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The Haunted Ranch Mysteries #7
Skulls and Sunlit Secrets
Everyone in Perdido Springs was looking up when Amelia Sanders died.
A total solar eclipse has turned the little desert town into a tourist destination, and Claire Caldwell just wants to survive the weekend without someone asking if her ranch does birthday parties. But when the moon covers the sun, Claire sees things the darkness reveals... creatures, pathways, and the outline of something vast moving through a world layered on top of her own.
Then the light returns. Amelia is dead outside the bar. The sheriff calls it a scorpion sting. Her friends call it impossible. A massive owl that shouldn't exist keeps circling a house on the edge of town. And Claire is starting to realize that the murder and the owl might have nothing to do with each other, which means she has two problems, not one.
A total solar eclipse has turned the little desert town into a tourist destination, and Claire Caldwell just wants to survive the weekend without someone asking if her ranch does birthday parties. But when the moon covers the sun, Claire sees things the darkness reveals... creatures, pathways, and the outline of something vast moving through a world layered on top of her own.
Then the light returns. Amelia is dead outside the bar. The sheriff calls it a scorpion sting. Her friends call it impossible. A massive owl that shouldn't exist keeps circling a house on the edge of town. And Claire is starting to realize that the murder and the owl might have nothing to do with each other, which means she has two problems, not one.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2026
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
363 books385 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 25, 2026
Highly recommended! Excellent read!
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries is my first dive into the writings of Sara Bourgeois but I just love what she’s accomplishing here with her characters, location and overall mystical aesthetic.
Skulls and Sunset is one of the best books in the series so far, combining the all the great elements of the series and the haunting emotional aspects of the story into one beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and obsessive love.
This novel moves Claire’s powers and abilities forward as well as resolves a previous storyline about that huge dark mysterious creature that’s seen flying over the desert in the past story.
But the anchor of this tale is the human being who has lost her life. One we meet briefly and yet immediately becomes someone we know and identify with. Amelia Sanders, so happy and bright.
That’s what is so impressive about this author is her capacity to make a character have such impact on the reader and story in such a short time. Like Amelia does. We are heavily invested in Claire’s investigation and want to know what happened.
It’s a heartbreaking mystery, with absorbing side stories to go along with it. And the ending is just as it should be, poignant and moving.
I love this series and story. It’s not a standalone. Each builds upon the previous one .
Highly recommended! Excellent read!
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 ⭐️
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries is my first dive into the writings of Sara Bourgeois but I just love what she’s accomplishing here with her characters, location and overall mystical aesthetic.
Skulls and Sunset is one of the best books in the series so far, combining the all the great elements of the series and the haunting emotional aspects of the story into one beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and obsessive love.
This novel moves Claire’s powers and abilities forward as well as resolves a previous storyline about that huge dark mysterious creature that’s seen flying over the desert in the past story.
But the anchor of this tale is the human being who has lost her life. One we meet briefly and yet immediately becomes someone we know and identify with. Amelia Sanders, so happy and bright.
That’s what is so impressive about this author is her capacity to make a character have such impact on the reader and story in such a short time. Like Amelia does. We are heavily invested in Claire’s investigation and want to know what happened.
It’s a heartbreaking mystery, with absorbing side stories to go along with it. And the ending is just as it should be, poignant and moving.
I love this series and story. It’s not a standalone. Each builds upon the previous one .
Highly recommended! Excellent read!
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
April 27, 2026
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries is my first dive into the writings of Sara Bourgeois but I just love what she’s accomplishing here with her characters, location and overall mystical aesthetic.
Skulls and Sunset is one of the best books in the series so far, combining the all the great elements of the series and the haunting emotional aspects of the story into one beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and obsessive love.
This novel moves Claire’s powers and abilities forward as well as resolves a previous storyline about that huge dark mysterious creature that’s seen flying over the desert in the past story.
But the anchor of this tale is the human being who has lost her life. One we meet briefly and yet immediately becomes someone we know and identify with. Amelia Sanders, so happy and bright.
That’s what is so impressive about this author is her capacity to make a character have such impact on the reader and story in such a short time. Like Amelia does. We are heavily invested in Claire’s investigation and want to know what happened.
It’s a heartbreaking mystery, with absorbing side stories to go along with it. And the ending is just as it should be, poignant and moving.
I love this series and story. It’s not a standalone. Each builds upon the previous one .
Highly recommended! Excellent read!
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
The Haunted Ranch Mysteries is my first dive into the writings of Sara Bourgeois but I just love what she’s accomplishing here with her characters, location and overall mystical aesthetic.
Skulls and Sunset is one of the best books in the series so far, combining the all the great elements of the series and the haunting emotional aspects of the story into one beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and obsessive love.
This novel moves Claire’s powers and abilities forward as well as resolves a previous storyline about that huge dark mysterious creature that’s seen flying over the desert in the past story.
But the anchor of this tale is the human being who has lost her life. One we meet briefly and yet immediately becomes someone we know and identify with. Amelia Sanders, so happy and bright.
That’s what is so impressive about this author is her capacity to make a character have such impact on the reader and story in such a short time. Like Amelia does. We are heavily invested in Claire’s investigation and want to know what happened.
It’s a heartbreaking mystery, with absorbing side stories to go along with it. And the ending is just as it should be, poignant and moving.
I love this series and story. It’s not a standalone. Each builds upon the previous one .
Highly recommended! Excellent read!
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
May 7, 2026
Rounding up 4.5. I would definitely recommend this series. I think this is the best book in the series so far. That said, it is not a standalone and I highly encourage you to start with book 1 and read the whole series. The characters continue to grow and become closer. Claire and Sam make an excellent couple being fully supportive of each other. Sam is always there but never pushing her for more than she is ready to discuss. I really liked the scene where she was with him at the vet office. It's really one of the first times she has been in the actual office with him.
The murder is (per usual) blown off by the (slightly stereotypical) lazy Sheriff's dept. However, Claire's investigations don't routinely put her into TSTL status as so many cozy authors seem to be set on. She follows up and investigates. She moves forward with actual evidence to get the sheriff on her side. She uses the tools she has to stop the murderer (great scene!). THAT makes her strong, not the fluffy "but I know I'm right" attitudes so prevalent in the genre.
The animals and Luis social media remain a cute foil to the more serious investigations and magical things Claire is starting to embrace and expand on.
The ending is so sweet. Sam's vulnerability was quite moving. I look forward to book 8.
The murder is (per usual) blown off by the (slightly stereotypical) lazy Sheriff's dept. However, Claire's investigations don't routinely put her into TSTL status as so many cozy authors seem to be set on. She follows up and investigates. She moves forward with actual evidence to get the sheriff on her side. She uses the tools she has to stop the murderer (great scene!). THAT makes her strong, not the fluffy "but I know I'm right" attitudes so prevalent in the genre.
The animals and Luis social media remain a cute foil to the more serious investigations and magical things Claire is starting to embrace and expand on.
The ending is so sweet. Sam's vulnerability was quite moving. I look forward to book 8.
May 19, 2026
This is where the series lost me. I've overlooked a lot to get to book seven, but I can't. For a start, you're talking about a character I've never met (in six other books, all set in the same small, dying desert town) as if she has been a featured character all along in the stories and I've just forgotten about her and her backstory. Nope. Then you're asking me to care about her death and believe she died because a scorpion stung her on the arm while she's standing on a sidewalk. Also nope.
Then, our ghost-seeing sleuth suddenly can see "beyond the veil" during the eclipse? And after what she sees she can just pop into town to check out the site of a murder? Nope again. Forget it. It's too much. I can't convince myself to overlook anything else. I didn't finish.
Then, our ghost-seeing sleuth suddenly can see "beyond the veil" during the eclipse? And after what she sees she can just pop into town to check out the site of a murder? Nope again. Forget it. It's too much. I can't convince myself to overlook anything else. I didn't finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
Very engaging
When I find a new series, I tend to binge before I take the time to give a review. I wondered briefly if the series would all be about the one everyone hated being the one to be murdered. But that is not the case. Each book is its own separate experience; and I am hooked. This book, like the 4 before it, is engrossing. I have fallen in love with these characters and enjoy seeing them develop. I'm ready for #6 and hope Sara will keep the series going. I highly recommend this book but be sure to start your reading with the 1st and read them in order. You WON'T be disappointed.
When I find a new series, I tend to binge before I take the time to give a review. I wondered briefly if the series would all be about the one everyone hated being the one to be murdered. But that is not the case. Each book is its own separate experience; and I am hooked. This book, like the 4 before it, is engrossing. I have fallen in love with these characters and enjoy seeing them develop. I'm ready for #6 and hope Sara will keep the series going. I highly recommend this book but be sure to start your reading with the 1st and read them in order. You WON'T be disappointed.
June 23, 2026
Wow. I was very disappointed in this book. Some of the other storylines have been a bit “out there” but usually the charm of the story outweighed any bumps along the way. There were things that pretty much gave away what was going on. And while the police are meant to be lazy, the storyline they tried to pass along made NO sense and no one seemed to question it?
And how many times does Claire need to go get that dang joint medicine?! Feel like it was every third chapter she was going to pick that stuff up. BUY IN BULK already!!
And how many times does Claire need to go get that dang joint medicine?! Feel like it was every third chapter she was going to pick that stuff up. BUY IN BULK already!!
April 21, 2026
I really like this series, but I wish the author had an equine consultant, because it is quite evident that she knows NOTHING about horses! This is the second time she has brushed off horses getting into the feed room and eating all the high calorie senior feed --- that's life threatening! NOT something you shrug off. I usually give up on series that make mistakes like this immediately, but I love all the animals in this.
April 22, 2026
still enjoying the series
Love the animals…..and how the farm keeps growing with one funny character after another. She describes their personalities so well!!! Love the characters. Can’t imagine how sheriffs can stay working after so many deaths/crimes that they shrug off and don’t solve, yet Claire does. Wish I could have a magical fox.
Really really liked the ending on this one.
Love the animals…..and how the farm keeps growing with one funny character after another. She describes their personalities so well!!! Love the characters. Can’t imagine how sheriffs can stay working after so many deaths/crimes that they shrug off and don’t solve, yet Claire does. Wish I could have a magical fox.
Really really liked the ending on this one.
May 16, 2026
festivities at their finest
I’m just blown away by how the characters come together. I think the stories are great but the characters are what make them awesome. I really can’t wait to read about the charm. I like that Kay is making headway with the bakery. I also like how everyone knew about what was going on with everyone else through an app that is what gets me with this series is the social media references.
I’m just blown away by how the characters come together. I think the stories are great but the characters are what make them awesome. I really can’t wait to read about the charm. I like that Kay is making headway with the bakery. I also like how everyone knew about what was going on with everyone else through an app that is what gets me with this series is the social media references.
April 22, 2026
Good book
This is another good book in the Haunted Ranch Mysteries. During a total solar eclipse Claire's friend Amelia died. The sheriff says it's a scorpion sting and closed the case. Claire believes it is murder and sets out to prove it. Good book with a lot going on to keep you interested! Great ending!
This is another good book in the Haunted Ranch Mysteries. During a total solar eclipse Claire's friend Amelia died. The sheriff says it's a scorpion sting and closed the case. Claire believes it is murder and sets out to prove it. Good book with a lot going on to keep you interested! Great ending!
May 13, 2026
SKULLS & SUNLIT SECRETS: ANOTHER BEST EVER IN THE HAUNTED RANCH SERIES!
Once again, Sara spins another winner in her "Haunted Ranch Series". Love all the characters both old and new. Sara creates a masterpiece in the telling. Especially love the way she weaves legends of the desert into her stories.
A must read! ENJOY!
Once again, Sara spins another winner in her "Haunted Ranch Series". Love all the characters both old and new. Sara creates a masterpiece in the telling. Especially love the way she weaves legends of the desert into her stories.
A must read! ENJOY!
April 22, 2026
Skulls and Sunlit Secrets
This was a tough read for me. My granddaughter has Crohn's, diagnosed at age 11. I love this woman's writing style. I call it plainspeak, and I enjoy it. Love all the characters.
This was a tough read for me. My granddaughter has Crohn's, diagnosed at age 11. I love this woman's writing style. I call it plainspeak, and I enjoy it. Love all the characters.
April 30, 2026
Best one Yet
I loved all of this book. I enjoy the series, but this is the best one of its genre that I have ever read ! At 86 years old I have read many. I loved the description of the eclipse. I have spent time
I loved all of this book. I enjoy the series, but this is the best one of its genre that I have ever read ! At 86 years old I have read many. I loved the description of the eclipse. I have spent time
May 11, 2026
Great story well written!
While the story is not that complicated, this is well written and holds the attention of the reader. The complex interweaving of the murder storyline with the ethereal world events makes for a compelling narrative.
While the story is not that complicated, this is well written and holds the attention of the reader. The complex interweaving of the murder storyline with the ethereal world events makes for a compelling narrative.
April 23, 2026
just wonderful! Really loving this series!
April 26, 2026
I love this series! This one may be my favorite so far. I cannot wait for the next one.
April 27, 2026
Latest book in this fantastic series. Always a good mystery with wonderful characters.
May 6, 2026
Wow
The story is fantastic and I think it’s the best one yet. It came to an end too fast. I just can’t wait for the next installment.
The story is fantastic and I think it’s the best one yet. It came to an end too fast. I just can’t wait for the next installment.
June 7, 2026
Another fun ride!
This book goes deeper than the others into "the veil" with an eclipse... and the oddities ensue and a very happy ending to this story.
This book goes deeper than the others into "the veil" with an eclipse... and the oddities ensue and a very happy ending to this story.
August 16, 2026
Great
Great writing; great stories; and wonderful characters,.including the
animals. I'm so sad the series is over. Hopefully more is on the way.
Great writing; great stories; and wonderful characters,.including the
animals. I'm so sad the series is over. Hopefully more is on the way.
September 3, 2026
Amelia was getting better
The day of the eclipse she died. Claire knew that her death wasn't natural and set out to prove it. She and Sam are finally ready to get married.
The day of the eclipse she died. Claire knew that her death wasn't natural and set out to prove it. She and Sam are finally ready to get married.
September 3, 2026
Best so far
This is book seven and in my opinion the best so far! I will be reading the next book in the series tomorrow.
This is book seven and in my opinion the best so far! I will be reading the next book in the series tomorrow.
August 29, 2026
I am really enjoying the series despite a few minor annoyances in each book. Like how repetitive certain conversations or comments can be. However, with this book I cannot get past the fact that Claire emphasizes that she was alone when she saw the “owl” two times in the canyon in the previous book. But in book six she was with Rusty the first time and Beatrice the second time.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews