this book
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries #5
Body Beneath the Wither
A dead tree. A dead podcaster. A desert that remembers everything.
Claire Caldwell was ready for wedding planning, not another corpse.
But when her fiancé’s vet call takes them down a lonely road outside Perdido Springs, Rusty blocks their path and leads them straight to Broken Acres, a long abandoned farmhouse with a twisted tree locals call the Wither.
Beneath its dead branches lies Craig Dooley, better known to his listeners as Stone Coldwell, the loudmouthed host of The Cold Files. He came chasing ghosts, chasing fame, chasing the thrill he’d lost… and now he is the newest spirit the desert refuses to forget.
His unhinged ex turns up screaming and clawing at the body, a will is found in the dirt, and two siblings are suddenly at each other’s throats over a secret fortune that should have died with their father.
Then the whispers start.
A grieving woman in old fashioned clothes begs Claire to help the man she has waited a hundred years to see, and the Wither’s shadow seems to sink into everyone nearby, feeding paranoia, greed, and old resentments until even the living feel haunted.
Claire has solved murders before, but this one is different… because Sam is watching, and he is finally noticing the things Claire has been hiding.
To catch a killer, Claire will have to face what waits under the Wither.
And she might have to tell her fiancé the truth… before the desert takes someone else.
Claire Caldwell was ready for wedding planning, not another corpse.
But when her fiancé’s vet call takes them down a lonely road outside Perdido Springs, Rusty blocks their path and leads them straight to Broken Acres, a long abandoned farmhouse with a twisted tree locals call the Wither.
Beneath its dead branches lies Craig Dooley, better known to his listeners as Stone Coldwell, the loudmouthed host of The Cold Files. He came chasing ghosts, chasing fame, chasing the thrill he’d lost… and now he is the newest spirit the desert refuses to forget.
His unhinged ex turns up screaming and clawing at the body, a will is found in the dirt, and two siblings are suddenly at each other’s throats over a secret fortune that should have died with their father.
Then the whispers start.
A grieving woman in old fashioned clothes begs Claire to help the man she has waited a hundred years to see, and the Wither’s shadow seems to sink into everyone nearby, feeding paranoia, greed, and old resentments until even the living feel haunted.
Claire has solved murders before, but this one is different… because Sam is watching, and he is finally noticing the things Claire has been hiding.
To catch a killer, Claire will have to face what waits under the Wither.
And she might have to tell her fiancé the truth… before the desert takes someone else.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
133 people are currently reading
7 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.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 16, 2026
Cold Case Podcaster
Craig announced his Cold Case podcast fame everywhere he went, convincing few, but stirring a lot of attention. He was convinced that the haunted house in Perdido Springs was his show's next big story, and his destiny.
Unfortunately for Craig, what he didn't know was that many people's futures would cross or crash at this inauspicious time.
Claire is faced with finding a killer, choosing wedding colors, digging for the truth, and addressing Sam's growing list of questions about what goes on around her. Plus something deeply sinister.
Craig really couldn't have chosen a worse time.
This book has some lighter moments and genuine surprises. It's well worth the investment. And, good news! There are no creepy dolls in this one!
5 of 5 Stars, a rare thing for this reviewer!
Craig announced his Cold Case podcast fame everywhere he went, convincing few, but stirring a lot of attention. He was convinced that the haunted house in Perdido Springs was his show's next big story, and his destiny.
Unfortunately for Craig, what he didn't know was that many people's futures would cross or crash at this inauspicious time.
Claire is faced with finding a killer, choosing wedding colors, digging for the truth, and addressing Sam's growing list of questions about what goes on around her. Plus something deeply sinister.
Craig really couldn't have chosen a worse time.
This book has some lighter moments and genuine surprises. It's well worth the investment. And, good news! There are no creepy dolls in this one!
5 of 5 Stars, a rare thing for this reviewer!
March 12, 2026
another winner in this terrific series
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Body Beneath the Wither brings several things to a head in Claire and Sam’s relationship that’s needed to be resolved, the fact that she’s been hiding so much of herself and what actually happens around the ranch from him.
That definitely becomes a factor when a podcaster comes to town chasing ghosts and ends up being his own story, among other mysteries on an ominous ranch hiding many secrets.
I liked that this eventually moved Claire and Sam’s story forward. Plus the darkness of the Wither is one that seems to be one that’s not fully resolved for a reason.
The author always has multiple storylines going on and each one is different and weaves fully into the narrative and series arc.
The animals are great characters and the desert is so beautifully written that it’s feels as though you can step into the town and find each place without hesitation.
Another winner.
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⭐️
Body Beneath the Wither brings several things to a head in Claire and Sam’s relationship that’s needed to be resolved, the fact that she’s been hiding so much of herself and what actually happens around the ranch from him.
That definitely becomes a factor when a podcaster comes to town chasing ghosts and ends up being his own story, among other mysteries on an ominous ranch hiding many secrets.
I liked that this eventually moved Claire and Sam’s story forward. Plus the darkness of the Wither is one that seems to be one that’s not fully resolved for a reason.
The author always has multiple storylines going on and each one is different and weaves fully into the narrative and series arc.
The animals are great characters and the desert is so beautifully written that it’s feels as though you can step into the town and find each place without hesitation.
Another winner.
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
March 9, 2026
This is a very consistent series with relatable characters. There is always a murder and just enough creep-factor to keep the attention. Claire can see ghosts but her abilities seem to be growing in strange ways. One other thing, is she is convinced she is the only one who can solve the murders. Partially because the deputy is very stereotypically small-town ignorant and wants the easy way out. You'd think after 5 murders he would at least listen up a bit? Claire doesn't do too many TSTL moves and usually at least follows up with someone else. Her relationship with Sam is good and it seems he might have a "touch of the sight" also. Sarah is still around and gets involved in a different investigation. There was one editing hiccup that I caught but overall well done and an engaging quick read.
February 13, 2026
This is such a fun series! And the covers are always delightful!
The characters are all interesting and people I'd like to meet.
That said, I don't think the author knows anything about ranching. If you have livestock, you stay home and tend them, and do farm chores. You don't have time to go jaunting off to town multiple times a day.
El Diablo would have been straight in the stewpot.
I still want to play ball with Pepper and I'd love a donkey just like him!
The characters are all interesting and people I'd like to meet.
That said, I don't think the author knows anything about ranching. If you have livestock, you stay home and tend them, and do farm chores. You don't have time to go jaunting off to town multiple times a day.
El Diablo would have been straight in the stewpot.
I still want to play ball with Pepper and I'd love a donkey just like him!
February 14, 2026
I like this series
Each book has a mystery that is solved by the end. And running thru every book is the ranch, the town people, the ghosts and Claire with Sam. Their relationship is very low key……. No details in the love life, no kissing, no sleeping together. Just the knowledge that it’s moving along, they’re engaged, and he is devoted to her. I’m enjoying this series and look forward to the next one
Each book has a mystery that is solved by the end. And running thru every book is the ranch, the town people, the ghosts and Claire with Sam. Their relationship is very low key……. No details in the love life, no kissing, no sleeping together. Just the knowledge that it’s moving along, they’re engaged, and he is devoted to her. I’m enjoying this series and look forward to the next one
February 19, 2026
Sam is a doll
Claire knows there is something going on but she doesn’t know what until she and Sam find a dead Podcaster. The Wither tree has this feeling of doom that you want to stay away from however Claire knows that if she doesn’t solve Craig’s murder no one will especially since the Buster and Dobson are a bunch of idiots.
Claire knows there is something going on but she doesn’t know what until she and Sam find a dead Podcaster. The Wither tree has this feeling of doom that you want to stay away from however Claire knows that if she doesn’t solve Craig’s murder no one will especially since the Buster and Dobson are a bunch of idiots.
February 24, 2026
Very entertaining read
The story is a fun read but the depiction of the local sheriff and deputy are too stiff and unbelievable. They can be lacking understanding but not completely useless morons.
The story is a fun read but the depiction of the local sheriff and deputy are too stiff and unbelievable. They can be lacking understanding but not completely useless morons.
February 27, 2026
you’ll like this one
I found this series to be an excellent story. Sarah Reeves interest and intrigued as well as compassion and caring into every story and I really enjoy this series.
I found this series to be an excellent story. Sarah Reeves interest and intrigued as well as compassion and caring into every story and I really enjoy this series.
February 27, 2026
Such a joy
Each book that comes out I DEVOUR in a day. Such a lovely writer. The stories are quickly engaging, pulling you into this wonderful world where you can smell the desert, the animals. By far one of my favorite authors!
Each book that comes out I DEVOUR in a day. Such a lovely writer. The stories are quickly engaging, pulling you into this wonderful world where you can smell the desert, the animals. By far one of my favorite authors!
February 14, 2026
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book very much. The Haunted Ranch Mysteries are about dealing with ghosts, taking care of various animals, friendships and mysteries.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. The Haunted Ranch Mysteries are about dealing with ghosts, taking care of various animals, friendships and mysteries.
March 10, 2026
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews