Bones of Holly

Sarah Booth Delaney #25

by Carolyn Haines

Bones of Holly is the next novel from Carolyn Haines in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as “Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie, along with baby Maylin, are in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi for Christmas this year, as judges for the annual library tree decorating contest.

The other two judges are writers Sandra O’Day and Janet Malone. They’re bestselling Mississippi authors, but bitter competitors. In fact, the feud between them is the stuff of legends. For years, they’ve brawled, their sales skyrocketing with each cat fight. Sandra’s most recent true crime book documents the 1920s rum-running era of Al Capone, who built a mansion in BSL and a distribution network for his liquor. Janet’s book, scheduled to be published in January, is a fictional account of the same material—which only heightens their bitter rivalry.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are shopping with little Maylin when they see Sandra and Janet outside a bookstore, fur flying, and when Sandra vanishes from her own gala later that night, suspicion turns to Janet. Janet accuses Sandra of attempting to manipulate the media by a fake disappearance, but is it a stunt, or is something more sinister at play?

Sarah Booth and Tinkie will have to dive deep into the history of Bay St. Louis, and even Al Capone himself, to get to the bottom of this case. But the trail in fact leads them back to several prominent families still residing in the area. Families who may not want their secrets known…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Southern, Contemporary

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2022

About the author

Carolyn 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.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Oscar, and Coleman are in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to judge a Christmas tree decorating contest benefiting the local library. Their co-judges are Janet and Sandra, two bestselling authors who are constantly feuding. When one of them disappears, the other woman hires the Delaney Detective Agency to find her. Maybe someone knows more than they're telling; when people start getting hurt and threatening notes are found, it seems even less likely that they will solve the case by Christmas. The holiday ambiance and the return of these likable characters makes this book a fun choice for holiday reading. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Sharon Coan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsolved

For the first time I can recall, the ends of the Bones mystery are left untied. The antics of the missing “victims” are dismissed way too cavalierly, including knocking Harold unconscious and leaving him where he might never be found! The arson at the Marcus business was never explained. Totally disappointing.

[Sarah Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I really think this one is most definitely the best of the series thus far. I absolutely love the era that the mystery was about in this book, and I simply love studying about the gangsters of the 1920's and 30's. Such an interesting period in history! And who hasn't wondered exactly where Al Capone's treasure is? It's nice to daydream about what it would be like if it was actually found.

This book really put me in the Christmas spirit, which is exactly what I need right now as it's as hot as a furnace outside. It has made me want to go and start Christmas shopping, playing Christmas tunes, and seeing all of those brightly wrapped presents under the tree. The more I read this series, the more I fall in love with Mississippi and its people. Such a wealth of history and culture.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are a dynamite team together. You then mix in CeeCee and Millie, Coleman, Oscar, and now Maylinn, well the fun just keeps going. I love Sarah Booth's temper. It reminds me so much of my own. I am perfectly capable of letting go a slight to me, until it's a slight towards someone I care about and then I am not going to stop. I will go at you just like a bulldog with a pork chop.

And then comes Coleman. What a man! I can completely see how he and Sarah Booth are together. They are a lot alike. I cannot wait to see these two get married and maybe have little detecting babies of their own.

I really enjoyed this book. The setting was fabulous, the mystery was fabulous. Just a wonderful book. I absolutely recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers, and to the author for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely honest.

[Karen Stallman]

"Bones of Holly" by Carolyn Haines the 25th instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series which releases on October 11th. I am a huge fan of Carolyn’s and this series!

I always enjoy visiting with Sarah and Tinkie it’s like coming home to old friends. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I liked visiting the Bay of St. Louis, Mississippi at Christmas with Sarah and Tinkie and learning a little bit of the history in that area and even a little about Al Capone.

The inclusion of her haint (Dahlia House's ghost Jetty) always brings a chuckle as i can imagine what Sarah looks like talking to herself. There were a few spots in the book that were really funny if you picture it in your head, oink oink…

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’m looking forward to the next instalment

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.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The usual characters (including a haint who follows Sarah Booth) are on a shopping vacation in Bay St Louis for the judging of a Christmas tree decorating contest to benefit the Bay St. Louis library. They also have co judges Sandra and Janet, who are bestselling authors and apparent frenemies. Suddenly one of them (and her assistant) go missing during a party from her own rehabbed mansion built by Al Capone to share with his mistress. There are a lot of secrets in that house and mausoleum and his missing treasure. Love each and every one of the characters! Great research plus imagination! And the twisty sleuthing and red herrings!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid entry into this long running series. As always, I love the characters and the setting, although I’m getting pretty sick of Jitty and her antics. I loved the history of Bay St. Louis added in and the legend of Al Capone. Looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is set on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Sarah and Tinkie have been invited to be judges of a decorated Christmas tree contest by a library along with two local authors. When one of the authors goes missing the other author hires the Delaney agency to find the missing author and her assistant. The story had it's cute moments along with the Al Capone mystery. The book was an easy read.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Southern mystery.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 25 in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. Sarah and her business partner Tinkie are asked to judge the Christmas tree contest at the small town library. Two famous authors will be the additional judges. With families in tow, they arrive in time for the welcome party where one of the other judges disappears. Lots going on and of course, you mix in her sidekick ghost who is in her element with all the Capone references you have a great cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this book, one of my favorites in the series. It can stand as a stand alone but there might be a little confusion.

[Jackie P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took more than half way through, before I got interested. Too many turns and what ifs.
When I saw that this book was of a series, I thought I would need to get more of them. Not

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cute read.

[Eilonwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun! And for the 25th in a series, it stood alone just fine.

I narcissistically picked it up for the title, but I really like Sarah Booth and her narrative style. She reminded me of Sookie Stackhouse, very straightforward and pragmatic, if Sookie were solving mysteries without supernatural creatures in them. (Or maybe Sookie is Sarah Booth with vampires ... :-)

I'm going to aim to read this entire series from the beginning starting in the not-too-distant future.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again, I find it ridiculous how Sarah Booth & Tinkie travel to different places and for some bizarre reasons the locals hire them as PIs when local talent would be so much better. At least when they're traveling the readers are spared the insanity of having the animals involved as they're depicted as genius animals. Of course, now the reader is stuck with a perfect, brilliant, very advanced 2 month old baby instead. And the extremely annoying Jitty follows them to a different city again-Ugh! Too many eye roll moments in the story.

[Chanda M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was number 3 million in a huge long series. It was definitely not a stand alone book. I couldn't really follow it well. And there were a bazillion characters that I could never seem to get straight. That's my fault. That being said, I felt that the writing was very disjointed and stilted and maybe a bit... young. So I doubt this series would be appealing to me regardless.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bones of Holly by Carolyn Haines is a magnificent mystery with many moving parts and lessons to be learned.
Will Sarah Booth and Tinkie find Sandra and Daryl before it's too late?
It's Christmastime, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are judging a Christmas tree decorating contest in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi as a fundraiser for the library. Coleman, Oscar, and Maylin are also there for a few fun and relaxing days.

The other judges for the contest are two best-selling local authors, who seem to be frienemies. These ladies go out of their way to show the other up. They end up in a fight whenever they are together. Their behavior is atrocious. Yet, these public displays of animosity sell lots of books. Sandra and her assistant, Daryl, disappear from a party for the contest at Sandra's mansion. No ransom note, nothing left but some blood in the mudroom. Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired by Janet, the other author, who is the prime suspect in the disappearances.

There are so many things going on in this small tourist town. Sarah Booth and Tinkie don't have many clues, but they have a stalker, a peeping tom, and an animal hater, to name a few.

Maylin steals the show whenever she is around. But her nanny Pauline has a lot to learn about being part of the Richmond family. Like learning to keep a straight face when her boss is fibbing.

I love to see Sarah Booth and Coleman so happy. They are perfect for each other. It's fun to see Sarah Booth blissfully happy. Like trying to take a selfie for next year's Christmas card in the middle of the night. I would love to see that pic. Maybe Harold has found his partner. If so, that leaves Millie to find her person.
Jitty's Clues to help/annoy Sarah Booth

Five Stars
This was the perfect Christmas mystery. No murder, just people getting caught doing bad things and paying for the consequences. My rating for Bones of Holly by Carolyn Haines is five stars. She always has me looking into history after reading one of her books. I think they perfectly blend history, paranormal, mystery, romance, friendship, family, and a fictional story.

I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series. I know there are a lot of them, but the books are so worth the time.


Other Books in the Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Bones of Holly by Carolyn Haines.

Until the next time,



 

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Christopher]

When a cozy runs for over twenty books, traditionally, one of two things happens: either it runs out of steam until the characters simply rehash the same plots over and over, or the author starts taking chances. In the best way possible, Bones of Holly, number twenty-five in the Sarah Booth Delaney series, falls into the latter category. Author Carolyn Haines hasn't just kept her carefully crafted world thriving—she's written a good mystery in the process.

Here, sleuth Sarah Booth is back on the case with her friend Tinkie. While the two are supposed to spend the Christmas season in Bay St. Louis judging a tree decorating competition, the two other judges, a dueling pair of writers, won't stop bickering with each other. When one of the authors, Sandra, disappears, all attention turns to her rival, Janet. Enter Sarah Booth and Tinkie, whose attempts to locate their co-judge quickly uncovers a bizarre plot involving bouts of plagiarism, a host of secrets, and Al Capone.

Bones of Holly exemplifies the quirky cozy. These characters are larger than life, starting with Sarah Booth, who's built with a lot of sass but plenty of heart, and extending to a patchwork group of suspects, friends, and Mississippi denizens. Haines's stories, primarily because of her rich characters, exude a heightened Southern charm, and this one is no different. All the standard pieces from previous books are here, and they're stronger than ever.

The mystery itself is more playful than a traditional cozy. There's no murder catalyst, though Haines manages to keep the stakes high by exploring some surprises between the two battling writers. To cap it off, Jitty, the ghost of an enslaved woman who's been looking after Delaney women since antebellum, keeps popping up with cryptic warnings and Hollywood-style costume changes. These bits of veiled information are a great way to add tension, but the continued enslavement of a woman create uncomfortable questions of their own. Haines attempts to maneuver around this by crafting a late scene where Sarah Booth suddenly showcases an overwhelming love for Jitty, but this relationship remains complicated at best.

Still, it's not hard to understand why this series made it to twenty-five books. It's a good story.

Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Bones of Holly is the 25th Sarah Booth Delaney cozy mystery by Carolyn Haines. Released 11th Oct 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a very long-running cozy series with well established characters and fun convoluted mysteries which are enjoyable and full of light humor. There's a strong paranormal element (the main character is sort of haunted by her great-great grandmother's nanny, a black woman named Jitty who has Opinions and lots of cryptic advice). MC Sarah Booth Delaney is also a PI and this installment sees her drawn into a mystery around a disappearance, feuding local authors, and all set in a local holiday destination where she and her BFF Tinkie are guest judges at a Christmas tree decorating competition.

It's a very light cozy and readers should be prepared to bring a prodigious suspension of disbelief to the read. Although the mystery is self contained in this volume, the characters have developed over a very long time and if read as a standalone, expect some spoilers for earlier books in the series. With 25 (!!!) books extant at this point, it would be a great choice for a very long binge read. Readers who are already fans of Donna Andrews, Jenn McKinlay, and Ellery Adams will likely already have the series on their radar, but if not, it's a fun one.

Four stars. Cozy mystery comfort food.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is just around the corner and Sarah Booth Delaney along with Tinkie, Oscar, baby Maylin, Harold, Cece and Millie have taken a holiday trip to Bay St. Louis on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The reason is innocent enough - Sarah Booth and Tinkie are to judge decorated Christmas trees for a library fundraiser. Things will be interesting because the other judges are two authors who are constantly at each others throats. While approaching the bookstore where the book signings will be the books start flying out the door - literally. As in hurled as projectiles between the two women. That sets the tone for the event and before long one of the women disappears. Is it a stunt or is it the real deal? Time for the Delaney Detective Agency to set aside holiday shopping and seeing the sights and try to track down the missing author.
Bay St. Louis was a bootleggers paradise back in the 1920's and Al Capone and his missing treasure become part of their investigation. Turns out that there are some well established families who have lots of secrets. Are the books that the two authors wrote about Capone, one non-fiction, one fiction, at the heart of the mystery?
I always enjoy spending time with Sarah Booth and her friends. They make me smile and laugh. The mystery is only one reason to enjoy this long running series. I'm always left wanting to know what will be in store for them in the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bones of Holly, the twenty fifth book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries series by Carolyn Haines, finds the Delaney Detective Agency investigating a missing persons case while on their much anticipated Christmas trip…they were fervently looking forward to spending a Christmas season without having to divide their time enjoying holiday festivities with an agency case as in season’s past.

Inadvertently a case that dates back to Al Capone and missing treasure ensnares the Zinnia, MS group: Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Coleman, Oscar, Harold, Millie, and Cece when they travel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for their holiday jaunt. While there they become entangled in a missing persons case and a decades old mystery. In Ms Haines’ distinctive style, dialog is laced with humor and wickedly smart banter, romance abounds, this time it embraces Harold…but still Sarah Booth and Coleman are the couple who will always touch my heart; the journey they took to get to the place in their relationship was a long arduous one…and of course their jokingly repartee is thoroughly enjoyable.

Once again as soon as I’ve completed one Sarah Booth mystery, I’m fixated on waiting for the next one!

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Myarn]

Bones of Holly by Carolyn Haines (Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery #25) 5 stars

Sarah and her partner, Tinkie with baby Maylin are in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to judge the annual Christmas tree decorating contest - a fundraiser for the local library. The other two judges (Sandra O’Day and Janet Malone) are bestselling local writers and bitter competitors. These two women cause scene after scene, but their sales go up with every catfight. When Sandra disappears at a signing party, Janet becomes suspect #1. She hires Sarah and Tinkie to find Sandra before it is too late. In the process of solving the disappearance, the dynamic duo will run into the mystique of Al Capone and his hidden treasure. Will mysteries present and past be solved by Sarah and company before Christmas?

This book was a present for me and a joy to read. I also recently won the ARC for Lady of Bones on Goodreads and this book was a continuation of a quality reading experience. The mystery was engaging and a fast read. As always the interaction between all the supporting characters was wonderful. I’ve only read several of the most recent Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries; but Ms. Haines makes it easy to pick up on the background of the characters without reading the entire series. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this ARC.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 4 out of 5]

>Book Review – Bones of Holly

>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 25th in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series and ends with the mystery solved. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, baby Maylin, Oscar and Coleman are all on a mini vacation in Mississippi for a tree judging contest. I love seeing Tinkie, Sarah Booth and the baby together. I wish there were some scenes with just Sarah Booth and Coleman watching the baby. Nothing like a little baby time to get the internal clock ticking.

>One of the tree judges and her assistant go missing and Tinkie, Sarah Booth, Oscar and Coleman all work to find the pair before Christmas. I love it when Sarah Booth works with Coleman. This book really showed how tight these 2 are becoming. Coleman showed an Alpha amount of protectiveness around Sarah Booth. Sarah Booth seemed to still work as if she were alone. She kept leaving on her own without telling Coleman where she was going. If I were Coleman, I’d be getting irritated at her carelessness.

>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The mystery is solved, with multiple perpetrators. I love how all of the gang in this series is family, even Jitty. When will Sarah Booth tell Coleman about Jitty? I’d love for Jitty to show herself to Coleman, cementing to Sarah Booth that marriage to Coleman is blessed by her ancestors.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Sarah Booth and Tinkie and their respective men and new born Maylin are planning to enjoy some pre-Christmas fun while Sarah Booth judges a Christmas tree competition with two famous local authors. These two would make Bette Davis and Joan Crawford blush with their public displays of antagonism. While they both are highly successful in different forms of literature, they are famous for their cat fights, one of which Sarah and Tinkie witness first hand.

To launch the tree competition, Sandra is holding a party in her mansion once owned by Al Capone and his movie star mistress. She and her assistant vanish. Right at the party. And of course, her nemesis, Janet, is the first suspect. Janet hires the two PIs to find the missing duo, becoming increasingly frantic as time passes and no clues emerge as to their whereabouts. There is reason to question why such a sworn enemy would care enough but as the story evolves the reason becomes clear. There are plenty of red herrings to make the reader and the PI traverse off into another direction but often the first hunch turns out to be the right one.

Entertaining and fun, I always enjoy Sarah Booth and her friends. Each time one can almost smell the Delta and become immersed in the story. If you are looking for a holiday read, this might be just your ticket. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do Al Capone, a silent era film star and treasure have in common? They may be why famous popular history author, Sandra O’Day, and her assistant, Daryl, vanished without a trace during a party at her house. Or it could have been current mobsters, neighbors that have a grudge, or simply a publicity stunt to increase book sales. When Private Investigator Sarah Booth and her best friend Tinkie are hired by another author, Janet Malone, who had several public disagreements with Sandra, to investigate, they must try to untangle the rumors from the facts in Bones of Holly.

Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt or private investigation? Throw in mobsters, movie stars, and Christmas just for fun, stir and enjoy the refreshing result.

The setting of coastal Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is so well described that you will feel like you vacationed there. The ongoing characters of Sarah Booth, former society girl, Tinkie, and Sarah Booth’s resident haint, Civil War-era Jitty, all feel like real people with genuine emotions and actions. The mystery was good and not so challenging you had to take notes. Bones of Holly is a pleasant afternoon diversion for cozy mystery fans. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Booth is Bay St. Louis, MS getting ready for the holiday season. While shopping, they come across Janet Malone and Sandra O'Day throwing merchandise at each other in a book store. And this is right after Sarah Booth has told Tinkie that the two are going to be part of the panel of judges for the town library's Christmas tree contest. Even though the two write in different genres (Malone does sexy thrillers and O'Day does nonfictions), they have a well-known feud that is front and center that has been going on since the nineties.
On the night that Sandra is throwing a big party, she and her assistant, Daryl, go missing. Janet hires Sarah Booth and Tinky to find out what is going on. Is their disappearance linked to the feud with Janet or to the house that Sarah has recently bought? After all, it was built by Al Capone and there is a rumored treasure somewhere on the grounds.
The overall story was fine but felt a little flat compared to some other books in the series. We get to see all of our favorite friends

[Alta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Capone Meets Mississippi?

Bay Saint Louis is the Christmas vacation location Sarah Booth, Coleman, Twinkie and the entire gang have chosen this year. Twinkie and Sarah Booth have been.asked to be judges in the BSL annual Christmas tree decoration contest at the library and are thrilled to be judging alongside of Sandra B'day and Janet Malone who are best-selling authors that live in BSL. When Sandra and her personal assistant goes missing during the opening celebration at her home, which happens to have been built by All Capone for the Hunt man woman who was a special person in his world, everyone fears it is about the treasure hidden there somewhere. The Delaney Detective Agency is hired to find them. Sarah Booth and Twinkie leave no stone unturned and are threatened off the investigation. Will this be the case that ruins their reputation? Are they dead or alive? Read the book to find out! I enjoyed this book so very much and now the wait for the next one.

[Magen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Haines does it again! Each Sarah Booth Delaney mystery is unique and interesting even after 25 installments, it’s incredibly impressive. This Christmas themed entry had a good mystery, an author rivalry and a treasure hunt! Most of all, our rag tag crew was at their best. All of our Sarah Booth regulars were at their best. Twinkie and Oscar had a bit kore time in this one and we got to see more of their baby and them being parents, Cece as always was as delight, and Coleman! Coleman and Sarah are really in a good groove of their relationship and I love it. They’re funny and sweet and sexy and it’s so nice to have them be happy and settled for a few books in a row.

Honestly, each entry in this series just gets better, especially the last few, and as always I can’t wait to revisit the world of Sarah Booth Delaney!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bones of Holly is set in the Christmas season -- which is always fun.

This time Sarah, her partner Tinkie and baby Maylin are called on to be judges in a Christmas tree decoration contest. The other judges are two well-known and long competitive authors, Sandra and Janet. They have long been rivals and currently they have both written books about the same stories. One is fiction and one is non-fiction. Their legendary conflicts work to sell their books with the media attention that they get.

At a party for book signing Sandra disappears. The obvious answer is that Janet did something. Janet thinks Sandra is pulling a publicity stunt.

Sarah and her partner delve into the mystery. Both authors had included a legend of treasure from Al Capone. So that factors into the present day mystery.

A fine cast of characters with an intriguing mystery set in a holiday atmosphere makes for a good read indeed.

Thanks to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for the arc.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebook/Mystery: This is book 25 in the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries. This one is more of a light hearted story as the person is missing.
It's ironic that I just finished a book about two authors who grew up together with one famous and the other super-famous.
This book has two competing authors where the reader has to figure out if what they're saying is the truth or well thought our fiction to get back at the other. Of course, Sarah Booth is caught in the middle. Sarah Booth never ages, but either do Tinkie, Coleman, or Oscar. (I still picture Oscar as middle aged to old). All the crew is there minus the unleashed pets. I do wish Sarah Booth would go back to her roots in the first books as a funny trouble maker, who ransomed a dog to pay her taxes. She's really settled down.
This book was fun to read in time for Christmas. As a disclaimer, I did get this book from Netgalley in lieu of an honest review.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 25 of a series set in the Deep South of Mississippi featuring 2 spunky middle aged female private investigators and their friends. I have read a few of the books in the series randomly and have no problem following individual books.

The plot of the story is very intriguing with the central focus on Al Capone’s hidden money with a great deal of sleuthing taking place at his girlfriends mansion. The investigators and their friends take us on a madcap journey in search of the gangsters lost money.

The entire story takes place at Christmas time when the investigators are asked to judge a massive Christmas tree decorating contest in a neighboring town. I am not sure why or what qualifies the investigators to be judges alongside 2 famous authors but it is a lot of fun and very festive!

The reader will enjoy the characters, adventure, and mystery focused on Christmas holiday spirit. The only strange and unnecessary element of the stories is a random ghost that keeps making strange appearances and references. The author doesn’t need the ghost to carry the story at all but it seems to be used as the basis for the series.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bones of Holly is the twenty fifth mystery in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series. In this mystery, Sarah and her PI partner, Tinkie, are in Bay St Louis to help judge Christmas trees when one of two feuding authors disappears. Sarah and Tinkie are in the case, but can they find the missing people by Christmas?

This is the first I have read in the series, but I really enjoyed it and now plan to go back and start the series from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and the way the mystery unfolded. This was a well written cozy mystery with just the right touch of Christmas. Even though this is the first in the series I have read, I don’t feel like I missed out in too much besides a little background info. Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to starting this series from the beginning.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!