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The Haunted Ranch Mysteries #8
The Bone Charm
Claire Caldwell’s life at Whispering Saguaro Ranch is never quiet. Between escape-artist goats, a rooster with a personal grudge against her wedding ring, and a spirit fox who disappears every night on business of his own, she’s learned to expect trouble in feathers, fur, or both.
Then Socorro Vega, the elderly herb seller from the farmers market, is found dead on a desert trail.
The county blames the heat. Claire might have believed them if she hadn’t gone to rescue Socorro’s goats and her grieving Great Pyrenees, Oso. One touch of a carved bone charm in Socorro’s kitchen shows Claire what really happened. A dark room. Hands pressed over an old woman’s face. A desperate voice begging her to sign a piece of paper.
Plenty of people wanted what Socorro owned. Her forty acres include one of the last live springs in a drying valley. Her handmade charms are worth a fortune to the right collector. Even her closest relative has debts he can’t outrun. Unfortunately, the sheriff has already closed the case, and visions from a dead woman’s necklace aren’t evidence.
While Claire and her friends search for something they can prove, Perdido Springs begins coming apart in ways no one can explain. Animals panic without cause. Lights wander through the cemetery. Ghostly cowboys flee into the desert. Socorro wasn’t simply gathering herbs all those years. She was tending a hidden boundary around the town, and her murder left part of it wide open.
Finding Socorro’s killer is only the beginning. If Claire can’t finish the work Socorro died protecting, whatever is pressing against that broken boundary may soon find its way through.
Then Socorro Vega, the elderly herb seller from the farmers market, is found dead on a desert trail.
The county blames the heat. Claire might have believed them if she hadn’t gone to rescue Socorro’s goats and her grieving Great Pyrenees, Oso. One touch of a carved bone charm in Socorro’s kitchen shows Claire what really happened. A dark room. Hands pressed over an old woman’s face. A desperate voice begging her to sign a piece of paper.
Plenty of people wanted what Socorro owned. Her forty acres include one of the last live springs in a drying valley. Her handmade charms are worth a fortune to the right collector. Even her closest relative has debts he can’t outrun. Unfortunately, the sheriff has already closed the case, and visions from a dead woman’s necklace aren’t evidence.
While Claire and her friends search for something they can prove, Perdido Springs begins coming apart in ways no one can explain. Animals panic without cause. Lights wander through the cemetery. Ghostly cowboys flee into the desert. Socorro wasn’t simply gathering herbs all those years. She was tending a hidden boundary around the town, and her murder left part of it wide open.
Finding Socorro’s killer is only the beginning. If Claire can’t finish the work Socorro died protecting, whatever is pressing against that broken boundary may soon find its way through.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
360 books379 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 1, 2026
The Bone Charm brings the beautifully written paranormal mystery series , The Haunted Ranch Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois to a heartwarming, richly satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 4.75⭐️
The Bone Charm brings the beautifully written paranormal mystery series , The Haunted Ranch Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois to a heartwarming, richly satisfying conclusion.
Through 8 books, nine of you count the prequel, Claire’s development starting from a woman who has fled failures in her life back in Chicago, fired from her job and dumped by her fiancé to arrive in a small town in Arizona and a ranch left to her by a aunt.
Slowly she’s accepted that the dusty, weird town of Perdido Springs and her desert life out on Whispering Saguaro Ranch is where she belongs. The ranch becomes an animal sanctuary in odd scenarios, each a memorable character themselves and, the ranch is inhabited by ghosts, fully realized and completely a part of Claire’s life and the series.
Each book has a murder mystery, the casualty one that leaves a wound upon the community in multiple ways. Physically and emotionally and metaphysically damaging the magic that surrounds the desert and town.
That happens here.
The townspeople, like Buddy Kern feel incredibly real, as part of the landscape that the author describes so realistically and with such great detail. They’re believable in their crustiness and weariness from the everyday realities of ranch life in the heat of the desert.
And don’t get me started on how much I love Oso the livestock guardian dog lost in his grief while still watching his flock.
The thoughtful investigation, the way the case was resolved, both of them, because there was several aspects to this particular murder mystery that needed to be finalized.
And Sara Bourgeois brought Clair’s journey to a close with her role being tied to her land and town in a way that makes sense. She’s grown and become grounded, by her ranch, the animals, the land itself. And her magic has evolved as she has.
The end acknowledges her journey, her growth, and her future there. It’s all tied up together beautifully. And I’ve feel so thrilled and happy for this series to end like this.
One of my favorites. Highly recommended. As is the author.
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)
Last Call in Chicago #0.5 prequel
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: 4.75⭐️
The Bone Charm brings the beautifully written paranormal mystery series , The Haunted Ranch Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois to a heartwarming, richly satisfying conclusion.
Through 8 books, nine of you count the prequel, Claire’s development starting from a woman who has fled failures in her life back in Chicago, fired from her job and dumped by her fiancé to arrive in a small town in Arizona and a ranch left to her by a aunt.
Slowly she’s accepted that the dusty, weird town of Perdido Springs and her desert life out on Whispering Saguaro Ranch is where she belongs. The ranch becomes an animal sanctuary in odd scenarios, each a memorable character themselves and, the ranch is inhabited by ghosts, fully realized and completely a part of Claire’s life and the series.
Each book has a murder mystery, the casualty one that leaves a wound upon the community in multiple ways. Physically and emotionally and metaphysically damaging the magic that surrounds the desert and town.
That happens here.
The townspeople, like Buddy Kern feel incredibly real, as part of the landscape that the author describes so realistically and with such great detail. They’re believable in their crustiness and weariness from the everyday realities of ranch life in the heat of the desert.
And don’t get me started on how much I love Oso the livestock guardian dog lost in his grief while still watching his flock.
The thoughtful investigation, the way the case was resolved, both of them, because there was several aspects to this particular murder mystery that needed to be finalized.
And Sara Bourgeois brought Clair’s journey to a close with her role being tied to her land and town in a way that makes sense. She’s grown and become grounded, by her ranch, the animals, the land itself. And her magic has evolved as she has.
The end acknowledges her journey, her growth, and her future there. It’s all tied up together beautifully. And I’ve feel so thrilled and happy for this series to end like this.
One of my favorites. Highly recommended. As is the author.
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)
Last Call in Chicago #0.5 prequel
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
August 5, 2026
Powerful
Claire lives in a desert community on a ranch with her husband, the local vet. He accepts Claire’s oddities (she sees the dead and they talk to her, and she sees other spirits as well). Claire runs the local rescue community and animal sanctuary.
Senora Varro suddenly passes, the local herb woman, who lives on 40 acres alone with her Great Pyrenees Oso and her goats, so when she dies, Claire realizes her dog and the goats have no one to care for them. She goes to retrieve them so they are cared for and when she picks up a charm on the path, she gets dark and disturbing visions of the Senora’s death.
Claire talks with her 2 besties, one is a reporter, and a story goes into the local paper, noting all the discrepancies in the report about signs of an unnatural death, noting a heart attack, and the sheriff is forced to look into things.
Clues begin flowing Claire’s way from the community as well as a disturbance in the force spiritually. With the Senora gone, since she seems to have been the local keeper and guardian of their community, something out there is testing boundaries.
Claire pieces together the murderer with her besties help and confronts him with her husbands help and the Sonora’s next door neighbor.
The power of the story is in the depth of the relationships in the community, the trust Claire develops in herself for this new gifts, and her willingness to take care of Oso, Rusty and the sweet animals in her care.
Gently, soulfully and deeply written, I have greatly enjoyed this novel, the series and the writer who provides an absolutely worthwhile read
Claire lives in a desert community on a ranch with her husband, the local vet. He accepts Claire’s oddities (she sees the dead and they talk to her, and she sees other spirits as well). Claire runs the local rescue community and animal sanctuary.
Senora Varro suddenly passes, the local herb woman, who lives on 40 acres alone with her Great Pyrenees Oso and her goats, so when she dies, Claire realizes her dog and the goats have no one to care for them. She goes to retrieve them so they are cared for and when she picks up a charm on the path, she gets dark and disturbing visions of the Senora’s death.
Claire talks with her 2 besties, one is a reporter, and a story goes into the local paper, noting all the discrepancies in the report about signs of an unnatural death, noting a heart attack, and the sheriff is forced to look into things.
Clues begin flowing Claire’s way from the community as well as a disturbance in the force spiritually. With the Senora gone, since she seems to have been the local keeper and guardian of their community, something out there is testing boundaries.
Claire pieces together the murderer with her besties help and confronts him with her husbands help and the Sonora’s next door neighbor.
The power of the story is in the depth of the relationships in the community, the trust Claire develops in herself for this new gifts, and her willingness to take care of Oso, Rusty and the sweet animals in her care.
Gently, soulfully and deeply written, I have greatly enjoyed this novel, the series and the writer who provides an absolutely worthwhile read
August 16, 2026
This is a very fun series with lots of quirky characters that move the story along. I enjoy Claire's calm approach to the unknown. Steady during execution but shaky after it's all over! The death is quite sad but the investigation, while not a huge surprise, reveals a lot about the community and some secondary characters. Claire finds herself moving up to a new level as she takes on yet another Guardian. That transition was interesting. I was a bit afraid the series was ending the way the last chapter unfolded but the author lists another pending book. I look forward to more with this series.
August 1, 2026
The Bone Charm
How I love this series and author Sara Bourgeois!
The Bone Charm is the most magical, beautiful and touching of the series so far in my opinion.
A murder of an elderly herbalist and rancher brings about a release of an unknown darkness that creeps relentlessly through the desert and the edge of town.
Claire, Sarah and Sage move together to protect the people and town they love.
How I love this series and author Sara Bourgeois!
The Bone Charm is the most magical, beautiful and touching of the series so far in my opinion.
A murder of an elderly herbalist and rancher brings about a release of an unknown darkness that creeps relentlessly through the desert and the edge of town.
Claire, Sarah and Sage move together to protect the people and town they love.
August 3, 2026
Enjoyed this series
I enjoyed this series more than I can say. Told my sister and I hopefully she will enjoy the series as much as I have. I don’t say much about the storyline except that I enjoyed it and sorry I finished. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Historical stories whether true or not and about how people lived through history and what made them so special. Read it you will enjoy it.
I enjoyed this series more than I can say. Told my sister and I hopefully she will enjoy the series as much as I have. I don’t say much about the storyline except that I enjoyed it and sorry I finished. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Historical stories whether true or not and about how people lived through history and what made them so special. Read it you will enjoy it.
July 29, 2026
Astonishing….
Everything must find its place. Some in the “now”, some in the “then”, and some forever. Unbelievably heart felt story. There is sadness, joy and new beginnings built upon centuries of love and commitment. I cried. I felt the humanity of this community and the characters within. Excellent story telling!
Everything must find its place. Some in the “now”, some in the “then”, and some forever. Unbelievably heart felt story. There is sadness, joy and new beginnings built upon centuries of love and commitment. I cried. I felt the humanity of this community and the characters within. Excellent story telling!
July 30, 2026
murder and mayhem
Magic in all its form becomes has shown itself to Claire. She has become a new Guardian for the town and unfortunately due to a new construction project digging up a charm something is coming that Claire needs to stay on the other side. Also a murder has happened and she needs to find out if that’s the reason for the turmoil.
Magic in all its form becomes has shown itself to Claire. She has become a new Guardian for the town and unfortunately due to a new construction project digging up a charm something is coming that Claire needs to stay on the other side. Also a murder has happened and she needs to find out if that’s the reason for the turmoil.
August 2, 2026
I'm going to miss reading this book series
I fell in love with the characters in this series. The story lines ran true and plausible; I wish I could have been friends with Claire. The small town life for me.
I hope those who like paranormal series take the time to read the whole series.
Melody
I fell in love with the characters in this series. The story lines ran true and plausible; I wish I could have been friends with Claire. The small town life for me.
I hope those who like paranormal series take the time to read the whole series.
Melody
August 2, 2026
Good book
This is book eight of The Haunted Ranch Mysteries and I have enjoyed reading them very much! The characters living and dead keep you reading into the night! And the mysterious paranormal activity keeps you wondering what's next! The murder of the herb lady and the bone charm is the mystery in this book which you should read!
This is book eight of The Haunted Ranch Mysteries and I have enjoyed reading them very much! The characters living and dead keep you reading into the night! And the mysterious paranormal activity keeps you wondering what's next! The murder of the herb lady and the bone charm is the mystery in this book which you should read!
August 14, 2026
Each one better than the last.
Reading Ms. Bourgeois books is like having your own community of supernatural friends. Their lives bring joy and a unique way of looking at our world that can be way too serious. Thank you for this wonderful series. I can hardly wait for the next feature.
Reading Ms. Bourgeois books is like having your own community of supernatural friends. Their lives bring joy and a unique way of looking at our world that can be way too serious. Thank you for this wonderful series. I can hardly wait for the next feature.
August 17, 2026
Loved
The reader is transported to an insular, desert community, with all its quirky characters. Each book different enough to keep engaged but enough common threads running through the series that you can keep up like the people in Tia Maria's whatsapp group.
Definitely a recommended read.
The reader is transported to an insular, desert community, with all its quirky characters. Each book different enough to keep engaged but enough common threads running through the series that you can keep up like the people in Tia Maria's whatsapp group.
Definitely a recommended read.
July 28, 2026
This was AMAZING! I read it straight thru.
I have loved his series from the first book. All the animals are wonderful, and the addition of Oso just made everything better. I think this is the end of the series, and that makes me sad.
I have loved his series from the first book. All the animals are wonderful, and the addition of Oso just made everything better. I think this is the end of the series, and that makes me sad.
August 6, 2026
Love This Book
This is one of my favorite series. The growth of the characters, the personalities of the animals, and the quiet humor make it all worthwhile. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
This is one of my favorite series. The growth of the characters, the personalities of the animals, and the quiet humor make it all worthwhile. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
August 10, 2026
Great story
Definitely Arizona. The plotlines blend the country, the lives and the history very well. The characters are realistic and engaging. A real joy to read with slight tearing.
Definitely Arizona. The plotlines blend the country, the lives and the history very well. The characters are realistic and engaging. A real joy to read with slight tearing.
August 3, 2026
This is a great series by Sara Bourgeois.
August 4, 2026
The Bone Charm
Wow what a story. Never read one like this before and it was wonderful. Thank you for writing it. Great story b
Wow what a story. Never read one like this before and it was wonderful. Thank you for writing it. Great story b
August 4, 2026
great read
A lot of fun and a great step forward in understanding the universe of the small town and the witches there
A lot of fun and a great step forward in understanding the universe of the small town and the witches there
August 10, 2026
another great episode in this series
I just love this series and always look forward to the next book. I grabbed it as soon as it becomes available and dive in.
I just love this series and always look forward to the next book. I grabbed it as soon as it becomes available and dive in.
August 3, 2026
Please tell me this is not the last book! I loved every one in this series, this one being my fav.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews