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Family Skeleton Mystery #5
The Skeleton Makes a Friend
"Whodunits don't come much funnier... Fans of offbeat comic mysteries will be richly rewarded."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Georgia Thackery is feeling pretty good about her summer job teaching at prestigious Overfeld College, and she's renting a rustic cabin right by a lake for herself, her daughter, Madison, and her best friend, Sid the Skeleton. Together again, the trio are enjoying the quiet when a teenager named Jen shows up looking for her friend. Georgia doesn't recognize the name, but she learns that the person Jen was looking for is actually Sid.
Sid reveals that he and Jen are part of a regular online gaming group that formed locally, and one of their members has gone missing. Sid admits that he might have bragged about his investigative prowess, enough so that Jen wants him to find their missing player. Given that Sid doesn't have many friends offline--none, really, unless you count the Thackery family--Georgia agrees to help. They manage to discreetly enlist Jen, who lives in town, and follow the clues to... a dead buddy.
Now they've got a killer on their hands. Probing the life of Sid's friend, they realize a lot is wrong both on campus and in the seemingly quaint town, and someone doesn't want them looking deeper...
"You'll love the adventures of this unexpected mystery-solving duo."--Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Georgia Thackery is feeling pretty good about her summer job teaching at prestigious Overfeld College, and she's renting a rustic cabin right by a lake for herself, her daughter, Madison, and her best friend, Sid the Skeleton. Together again, the trio are enjoying the quiet when a teenager named Jen shows up looking for her friend. Georgia doesn't recognize the name, but she learns that the person Jen was looking for is actually Sid.
Sid reveals that he and Jen are part of a regular online gaming group that formed locally, and one of their members has gone missing. Sid admits that he might have bragged about his investigative prowess, enough so that Jen wants him to find their missing player. Given that Sid doesn't have many friends offline--none, really, unless you count the Thackery family--Georgia agrees to help. They manage to discreetly enlist Jen, who lives in town, and follow the clues to... a dead buddy.
Now they've got a killer on their hands. Probing the life of Sid's friend, they realize a lot is wrong both on campus and in the seemingly quaint town, and someone doesn't want them looking deeper...
"You'll love the adventures of this unexpected mystery-solving duo."--Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
April 6, 2024
Where do I begin with this review? Of all the concepts one could create, this truly is a stunning and clever series. A skeleton is alive. It once belonged to a man, but he was murdered. "How?" you ask. You'll have to read one of the earlier books to find out, but I promise, it's 100% worth it. This is in my top ten series of all times... between creativity, character growth, cozy settings, unique approaches, ability to do almost anything and get away with it, and well... tons more reasons. But let's focus just on Leigh Perry's latest book in the Family Skeleton Mystery series, The Skeleton Makes a Friend.
Sid's lonely. He can only talk to Georgia -- his best friend and caretaker. Although he's able to move on his own, Sid's smart enough to know if anyone found out his secret, his 'life' would be over. Other than Georgia, her parents, her sister, and her daughter are the only other 4 people who know anything about Sid. Georgia is an adjunct professor who goes from college to college teaching English courses. Everywhere she goes, someone dies. And Sid feels compelled to figure it out. The poor bony guy's got nothing else to do but play video games and search the Internet. And video games is exactly what leads him to playing amateur sleuth again in this caper.
I laughed at least once a page while reading this book. Sometimes it's a chuckle, other times I have to cover my mouth and try not to cry. Perry's hilarious, and I can only imagine what she's like in real life. She adeptly balances humor knowledge by carefully educating readers on various topics... such as video games, college life, skeletons, novels, etc. It's the kind book where you feel connected the whole way through, and even if there are a few pages focusing on side stories other than the actual murder, you're turning the pages feverishly to indulge yourself in as much as you can. I could read these all the time and never get bored.
Georgia is just cool. She is respectful, but if you cross her, she can push back in clever ways. Madison, her ~16-year-old daughter, has been a minor character in the past, but she's front and center in this edition, and I'm glad to see how it unfolded. By showing us how both a ~40-year-old and a ~16-year-old (as well as a skeleton) try to solve a murder, it's a fresh perspective. They have to work together on different levels, but it all makes complete sense. When Georgia and Sid find the body, even though Sid is dead and can't smell things, I wrinkled my nose by his (okay, fine, it was Perry's) description. Who goes in search of a foul smell when it's not in your own office or home? Run away... but not Georgia... she locks Sid in a suitcase and sets him loose in the dark, only to see him come running full-speed at her when he finds a dead body that's been idling (good word choice, right?) for days!
I rarely read sci-fi or fantasy, and I'm not sure I can truly say this falls in those categories... but Sid is a walking / talking skeleton, and the last time I checked, that's not a real thing, so I suppose I have to say I'm loving the fantasy stuff these days! Just don't tell anyone I said that. This is a high recommendation from me... I really love the caliber of the writing, characters and plot. This one has a witty approach to the reason why the victim died, and I can't say anything more without giving away the plot. Rest assured, it was definitely unintentional on some level, but still... it had so many connections, it made red herrings a feast for the eyes. Kudos to the author for delivering one of the best in the series with this one.
Sid's lonely. He can only talk to Georgia -- his best friend and caretaker. Although he's able to move on his own, Sid's smart enough to know if anyone found out his secret, his 'life' would be over. Other than Georgia, her parents, her sister, and her daughter are the only other 4 people who know anything about Sid. Georgia is an adjunct professor who goes from college to college teaching English courses. Everywhere she goes, someone dies. And Sid feels compelled to figure it out. The poor bony guy's got nothing else to do but play video games and search the Internet. And video games is exactly what leads him to playing amateur sleuth again in this caper.
I laughed at least once a page while reading this book. Sometimes it's a chuckle, other times I have to cover my mouth and try not to cry. Perry's hilarious, and I can only imagine what she's like in real life. She adeptly balances humor knowledge by carefully educating readers on various topics... such as video games, college life, skeletons, novels, etc. It's the kind book where you feel connected the whole way through, and even if there are a few pages focusing on side stories other than the actual murder, you're turning the pages feverishly to indulge yourself in as much as you can. I could read these all the time and never get bored.
Georgia is just cool. She is respectful, but if you cross her, she can push back in clever ways. Madison, her ~16-year-old daughter, has been a minor character in the past, but she's front and center in this edition, and I'm glad to see how it unfolded. By showing us how both a ~40-year-old and a ~16-year-old (as well as a skeleton) try to solve a murder, it's a fresh perspective. They have to work together on different levels, but it all makes complete sense. When Georgia and Sid find the body, even though Sid is dead and can't smell things, I wrinkled my nose by his (okay, fine, it was Perry's) description. Who goes in search of a foul smell when it's not in your own office or home? Run away... but not Georgia... she locks Sid in a suitcase and sets him loose in the dark, only to see him come running full-speed at her when he finds a dead body that's been idling (good word choice, right?) for days!
I rarely read sci-fi or fantasy, and I'm not sure I can truly say this falls in those categories... but Sid is a walking / talking skeleton, and the last time I checked, that's not a real thing, so I suppose I have to say I'm loving the fantasy stuff these days! Just don't tell anyone I said that. This is a high recommendation from me... I really love the caliber of the writing, characters and plot. This one has a witty approach to the reason why the victim died, and I can't say anything more without giving away the plot. Rest assured, it was definitely unintentional on some level, but still... it had so many connections, it made red herrings a feast for the eyes. Kudos to the author for delivering one of the best in the series with this one.
November 12, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love this series and I loved this story.
The prestigious Overfeld College has hired Georgia Thackery for their summer program for high schoolers. She, her daughter Madison, and Sid, the skeleton have settled in nicely at a cabin of one of her parent’s former students. That it is right next to a lake makes taking this position almost like a vacation. When a teenager shows up with her mother in tow looking for someone Georgia has never heard of things get very interesting. Especially when Georgia realizes the person the girl was looking for was Sid’s online gaming persona. She wanted his help in trying to locate a member of the online group who has missed some important events in the game. Georgia feels the player may have a good reason for not playing, vacation, work, school, you know something IRL (in real life). But since Sid and his new friend, of which he does have many, are clearly worried she consents to help track the guy down. Strangely their investigation leads them right back to Overfeld College and a dead body.
What I love best about these stories is that I clearly accept Sid as he is, a walking, talking skeleton with an invisible heart and a wonderful sense of humor, his own cell phone and set of lock pics. He stays up all night, skeletons don’t need to sleep, typing away on his laptop, investigating everything he can online so he can give Georgia a full report in the morning. Then she does some legwork, sometimes bringing him along in a very clever way. Sid also does stakeouts, again at night while Georgia grabs 40 winks. And he can go places and do things Georgia or frankly no other human could ever do. I want my own Sid! Everyone needs a best friend like Sid. Georgia is beyond lucky!
Ms. Perry has written a delightful mystery starring two of my all-time favorite characters. My youngest son and now my grandson are avid video game players. When my grandson arrives I get a hug and a few minutes with him before he signs into the Xbox and puts on his headset to check in with his online friends. (He doesn’t have an Xbox at home so this is a weekend treat.) Just listening to him converse with his friends makes me smile, so I completely understand Sid and his friend’s connection. It is so cool that the author brought this into the cozy mystery realm. Tracking down online friends isn’t easy because they have avatars and different names for each type of game they play. Sid really carried the ball for this part of the investigation. Then he and Georgia and now Madison pull out all the stops to find the killer.
The story takes so many fun twists and turns trying to find the right suspects, what was their motive and how they were benefitted by the death. I really enjoyed the whole process. A very dangerous event puts key characters in danger. It was so exciting and scary too. I was on the edge of my seat just trying to keep up.
Now you know with a cozy mystery there is going to be humor and with a character like Sid, you have to imagine there are going to be laugh out loud moments and there were. The puns, the skeleton’s facial expressions described so perfectly that they were easy to envision, and the predicaments he gets himself into. From beginning to end Sid stole my heart and tickled my funny bone.
If you haven’t read any books in this series you can start with this book because it reads well all on its own. Ms. Perry has done an excellent job in giving you plenty of background to enjoy this installment. You will probably want to then read all the rest.
Woo Hoo! I am excited to add this book to my Best Reads of 2018 list. I can’t wait for Sid and Georgia’s next story.
I love this series and I loved this story.
The prestigious Overfeld College has hired Georgia Thackery for their summer program for high schoolers. She, her daughter Madison, and Sid, the skeleton have settled in nicely at a cabin of one of her parent’s former students. That it is right next to a lake makes taking this position almost like a vacation. When a teenager shows up with her mother in tow looking for someone Georgia has never heard of things get very interesting. Especially when Georgia realizes the person the girl was looking for was Sid’s online gaming persona. She wanted his help in trying to locate a member of the online group who has missed some important events in the game. Georgia feels the player may have a good reason for not playing, vacation, work, school, you know something IRL (in real life). But since Sid and his new friend, of which he does have many, are clearly worried she consents to help track the guy down. Strangely their investigation leads them right back to Overfeld College and a dead body.
What I love best about these stories is that I clearly accept Sid as he is, a walking, talking skeleton with an invisible heart and a wonderful sense of humor, his own cell phone and set of lock pics. He stays up all night, skeletons don’t need to sleep, typing away on his laptop, investigating everything he can online so he can give Georgia a full report in the morning. Then she does some legwork, sometimes bringing him along in a very clever way. Sid also does stakeouts, again at night while Georgia grabs 40 winks. And he can go places and do things Georgia or frankly no other human could ever do. I want my own Sid! Everyone needs a best friend like Sid. Georgia is beyond lucky!
Ms. Perry has written a delightful mystery starring two of my all-time favorite characters. My youngest son and now my grandson are avid video game players. When my grandson arrives I get a hug and a few minutes with him before he signs into the Xbox and puts on his headset to check in with his online friends. (He doesn’t have an Xbox at home so this is a weekend treat.) Just listening to him converse with his friends makes me smile, so I completely understand Sid and his friend’s connection. It is so cool that the author brought this into the cozy mystery realm. Tracking down online friends isn’t easy because they have avatars and different names for each type of game they play. Sid really carried the ball for this part of the investigation. Then he and Georgia and now Madison pull out all the stops to find the killer.
The story takes so many fun twists and turns trying to find the right suspects, what was their motive and how they were benefitted by the death. I really enjoyed the whole process. A very dangerous event puts key characters in danger. It was so exciting and scary too. I was on the edge of my seat just trying to keep up.
Now you know with a cozy mystery there is going to be humor and with a character like Sid, you have to imagine there are going to be laugh out loud moments and there were. The puns, the skeleton’s facial expressions described so perfectly that they were easy to envision, and the predicaments he gets himself into. From beginning to end Sid stole my heart and tickled my funny bone.
If you haven’t read any books in this series you can start with this book because it reads well all on its own. Ms. Perry has done an excellent job in giving you plenty of background to enjoy this installment. You will probably want to then read all the rest.
Woo Hoo! I am excited to add this book to my Best Reads of 2018 list. I can’t wait for Sid and Georgia’s next story.
January 13, 2020
4 ½ stars
I absolutely love this series, the books are getting better and better as they go along. The characters are so great starting with Georgia the main character and narrator then the skeleton himself Sid rounded out by Georgia’s daughter Madison. They form such a perfect
Another thing I love about Sid, how an inanimate object expresses emotion.
There are lines like this all through the text, which highlight how human-like Sid is.
Cozies Reading Challenge
The Skeleton Makes a Friend
I absolutely love this series, the books are getting better and better as they go along. The characters are so great starting with Georgia the main character and narrator then the skeleton himself Sid rounded out by Georgia’s daughter Madison. They form such a perfect
Another thing I love about Sid, how an inanimate object expresses emotion.
He gave me an aggravated look, which isn’t easy with a bare skull.
“Can you smell that?” I whispered. Of course, it made no sense that Sid could smell, since he had neither nose nor nerve endings, but he insisted that he could, in fact, smell, so who was I to argue?
There are lines like this all through the text, which highlight how human-like Sid is.
Cozies Reading Challenge
The Skeleton Makes a Friend
December 30, 2018
Another fun volume in this fine fantasy/cozy mystery series. Sid the skeleton is involved with an online gaming group and Georgia is teaching a summer school class at a small college when they become involved in another murder mystery. The mystery aspect worked better for me this time around; my early conclusions were totally off base, but the real solution was more satisfactory. Good humorous story for mystery and fantasy fans! (Also loved the cover with the skeleton wearing a swimming snorkel.)
November 9, 2018
Dr. Georgia Thackery has landed a summer job teaching a high school enrichment program on the campus of Overfeld College. Even better, she's found a semi-private cabin on a nearby lake to rent, meaning that her daughter, Madison, and her best friend, Sid, are able to accompany her. Even better, they are isolated enough that Sid, who is a living skeleton, can get outside the house occasionally. Their solitude is interrupted when a teen shows up asking to meet Sid. She is a member of Sid's clan in an online game, and she thinks a third member of their clan has gone missing. Sid and Georgia haven't investigated for too long before they stumble over a dead body. Can they figure out what is going on?
Those who love this series are in for another treat. Drop everything and read this book now. If you haven't picked up the series yet, you really should do so. Yes, there is a slight paranormal element to the book, but it really is slight. The characters are so strong that you'd swear they were fully fleshed out, yes, even Sid. We don't have a large cast of recurring characters, but the new characters more than make up for it. The twists keep us guessing up until the very end, when everything comes together perfectly. But it is Georgia, Sid, and Madison that make up the heart of this book. Their relationship is wonderful, and the bone puns and other jokes kept me smiling. I truly enjoyed my time with the characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Those who love this series are in for another treat. Drop everything and read this book now. If you haven't picked up the series yet, you really should do so. Yes, there is a slight paranormal element to the book, but it really is slight. The characters are so strong that you'd swear they were fully fleshed out, yes, even Sid. We don't have a large cast of recurring characters, but the new characters more than make up for it. The twists keep us guessing up until the very end, when everything comes together perfectly. But it is Georgia, Sid, and Madison that make up the heart of this book. Their relationship is wonderful, and the bone puns and other jokes kept me smiling. I truly enjoyed my time with the characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 2, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I've only read one book in this series before (the first) but it struck a cord then, and it definitely did again with this one. There is just something completely unique about a walking skeleton sidekick that you just don't get in your average cozy mystery- Sid really makes this series such a fun ride! Of course Georgia and Madison are great too, but come on now- A WALKING SKELETON. Hn.
I really wondered at this mystery, and the culprit was well cloaked until the very end. there was so much going on around the actual murder and it was hard to pin down a good motive. The police really don't play much of a part, leaving Sid and Georgia to solve it all on their own. This was refreshing too, not having any of the law butting in.
This is a great cozy series, even if you're tired of the same old troupes. I'll say it again- THERE'S A WALKING SKELETON.
I've only read one book in this series before (the first) but it struck a cord then, and it definitely did again with this one. There is just something completely unique about a walking skeleton sidekick that you just don't get in your average cozy mystery- Sid really makes this series such a fun ride! Of course Georgia and Madison are great too, but come on now- A WALKING SKELETON. Hn.
I really wondered at this mystery, and the culprit was well cloaked until the very end. there was so much going on around the actual murder and it was hard to pin down a good motive. The police really don't play much of a part, leaving Sid and Georgia to solve it all on their own. This was refreshing too, not having any of the law butting in.
This is a great cozy series, even if you're tired of the same old troupes. I'll say it again- THERE'S A WALKING SKELETON.
September 29, 2018
This is my first in this series, but I got enough back story that I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Very clever insights into academic life, coupled with great writing and intriguing characters. I loved all the "business" of the skeleton getting around, and found him to be a surprisingly warm character. I definitely want to read the rest in this series.
November 9, 2018
Well. That was one amazing read. One of the best cozy mysteries that I have read in a good long time.
Leigh Perry has got her Sid mojo back and this one was nothing but pure delight even after I figured out who the bad person was. It actually did not ruin it for me at all as I wasn't sure about the "why" [I missed a few queues at the beginning that would have clued me in] and the reveal is something you will not ever forget. One of THE BEST reveals in a very long time.
The author writes nerdy gamer girls much better than she does non-binary, gender fluid characters which is a huge relief - I truly enjoyed the addition of Jen and a beginner's course to the online gaming world, though I will admit that I understand it no more than when I started the story. One of the downfalls of being old. ;-) I do hope that we see bits and pieces of Jen in future stories through Sid and Madison's friendship with her; she was good for both of them and they were a huge boon to her and her life.
I was so glad to get back into the world of Sid and Georgia and Madison and I surely hope that the author can keep writing these books for a good long time.
A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review.
Leigh Perry has got her Sid mojo back and this one was nothing but pure delight even after I figured out who the bad person was. It actually did not ruin it for me at all as I wasn't sure about the "why" [I missed a few queues at the beginning that would have clued me in] and the reveal is something you will not ever forget. One of THE BEST reveals in a very long time.
The author writes nerdy gamer girls much better than she does non-binary, gender fluid characters which is a huge relief - I truly enjoyed the addition of Jen and a beginner's course to the online gaming world, though I will admit that I understand it no more than when I started the story. One of the downfalls of being old. ;-) I do hope that we see bits and pieces of Jen in future stories through Sid and Madison's friendship with her; she was good for both of them and they were a huge boon to her and her life.
I was so glad to get back into the world of Sid and Georgia and Madison and I surely hope that the author can keep writing these books for a good long time.
A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review.
February 17, 2021
Love these books! Wish the author wrote more of them.
August 31, 2018
Sid is back in this quirky cozy mystery by Leigh Perry.
I have to say, a skeleton as a protagonist is quite unique and the way the author writes such an outstanding story that revolves around that is truly amazing.
Georgia Thackery is an adjunct professor, and her teaching assignment takes her to Overfeld College, which has some skeletons of its own.
This story involves a role playing game that has Sid learning the ups and downs of friendship as well as learning about himself.
As the mystery unravels, the secrets reveal themselves, but I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end.
This series has everything I love about the cozy mystery genre, a good solid story, colorful characters with huge personalities, and a believable storyline.
As the fifth book in the series, The Skeleton Makes A Friend is bound to delight all readers.
I recommend this book to readers of all different genres, as it is full of twists and turns and loveable characters.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
I have to say, a skeleton as a protagonist is quite unique and the way the author writes such an outstanding story that revolves around that is truly amazing.
Georgia Thackery is an adjunct professor, and her teaching assignment takes her to Overfeld College, which has some skeletons of its own.
This story involves a role playing game that has Sid learning the ups and downs of friendship as well as learning about himself.
As the mystery unravels, the secrets reveal themselves, but I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end.
This series has everything I love about the cozy mystery genre, a good solid story, colorful characters with huge personalities, and a believable storyline.
As the fifth book in the series, The Skeleton Makes A Friend is bound to delight all readers.
I recommend this book to readers of all different genres, as it is full of twists and turns and loveable characters.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
December 15, 2021
Another fun mystery in the Family Skeleton series. While I guess technically it falls into the paranormal cozy mystery genre (hello, one of the main characters is a walking, talking skeleton with awesome computer skills) there is no magic or other supernatural creatures. Sid is just another character that has talents and detriments.
The whole family gets involved in the mystery and this is where it really shines: the relationships. There are funny and tender moments. Georgia and Madison have a good mother-daughter relationship. They don't always get along but they often do. There is nothing mean in the relationship and Madison isn't spoiled. They genuine care for each other without it seeming artificial.
There are plenty of suspenseful moments and Georgia faces a mother's worst nightmare. Plus the mystery is satisfying with plenty of suspects and plenty of motives.
The whole family gets involved in the mystery and this is where it really shines: the relationships. There are funny and tender moments. Georgia and Madison have a good mother-daughter relationship. They don't always get along but they often do. There is nothing mean in the relationship and Madison isn't spoiled. They genuine care for each other without it seeming artificial.
There are plenty of suspenseful moments and Georgia faces a mother's worst nightmare. Plus the mystery is satisfying with plenty of suspects and plenty of motives.
November 13, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Another great installment to this great cozy mystery series! Georgia took a summer teaching job at a different college and while one would hope murder would not follow luck feels otherwise. While searching for a missing gaming friend of Sid's they make a horrible discovery that leads to surprises and danger. The skeleton is a nice touch that really sets this series apart. Great for fans of cozy with a touch of the paranormal. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Another great installment to this great cozy mystery series! Georgia took a summer teaching job at a different college and while one would hope murder would not follow luck feels otherwise. While searching for a missing gaming friend of Sid's they make a horrible discovery that leads to surprises and danger. The skeleton is a nice touch that really sets this series apart. Great for fans of cozy with a touch of the paranormal. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
May 29, 2019
Sid is back !
I loved Sid's latest mystery! When a game played is murdered, Sid and the whole crew (even Byron!) swing into action.
The mystery was fast-paced, filled with "red herrings" and kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed seeing even more of Sid's character come to light. Leigh Perry has created a character that is more "human" than skeleton!
Another winner!
I loved Sid's latest mystery! When a game played is murdered, Sid and the whole crew (even Byron!) swing into action.
The mystery was fast-paced, filled with "red herrings" and kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed seeing even more of Sid's character come to light. Leigh Perry has created a character that is more "human" than skeleton!
Another winner!
March 11, 2020
My favorite book in the series, so far! Fantastic storyline, wonderful supporting characters, and Sid really gets to show his heroic side!
Loved it!
Loved it!
November 8, 2018
I am so happy to see Sid again! If you haven’t met Sid, he is the Thackery family skeleton. No, not the skeleton in the closet – the skeleton who sometimes lives in the attic! It is summertime now, and Georgia, her daughter Madison, and Sid are in New Hampshire. The characters continue to be fabulous, Sid is as entertaining as ever, and the mystery is unique.
Georgia is an adjunct professor, having no permanent teaching position. Sid and Georgia have been best friends since she was six years old. He lived in the attic for many years, and when Georgia and Madison moved back to the family home, he was waiting for them. Sid gets most of his input from online searches, chats, and gaming, but has no real friends other than Georgia, her sister Deborah, and Madison.
Georgia is teaching at a high school enrichment program at Overfeld College. She is doing creative writing workshops and enjoying it. Madison spends time at the lake or at the local gaming center. Sid spends his spare time gaming, Runes of Legend being his current favorite. One evening, a teenage girl, Jen, and her mother came to their rental cottage searching for Skalle Beinagrind, a player in Runes who she thinks is a detective. Georgia told her that nobody is there by that name, despite the photo of the lake that matches their view that Skalle had posted. A couple days later, Georgia sees Jen when picking Madison up from Wizard Gary’s Game Store. Jen wants help looking for Erik Bloodaxe, the main player in their group, who has disappeared.
Sid and Georgia work together, Sid doing internet investigating to narrow down who Erik might be; he is sure Erik works at Overfeld. The two of them, with Sid in his suitcase, attempt to go to the HR rep’s office when a powerful odor drives them back. Sid went bravely in to find Neil Farmer, AKA Erik Bloodaxe, dead for several days, stabbed with Erik’s sword. Off they go on another investigation. The stakes are higher than ever, as people are involved that they never thought, and there are real clues and fake clues.
Sid and Georgia are very well-defined. If I see someone rolling a suitcase down the sidewalk, I might have to call “Sid” just in case – I would enjoy a best friend like him. Georgia is pretty cool herself, as are some of her fellow adjunct profs. Gaming is a whole new language that lost me from the first sentence of acronyms, so Madison and Jen are brilliant to understand them!
I always look forward to the new A Family Skeleton Mystery having been hooked from the first one I read. Georgia, Sid, and Madison have so much fun together, and I enjoy the skeleton jokes and expletives (such as coccyx!) This is a challenging mystery to solve! It is so challenging that, especially with the plot twists, I didn’t have any idea who the bad guy was or why. The end was a complete surprise, in more ways than one, and I was very satisfied with the results. Friendship is highly valued in this cozy mystery, and like Georgia, I hadn’t considered how lonely Sid could be. Sid made more than one friend in this novel, learning throughout how friends get along together. Learning more about higher education is enlightening, too! I highly recommend The Skeleton Makes a Friend!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of the e-Arc from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Georgia is an adjunct professor, having no permanent teaching position. Sid and Georgia have been best friends since she was six years old. He lived in the attic for many years, and when Georgia and Madison moved back to the family home, he was waiting for them. Sid gets most of his input from online searches, chats, and gaming, but has no real friends other than Georgia, her sister Deborah, and Madison.
Georgia is teaching at a high school enrichment program at Overfeld College. She is doing creative writing workshops and enjoying it. Madison spends time at the lake or at the local gaming center. Sid spends his spare time gaming, Runes of Legend being his current favorite. One evening, a teenage girl, Jen, and her mother came to their rental cottage searching for Skalle Beinagrind, a player in Runes who she thinks is a detective. Georgia told her that nobody is there by that name, despite the photo of the lake that matches their view that Skalle had posted. A couple days later, Georgia sees Jen when picking Madison up from Wizard Gary’s Game Store. Jen wants help looking for Erik Bloodaxe, the main player in their group, who has disappeared.
Sid and Georgia work together, Sid doing internet investigating to narrow down who Erik might be; he is sure Erik works at Overfeld. The two of them, with Sid in his suitcase, attempt to go to the HR rep’s office when a powerful odor drives them back. Sid went bravely in to find Neil Farmer, AKA Erik Bloodaxe, dead for several days, stabbed with Erik’s sword. Off they go on another investigation. The stakes are higher than ever, as people are involved that they never thought, and there are real clues and fake clues.
Sid and Georgia are very well-defined. If I see someone rolling a suitcase down the sidewalk, I might have to call “Sid” just in case – I would enjoy a best friend like him. Georgia is pretty cool herself, as are some of her fellow adjunct profs. Gaming is a whole new language that lost me from the first sentence of acronyms, so Madison and Jen are brilliant to understand them!
I always look forward to the new A Family Skeleton Mystery having been hooked from the first one I read. Georgia, Sid, and Madison have so much fun together, and I enjoy the skeleton jokes and expletives (such as coccyx!) This is a challenging mystery to solve! It is so challenging that, especially with the plot twists, I didn’t have any idea who the bad guy was or why. The end was a complete surprise, in more ways than one, and I was very satisfied with the results. Friendship is highly valued in this cozy mystery, and like Georgia, I hadn’t considered how lonely Sid could be. Sid made more than one friend in this novel, learning throughout how friends get along together. Learning more about higher education is enlightening, too! I highly recommend The Skeleton Makes a Friend!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of the e-Arc from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
November 6, 2018
THE SKELETON MAKES A FRIEND marks the fifth mystery featuring Sid and his best friend Georgia as amateur sleuths. This book is delightful – one of my best reads of the year.
I LOVE Sid! He is one of my favorite literary characters ever. What is there not to like about a walking, talking skeleton sidekick who is smart, witty, thoughtful, and a loyal friend? Granted, a skeleton main character does require a bit of suspending reality, but, truthfully, Perry has made Sid so totally down to earth and realistic that I think the scenario is totally believable.
In this installment, adjunct professor Georgia is teaching an enrichment course at Overfeld College, and, to make it more like a summer family vacation, rented a lovely cabin on a lake for Sid and her teen daughter Madison to enjoy. Things get moving right away when one of Sid’s online gaming friends arrives at the cabin looking for Sid in hopes of him helping find a fellow player who seems to have disappeared. Sid and Georgia soon find that the player is connected to Overfeld College and a murder victim. Surely his demise is not related to the gaming world, is it? A faculty cover-up? A money issue? Georgia and Sid put their investigative hats on to get to the bottom of it all, facing danger while they are at it.
Perry has created wonderful, memorable characters in the Family Skeleton series. Reading each book is like catching up with old friends. The writing sparkles, the dialogue is brisk, and the story moves along at a steady pace. The mystery in THE SKELETON MAKES A FRIEND is complicated enough to keep me guessing until the very end
THE SKELETON MAKES A FRIEND is a treat for series fans and readers new to Sid alike. I encourage readers who do not usually gravitate to paranormal cozies to give the series a chance. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
I LOVE Sid! He is one of my favorite literary characters ever. What is there not to like about a walking, talking skeleton sidekick who is smart, witty, thoughtful, and a loyal friend? Granted, a skeleton main character does require a bit of suspending reality, but, truthfully, Perry has made Sid so totally down to earth and realistic that I think the scenario is totally believable.
In this installment, adjunct professor Georgia is teaching an enrichment course at Overfeld College, and, to make it more like a summer family vacation, rented a lovely cabin on a lake for Sid and her teen daughter Madison to enjoy. Things get moving right away when one of Sid’s online gaming friends arrives at the cabin looking for Sid in hopes of him helping find a fellow player who seems to have disappeared. Sid and Georgia soon find that the player is connected to Overfeld College and a murder victim. Surely his demise is not related to the gaming world, is it? A faculty cover-up? A money issue? Georgia and Sid put their investigative hats on to get to the bottom of it all, facing danger while they are at it.
Perry has created wonderful, memorable characters in the Family Skeleton series. Reading each book is like catching up with old friends. The writing sparkles, the dialogue is brisk, and the story moves along at a steady pace. The mystery in THE SKELETON MAKES A FRIEND is complicated enough to keep me guessing until the very end
THE SKELETON MAKES A FRIEND is a treat for series fans and readers new to Sid alike. I encourage readers who do not usually gravitate to paranormal cozies to give the series a chance. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
September 10, 2019
I have to say, I was surprised at how quickly I took to this series. I set a goal this year to read series that have been on the TBR pile for too long. I had heard plenty of great things about this series, and I had bought the first book at a library book sale, so it went on the list. I have managed to make my way through all the books to the most recent release. This has honestly become one of my favorite series in the genre. To start, it has a clever premise. Something that might sound a bit silly, works so well because this author has created some memorable characters and has imbued Sid with some many wonderful human qualities that the reader forgets sometimes that he is a skeleton. Add in Georgia and her daughter Madison and you have a trio of characters that are well developed, highly likable and engage the reader in each story. Then the author surrounds them with a great cast of secondary characters- some permanent and some revolving just for that story.
The mystery is well crafted. It has a fast-pace and a terrific plot. The author drops plenty of clues in her quest to mislead the reader as to the identity of the culprit and kept me guessing until the end.
This series hits everything on my list that I look for in a cozy mystery series and I have to say I am grateful that this author found a new home for these characters and their stories. It would have been a loss to the genre for them not to continue.
The mystery is well crafted. It has a fast-pace and a terrific plot. The author drops plenty of clues in her quest to mislead the reader as to the identity of the culprit and kept me guessing until the end.
This series hits everything on my list that I look for in a cozy mystery series and I have to say I am grateful that this author found a new home for these characters and their stories. It would have been a loss to the genre for them not to continue.
October 22, 2018
Georgia Thackery is enjoying her summer job teaching an enrichment class for high schoolers at prestigious Overfeld College. The gig comes with a rustic cabin right where Georgia can relax with her daughter Madison, and Sid the Skeleton. But their time together is interrupted by a teenager named Jen who is looking for her online gaming friend (Sid). Jen is worried about one of their gaming members who has gone missing for real. Sid admits that he might have bragged about his investigative prowess and thinks Jen wants him to find their missing player. Their search leads back to Overfeld College where they end finding HR staffer Neil Farmer dead.
Was the motive behind Neil's murder really related to his online gaming? A series of mishaps at Overfeld College highlights the shabby condition on-site and a lack of money. Then someone slips an envelope containing copies of letters accusing Overfeld's star academic (Davidson Hynes) of sexual misconduct. Georgia and Sid's investigation almost turns deadly for them when a fire occurs on campus but they continue on to find the killer.
This was another fun read and strong entry in the Family Skeleton mystery series.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Diversion Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
Was the motive behind Neil's murder really related to his online gaming? A series of mishaps at Overfeld College highlights the shabby condition on-site and a lack of money. Then someone slips an envelope containing copies of letters accusing Overfeld's star academic (Davidson Hynes) of sexual misconduct. Georgia and Sid's investigation almost turns deadly for them when a fire occurs on campus but they continue on to find the killer.
This was another fun read and strong entry in the Family Skeleton mystery series.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Diversion Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
February 26, 2019
This creatively written cozy mystery swept me up and carried me away, through lots of danger with plenty of suspects that kept me guessing while I laughed my way through it, step by step, with fabulously funny characters and dialogue.
See more at fundinmental
See more at fundinmental
August 7, 2020
3.5 stars. Definitely at least 4 stars for Sid the skeleton :-) Easy and pleasant to read.
October 19, 2018
This book was a wonderful instalment in this series. The relationships are wonderful and complex and the characters that the author introduced were so multi-faceted. I didn’t know it was possible to love a skeleton as much as I do, but Sid is wonderful and his relationship with Madison and Georgia is the heart blood of this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.
October 6, 2018
I love Sid, of course, who wouldn't love a walking, talking, tech savvy skeleton? Sid, Georgia and her daughter, Madison are back at at a college and thanks to a friend have a nice cabin to stay in while Georgia is teaching. This time Madison gets more involved in solving the murder and Sid makes a friend outside the Thackery family. Charles is also working at the same college. This series is fun and well written. Since Georgia is an adjunct the setting changes in each book.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. - If you haven't tried this series you need to add it to your TBR pile.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. - If you haven't tried this series you need to add it to your TBR pile.
September 8, 2018
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Skeleton Makes a Friend is the 5th book in the Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry. It's due out 6th Nov, 2018 from Diversion Books and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
I'm a huge fan of paranormal cozies and this series just keeps getting better. There is a large chunk of necessary suspension of disbelief going in; the main character Georgia has a best friend who's a walking talking skeleton. That being said, there are so many things to love about this series, here are a few:
The protagonist is smart, funny, nerdy and capable but she's not superwoman. She's very down to earth and in some ways vulnerable. She's very much an everywoman character and easily related to (and darned likable). If she were real, I'm pretty sure we'd get along very well. Would love to grab ice cream with her sometime! :)
The dialogue and plotting are spot on. I've read all of the books in the series so far and I've yet to read one bit of honestly clunky or unfortunate dialogue. The author is prolific and experienced and it shows. I've long said that quality is important and writing 'light' mystery or fantasy (or romance) is no excuse for shoddy work. This is a solidly readable, writerly, thoroughly enjoyable mystery.
The author makes some wry and unflattering observations about academia in the USA and she does a good job of describing the system in a lot of places without being strident. It is what it is.
There are a lot of topical in-jokes and references, so I'm not sure how this series will read in 20 years, but they're here now and they're delightful. I recommend this series and this book in particular without any reservations.
This is a very light read. I think it would be fine as a standalone, but I can heartily recommend the other books in the series as well. The language wouldn't make anyone blush. (Incidentally, Georgia and Sid (the skeleton) use alternate anatomy related curse words 'coccyx', 'ossified', 'sacrum', etc etc. it's just another quirky bit of the series).
Four and a half stars. I can't imagine it being better, honestly. I'm looking forward to more from Sid and Georgia (and co.).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Skeleton Makes a Friend is the 5th book in the Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry. It's due out 6th Nov, 2018 from Diversion Books and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
I'm a huge fan of paranormal cozies and this series just keeps getting better. There is a large chunk of necessary suspension of disbelief going in; the main character Georgia has a best friend who's a walking talking skeleton. That being said, there are so many things to love about this series, here are a few:
The protagonist is smart, funny, nerdy and capable but she's not superwoman. She's very down to earth and in some ways vulnerable. She's very much an everywoman character and easily related to (and darned likable). If she were real, I'm pretty sure we'd get along very well. Would love to grab ice cream with her sometime! :)
The dialogue and plotting are spot on. I've read all of the books in the series so far and I've yet to read one bit of honestly clunky or unfortunate dialogue. The author is prolific and experienced and it shows. I've long said that quality is important and writing 'light' mystery or fantasy (or romance) is no excuse for shoddy work. This is a solidly readable, writerly, thoroughly enjoyable mystery.
The author makes some wry and unflattering observations about academia in the USA and she does a good job of describing the system in a lot of places without being strident. It is what it is.
There are a lot of topical in-jokes and references, so I'm not sure how this series will read in 20 years, but they're here now and they're delightful. I recommend this series and this book in particular without any reservations.
This is a very light read. I think it would be fine as a standalone, but I can heartily recommend the other books in the series as well. The language wouldn't make anyone blush. (Incidentally, Georgia and Sid (the skeleton) use alternate anatomy related curse words 'coccyx', 'ossified', 'sacrum', etc etc. it's just another quirky bit of the series).
Four and a half stars. I can't imagine it being better, honestly. I'm looking forward to more from Sid and Georgia (and co.).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 24, 2018
I love this series. The mysteries are always interesting, I like Georgia, her daughter and Sid. I love the way the author comes up with great ways to use Sid realistically. Liked the parents and wished they all went on vacation or sabbatical together and all 5 of them have a great mystery to solve.
In this one, the author uses Sid as she has in the past in terms of how he investigates, but the manner she develops to get him involved in the mystery is new and IT MAKES SENSE. How would a skeleton make friends and hide that he is a skeleton in this day and age? Well done. I enjoyed how that whole issue rolled out.
Even loved the cover, thinking about Sid swimming makes me smile.
Looking forward to #6 and seeing what Perry can come up with for that one.
I got my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
In this one, the author uses Sid as she has in the past in terms of how he investigates, but the manner she develops to get him involved in the mystery is new and IT MAKES SENSE. How would a skeleton make friends and hide that he is a skeleton in this day and age? Well done. I enjoyed how that whole issue rolled out.
Even loved the cover, thinking about Sid swimming makes me smile.
Looking forward to #6 and seeing what Perry can come up with for that one.
I got my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2018
I can't even explain how much I love these books. This is book 5, you don't need to have read the previous for the world building, but you're cheating yourself to know these characters better, the history and the fun in them.
This has Georgia teaching at yet another college with her daughter and skeleton best friend Sid. Of course there's a murder, it's a cozy after all, with a good mystery other than the murder. Many different avenues for Georgia and Sid to examine and investigate. This time daughter Madison is very much in on the investigation, along with cameos from parents and old friends we've met from other books.
Sid learns more about making friends, what friendship really means as he's pretty lonely. Kind of hard to do that when you're a skeleton, but somehow Ms Perry brings him to life and makes you really care about him. Interesting side characters too, Jen is one that took a special eye for detail to describe and bring her to life. We've all met someone like her in our lives, but they aren't usually main characters, often they are overlooked. Hopefully we'll visit with her in future books too.
Already looking forward to the next adventure. Glad Netgalley and Division books allowed me an early copy to review for an honest review.
This has Georgia teaching at yet another college with her daughter and skeleton best friend Sid. Of course there's a murder, it's a cozy after all, with a good mystery other than the murder. Many different avenues for Georgia and Sid to examine and investigate. This time daughter Madison is very much in on the investigation, along with cameos from parents and old friends we've met from other books.
Sid learns more about making friends, what friendship really means as he's pretty lonely. Kind of hard to do that when you're a skeleton, but somehow Ms Perry brings him to life and makes you really care about him. Interesting side characters too, Jen is one that took a special eye for detail to describe and bring her to life. We've all met someone like her in our lives, but they aren't usually main characters, often they are overlooked. Hopefully we'll visit with her in future books too.
Already looking forward to the next adventure. Glad Netgalley and Division books allowed me an early copy to review for an honest review.
October 3, 2018
This cozy mystery series is super fun and a really great for October! It features a living skeleton who has a penitent for investigating and sticking his imaginary nose into everything. He lives with a family that took him in after he saved the main character when she was a kid. This installment in the series is just as good as the rest, in fact it was probably a little better because Madison is one of my favorite characters and she had a much bigger role in the story. This story focuses a lot on college campus politics and the relationship between the college and the townspeople. The book is well written, well paced and has some really great humorous moments! If you enjoy cozy mysteries check it out!
August 28, 2019
As usual, I really enjoyed Sid and Georgia taking on yet another murder to solve. My only complaint is the emphasis on #metoo. You'd have to be living under a rock to be unaware that sexually harassing women is heinous. Additionally, I would imagine the demographic for this series is largely women, so to whom is Ms. Perry preaching? And I do mean preaching. This was disappointing and distracted from what was otherwise a really great cozy mystery. I have very limited time for reading. When I turn to a cozy mystery I'm looking for an escape from all the bleak and weary news I'm bombarded with each and every day. I've noticed an irritating trend of authors lately trying to pull readers back into the dreary existence we're trying to escape for a bit in what seems to be a pathetic attempt to appear "woke." I don't want my cozy mystery with a side of a sermon, I just want to wander into a little fun for a while. With fun and no sermon, this would have been a stellar 5-star cozy mystery, but it missed the mark.
August 30, 2018
Great imagination! We've all read ghost stories, but this is the first I've ever read with an ambulatory skeleton and where all the cuss words are the names of bones. As the publisher's blurb suggests, the action takes place on a college campus where Georgia is a summer replacement prof and is staying at a cottage nearby with the family dog, her teenaged daughter, and Sid their longtime friend who just happens to be an ambulatory skeleton. From her family Georgia learns about internet based role playing games as Sid and another player are concerned about the apparent absence of a fellow player who Sid later finds dead. Good sleuthing ensues and a bit of heroism as well.
This is a marvelous read, and I am glad that I requested and received a free ebook copy from Diversion Books via NetGalley!
This is a marvelous read, and I am glad that I requested and received a free ebook copy from Diversion Books via NetGalley!
September 6, 2018
Although this is the 5th in a series this is my first introduction to this series. I really enjoyed this story and was did not figure out who the culprit was until the very end. I also will go back and read the first four books in the series before the next one comes out. The story follows Georgia, a professor and her friend Sid the skeleton. Yep a skeleton. Truly and interesting premise for a cozy. A fun cast of characters and good paced story.
November 29, 2018
I generally don't give five star ratings to cozy mysteries for some reason but his time I really couldn't find a reason not to. I loved everything about this fifth installment featuring adjunct professor Georgia, her teenager daughter Madison, Akita named Byron, and the star of the books, Sid the skeleton. I love the family dynamics, the humor, the mysteries, and the way the author keeps it fresh. Plus, I really would love to have a Sid in my life.
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