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Sarah Booth Delaney #22
A Garland of Bones
Spunky southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney tackles a string of strange accidents while celebrating the holiday season in Carolyn Haines's cozy A Garland of Bones
Sarah Booth has traded in hosting this Christmas season for a road trip with her besties. Each little Delta town has a special Christmas activity, and Sarah Booth’s bff and detective partner, Tinkie, has arranged to rent a limo for the gang and drive to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B. Visions of Christmas shopping, parade floats, and romantic rendezvous are already dancing in their heads.
But Christmas cheer soon turns to Christmas fear when, at one event after another, people keep getting hurt. Christmas karaoke gets ugly when one singer’s microphone gives her an electric shock. A party during a historic home tour ends with a fall down the stairs for one of Columbus’s most disreputable “players.” And when the woman who hires Sarah Booth to find the villain behind the so-called accidents is nearly killed with an arrow during a holiday mumming, Sarah Booth knows something more sinister is at work.
The Christmas bells are ringing hauntingly in Columbus this year, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie—with a little help from hunky Sheriff Coleman Peters, of course—are determined to catch the wrong-doers and ensure they receive nothing but coal in their stockings.
Sarah Booth has traded in hosting this Christmas season for a road trip with her besties. Each little Delta town has a special Christmas activity, and Sarah Booth’s bff and detective partner, Tinkie, has arranged to rent a limo for the gang and drive to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B. Visions of Christmas shopping, parade floats, and romantic rendezvous are already dancing in their heads.
But Christmas cheer soon turns to Christmas fear when, at one event after another, people keep getting hurt. Christmas karaoke gets ugly when one singer’s microphone gives her an electric shock. A party during a historic home tour ends with a fall down the stairs for one of Columbus’s most disreputable “players.” And when the woman who hires Sarah Booth to find the villain behind the so-called accidents is nearly killed with an arrow during a holiday mumming, Sarah Booth knows something more sinister is at work.
The Christmas bells are ringing hauntingly in Columbus this year, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie—with a little help from hunky Sheriff Coleman Peters, of course—are determined to catch the wrong-doers and ensure they receive nothing but coal in their stockings.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
223 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Haines
115 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 168 reviews
August 8, 2024
This is a Christmas Cozy Mystery, and this is the 22nd book in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. I liked this book, and the characters where fun to be will. I did not think the mystery part was the best, and it got lost at times with everything else the characters where doing. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (Carolyn Haines) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 21, 2020
Tinkie has arranged a holiday for her friends in Zinnia--they will stay at a charming B&B in Columbus, Mississippi. It's only a few weeks until Christmas, and there is a lot of shopping to be done, but they are sidetracked when bad things seem to be happening to some of the town's snobbish denizens. One of the particularly unpleasant women hires the Delaney Detective Agency to find out who is behind the "accidents." Can the intrepid team solve the case before they have to return home? Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to review this enjoyable holiday mystery with familiar characters.
September 29, 2020
Great cozy with paranormal elements
Sarah Booth and friends plan a fun holiday in a neighboring town, but are drawn into a local mystery. Property damage and odd 'accidents' have a local hiring the detectives to find out who is responsible. Working with lots of suspects and motives and few clues, the ladies dig in with the help of Sarah's beau, Coleman, a police chief in their town, eventually find more than they expected while still enjoying their vacation. There are enough twists and turns to keep one truly engaged.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same way.
Sarah Booth and friends plan a fun holiday in a neighboring town, but are drawn into a local mystery. Property damage and odd 'accidents' have a local hiring the detectives to find out who is responsible. Working with lots of suspects and motives and few clues, the ladies dig in with the help of Sarah's beau, Coleman, a police chief in their town, eventually find more than they expected while still enjoying their vacation. There are enough twists and turns to keep one truly engaged.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same way.
December 3, 2020
Instead of hosting Christmas Sarah and her best friends are on a road trip to take in other towns celebrations. At every event someone is in danger of getting hurt or killed. Sarah is hired to find out what is going on. As things keep going on Sarah grows more puzzled by the case. She just wants it over and thinks about quitting but has already spent the money she was given so keeps looking.
September 3, 2020
There's never a dull moment when Sarah Booth and Tinkle are together. Although the friend and their significant others are supposed to be on a vacation in Columbus, Mississippi, they suddenly become embroiled in a case. When a series of incidents occur around them, including a load of concrete being dumped on a new car, one of the locals decide to hire Delaney Detective Agency to find out how is behind the incidents. Although Sarah Booth is not fond of her client Queen Bee and principal homewrecker Clarissa Olson, holds her nose and takes the case. As more dangerous incidents pile up, Tinkie and Sarah Booth wonder if their client might be behind the troubles. With the assistance of her hunky beau Coleman Peters, the friends wade through the murky goings on in town and solve the case.
January 3, 2021
Being a private eye Sarah Booth's life is frequently filled with adventure but this week is going to be different. Sarah Booth and a group of friends take a holiday trip to enjoy all things Christmas and also on the agenda is some quality one-on-one time with her boyfriend Coleman. However, a rash of dirty tricks has Clarissa, a woman of questionable character, hiring Sarah Booth and her partner Tinkie to find out who is behind the pranks before someone gets killed.
This series is always entertaining with southern flair and a diverse cast of characters. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This series is always entertaining with southern flair and a diverse cast of characters. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 29, 2020
What can I say? Carolyn Haines never disappoints. A GARLAND OF BONES with a delightful Christmas cozy that has the wonderful group of characters shining at their best!
September 24, 2020
A trip across the state with her fellow PI and their respective others and a couple of friends turns from a holiday fun into a working vacation when a series of potential mishaps prompts a haughty local snob to hire the pair to investigate. A very interesting Southern mystery.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
November 11, 2020
Sarah Booth is one of those unforgettable characters in a cozy series. As a PI, she has a way of stepping into trouble, even when she isn't working a case. This Christmas, she is determined to just enough herself with no cases and time with her man. Of course, things don't work out that way; they never do. A wonderful holiday trip with Tinkie and all of their friends turns into a who-done-it fit for the season.
The characters in this series, and in particular in A Garland of Bones, keep readers smiling and merry. There are some detailed descriptions of Columbus, MS, which is a lovely southern town and the home of Tennesse Williams. I love that this mystery is set in a location with so much history. Having a PI or two running around all over town during Christmas brings to mind happy holidays of the past, filled with sights, sounds, and inspiration for decorating or travel.
Throughout the book, there are plenty of secrets that aren't so secret, suspects, and motives. Sarah and Tinkie may not be familiar with Columbus' social circles, but they know how small towns work. Gossip filters through quickly, and everyone has a story to share. It doesn't take long for the PI's to find out the latest tidbits of who did what to whom or who is sleeping with whose spouse. Christmas doesn't seem to stop the scuttlebutt regarding the victim(s) activities, real or imagined. It takes Sarah Booth and Tinkie several days, but they find the culprit, and justice is done, in more ways than one.
I am happy to recommend A Garland of Bones this Christmas holiday to readers who love southern colloquialisms; PI's who may not be as professional as they think they are, are easy to love, laugh with, and always know how to solve a crime with fanfare.
The characters in this series, and in particular in A Garland of Bones, keep readers smiling and merry. There are some detailed descriptions of Columbus, MS, which is a lovely southern town and the home of Tennesse Williams. I love that this mystery is set in a location with so much history. Having a PI or two running around all over town during Christmas brings to mind happy holidays of the past, filled with sights, sounds, and inspiration for decorating or travel.
Throughout the book, there are plenty of secrets that aren't so secret, suspects, and motives. Sarah and Tinkie may not be familiar with Columbus' social circles, but they know how small towns work. Gossip filters through quickly, and everyone has a story to share. It doesn't take long for the PI's to find out the latest tidbits of who did what to whom or who is sleeping with whose spouse. Christmas doesn't seem to stop the scuttlebutt regarding the victim(s) activities, real or imagined. It takes Sarah Booth and Tinkie several days, but they find the culprit, and justice is done, in more ways than one.
I am happy to recommend A Garland of Bones this Christmas holiday to readers who love southern colloquialisms; PI's who may not be as professional as they think they are, are easy to love, laugh with, and always know how to solve a crime with fanfare.
October 15, 2020
A Garland of Bones by Carolyn Haines is the 22th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney series, and I loved it!! I love the whole series, please keep them coming. Not only is this book really funny at times, it can also be emotional, and feel like visiting old friends. As always Garland of Bones does not disappoint. Tinkie and her husband are treating their friends, including Sarah Booth and Coleman, to Christmas in Columbus, MS. When a death and accidents occur, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired to solve the mystery. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love mysteries with a little bit of everything, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 18, 2020
It's Christmastime for Sarah Booth and her gang. A Sarah Booth book always bring me joy. While I did not love this book a much as previous books. I thought the mystery could have been better. I love the characters and they are what keep me coming back to this series. I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for review.
October 8, 2020
This definitely was not the best book in this series. I was quite surprised, usually I enjoy the new additions that come out. As the 22nd book in this series, I was hoping for a stronger, more puzzling mystery.
October 2, 2020
This southern mystery was a great read. They travel across Mississippi for a holiday getaway but when unexplained accidents keep happening they are drawn into solving it. This book kept me guessing until the end. I love books set in the south especially my home state of MS when we are not portrayed as uneducated rednecks. It was fun to read about places I am familiar with. This was my first book by this author but will definitely not be my last.
October 3, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here on October 13th:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084M1R3JX/...
I am on a streak of Christmas books! This one is near and dear to my heart, as I simply love and adore Carolyn Haines! Her covers are simply entertaining enough. I think this is how I was drawn in. I had taken one of my kids to a drop off class and had an hour to myself- what to do for an hour all alone. I am a bibliophile, where else would I go, but a bookstore. I normally go for the bestsellers to see what has made the list and see what I am missing out on while I am behind on all of my ARCs. I think one of her pink covered books called to me and I quickly went to the cashier to pay for it and went back to the drop off class to sit and read my book while I still had some quiet time left. I finished this book and well, I was then hooked on her books. This will be my seventeenth book that I have read by her. I have gotten my Aunt and my mother hooked on her books. They love to hear when I get the ARCs because that means they know that they can preorder the book!
We begin this book in December in the Mississippi Delta. After a nice morning ride on Reveler, Sarah Booth Delaney starts to prepare to decorate Dahlia House for Christmas. This chapter would not be complete without an appearance by Jitty, the local haunt in another form. Jitty is always talking about the shelf life of Sarah’s eggs. Jitty wants Dahlia House filled with kids and sooner than later so she would have Heirs to haunt. We learn about the trip that Tinkie has planned for everyone. Columbus, MS; the birthplace of Tennessee Williams, born as Thomas Lanier Williams, but adopted the pen name as Tennessee Williams. He is considered one of the foremost playwrights of the 20th Century, known for A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie, just to name a few of the more predominant ones. We all know that Tinkie and Sarah can go nowhere without shenanigans. Trouble seems to follow them, but this time they are bringing along Coleman, Sarah’s boyfriend, Oscar, Tinkie’s husband, Cece, Tinkie and Sarah’s bestie who is a journalist, Jaytee, a hot blues musician, Harold, Oscar’s colleague, and Millie, the best cook in the Southeast. UM, can I be Tinkie’s friend? A trip for Christmas with a bunch of Christmas activities- yes please- where do I sign up? Did I mention that Tinkie rented a limo? One that was “ honking big limo” – yup author’s words, I know, sounds like I wrote it, but nope, all Ms. Haines! Sarah has so much to worry about as she leaves her house, as she has a slew of animals, cats, dogs and horses, oh my! Coleman, Sarah’s beau arranged for his colleague, DeWayne to feed all of the animals, he actually enjoyed enjoying them. Tinkie is quite the planner. She has the week planned perfectly, including keeping the limo for the entire week and not have to worry about directions and wrangling everyone getting places. Plus, for everyone except Tinkie, who is with child or in the delicate way as the southern say, they don’t have to draw the short stick and get stuck driving while everyone else is imbibing. They even stocked the limo with champagne. Yup, I want to be BFFs with Sarah and Tinkie! While on vacation, Tinkie and Sarah, also known together as the Delaney Detective Agency were discretely hired to investigate a situation; a snake in a mailbox, a person who may or may not have been pushed. What vacation wouldn’t be made more exciting by a case to be solved. We are taken on the ride of the investigation, I cannot wait to see this up on the big screen in my living room, whether it be in TV series or movie form! I loved this book with all the sites to be seen in Columbus. Maybe there will be a trip in the post-virus to Columbus!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084M1R3JX/...
I am on a streak of Christmas books! This one is near and dear to my heart, as I simply love and adore Carolyn Haines! Her covers are simply entertaining enough. I think this is how I was drawn in. I had taken one of my kids to a drop off class and had an hour to myself- what to do for an hour all alone. I am a bibliophile, where else would I go, but a bookstore. I normally go for the bestsellers to see what has made the list and see what I am missing out on while I am behind on all of my ARCs. I think one of her pink covered books called to me and I quickly went to the cashier to pay for it and went back to the drop off class to sit and read my book while I still had some quiet time left. I finished this book and well, I was then hooked on her books. This will be my seventeenth book that I have read by her. I have gotten my Aunt and my mother hooked on her books. They love to hear when I get the ARCs because that means they know that they can preorder the book!
We begin this book in December in the Mississippi Delta. After a nice morning ride on Reveler, Sarah Booth Delaney starts to prepare to decorate Dahlia House for Christmas. This chapter would not be complete without an appearance by Jitty, the local haunt in another form. Jitty is always talking about the shelf life of Sarah’s eggs. Jitty wants Dahlia House filled with kids and sooner than later so she would have Heirs to haunt. We learn about the trip that Tinkie has planned for everyone. Columbus, MS; the birthplace of Tennessee Williams, born as Thomas Lanier Williams, but adopted the pen name as Tennessee Williams. He is considered one of the foremost playwrights of the 20th Century, known for A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie, just to name a few of the more predominant ones. We all know that Tinkie and Sarah can go nowhere without shenanigans. Trouble seems to follow them, but this time they are bringing along Coleman, Sarah’s boyfriend, Oscar, Tinkie’s husband, Cece, Tinkie and Sarah’s bestie who is a journalist, Jaytee, a hot blues musician, Harold, Oscar’s colleague, and Millie, the best cook in the Southeast. UM, can I be Tinkie’s friend? A trip for Christmas with a bunch of Christmas activities- yes please- where do I sign up? Did I mention that Tinkie rented a limo? One that was “ honking big limo” – yup author’s words, I know, sounds like I wrote it, but nope, all Ms. Haines! Sarah has so much to worry about as she leaves her house, as she has a slew of animals, cats, dogs and horses, oh my! Coleman, Sarah’s beau arranged for his colleague, DeWayne to feed all of the animals, he actually enjoyed enjoying them. Tinkie is quite the planner. She has the week planned perfectly, including keeping the limo for the entire week and not have to worry about directions and wrangling everyone getting places. Plus, for everyone except Tinkie, who is with child or in the delicate way as the southern say, they don’t have to draw the short stick and get stuck driving while everyone else is imbibing. They even stocked the limo with champagne. Yup, I want to be BFFs with Sarah and Tinkie! While on vacation, Tinkie and Sarah, also known together as the Delaney Detective Agency were discretely hired to investigate a situation; a snake in a mailbox, a person who may or may not have been pushed. What vacation wouldn’t be made more exciting by a case to be solved. We are taken on the ride of the investigation, I cannot wait to see this up on the big screen in my living room, whether it be in TV series or movie form! I loved this book with all the sites to be seen in Columbus. Maybe there will be a trip in the post-virus to Columbus!
October 26, 2020
What better way to bond with your girlfriends and your significant other than to go on a Christmas holiday vacation! Carolyn Haines brings all the bonding and holiday fun mixed in with some ludicrous detective work to this crazy holiday mystery. Don’t miss out on this one, but if cheating triggers you, this is not the mystery for you. All said, this is definitely a good one!
Sarah Booth is over the moon in love with Coleman Peters and the Christmas season is giving them all kinds of reasons to celebrate. And how could she not be? With Coleman’s steamy kisses that could melt your bones. Oh, boy!
A relaxing vacation filled with Christmas activities and private Christmas fun with Coleman sounded perfect! Also, being away from Jitty, her haunting ghost and impersonator of crazy movie characters, sounded peaceful. Tinkie, her best friend and agency partner, had planned this trip and although Sarah was reluctant to leave her home and her animals behind, she was looking forward to some time-off. I loved the friendship between all the characters. The supportive cast from their vacation town were a hoot. A very agreeable affair (see what I did there) of Christmas charm amongst all, but my favorite was Tinkie. Give me a pushy Tinkie as a best friend any day of the week!
Unbeknownst to Sarah and Tinkie, their friendscation was about to be hijacked by a murder-mystery Mean Girl edition. Witness to a bizarre near electrocution at a Christmas karaoke event, the group suddenly finds themselves more than spectators to an unusual number of peculiar happenings around their vacation town. With a numerous amount of merry go-round cheating among the town’s elite Mean Girls and a fair amount of near deaths, the Delaney Detective Agency gets hired to solve this case before the Christmas cheer runs out.
Witty and at times shocking with lots of steamy love-talk between Sarah and Coleman, this book was all kinds of fun! And out of all the entertaining holiday activities the characters were participating in, mumming is something I had never heard of. Maybe, I’ll do something fun like that around my neighborhood this year. Instead of Christmas caroling, perhaps my neighbors would enjoy a little acting and a play from the comfort of their front door.
I can definitely say that I enjoyed this book. A recommended read with ridiculous, not over villainous characters. It was an easy read. Well, except for all the cheating, because don’t you just feel bad for the women who go after married men and for the men who enjoy playing? (Sarcasm) Ha!
~ Patricia
Sarah Booth is over the moon in love with Coleman Peters and the Christmas season is giving them all kinds of reasons to celebrate. And how could she not be? With Coleman’s steamy kisses that could melt your bones. Oh, boy!
A relaxing vacation filled with Christmas activities and private Christmas fun with Coleman sounded perfect! Also, being away from Jitty, her haunting ghost and impersonator of crazy movie characters, sounded peaceful. Tinkie, her best friend and agency partner, had planned this trip and although Sarah was reluctant to leave her home and her animals behind, she was looking forward to some time-off. I loved the friendship between all the characters. The supportive cast from their vacation town were a hoot. A very agreeable affair (see what I did there) of Christmas charm amongst all, but my favorite was Tinkie. Give me a pushy Tinkie as a best friend any day of the week!
Unbeknownst to Sarah and Tinkie, their friendscation was about to be hijacked by a murder-mystery Mean Girl edition. Witness to a bizarre near electrocution at a Christmas karaoke event, the group suddenly finds themselves more than spectators to an unusual number of peculiar happenings around their vacation town. With a numerous amount of merry go-round cheating among the town’s elite Mean Girls and a fair amount of near deaths, the Delaney Detective Agency gets hired to solve this case before the Christmas cheer runs out.
Witty and at times shocking with lots of steamy love-talk between Sarah and Coleman, this book was all kinds of fun! And out of all the entertaining holiday activities the characters were participating in, mumming is something I had never heard of. Maybe, I’ll do something fun like that around my neighborhood this year. Instead of Christmas caroling, perhaps my neighbors would enjoy a little acting and a play from the comfort of their front door.
I can definitely say that I enjoyed this book. A recommended read with ridiculous, not over villainous characters. It was an easy read. Well, except for all the cheating, because don’t you just feel bad for the women who go after married men and for the men who enjoy playing? (Sarcasm) Ha!
~ Patricia
December 23, 2021
The gist: Sara Booth Delaney and all her friends set forth to Columbus, Mississippi to enjoy the holiday festivities—including a parade, a mumming, dive bar karaoke (my fave!) and shopping galore! Just when they start to let their hair down, Clarissa Olson (the Queen Bee of the mean girls swingers club) insists on hiring Sara Booth and her BFF Tinkie (the best PIs south of the Mason/Dixon line!) to investigate who’s behind the string of accidents that are plaguing her nasty clique of husband-stealing frienemies. Personally, I would’ve given this case a hard pass, but money talks!
What I liked: When it comes to prose, character development, dialogue and overall storytelling, Carolyn Haines is the best in the contemporary cozy mystery business. That’s right—I said it! She’s the best. I always feel like I’m visiting with old friends in gator country whenever I pick up a book in this series—and I’m glad it’s still going strong throughout all these decades.
Oh, and you know what else is cool about these mysteries? I didn’t think about this until recently, but this author is ahead of her time. She included a trans-character in the cast long, long before LGBTQ+ inclusion became trendy in the mainstream literary world. This was a really bold move considering the genre’s very white-bread target audience.
What didn’t work: My only gripe is that Jiggy (the resident ghost) needs to calm down about Sara Booth providing heirs to the plantation homestead. Her nagging about “dried up eggs” is getting tiresome.
Favorite character: Sara Booth will always be my No. 1 girl! She is a lover of animals and a kind-hearted soul. I’m just so glad she finally found love with the hunky Sheriff Coleman Peters! I hope they both decide against having children just to spite Jiggy—HA!
Least favorite character: There’s a whole slew of unsavory suspects in this particular mystery, but I will have to go with Clarissa, Sara Booth’s client from hell. She is just pure nastiness with way too many hidden agendas.
Overall: This is, yet again, another quality holiday-themed mystery that I highly recommend to any cozy lover who enjoys a Deep South setting and colorful characters.
What I liked: When it comes to prose, character development, dialogue and overall storytelling, Carolyn Haines is the best in the contemporary cozy mystery business. That’s right—I said it! She’s the best. I always feel like I’m visiting with old friends in gator country whenever I pick up a book in this series—and I’m glad it’s still going strong throughout all these decades.
Oh, and you know what else is cool about these mysteries? I didn’t think about this until recently, but this author is ahead of her time. She included a trans-character in the cast long, long before LGBTQ+ inclusion became trendy in the mainstream literary world. This was a really bold move considering the genre’s very white-bread target audience.
What didn’t work: My only gripe is that Jiggy (the resident ghost) needs to calm down about Sara Booth providing heirs to the plantation homestead. Her nagging about “dried up eggs” is getting tiresome.
Favorite character: Sara Booth will always be my No. 1 girl! She is a lover of animals and a kind-hearted soul. I’m just so glad she finally found love with the hunky Sheriff Coleman Peters! I hope they both decide against having children just to spite Jiggy—HA!
Least favorite character: There’s a whole slew of unsavory suspects in this particular mystery, but I will have to go with Clarissa, Sara Booth’s client from hell. She is just pure nastiness with way too many hidden agendas.
Overall: This is, yet again, another quality holiday-themed mystery that I highly recommend to any cozy lover who enjoys a Deep South setting and colorful characters.
January 1, 2021
A Garland of Bones by Carolyn Haines is an entertaining light read about a group of friends, including private detectives, Sarah Booth and her friend, Tinkie, who were on a week's vacation in a town near their home with their boyfriends and husbands. Sarah Booth was looking forward to this time away with Coleman, the love of her life. They were staying in a lovely B&B; in fact they had taken it over for the week. Tinkie had it planned down to the moment. This was to be her last childless vacation and she intended to make the most of it. This wonderful town had its own issues, of course, not the least of which appeared to be a group of cheating spouses. Of course, the detectives got involved to the tune of $15,000. Sarah Booth bought Coleman a saddle. She had to do this job now that the money was spent. The problem was past simple cheating and people were getting hurt. She would not give up her vacation. They would do both.
This is such a cute series. It is a cozy despite the fact that Sarah Booth and Twinkie are professionals. Murder is really not part of what they do on a daily basis. The clues are all there, but random. The author takes us on a merry journey, figuring this one out. It is well plotted and despite the number of characters, easy to follow. The vacation was fun as well. There is implied sex, but it is not overt so no worries, there. Clean as a whistle, except for murder. Sarah Booth, Twinkie, and Coleman are the only ones of the vacationers that get much page time. Oh, and a fun part of the story is Jitty, Sarah Booth's resident ghost who gets great glee out of appearing from nowhere in the guise of a movie character. She gives clues, which is all she is able to do, but often they are so obscure as to be of no use at all. She is fun, though. Good book if you love cozies or other light reading. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A Garland of Bones by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #agarlandofbones
This is such a cute series. It is a cozy despite the fact that Sarah Booth and Twinkie are professionals. Murder is really not part of what they do on a daily basis. The clues are all there, but random. The author takes us on a merry journey, figuring this one out. It is well plotted and despite the number of characters, easy to follow. The vacation was fun as well. There is implied sex, but it is not overt so no worries, there. Clean as a whistle, except for murder. Sarah Booth, Twinkie, and Coleman are the only ones of the vacationers that get much page time. Oh, and a fun part of the story is Jitty, Sarah Booth's resident ghost who gets great glee out of appearing from nowhere in the guise of a movie character. She gives clues, which is all she is able to do, but often they are so obscure as to be of no use at all. She is fun, though. Good book if you love cozies or other light reading. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A Garland of Bones by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #agarlandofbones
October 13, 2020
This is my first book my Carolyn Haines. A huge thanks to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me an early digital copy of this fun holiday read. I truly enjoy Christmas books ,and I was thrilled to dig in to get the holidays going early. Since I have never read this author before I didn't realize this was book #22 ,and I was not familiar with the characters. Normally I would say you could read this as a stand alone, but in this particular series I felt something was missing. Almost like I should know the characters and background ,but it did not hurt the story in any way. Because it didn't explain the relationships of the characters, I sometimes just questioned why these characters worked together and who was who.
The premise of a road trip is always a good idea .Christmas vacation is the inspiration for this road tri[p. Sarah Booth and Tinkie were the main leading ladies of this group of detectives along with their friends and Chief Coleman Peters. A series of weird events instigates an investigation that leads to a sad family story that encompasses everyone in this little town. It wasn't too hard to figure out the who, but the why was elusive until the end. Told in a light hearted fashion and no gore, it was an enjoyable read despite not really knowing these people from previous stories .
I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a well written holiday tale with a little mischief to brighten the holidays.
The premise of a road trip is always a good idea .Christmas vacation is the inspiration for this road tri[p. Sarah Booth and Tinkie were the main leading ladies of this group of detectives along with their friends and Chief Coleman Peters. A series of weird events instigates an investigation that leads to a sad family story that encompasses everyone in this little town. It wasn't too hard to figure out the who, but the why was elusive until the end. Told in a light hearted fashion and no gore, it was an enjoyable read despite not really knowing these people from previous stories .
I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a well written holiday tale with a little mischief to brighten the holidays.
September 27, 2020
Sarah Booth and her friends head across the state for a Christmas vacation. Tinkie has fun activities planned for everyday, everything from shopping to mumming. They are staying at a lovely B&B, but when Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired to investigate after a car is filled with cement, a man tumbles down the stairs at a party, and two women fall overboard during the Christmas flotilla, the fun is interrupted. The woman who hires them and her friends are a snobbish group and only look out for themselves, so they are easy to dislike. There are lots of twists and turns, and some secrets to be discovered, but the friends solve the mystery and return home, ready for Christmas Day.
I enjoyed the characters and the mystery, which kept me guessing until the end. Sarah Booth and her friends are great fun to read about and I loved the Christmas themed activities throughout the book. This will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays!
I enjoyed the characters and the mystery, which kept me guessing until the end. Sarah Booth and her friends are great fun to read about and I loved the Christmas themed activities throughout the book. This will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays!
November 29, 2020
Sarah Booth, Tinkie and the crew are off on a pre-Christmas celebration to Colombus , Mississippi. A charming B&B, Christmas parades and flotillas, delicious food and a mystery will keep them celebrating and sleuthing!
Reading a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery is like visiting with an old friend. You think you know what to expect, but old friends can surprise you and that's what I enjoy about the books - while the characters are solid and dependable, they also have many "layers" and we see more with each book. It was fun to see how Tinkie is handling pregnancy and Sarah Booth is handling the relationship with Coleman. Those are Christmas gifts to the reader! The mystery is filled with twists and turns as the sleuths work on investigating a series of "accidents" in the festive town. Sarah Booth, Tinkie and I "sleuthed" until the early morning.
The mystery is well-written, the characters are relatable and have good hearts (though a little mischievous), and the descriptions of the delta and Mississippi make the reader feel as if they are right there detecting with Sarah Booth and Tinkie. I'm ready for the next case!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Reading a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery is like visiting with an old friend. You think you know what to expect, but old friends can surprise you and that's what I enjoy about the books - while the characters are solid and dependable, they also have many "layers" and we see more with each book. It was fun to see how Tinkie is handling pregnancy and Sarah Booth is handling the relationship with Coleman. Those are Christmas gifts to the reader! The mystery is filled with twists and turns as the sleuths work on investigating a series of "accidents" in the festive town. Sarah Booth, Tinkie and I "sleuthed" until the early morning.
The mystery is well-written, the characters are relatable and have good hearts (though a little mischievous), and the descriptions of the delta and Mississippi make the reader feel as if they are right there detecting with Sarah Booth and Tinkie. I'm ready for the next case!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 25, 2020
"A Garland of Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 22nd instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series.
I enjoyed taking a trip to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B with Sarah and the gang. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I loved that Sarah Booth and her friends took a trip away before the christmas holidays. We were able to get a better glimpse into the personal dynamics of each relationship. The inclusion of her haint (Dahlia House's ghost Jetty) always brings a chuckle as i can imagine what Sarah looks like talking to herself.
There were plenty of twists and turns and lots of suspects to choose from to keep you intrigued. I found this book to be a real page-turner, suspenseful, read that had me second guessing up till the end.
I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I enjoyed taking a trip to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B with Sarah and the gang. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I loved that Sarah Booth and her friends took a trip away before the christmas holidays. We were able to get a better glimpse into the personal dynamics of each relationship. The inclusion of her haint (Dahlia House's ghost Jetty) always brings a chuckle as i can imagine what Sarah looks like talking to herself.
There were plenty of twists and turns and lots of suspects to choose from to keep you intrigued. I found this book to be a real page-turner, suspenseful, read that had me second guessing up till the end.
I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
December 17, 2020
*3.5 stars*
I rather enjoyed this novel! It kept my attention, and it had me going back and forth as to who I thought the culprit was (I changed my mind at least four times). Carolyn’s writing style reminded me of Charlaine Harris’s in the Sookie Stackhouse series, which was a nice treat since I enjoyed those books. There were some components of the book that I was confused about, but that is my fault since I did not realize that it was part of a series. I still enjoyed it, though, and am glad that I decided to check it out from the library!
I rather enjoyed this novel! It kept my attention, and it had me going back and forth as to who I thought the culprit was (I changed my mind at least four times). Carolyn’s writing style reminded me of Charlaine Harris’s in the Sookie Stackhouse series, which was a nice treat since I enjoyed those books. There were some components of the book that I was confused about, but that is my fault since I did not realize that it was part of a series. I still enjoyed it, though, and am glad that I decided to check it out from the library!
October 4, 2020
Sarah Booth and Tinkie head out of town with the gang for some pre-Christmas relaxation. As usual it’s interrupted and the Delaney Detective Agency is called in to solve some mysteries. I enjoyed the book however I would say you need to read series from the start. I would not consider this a stand alone. It was a fun holiday mystery with great writing.
#A Garland of Bones #NetGalley
#A Garland of Bones #NetGalley
June 20, 2021
A story set around Christmas in Columbus, Miss with Sarah Booth and the whole gang. Tinkie has arranged the trip for everyone with everything planned out except strange things are happening and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired to find out who is behind it all. What they find are a group of swingers with no qualms about doing anything with and to other people. The book was an easy read.
October 1, 2020
Sarah Booth has gone on a Christmas road trip with her best friends. Each little Delta town has a special Christmas activity, and Sarah Booth’s bff and detective partner, Tinkie, has arranged to rent a limo for the gang and drive to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B. Visions of Christmas shopping, parade floats, and romantic rendezvous are already dancing in their heads. But Christmas cheer soon turns to Christmas fear when, at one event after another, people keep getting hurt. Christmas karaoke gets ugly when one singer’s microphone gives her an electric shock. A party during a historic home tour ends with a fall down the stairs for one of Columbus’s most disreputable “players.” And when the woman who hires Sarah Booth to find the villain behind the so-called accidents is nearly killed with an arrow during a holiday mumming, Sarah Booth knows something more sinister is at work.
This was another delightful entry in this series that I have followed from the first book. I always look forward to a new volume in the series to see what Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Oscar, Coleman, Cece, Jaytee and Millie are going to get themselves involved with events. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book.
This was another delightful entry in this series that I have followed from the first book. I always look forward to a new volume in the series to see what Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Oscar, Coleman, Cece, Jaytee and Millie are going to get themselves involved with events. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book.
September 26, 2020
When Sarah Booth, Tinkie and friends all get together there is sure to be fun. And a mystery or two. This latest book by Carolyn Haines is no different.
When Sarah Booth, Tinkie, their friends and partners all decide to go to Columbus, Mississippi for a week of Christmas shopping, fun and relaxation in a B and B, they end up in the middle of a string of accidents that they end up helping to solve.
A microphone with a short in it, an arrow flying at people during a Mummers parade and a person overboard during a boat parade are just a few of the happenings. Why were these people targeted? Who wants to really hurt people? Fun and adventures abound as the whole gang tries to get to the answers. If you are a fan of these books, you will be very happy. If you've never read these books, you really need to begin. You won't regret it!
Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy of A Garland of Bones in exchange for an honest review.
When Sarah Booth, Tinkie, their friends and partners all decide to go to Columbus, Mississippi for a week of Christmas shopping, fun and relaxation in a B and B, they end up in the middle of a string of accidents that they end up helping to solve.
A microphone with a short in it, an arrow flying at people during a Mummers parade and a person overboard during a boat parade are just a few of the happenings. Why were these people targeted? Who wants to really hurt people? Fun and adventures abound as the whole gang tries to get to the answers. If you are a fan of these books, you will be very happy. If you've never read these books, you really need to begin. You won't regret it!
Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy of A Garland of Bones in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2020
Love the adventures of Sarah Booth and Tinkie.
In this installment, our main characters go to another town for a winter holiday.
There is a lot going on, the plot is filled with unique characters and situations right out of a movie. There is jealousy, infidelity and a lot of twists.
Enjoyed this book till the very end.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.
In this installment, our main characters go to another town for a winter holiday.
There is a lot going on, the plot is filled with unique characters and situations right out of a movie. There is jealousy, infidelity and a lot of twists.
Enjoyed this book till the very end.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.
September 26, 2020
I loved this zany crazy fun book!! Lots of characters that have great connections with each other and a story full of plot twists that just kept coming!!! Tinkie and Sarah Booth and their crew decide to take a holiday but find themselves completely in the mix of a cast of any-of-them- could have done it!! Each interaction leaves you with the answer, until it’s not the correct one, this story just keeps moving and it’s enjoyable and mysterious until the very end!!#AGARLANDOFBONES#NETGALLEY
September 30, 2020
A Garland of Bones is the latest in a long series by Carolyn Haines about Sarah Booth Delaney, a southern belle and detective. Having never read any of the previous books, I did not know what to expect when given this book by Net Galley, I had picked it for its Christmas theme, thinking a fun mystery might be a great opening to the season.
The book opens with Sarah, her new boyfriend and her friends going to Columbus for a week of holiday festivities. The descriptions of the events and the city made me want to put it on my list of places to visit, especially at the holidays. Of course, being a detective story, it doesn’t take long for the group to find that all is not simply holiday cheer in this small town. A game of revenge or jealousy is starting to look deadly.
Perhaps if I was a long term reader of this series, I would have been more invested in the characters but I didn’t know the back story and felt there were times when it might be needed. I was confused by Jitty’s appearance, not knowing who she was or why she was involved in the book and felt the larger friend group was largely just decorative. The plot was interesting though a bit uneven. This was not a good book for me even as a fun diversion. The writing felt too obvious and I found myself rolling my eyes often.
For fans of the series, I am sure it will be a fun holiday addition. It was just not my kind of book.
The book opens with Sarah, her new boyfriend and her friends going to Columbus for a week of holiday festivities. The descriptions of the events and the city made me want to put it on my list of places to visit, especially at the holidays. Of course, being a detective story, it doesn’t take long for the group to find that all is not simply holiday cheer in this small town. A game of revenge or jealousy is starting to look deadly.
Perhaps if I was a long term reader of this series, I would have been more invested in the characters but I didn’t know the back story and felt there were times when it might be needed. I was confused by Jitty’s appearance, not knowing who she was or why she was involved in the book and felt the larger friend group was largely just decorative. The plot was interesting though a bit uneven. This was not a good book for me even as a fun diversion. The writing felt too obvious and I found myself rolling my eyes often.
For fans of the series, I am sure it will be a fun holiday addition. It was just not my kind of book.
September 26, 2020
I had a hard time getting into some of this book. I felt like the middle was bogged down. I did enjoy it and was very surprised by who the bad guys were. I really like them. #A Garland of Bones #NetGalley
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