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Sarah Booth Delaney #16.75
Clacking Bones
EVEN THE DEAD WANT REVENGE! Cliburn Plantation is a ruin. Cursed by a voodoo priestess because of the cruelty of Ezekiel Cliburn, it’s home to the ghosts of Haitian mourners, slaves, river pirates, and tragedy. When Jitty, the resident ghost of Dahlia House and Sarah Booth Delaney’s nemesis and friend, asks for help, Sarah Booth takes on the nether world in this creepy Halloween tale.
Jitty’s husband, who was killed in the Civil War, has disappeared from the Great Beyond. He’s on a mission of revenge that will get him banished from the heavenly world, unless Sarah Booth can stop him.
On All Hallow’s Eve, when the veil between living and dead is thinnest, Sarah Booth travels to the old plantation to halt a showdown between Coker and the last living heir of the Cliburn family.
When Coker and Thom Cliburn face off on the dusty road that fronts the slave quarters of the old plantation, can Sarah Booth save Jitty’s man? Can she survive an encounter no living person should ever see?
Jitty’s husband, who was killed in the Civil War, has disappeared from the Great Beyond. He’s on a mission of revenge that will get him banished from the heavenly world, unless Sarah Booth can stop him.
On All Hallow’s Eve, when the veil between living and dead is thinnest, Sarah Booth travels to the old plantation to halt a showdown between Coker and the last living heir of the Cliburn family.
When Coker and Thom Cliburn face off on the dusty road that fronts the slave quarters of the old plantation, can Sarah Booth save Jitty’s man? Can she survive an encounter no living person should ever see?
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2016
236 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Haines
111 books1,573 followersCarolyn 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 11, 2018
Clacking Bones by Carolyn Haines was a quick easy read in Ms. Haines Sarah Booth Delaney series.
This time Jitty needs Sarah Booth's help to save her husband Coker who has left the Great Beyond to seek revenge upon the Cliburn family. Sarah Booth is reluctant to help but she knows she has to try for Jitty. Sarah Booth now faces the ghosts who haunt Cliburn Plantation and the last living Cliburn relative in order to save Coker. A perfect little Halloween treat to get readers in the mood for the fall holiday.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
This time Jitty needs Sarah Booth's help to save her husband Coker who has left the Great Beyond to seek revenge upon the Cliburn family. Sarah Booth is reluctant to help but she knows she has to try for Jitty. Sarah Booth now faces the ghosts who haunt Cliburn Plantation and the last living Cliburn relative in order to save Coker. A perfect little Halloween treat to get readers in the mood for the fall holiday.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
September 10, 2018
This is a great short story and definitely will get you in the Halloween spooky spirit.
With Halloween approaching Jitty needs the help of Sarah Booth to help save the ghost of her dead husband Coker.
Can Sarah Booth help Jitty stop Coker from taking revenge?
Get ready for ghosts from the past and some creepiness as you read.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions are my own.
With Halloween approaching Jitty needs the help of Sarah Booth to help save the ghost of her dead husband Coker.
Can Sarah Booth help Jitty stop Coker from taking revenge?
Get ready for ghosts from the past and some creepiness as you read.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions are my own.
September 15, 2018
The only issue I have with the "Bones" short stories is that they're, well, short. Haines has created another spooky, intriguing, amusing story. Only this time it is Jitty at risk, as her man wants to exact revenge on the last of a line of slaveholders. If Sarah Booth fails, Jitty could be gone forever.
Haines has deftly written the desolation of a deserted town and the eerie shadows and specters of the deep primordial forest. The friends and the pets are there, in an abbreviated fashion, as this story is about Sarah Booth and Jitty. It is about the past crashing into the present, and what losses we might face through no fault of our new own.
This review is based on an ARC received from the publisher.
Haines has deftly written the desolation of a deserted town and the eerie shadows and specters of the deep primordial forest. The friends and the pets are there, in an abbreviated fashion, as this story is about Sarah Booth and Jitty. It is about the past crashing into the present, and what losses we might face through no fault of our new own.
This review is based on an ARC received from the publisher.
January 17, 2019
Clacking Bones
Ramblings:
If you give readers a novella, they’ll want a novel to go with it! When short stories aren’t enough, Carolyn Haines has you covered. The author’s Sarah Booth Delaney series includes 20 fun, full-length mystery novels. You can start reading anywhere; at the beginning, middle, or end. The ones I own are standalones.
Summary:
Sarah Booth Delaney’s never been typical, and neither is her new missing persons case. A vengeful spirit has escaped from the afterlife, and if he’s not found, the consequences will be nothing short of dire! In order to survive Hallow’s Eve, Sarah will need three things: her best friend (Tinkie), her pets (Sweetie Pie and Pluto), and a mojo bag or two.
Review:
“Clacking Bones” is a Sarah Booth Delaney novella (#16.75). It includes “Clacking Bones” and an excerpt for A Gift of Bones (book 19). You’ll find a few over hyphenated words in the excerpt, but it’s a great story. The mystery series, written by author Carolyn Haines, is massive! It includes 20 novels (and counting), six novellas (and counting), and one cookbook.
Haines’s novella contains spooky fun, cute pets, great characters, and happy haunts (well, some are bloodthirsty and out for revenge, but I digress)— all while delivering an animated mystery that had me laughing out loud at times. Especially, the beginning where the main character is having a difficult time of exercising. Many readers will relate. Since I only own two novels and two novellas, I’m hitting the ground running with this series. My next read will be Charmed Bones. Book#18, involves witch sisters who may or may not be responsible for a missing resident.
You’ll like this mystery short if you enjoy:
#1 Pets 🐶🐱 (the characters have them & so does the author)
#2 Supernatural mysteries, or mysteries in general
#3 Women sleuths
#4 Seasonal reads (in this case Halloween)
#5 Spooky haunts from the Great Beyond 👻
Upcoming:
Game of Bones (book 20) is set to release in May of 2019.
Game of Bones
Disclosure:
I purchased the ebook for my Amazon Kindle app. The author did not request a review. Included are my honest reflections, thoughts, and ramblings.
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September 21, 2019Why do I read the short stories?
Why do I read them? I am a!ways disappointed. They dont move the story line along and they end too quickly for any satisfactory action. Don't waste you time or your 99 cents.
Why do I read them? I am a!ways disappointed. They dont move the story line along and they end too quickly for any satisfactory action. Don't waste you time or your 99 cents.
September 15, 2018
Halloween is around the corner, Sarah Booth is planning to attend a costume party with her friends until Jitty shows up with a out of this world request. Jitty's man, Coker, is missing in action from the Great Beyond and she is worried about him. Jitty asks Sarah Booth to find him before another murder is committed. Sarah Booth is uncertain on how to proceed on this case since she is dealing with dead spirits is out of her realm. She met Leila, a mysterious Haitian woman, who recently came to Cliburn to attend a funeral of Jim Red. She does provide Sarah Booth some back history information on Coker's and another spirit's whereabouts and their ties to the Cliburn family. Does Leila hold the key of the present and the past events of the Cliburn family that may seal their fate for the future?
I am not a fan of mystery short stories, usually these stories have poorly executed plotlines that is a waste of this reader's time. However, this is not the case of the latest Halloween themed short story from Ms. Haines. Clacking Bones is a very highly entertaining story about spirits avenging a past murder in the present time. Sarah Booth's abilities of seeing ghosts is expertly displayed in a realistic way of her expressing her doubts of seeing what really happened to them on that Hallows Eve night that is a major plus to this story. I love the Jitty and Coker characters, this short story provides an outstanding introduction of their past history that will lead to a full version mystery that involves them in the mix with the Zianna crowd in another Haines imaginative storytelling tome.
I hated to see this story end, which is a great thing in this reviewer's opinion. Ms. Haines has an incredible imagination in her stories that keeps this reader wanting more. I learn some much needed history about the past of the South from Ms. Haines's books. I cannot wait to see a full version story of Jitty and the spirits of the Great Beyond to appear again. I highly recommend this Halloween story for a highly entertaining trick-or-treat read.
I am not a fan of mystery short stories, usually these stories have poorly executed plotlines that is a waste of this reader's time. However, this is not the case of the latest Halloween themed short story from Ms. Haines. Clacking Bones is a very highly entertaining story about spirits avenging a past murder in the present time. Sarah Booth's abilities of seeing ghosts is expertly displayed in a realistic way of her expressing her doubts of seeing what really happened to them on that Hallows Eve night that is a major plus to this story. I love the Jitty and Coker characters, this short story provides an outstanding introduction of their past history that will lead to a full version mystery that involves them in the mix with the Zianna crowd in another Haines imaginative storytelling tome.
I hated to see this story end, which is a great thing in this reviewer's opinion. Ms. Haines has an incredible imagination in her stories that keeps this reader wanting more. I learn some much needed history about the past of the South from Ms. Haines's books. I cannot wait to see a full version story of Jitty and the spirits of the Great Beyond to appear again. I highly recommend this Halloween story for a highly entertaining trick-or-treat read.
September 17, 2018
A clacking good story.
Just as Sarah-Booth is getting ready for a halloween party, she is called upon for help by her haint, Jitty. Jitty's husband, Coker, who died in the Civil War has disappeared from the Great Beyond. He has long carried a feud against Ezekiel Cliburn or his last living descendent and as it is Halloween. he picked this time to settle his revenge. If he carries out this threat he will be forever banned from the Great Beyond and Jitty is frantic with worry.
So, although she has little idea of how to solve a crime set many years in the past, Sarah Booth sets out to the deserted run down Cliburn Plantation to try and stop Coker's planned revenge .
With Pluto and Sweety by her side, Sarah Booth tries to understand the astonishing background to this story and time is of the essence as Jitty has also disappeared threatening to leave Dahlia House forever.
As Sarah Booth cannot explain what she is doing to her friends, she is getting into hot water but as she is the only one who can see and communicate with those in the Great Beyond, she is the one who has to resolve this crisis.
Needless to say she does.
This is a short story, crackling with spark and adventure, does Sarah Booth make it to the Halloween party? Does she stop the crime spree Coker has in mind and does she get Jitty to come home? All of that and more when you read this story!
Just as Sarah-Booth is getting ready for a halloween party, she is called upon for help by her haint, Jitty. Jitty's husband, Coker, who died in the Civil War has disappeared from the Great Beyond. He has long carried a feud against Ezekiel Cliburn or his last living descendent and as it is Halloween. he picked this time to settle his revenge. If he carries out this threat he will be forever banned from the Great Beyond and Jitty is frantic with worry.
So, although she has little idea of how to solve a crime set many years in the past, Sarah Booth sets out to the deserted run down Cliburn Plantation to try and stop Coker's planned revenge .
With Pluto and Sweety by her side, Sarah Booth tries to understand the astonishing background to this story and time is of the essence as Jitty has also disappeared threatening to leave Dahlia House forever.
As Sarah Booth cannot explain what she is doing to her friends, she is getting into hot water but as she is the only one who can see and communicate with those in the Great Beyond, she is the one who has to resolve this crisis.
Needless to say she does.
This is a short story, crackling with spark and adventure, does Sarah Booth make it to the Halloween party? Does she stop the crime spree Coker has in mind and does she get Jitty to come home? All of that and more when you read this story!
October 31, 2018
Packs a Punch in only 64 pages.
This was my 1st Carolyn Haines book & also my 1st paranormal cozy. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd like a ghost centered cozy. But, hey, it's Halloween, so why not?
Let me tell you, this book will change your mind about paranormal cozies.
Ms. Haines can really set a scene. And in such a short story. Really incredible. When Sarah Booth & Tinkie go to Cliburn in her old car I could easily picture the deserted town & them bouncing down the dirt roads.
When Sarah Booth returns for Coker's showdown it was so easy to picture the gathering of ghosts milling around. Very spooky.
And how can you not love a book where they bring not only their dogs, but the cat as well.
This author can really tell a story. And the characters actually sound like real people. They even say "hell". You know, like the rest of us do.
I won this book in a giveaway, and am so glad I did. Ms. Haines has a new fan. Even if you think paranormal cozies aren't for you, give this book a try. I think you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
This was my 1st Carolyn Haines book & also my 1st paranormal cozy. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd like a ghost centered cozy. But, hey, it's Halloween, so why not?
Let me tell you, this book will change your mind about paranormal cozies.
Ms. Haines can really set a scene. And in such a short story. Really incredible. When Sarah Booth & Tinkie go to Cliburn in her old car I could easily picture the deserted town & them bouncing down the dirt roads.
When Sarah Booth returns for Coker's showdown it was so easy to picture the gathering of ghosts milling around. Very spooky.
And how can you not love a book where they bring not only their dogs, but the cat as well.
This author can really tell a story. And the characters actually sound like real people. They even say "hell". You know, like the rest of us do.
I won this book in a giveaway, and am so glad I did. Ms. Haines has a new fan. Even if you think paranormal cozies aren't for you, give this book a try. I think you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
September 15, 2018
What could be better than a short visit with Sarah Booth Delaney and friends? One that includes ghosts and creepy things, of course! Clacking Bone is a real Halloween treat! Jitty needs Sarah Booth’s expertise in finding missing persons. Her man, Coker, who like Jitty, is long dead, cannot be found.
To find Coker, Sarah Booth must solve a local murder. What a hoot! There’s voodoo, a ruined mansion, a curse of course, a “green” funeral in the woods, warnings of danger to Sarah Booth and Cece’s looming Halloween party.
The story is fun, perfect for the witching season. Costume planning consumes the gang. Sarah Booth’s worry that she may lose Jitty is real; what would she be without Jitty? And how does one find a missing ghost? The historical bits are always interesting too.
This is really a fun read! Nice for one of our upcoming gloomy days of fall! Don’t miss it!
May 2, 2024
A perfect Halloween tale! This one is all about Jitty and her very real past with husband Coker. When said ghost husband disappears from The Great Beyond, Sarah Booth is compelled to help right an old wrong, and a curse placed on the offending family by their cruel deeds. Hell bent on revenge that would doom his soul forever, Coker is determined to revenge the death of his father. But Sarah Booth discovers her own power to see the dead, more than just her own haint, and saves the day! I can't imagine these stories without Jitty and this is a lovely little tale that tells the reader more about her past.
Favorite Line ~ "No one can run from a curse."
Favorite Line ~ "No one can run from a curse."
May 21, 2020
Clacking Bones is a short story in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. I absolutely love these books and the new book in this series keeps getting the publication date pushed back and I’ve been dying for a new Sarah Booth story. Clacking Bones was just what I needed (although I wish it was a full length book). It had a good, spooky mystery and we got to see a little bit of all my favorite characters. If you’re a fan of this series you definitely need to make sure that you read the short stories as well as the full length books. They’re all fantastic!
October 27, 2020
This is only the second Carolyn Haines book I have read, so, perhaps it is a bit too soon for me to get into this author's work. ...And short stories can be tricky to read if you don't have a good base of knowledge about the characters. I felt this book was loose and I kept losing interest early on with the story. I enjoyed the voodoo street vendor touch. Maybe I need to get a better understanding of the series by reading Ms. Haines' books from the beginning. I love to support Mississippi authors, so I may revisit Ms. Haines' books in the future... I am just not hooked at this point.
September 27, 2018
The only thing wrong with the latest Sarah Booth short story installment is that it's too short! I can never get enough of Sarah Booth and Jitty, and Clacking Bones doesn't disappoint. Ms. Haines deftly spins the story around Jitty's missing man, some old southern history and the sights and smells of Halloween. As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and can't wait to see what happens to them next!
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest opinion.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest opinion.
October 30, 2018
When Sarah Booth's haunt, Jitty comes asking for help, Sarah Booth understands the future of having Jitty around depends on her help, She slips away from a Halloween party and somehow has one foot on either side of the veil to witness a fight between Jitty's husband and a man of Sarah Booth's time. This is an eerie story about the collision of past and present on Halloween at the stroke of midnight. Familiar characters in an uncomfortable situation. Spooky!
October 8, 2018
Clacking Bones by Caroline Haines is a fun short Halloween tale. I haven’t read the previous books in this series, this is number 18.5, but I was able to follow the story and characters easily. The spooky isn’t really that spooky, but anyone who is looking for a good Halloween tale this is perfect.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
September 13, 2018
Fun Halloween story
It's a story of ghost like Hatfield and McCoys. When Sarah Booth's regular haint disappears, she finds herself in the middle of a ghostly family feud when trying to locate her whispy friend. A fast and fun read.
It's a story of ghost like Hatfield and McCoys. When Sarah Booth's regular haint disappears, she finds herself in the middle of a ghostly family feud when trying to locate her whispy friend. A fast and fun read.
September 18, 2018
This is the first time I have read any of this series. Clacking Bones is an awesome story. I enjoyed reading this. I want to read more of this series.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
October 11, 2018
Another winner!
I just love all of the Sarah Booth Delaney stories - short or long. This Halloween- themed short story had all of the characters and fun of the regular length stories. And I just can't get enough. Looking forward to the Christmas story!
I just love all of the Sarah Booth Delaney stories - short or long. This Halloween- themed short story had all of the characters and fun of the regular length stories. And I just can't get enough. Looking forward to the Christmas story!
October 24, 2018
This is a short novella set at Halloween that I read on my Kindle. Sarah Booth is asked by her haint, Jitty, to save Jitty's husband. In case you don't know the series, Jitty is a ghost and has been dead since around the Civil War time period. The novella was a very quick easy read.
November 13, 2018
Perfect spooky story for All Hallow's Eve! It was so intriguing learning more about Sarah Booth's haint, Jitty. Jitty has always been one of my favorite characters and knowing more about her history makes the series even more endearing!
December 18, 2018
Cute
I've always imagined Kristin Chenoweth playing Tinkie. Carolyn putting in this story as Tinkie being a character she played on Broadway makes me wonder IF she was the inspiration after all.
I've always imagined Kristin Chenoweth playing Tinkie. Carolyn putting in this story as Tinkie being a character she played on Broadway makes me wonder IF she was the inspiration after all.
September 11, 2018
Sarah Booth helps Jitty take on ghosts of the past to save Jitty's husband, Coker. Coker is out for revenge and if he succeeds he will lose his heavenly home.
Great short story!
Great short story!
September 17, 2018
I can't imagine Sarah Booth without Jitty, but it could happen! I thoroughly enjoyed this short story with just enough "scary" that I couldn't put it down.
September 16, 2018
Good short story
Another hit for Carolyn Haines, Sarah Booth and Zinnia. Love Sarah Booth's connection to her friends, her animals and her past.
Another hit for Carolyn Haines, Sarah Booth and Zinnia. Love Sarah Booth's connection to her friends, her animals and her past.
September 17, 2018
Cracking Bones
Sarah Booth Delaney as crazy as ever! Ghosts and goblins going bump in the nignt. Carolyn Haines always delivers. Always a good read.
Sarah Booth Delaney as crazy as ever! Ghosts and goblins going bump in the nignt. Carolyn Haines always delivers. Always a good read.
September 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this Halloween tale of Jitty the haint of the Delaneys. If you like ghost stories this ones for you!
September 27, 2018
Sarah Booth and Jitty Halloween adventure
Really enjoyed the historical references in this story. I love Sarah Booth. Perfect for Halloween reading. Highly recommend this story.
Really enjoyed the historical references in this story. I love Sarah Booth. Perfect for Halloween reading. Highly recommend this story.
September 28, 2018
Once again Carolyn Haines has a winner. Love all the books in this series, and I just pre-ordered the next book coming in November.
October 5, 2018
This is a great Halloween short story. I thought it was very well written and had a great story line. If you love Sarah Booth Delaney you better pick this up and enjoy a good October mystery.
October 16, 2018
Happy Halloween
A fun read for the holiday from Carolyn Haines. Sarah Booth takes a case from Kitty to stop a potential murder and rescue her long dead husband Coker. Spooky fun!
A fun read for the holiday from Carolyn Haines. Sarah Booth takes a case from Kitty to stop a potential murder and rescue her long dead husband Coker. Spooky fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews