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Sarah Booth Delaney #23
Independent Bones
Carolyn Haines's Independent Bones is the next novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.
When Dr. Alala Diakos, a visiting professor of Greek literature, comes to teach at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, it doesn't take long for controversy to follow. With her fervent feminist ideals and revolutionary leanings, she quickly earns the admiration of many―and the ire of others. During a speech in the park, in which Alala tries to organize the women of Zinnia to demand equal pay, the crowd gets unruly, with men heckling the professor. And when PI Sarah Booth Delaney finds a sniper rifle and scope in the bushes, she begins to worry that there are more than fighting words at stake.
Sarah Booth calls her boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, who offers the protection of the Zinnia police department, but Alala rejects him, saying she has no use for the law or men. And when a notorious domestic abuser is found dead the next day, suspicions turn to Alala herself, who was overheard bragging that she would take him down. Tensions deepen when connections are drawn between Alala and two similar, previous deaths.
But Sarah Booth doesn't want to believe Alala is a murderer, and when the professor shows up at Sarah Booth’s doorstep, asking her to find the real criminal, Sarah Booth embarks on a case stretching across the Delta. Yet Alala remains at the center of it all, and Sarah Booth can’t help but wonder if the killer has been with her all along...
When Dr. Alala Diakos, a visiting professor of Greek literature, comes to teach at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, it doesn't take long for controversy to follow. With her fervent feminist ideals and revolutionary leanings, she quickly earns the admiration of many―and the ire of others. During a speech in the park, in which Alala tries to organize the women of Zinnia to demand equal pay, the crowd gets unruly, with men heckling the professor. And when PI Sarah Booth Delaney finds a sniper rifle and scope in the bushes, she begins to worry that there are more than fighting words at stake.
Sarah Booth calls her boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, who offers the protection of the Zinnia police department, but Alala rejects him, saying she has no use for the law or men. And when a notorious domestic abuser is found dead the next day, suspicions turn to Alala herself, who was overheard bragging that she would take him down. Tensions deepen when connections are drawn between Alala and two similar, previous deaths.
But Sarah Booth doesn't want to believe Alala is a murderer, and when the professor shows up at Sarah Booth’s doorstep, asking her to find the real criminal, Sarah Booth embarks on a case stretching across the Delta. Yet Alala remains at the center of it all, and Sarah Booth can’t help but wonder if the killer has been with her all along...
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2021
123 people are currently reading
2993 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 161 reviews
May 23, 2021
It comes as a bit of a shock to me that I have been reading this series since 1999. Why have I gotten old while the partners in a detective agency and best friends Sarah Booth Delaney and Tinkie Richmond are barely into their mid-thirties. Two takeaways, I have loved this series for a long time, and I’ve gotten old. Dang.
An Ole Miss visiting professor on a sabbatical, Dr Alala Diakos settles in Zinnia, MS, a little town in the Mississippi Delta, to write a book and to stir up controversy. Her trouble is that she might now qualify as a serial killer as there are two bodies in her past and it doesn’t take long for another body to join the count. The town “Earl” is found shot in the heart just like the bodies found at the two Universities where Dr Diakos worked as a visiting professor. Oops. Another commonality, all three men were serial abusers of women. Serious “Earls”, in fact.
Dr Diakos hires Sarah Booth and Tinkie to prove her innocence. Proving her innocence is not so easy, especially since Dr Diakos advocates that women defend themselves from men who abuse them. She offers shooting lessons. Umm, no, not when you might be shortly crowned “serial killer”. Gotta love her.
Sarah Booth lives on the family plantation, Dahlia House, with her boyfriend Sheriff Coleman Peters. She also lives with the ghost of an enslaved woman, Jitty, who managed to form a bond of necessity during the Civil War with a distant Booth great grandmother.
Jitty has the ability to leave the plantation and to transform herself into any persona she wants to. Jitty’s theme during Independent Bones is outlaw women or very strong women of the Old West. Carolyn Haines imparts some fascinating history lessons concerning women’s struggles for equality throughout the book, most through the earnest Jitty.
Tinkie Richmond, the perfect example of a Delta Daddy’s Girl, married to Oscar Richmond, the town banker and richest man in Zinnia. Tinkie has managed to overcome her “raisings” and has turned Oscar into the perfect husband. Tinkie is also twenty months pregnant, or so she feels.
Independent Bones is a darker book than usual, tackling the subject of men who abuse women, and the guns and camo crowd who are organizing to support throwback politicians. Those who can’t stand to see independent women making their own health care and financial choices just to name a few areas of contention. Mississippi is considered fertile ground for their misogyny. Don’t believe me; check out which big case the Supremes have just accepted from Mississippi.
Haines has always done a lovely job of scattering whimsy throughout her books, even this more serious book. How about The Moody Blue’s Tuesday Afternoon for an exotic dancer’s music?
This is a series that has kept its charm through 23 books, never getting stale or repetitive. I highly recommend this book and the preceding books.
My only quibbles with Independent Bones the stupid and or dangerous moves Sarah Booth makes. Moves that could cause her to wake up dead, or to end up in jail or losing her P.I. license. Oh wait, male P.I.s do the same things. Silly me, it’s almost if I have different standards.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
An Ole Miss visiting professor on a sabbatical, Dr Alala Diakos settles in Zinnia, MS, a little town in the Mississippi Delta, to write a book and to stir up controversy. Her trouble is that she might now qualify as a serial killer as there are two bodies in her past and it doesn’t take long for another body to join the count. The town “Earl” is found shot in the heart just like the bodies found at the two Universities where Dr Diakos worked as a visiting professor. Oops. Another commonality, all three men were serial abusers of women. Serious “Earls”, in fact.
Dr Diakos hires Sarah Booth and Tinkie to prove her innocence. Proving her innocence is not so easy, especially since Dr Diakos advocates that women defend themselves from men who abuse them. She offers shooting lessons. Umm, no, not when you might be shortly crowned “serial killer”. Gotta love her.
Sarah Booth lives on the family plantation, Dahlia House, with her boyfriend Sheriff Coleman Peters. She also lives with the ghost of an enslaved woman, Jitty, who managed to form a bond of necessity during the Civil War with a distant Booth great grandmother.
Jitty has the ability to leave the plantation and to transform herself into any persona she wants to. Jitty’s theme during Independent Bones is outlaw women or very strong women of the Old West. Carolyn Haines imparts some fascinating history lessons concerning women’s struggles for equality throughout the book, most through the earnest Jitty.
Tinkie Richmond, the perfect example of a Delta Daddy’s Girl, married to Oscar Richmond, the town banker and richest man in Zinnia. Tinkie has managed to overcome her “raisings” and has turned Oscar into the perfect husband. Tinkie is also twenty months pregnant, or so she feels.
Independent Bones is a darker book than usual, tackling the subject of men who abuse women, and the guns and camo crowd who are organizing to support throwback politicians. Those who can’t stand to see independent women making their own health care and financial choices just to name a few areas of contention. Mississippi is considered fertile ground for their misogyny. Don’t believe me; check out which big case the Supremes have just accepted from Mississippi.
Haines has always done a lovely job of scattering whimsy throughout her books, even this more serious book. How about The Moody Blue’s Tuesday Afternoon for an exotic dancer’s music?
This is a series that has kept its charm through 23 books, never getting stale or repetitive. I highly recommend this book and the preceding books.
My only quibbles with Independent Bones the stupid and or dangerous moves Sarah Booth makes. Moves that could cause her to wake up dead, or to end up in jail or losing her P.I. license. Oh wait, male P.I.s do the same things. Silly me, it’s almost if I have different standards.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
January 10, 2021
Someone has murdered Curtis, a notorious wife-beater, and a visiting college professor is the main suspect. She hires the Delaney Detective Agency to help exonerate her, and even though Tinkie is nearing the end of her pregnancy, she insists on being part of the investigation. All the favorites are back, including animal companions Sweetie Pie, Pluto, Chablis, and Roscoe. Jitty also makes several appearances as outlaw women of the past. Three and a half stars. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
April 24, 2021
Zinnia, Mississippi is one of my favorite places to escape to and this book did not disappoint! This is my absolute favorite cozy mystery series, and I was ecstatic when I received a physical ARC of the latest installment from a Goodreads give away. I first picked up this series at the library at book 17 as a new release because the Southern main character’s name was Sarah Booth, and my grandmother was a Booth. I fell in love with the story and immediately read the 16 previous books and have continued as they were released since then. This book is hands down my favorite of the series so far.
One of my favorite parts of the series is that Haines has never shied away from hot topics. The first book was published in 1999 and includes a transgender main character. I will admit in my head CeCe has always been African American, and despite books stating otherwise I just can’t kick it. No matter what race Haines sees her as, her character was groundbreaking in the time she was created, and I have no idea why my mind sees her as Black. She’s one of my favorites and I was a bit sad she and Jaytee were more background characters in this book. Still, this book stuck to the series’ roots.
Haines addresses current issues in real way that fit into the storyline so well. AVA is a very real possibility in today’s political environment, as is domestic violence. I loved the description of men who didn’t go to war but wear the pride of those that did and instead just kill animals. While I’m not so much against hunting, I live in Iowa and we eat the meat of the animals we kill, but the rest is spot freaking on! I love that Sarah Booth checks her privilege multiple times. So much of what happens in this series could not happen in reality, but Haines makes it relevant with points like this constantly and I could not love it more!
I loved the story. The mystery kept me guessing the entire book. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, I’d realize I didn’t. While that was going on I loved how the characters developed. Some things in character development I expected, and others were not expected at all! I loved that all the characters I’ve grown to love were included in this book, even if it was a small part. I had a feeling from the beginning a big event would happen in this book and I was not disappointed! (trying not to be spoilery here)
For my final and to me most important thought. From the beginning I realized this book would be special because it addressed issues that are important to me, but I have felt conflicted about because of my family history. I struggle with being proud of my Southern heritage, while also being ashamed of my ancestor’s actions and I find it hard to reconcile the two. Haines put into words that it is ok to be proud of your heritage, while also admitting the people you are proud of were wrong and its okay to admit their faults. I won’t quote since I read an ARC, but she perfectly puts my feelings into words that make sense. I hope other people that have struggled with this also find peace and way to describe their feelings like I did from her words.
This was my favorite of the 23 books in the series. All my favorite characters made an appearance, plus it addressed a very real issue in the South and US in general. It reminded me why Carolyn Haines is my favorite author to follow on social media. She is what she writes. Thank you to Goodreads for an ARC, I absolutely loved it!
One of my favorite parts of the series is that Haines has never shied away from hot topics. The first book was published in 1999 and includes a transgender main character. I will admit in my head CeCe has always been African American, and despite books stating otherwise I just can’t kick it. No matter what race Haines sees her as, her character was groundbreaking in the time she was created, and I have no idea why my mind sees her as Black. She’s one of my favorites and I was a bit sad she and Jaytee were more background characters in this book. Still, this book stuck to the series’ roots.
Haines addresses current issues in real way that fit into the storyline so well. AVA is a very real possibility in today’s political environment, as is domestic violence. I loved the description of men who didn’t go to war but wear the pride of those that did and instead just kill animals. While I’m not so much against hunting, I live in Iowa and we eat the meat of the animals we kill, but the rest is spot freaking on! I love that Sarah Booth checks her privilege multiple times. So much of what happens in this series could not happen in reality, but Haines makes it relevant with points like this constantly and I could not love it more!
I loved the story. The mystery kept me guessing the entire book. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, I’d realize I didn’t. While that was going on I loved how the characters developed. Some things in character development I expected, and others were not expected at all! I loved that all the characters I’ve grown to love were included in this book, even if it was a small part. I had a feeling from the beginning a big event would happen in this book and I was not disappointed! (trying not to be spoilery here)
For my final and to me most important thought. From the beginning I realized this book would be special because it addressed issues that are important to me, but I have felt conflicted about because of my family history. I struggle with being proud of my Southern heritage, while also being ashamed of my ancestor’s actions and I find it hard to reconcile the two. Haines put into words that it is ok to be proud of your heritage, while also admitting the people you are proud of were wrong and its okay to admit their faults. I won’t quote since I read an ARC, but she perfectly puts my feelings into words that make sense. I hope other people that have struggled with this also find peace and way to describe their feelings like I did from her words.
This was my favorite of the 23 books in the series. All my favorite characters made an appearance, plus it addressed a very real issue in the South and US in general. It reminded me why Carolyn Haines is my favorite author to follow on social media. She is what she writes. Thank you to Goodreads for an ARC, I absolutely loved it!
May 30, 2021
I really love this book series. This one however fell short for me. The story line was fine but there were too many politics thrown in there. I hate that I can’t just be entertained without all the political b.s. It went too far when she attacked our founding fathers. Ugh.
May 17, 2021
An enthralling mystery that seamlessly intertwines with some of today's important social issues. Dr. Diakos uses a park opening to give a speech on her aggressive views on how to handle domestic abuse and soon after when a known abuser is found dead she becomes a top suspect. She hires PI's Sarah Booth and Tinkie to find the real killer but they are concerned that she might actually be guilty.
I have read all 23 books in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. Each one has its own tone so book #23 is as original as book #1. I really enjoy the diverse cast of characters and Sarah Booth's wit. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have read all 23 books in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. Each one has its own tone so book #23 is as original as book #1. I really enjoy the diverse cast of characters and Sarah Booth's wit. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 4, 2021
I read cozies to escape reality, the author's politics shoved down a readers throat from the opening chapter is just repugnant.
Did not finish, politics do not belong in a cozy
Did not finish, politics do not belong in a cozy
August 30, 2021
I have read this series out of order. I usually get copies from my library so it depends on what’s available.
Sarah is a very strong character. She makes a good role model. I enjoy her friendship with Tinkie, who is ready to have her baby. This mystery is set around Women’s Rights. It opens with Dr Diakos giving a speech about domestic violence. When a known abuser is found murdered, things get complicated. The complications grow as the body count of abusers grows. Even with the heavy subject, which caused multiple starts for me, I enjoyed the mystery. Dr Diakos strongly suggests women defend theirselves against abusers. Ghostly Jitty takes on women from the old west and their struggle for women’s rights. I love Jitty. Part of the reason I love her is she educates in a fun way. I love history so I tend to get excited over her.
I went through long time violence so the opening was a bit difficult for me. One of the things I dislike about domestic violence is the question of why the spouse stayed. It comes up all the time. There are many reasons why. It is a complicated relationship to be in and can be deadly to get out of. Leaving was dangerous for me so I have personal feelings when I hear or read that question. It brings up things that happened to my children and me when I attempted to file for divorce. Consequently I had a few false starts with this one. That is a personal hang up on me. I share it so others can be aware they may need to start, stop and start again. No shame in that. Do try to give the book a proper chance though. I think, like me, you will end up really liking it. We may have a long road yet to go, but, as women, we have come a long way. The author did a wonderful job bringing that to attention. I really enjoy books that also educate.
As I stated I am reading this out of order. It can be done. I wish, though, that I read it in book order. I think you will enjoy it better if you do. Either way, read this book. I think you will find a lot to think about in it.
*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. A review, while appreciated, is voluntary. All thoughts and opinions on this book are based upon my feelings while reading the book.
Sarah is a very strong character. She makes a good role model. I enjoy her friendship with Tinkie, who is ready to have her baby. This mystery is set around Women’s Rights. It opens with Dr Diakos giving a speech about domestic violence. When a known abuser is found murdered, things get complicated. The complications grow as the body count of abusers grows. Even with the heavy subject, which caused multiple starts for me, I enjoyed the mystery. Dr Diakos strongly suggests women defend theirselves against abusers. Ghostly Jitty takes on women from the old west and their struggle for women’s rights. I love Jitty. Part of the reason I love her is she educates in a fun way. I love history so I tend to get excited over her.
I went through long time violence so the opening was a bit difficult for me. One of the things I dislike about domestic violence is the question of why the spouse stayed. It comes up all the time. There are many reasons why. It is a complicated relationship to be in and can be deadly to get out of. Leaving was dangerous for me so I have personal feelings when I hear or read that question. It brings up things that happened to my children and me when I attempted to file for divorce. Consequently I had a few false starts with this one. That is a personal hang up on me. I share it so others can be aware they may need to start, stop and start again. No shame in that. Do try to give the book a proper chance though. I think, like me, you will end up really liking it. We may have a long road yet to go, but, as women, we have come a long way. The author did a wonderful job bringing that to attention. I really enjoy books that also educate.
As I stated I am reading this out of order. It can be done. I wish, though, that I read it in book order. I think you will enjoy it better if you do. Either way, read this book. I think you will find a lot to think about in it.
*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. A review, while appreciated, is voluntary. All thoughts and opinions on this book are based upon my feelings while reading the book.
April 27, 2021
DNF at 10%. Despite the jacket copy, this bears no resemblance to Stephanie Plum and the comparison is insulting. As a lover of Miss Plum, mysteries, and all things Southern, this seemed like a great choice. It was not. Every character was a stereotype. The heroine was crass, sarcastic, and unlikable. I just could not go on.
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the advanced reader copy of this book.
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the advanced reader copy of this book.
May 18, 2021
In Independent Bones, the 23rd installment on the Sarah Booth Delaney series, Carolyn Haines once again delivers with this clever mystery. As someone who has been reading the entire series since book one, I can say that I look forward to each and every book because I love these great characters and Haines' witty writing style.
This time around, Zinnia is a hotbed of action. Tinkie is very, very pregnant and Sarah Booth is terrified that her friend and partner is going to pop out her baby any moment, possibly when they're investigating their newest case: Dr. Alala Piakos, a visiting professor from Oxford is a suspect for murder after a wife abuser she had an altercation with is found shot. Dr. Piakos is very outspoken for women's rights and against a patriarchal society, which doesn't go over so well with a lot of men, especially some of the less enlightened men of the South like Curtis, the dead wife abuser. There are also two other men in the doctor's past who've been killed in similar ways who also had reputations for mistreating women, so Alala is the prime suspect unless Sarah Booth and Tinkie can find evidence that proves their client is innocent.
I really enjoyed this one and found the theme of the novel to be especially relevant to the times. I've always liked how Haines incorporates social issues into her novels, and I thought this one was important since it dealt with how men (some) still treat women as if we live in the nineteenth century when that's just ridiculous but don't get me started!
Once again, I loved immersing myself in the fictional world of Zinnia, MS, and spending time with characters that I've grown to love over two decades! This might be the 23rd book in the series, but the characters are still growing, changing, and they don't feel stuck in a rut like some characters in some other series that I can think of but won't name. Haines is a great storyteller and if you haven't read any of the other books yet, that's okay because this book can be read as a standalone as Haines has written it in a way that you're not left feeling lost in the dark.
I can't wait until the next book-as always when reading this series, I feel like I'm headed home, which is a great feeling when reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
This time around, Zinnia is a hotbed of action. Tinkie is very, very pregnant and Sarah Booth is terrified that her friend and partner is going to pop out her baby any moment, possibly when they're investigating their newest case: Dr. Alala Piakos, a visiting professor from Oxford is a suspect for murder after a wife abuser she had an altercation with is found shot. Dr. Piakos is very outspoken for women's rights and against a patriarchal society, which doesn't go over so well with a lot of men, especially some of the less enlightened men of the South like Curtis, the dead wife abuser. There are also two other men in the doctor's past who've been killed in similar ways who also had reputations for mistreating women, so Alala is the prime suspect unless Sarah Booth and Tinkie can find evidence that proves their client is innocent.
I really enjoyed this one and found the theme of the novel to be especially relevant to the times. I've always liked how Haines incorporates social issues into her novels, and I thought this one was important since it dealt with how men (some) still treat women as if we live in the nineteenth century when that's just ridiculous but don't get me started!
Once again, I loved immersing myself in the fictional world of Zinnia, MS, and spending time with characters that I've grown to love over two decades! This might be the 23rd book in the series, but the characters are still growing, changing, and they don't feel stuck in a rut like some characters in some other series that I can think of but won't name. Haines is a great storyteller and if you haven't read any of the other books yet, that's okay because this book can be read as a standalone as Haines has written it in a way that you're not left feeling lost in the dark.
I can't wait until the next book-as always when reading this series, I feel like I'm headed home, which is a great feeling when reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2021
A visiting professor is in town and clashes with certain people over her feminists ideals. When a murder occurs the professor becomes the main suspect and she hires Sarah Booth and Tinkie to prove her innocence. I love catching up with Sarah Booth and Tinkie. While I haven't loved the last few books in this series, I enjoyed this one a little more. I always love the characters and the setting. The mystery was good. I liked the character of the professor and seeing the growth of all the characters. I plan on reading the next book.
May 14, 2022
Yay for Tinkie and Oscar! Looking forward to the last two books with bittersweet anticipation.
August 5, 2021
I wish I could sit on a porch in Zinnia. These books and characters feel like home. Sarah Booth and Tinkie solve another mystery. Loved all the historical references from Jitty.
July 23, 2021
Independent Bones disappointed me from its start. I read for pleasure, and while I truly enjoy the history lessons woven into the series, I prefer not to be lectured by authors and their imaginary characters. I'm sick of politics and "social justice" shoveled at me in entertainment.
There is nothing about this author's particular soap box with which I disagree, but her books have always been fun, not a scolding. I will admit to being struck by one thought provoking passage:
Independent Bones is missing Sarah Booth Delaney's sense of adventure and good nature. The eternally pregnant Tinkie is uncharacteristically whiny. Regular characters have no part in Independent Bones where unlikable characters rule, evidently for the sole purpose of annoying us with their authors chosen soap box.
The dogs and cat seem to be the most interesting characters. They haven't lost their glee for adventure and never mumbled a word doing so.
Somehow I missed The Devil's Bones but frankly I'm inclined not to waste my time. There are too many great books to read that don't lecture me.
3 generous stars for Independent Bones.
There is nothing about this author's particular soap box with which I disagree, but her books have always been fun, not a scolding. I will admit to being struck by one thought provoking passage:
"Was I really acting privileged? Maybe. I chewed on it a moment longer. Because I couldn't imagine a man ever lifting a hand to me, had I had a protected - even privileged - upbringing? Maybe."However, for me the next line ruined the thought:
"Wasn't privileged the expectation that things would go a certain way without understanding how that wasn't reality for a lot of people?"No, that's called life. Reality is some people have healthy babies and others do not. Reality is some lose their mothers far too young and others have healthy living generational families. Reality is sometimes we make mistakes, sometimes we make bad choices and sometimes we are gobsmacked by purely accidental events, some of which are evil.
Independent Bones is missing Sarah Booth Delaney's sense of adventure and good nature. The eternally pregnant Tinkie is uncharacteristically whiny. Regular characters have no part in Independent Bones where unlikable characters rule, evidently for the sole purpose of annoying us with their authors chosen soap box.
The dogs and cat seem to be the most interesting characters. They haven't lost their glee for adventure and never mumbled a word doing so.
Somehow I missed The Devil's Bones but frankly I'm inclined not to waste my time. There are too many great books to read that don't lecture me.
3 generous stars for Independent Bones.
March 15, 2021
"Independent Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 23rd instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series. I enjoyed visiting Sarah and the gang again. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I love that it was about Woman’s Rights, I always learn so much from Carolyn’s books.
I love that it was about Twinkie being ready to pop, and everyone was worried for her. The relationship between Tinkie and Sarah is so special and one I would like myself. There’s such a sense of friendship and community in these stories. 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, also love how the animals are included the solving of the mysteries.
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 love that it was about Twinkie being ready to pop, and everyone was worried for her. The relationship between Tinkie and Sarah is so special and one I would like myself. There’s such a sense of friendship and community in these stories. 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, also love how the animals are included the solving of the mysteries.
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.
June 16, 2021
Book is OK. Story (plot) is OK. Stupid ghost still makes this series and up and down affair. Either it is used too much or when used just acts filler that could be replaced with better writing. Cropping up for three or four pages at a time is just uncalled for.
July 11, 2021
I really like this series, however, this book had so many people running around, it was hard to keep up with all of them. And I found their relationship to be kind of boring.
February 27, 2021
So I haven’t read any of the previous Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries but this was really good and light mystery. I was a little lost just with who everybody was since this was 23rd in the series that was a given but it didn’t take me very long to get in the swing of the book and learn who everybody was and it was a really fun southern mystery with a little paranormal twist and very helpful with the investigation pets. Sarah Booth Delaney is a PI with her partner Tinkey who is about to pop pregnant are in the park for its rededication when Dr. Alala Diakos makes a speech rousing the crowd with her fervent feminist ideals and radical leaning when as the crowd gets unruly and starting accosting the heckling men that Sarah finds a sniper rifle with scope in the bushes. Sarah calls her boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, who offers Alala the protection of the Zinnia police which she declines but when a notorious abuser is found murdered the next day after an altercation with Alala where she is heard bragging about taking him down. She hires Sarah booth after her connection to 2 other similar murder is unearthed by the police and she was the prime suspect but never charged for both of those. This was a really good mystery it kept you guessing until the end and it was interesting having a ghost keep turning up playing the parts of wanted women to make a point to Sarah Booth. It took some getting used to but I figured out that apparently there is a ghost in this series as well. Everything gets resolved in the end and the pets help enormously and Tinkey has her baby. Really great and fast read and even without reading any other in the series it still made sense and stood alone so that was great.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
March 2, 2022
Independent Bones is the twenty third book in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series by author Carolyn Haines. This is such a great series and I really adore Sarah Booth and Tinkie as the main characters in the series. They make up Delaney Detective Agency and they’ve been hired to prove that Alala Diakos, a Greek English professor on sabbatical from Ole Miss to write a book on women’s struggle for equality, is not guilty of murdering three men, all of whom were known abusers.
The main problem that they have is that Alala is the only connection between the three men and Sarah Booth and Tinkie struggle to come up with alternate suspects. Tinkie is also eight and a half months pregnant; which can make it hard for her to contribute a lot to the investigation. They still manage a solid investigation though and take us on a journey of twists and turns to figure out who the real killer is.
I though this was a really solid mystery that tackled several important things surrounding domestic violence, as well as the fight for equality for women. Despite some of the serious topics covered here, there were still plenty of light hearted moments that the dogs and cat owned by Sarah Booth and Tinkie contributed. I really enjoy this series and this book was a wonderful addition to the series. I can’t wait to read book #24 as soon as it’s released.
The main problem that they have is that Alala is the only connection between the three men and Sarah Booth and Tinkie struggle to come up with alternate suspects. Tinkie is also eight and a half months pregnant; which can make it hard for her to contribute a lot to the investigation. They still manage a solid investigation though and take us on a journey of twists and turns to figure out who the real killer is.
I though this was a really solid mystery that tackled several important things surrounding domestic violence, as well as the fight for equality for women. Despite some of the serious topics covered here, there were still plenty of light hearted moments that the dogs and cat owned by Sarah Booth and Tinkie contributed. I really enjoy this series and this book was a wonderful addition to the series. I can’t wait to read book #24 as soon as it’s released.
May 14, 2021
Reading a book in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series is like coming home to visit old friends. This visit has private investigators, Sarah Booth and Tinkie, working to solve murders, find their dear friend Harold (along with his Hound from Hell - Roscoe) and clear their latest client, all before Tinkie has a life-changing event!
Carolyn Haines has the wonderful writing ability to weave a compelling mystery with a storyline that features real world issues, as seen through the cases of two best friends who go through life's ups and downs throughout the series. The main characters are opposites, relatable and genuine and I always enjoy the humor that the long-time friends share. The mystery has twists and turns and the ending was exciting, heartwarming, funny and typical Sarah Booth and Tinkie! All the gang is here - Cece, Millie, Coleman, Oscar, Harold and my very favorite - the irresistible ghost, Jitty. Jitty's portrayal of women throughout history and their struggles was thought-provoking and fit the mystery perfectly.
I'm looking forward to another trip to Zinnia!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Carolyn Haines has the wonderful writing ability to weave a compelling mystery with a storyline that features real world issues, as seen through the cases of two best friends who go through life's ups and downs throughout the series. The main characters are opposites, relatable and genuine and I always enjoy the humor that the long-time friends share. The mystery has twists and turns and the ending was exciting, heartwarming, funny and typical Sarah Booth and Tinkie! All the gang is here - Cece, Millie, Coleman, Oscar, Harold and my very favorite - the irresistible ghost, Jitty. Jitty's portrayal of women throughout history and their struggles was thought-provoking and fit the mystery perfectly.
I'm looking forward to another trip to Zinnia!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 6, 2021
This latest book in a long series about PI Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends in a small town in Mississippi explored unexpected contemporary themes of spousal abuse, white privilege, and armed militia. While the returning characters play their supporting roles, I appreciated the author's analysis of the thinking that drives the fear of losing power. She managed to frustrate and anger me with her description of a secret group of men (AVA or American Values Association) raising money to support state lawmakers in passing laws to "keep women in their place." Limiting women's economic, educational and medical choices is the focus of their work and strategy to connect efforts to the national level. This was a deep dive over the course of the novel, reflecting how this is occurring in contemporary America and the kind of consistent courage it takes to confront and defeat it.
May 31, 2021
Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines is the 23rd 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. As always Independent Bones does not disappoint. Sarah Booth and her private eye partner, Tinkie have been hired by a feminist Professor to find out who killed an abusive local man since she is the prime suspect. One problem is that Tinkie is ready to have her baby any time. 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.
July 25, 2021
A woman comes to town lecturing on how men are trying to keep women under their thumbs which makes a men’s group angry. One of the men at the lecture ends up dead and Alda is blamed. Sarah doesn’t want to believe it and tries to prove she didn’t do it.
July 13, 2021
Never a dull moment when Sarah Booth and Tinkie are on the case.
July 26, 2021
OK, "Independent Bones" by Carolyn Haines was on offer at the Winona, Miss., library, and I snapped it up last week. Her series set in the delta land around her heroine's Dahlia plantation house and ruled by the inimitable Jitty is a "guilty pleasure". Enjoy!
May 30, 2023
This is my favorite cozy mystery series. And I think this one was my favorite in the series so far. I love Sarah Booth and all her friends!
April 3, 2025
A serious subject in this book. Sarah Booth still does idiot things that endanger others. Of course she regrets it after. You know it ends well since there are more re book in the series.
May 16, 2021
It's a girl!
I love this series and every character in it, including Sweetie Pie, Pluto, Chablis and Roscoe.
I'm so happy that Tinkie finally had her baby. Now it's Sarah Booth's turn!
I love this series and every character in it, including Sweetie Pie, Pluto, Chablis and Roscoe.
I'm so happy that Tinkie finally had her baby. Now it's Sarah Booth's turn!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 23, 2021You have to really like cozy to like this one. Pitched as a mystery, it’s really about a woman’s last stages of pregnancy and birthing the baby. Oh, yes, there are three murders for which the perp must be fingered, but the action mostly tracks people chasing other people who are either not where they are expected to be, or are where they are not expected to be. Resolution does not come crashing in until the last few pages and the two protags never do figure it out: this is another case of the perp confessing all without any particular reason for doing so. I found the action constantly getting in the way of the mystery, as well as did all the trappings of cozy: a non-existent place (“Zinnia”); people with outlandish names (Tinkie, Tansy, Moody Moody, Madame Tomeeka, Cece, Alala, Jitty, Budgie, Poppy Bright); and animals that are so highly anthropomorphized they might as well be given the gift of speech. Oh, yes, and I guess in my reviews I’ve mentioned how annoying I find the gratuitous appearance of a ghost. This has one of those too. If the cute and cozy is all in the service for what is a hard-hitting message about abusive men, then that service seems more of a disservice. We are, after all, several years past the exposing of several high-profile abusers, the Me-Too movement, and the revealing of human damage that courageous women have brought to the fore. Yet there is none of that here; only what seems like a wacky woman committing three murders.
May 19, 2021
E-book/Cozy Mystery: I want to thank NetGalley for letting me have an advanced copy of this book. I liked this one a lot. Most of the Sarah Booth Mysteries take place during holidays. This one takes place in the fall and the independence has more to do with the Martina McBride song than firecrackers. The books theme of indepencence brings on my favorite subject, Women’s Liberation. Along with that is Tinkie’s baby being liberated from the womb and Tinkie is days from giving birth. (And she does it too quickly and easily for a first natural birth).
Jitty is stll around driving all of us crazy. The dogs still aren’t leashed, which drives me nuts.
I did like the idea of the book because there has been so much misogyny (being prejusticed against women) in recent years. The book really didn’t delve into the mind of a woman-hater (who can male or female) or into the mind of battered woman syndrome.
I did like that Sarah Booth had a mystery close to home because after reading eight of her books, the characters are like my friends. Tinkie and Oscar have really grown as characters since the beginning of the series. Sarah Booth, not so much. The backlog of the series I still need to read may help me understand how Harold went from jerk to decent person. I do like this one better than some others.
Jitty is stll around driving all of us crazy. The dogs still aren’t leashed, which drives me nuts.
I did like the idea of the book because there has been so much misogyny (being prejusticed against women) in recent years. The book really didn’t delve into the mind of a woman-hater (who can male or female) or into the mind of battered woman syndrome.
I did like that Sarah Booth had a mystery close to home because after reading eight of her books, the characters are like my friends. Tinkie and Oscar have really grown as characters since the beginning of the series. Sarah Booth, not so much. The backlog of the series I still need to read may help me understand how Harold went from jerk to decent person. I do like this one better than some others.
May 9, 2021
Sarah Booth is back again. Her partner in their investigative agency, Tinkie is about to give birth and there's a professor of Greek studies with a decidedly feminist bent in town who is stirring up... everyone. At a talk that Alala Diakos is giving, the local prototypical wife abuser calls her out and it causes a scene. Then Sarah Booth finds a gun that was pointed at Alala while she was speaking. But the professor is not the one to die, instead, she becomes the prime suspect in the abuser's murder. It doesn't help that she's been linked to at least two other murders where the man was similarly of the mind that women belonged in the kitchen.
Sarah Booth will have to be careful because it seems that there is a group getting together who aren't afraid to use any means possible to make sure that their idealized vision of history becomes everyone else's present. And she is setting herself right in their sights.
I think these books have always been a little preachy but this one is even more so. It's a topic that I agree with but was fairly heavy-handed. I am happy that Tinkie had her baby and look forward to seeing how this changes (or maybe doesn't) the dynamic between our protagonist and one of her best friends.
Sarah Booth will have to be careful because it seems that there is a group getting together who aren't afraid to use any means possible to make sure that their idealized vision of history becomes everyone else's present. And she is setting herself right in their sights.
I think these books have always been a little preachy but this one is even more so. It's a topic that I agree with but was fairly heavy-handed. I am happy that Tinkie had her baby and look forward to seeing how this changes (or maybe doesn't) the dynamic between our protagonist and one of her best friends.
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