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Sarah Booth Delaney #7
Ham Bones
Displaced from its New Orleans venue, a red-hot touring production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is opening right in the heart of Zinnia, and featuring hunky star Graf Mileau! Sarah Booth, who had her own brief stint with Mileau himself, is less than thrilled. Graf is now linked with his costar, Renata Troviola, a dyed-in-the-wool diva who plans to ride Graf's coattails all the way to Hollywood. But Renata's trip to the top comes to a screeching halt on the play's second night when someone laces her lipstick with cyanide.
It seems Renata was stirring up plenty of drama behind the scenes, making enemies galore: her long-suffering makeup artist, an extremely harsh critic, an angry audience member. . .even boy toy Graf had a motive. But the most damning evidence points to Sarah. Now, to save her reputation, Sarah reckons she'll have to bring the curtain down on a mystery with more twists and turns than the Old Muddy. . .
It seems Renata was stirring up plenty of drama behind the scenes, making enemies galore: her long-suffering makeup artist, an extremely harsh critic, an angry audience member. . .even boy toy Graf had a motive. But the most damning evidence points to Sarah. Now, to save her reputation, Sarah reckons she'll have to bring the curtain down on a mystery with more twists and turns than the Old Muddy. . .
275 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2007
78 people are currently reading
876 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 141 reviews
February 11, 2016
Highly disappointing. The main character, Sarah Booth, has always been a bit of a drag, moping and worrying, but with each book she seemed to get a bit better. However, her attitude was practically unbearable in this installment. Spoiled, selfish, whiny, bitter, and needlessly repetitive in her lamentations. Additionally, having Coleman continue to stay with his manipulative bitch of a wife was a disgusting affront to both common sense and self preservation. It ceases to be nobility and just becomes tired masochism.
All of these things might have been easier to overlook (but not much because really, I ceased caring about the characters around page forty) if the mystery had been solid. But it wasn't. I had it figured out way before it was solved in the book, just not the exact detail of which dread disease. All in all a very sorry effort from a series that I had been enjoying.
All of these things might have been easier to overlook (but not much because really, I ceased caring about the characters around page forty) if the mystery had been solid. But it wasn't. I had it figured out way before it was solved in the book, just not the exact detail of which dread disease. All in all a very sorry effort from a series that I had been enjoying.
November 14, 2012
I've liked the series so far, and this book was okay, but certainly not Haines' best. The whole Coleman thing got irritating (too much like teenage angst, not mature adult relationship interaction), and I didn't buy that she'd left New York only a year or two previous, but then we find that she's soooo talented as an actor.
Still, I like the characters and the setting, so I'll be back for more...
Still, I like the characters and the setting, so I'll be back for more...
May 14, 2019
So exceedingly frustrating, irritating, and disappointing.
August 23, 2022
The solution to the mystery was obvious about half way through the book. And, the main character's maturity and intelligence devolved from the beginning. It was a struggle to finish this one.
April 12, 2010
Sarah Booth Delaney has a chance to live out her dream of stardom when a road show of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" gets diverted to her hometown Zinnia following a hurricane that destroyed the original venue. Sarah Booth gets reacquainted with old flame, leading man Graf and leading lady, Renata. Sarah Booth had understudied Renata in New York so it was only natural that she is asked to do the same for this production. She is not too concerned, everyone knows Renata would rather die than miss a performance. Which is exactly what she does, die. Now Sarah Booth is the leading lady and the leading suspect in the murder.
I have really enjoyed this series, but this outing takes on a definitely darker tone. Of course it is a first person narative and Sarah Booth is a suspect for murder, but she has definitely lost some of her humor and optimism in this book. I found myself wanting to give her a good shake.
All and all, pretty good with an interesting ending.
I have really enjoyed this series, but this outing takes on a definitely darker tone. Of course it is a first person narative and Sarah Booth is a suspect for murder, but she has definitely lost some of her humor and optimism in this book. I found myself wanting to give her a good shake.
All and all, pretty good with an interesting ending.
July 28, 2009
Loving this book!!! Her characters should be in a series or a movie. They are funny, warm, adventurous and witty!!! Carolyn Haines is one of my favorites!!!
I just finished this book. I have never, ever cried over a book. This was great. I love these characters and the way they are so real. The twist at the end is worth it and even though you want it to end a certain way, it keeps your heart pumping and you waiting for another book!!!!
Again, I could not put the book down!!
I just finished this book. I have never, ever cried over a book. This was great. I love these characters and the way they are so real. The twist at the end is worth it and even though you want it to end a certain way, it keeps your heart pumping and you waiting for another book!!!!
Again, I could not put the book down!!
October 10, 2023
Sarah Booth Delaney is back at her family home, Dahlia House, in Zinnia, Mississippi. She’d tried to make a go of a career on Broadway but found she wasn’t good enough.
What happens is Broadway comes to Zinnia in the form of the cast and production of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.” Among that cast is an old flame and a diva for a leading lady. Items Sarah didn’t want in her life.
The second night of the play, Renata, leading lady and diva, turns up dead. There are plenty of possible suspects due to Renata’s behaviour. Unfortunately Sarah is the one who is put in the limelight, as far as suspects.
While Sarah was in New York for two years, she and the leading man, Graf Mileau, were quite an item and this was common knowledge in Zinnia. The fact that Sarah was Renata’s understudy just cemented the suspicions.
Sarah takes it upon herself to find the murderer and clear all suspicion from herself.
A fun, cozy read with a nice cast of characters and a touch of romance…Southern Style.
What happens is Broadway comes to Zinnia in the form of the cast and production of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.” Among that cast is an old flame and a diva for a leading lady. Items Sarah didn’t want in her life.
The second night of the play, Renata, leading lady and diva, turns up dead. There are plenty of possible suspects due to Renata’s behaviour. Unfortunately Sarah is the one who is put in the limelight, as far as suspects.
While Sarah was in New York for two years, she and the leading man, Graf Mileau, were quite an item and this was common knowledge in Zinnia. The fact that Sarah was Renata’s understudy just cemented the suspicions.
Sarah takes it upon herself to find the murderer and clear all suspicion from herself.
A fun, cozy read with a nice cast of characters and a touch of romance…Southern Style.
October 3, 2007
This was the weakest of a very fun series of books. I found the writing to be rushed and the solution to the mystery to be oddly drawn out. Some of my favorite mystery characters reside in the little town of Zinnia, but in this latest installment these clever and zesty characters felt flat and one dimensional. I was so sad that I did not enjoy it!
However, Dahlia House's spunky resident ghost, Jitty, was as engaging and appealing as ever. Some sample dialogue:
"Honey chile, you keep sittin' out here on the gallery mopin' about the past, you gone put the funk in dysfunctional."
However, Dahlia House's spunky resident ghost, Jitty, was as engaging and appealing as ever. Some sample dialogue:
"Honey chile, you keep sittin' out here on the gallery mopin' about the past, you gone put the funk in dysfunctional."
August 28, 2016
Hummmm okay - still too much Sarah Booth/Coleman. This story line has gotten old - Sarah chasing after a married man and getting mad if he doesn't pay her attention. And Tinkie being smarter than Sarah Booth in solving the "case". I hope Carolyn start's making Sarah Booth a stronger woman - she often acts like a spoiled "woa-is-me" kinda woman. Poor me - I don't have Coleman - I don't have money - I was framed for murder.... etc... GROW-UP!
July 3, 2018
It's a good thing this wasn't the first book in the series because it made me dislike Sarah Booth quite intensely. I've thought since the beginning that she acts a bit like a 16 year old when it comes to men, but we're supposed to believe she gives up Coleman so soon after the thing with Hamilton? I'm not even sure I want to read the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2011
I have loved the books in this series although I have to say this one was not as good as the rest. I think the character of Graf is more annoying than anything and it was pretty easy to guess where the story was going, but I still liked it and would recommend it.
Read
August 2, 2011This book is terrible. I only finished it because it was the only book I had in the car on a 12 hour trip. Contrived, unoriginal, and manipulative plot, unsympathetic main character, and a condescendingly written token black character (who is a ghost).
May 29, 2021
I like southern lit and I like mysteries but I don’t like sappy fiction! I hadn’t even gotten to the murder, though I was pretty sure I knew who it would be, when I had to put the book down. I have since learned that DNF means did not finish.
November 11, 2015
I love this series! Don't judge the book by its cover. This series is full of mystery, emotion, and humor.
January 21, 2018
terrible
June 30, 2020
Least favor book of the series so far. Sarah Booth is stubborn and makes all the wrong decisions. I almost quit the series.
May 19, 2021
This was my least favorite in the series so far. Not as good as the previous books.
January 8, 2025
This was a pretty good book. The characters were well written and entertaining. Being from the South myself, it was fun to read a murder mystery that took place in Mississippi and intriguing Southern Small-Town personalities.
The book was 275 pages, just short of 300 but it honestly did not feel like that much. The flow was really good and every time I picked the book back up again, I was able to get into it really quickly even if I didn't remember who all the characters were or what was happening at the very moment.
The reason I gave the book four stars was because as I was nearing the end of the novel, I was itching to know who the murderer was. By ending chapter 25 knowing Renata killed herself and framed it as a murder, was a disappointment. Now, it made sense in the context of the story and the final chapter fleshed it all out neatly. This is not a dig at the author's ability to curate an engaging tale, rather just a personal vendetta against feeling as though I had been fooled.
However, the final chapter did a very good job at filling me with sympathy towards characters I felt the opposite about throughout the whole book.
4 stars but honestly I'd give it a 9.5/10. Would read again and would recommend for anyone wanting to read a crime mystery that's also light-hearted with plenty of comedy and drama mixed in.
The book was 275 pages, just short of 300 but it honestly did not feel like that much. The flow was really good and every time I picked the book back up again, I was able to get into it really quickly even if I didn't remember who all the characters were or what was happening at the very moment.
The reason I gave the book four stars was because as I was nearing the end of the novel, I was itching to know who the murderer was. By ending chapter 25 knowing Renata killed herself and framed it as a murder, was a disappointment. Now, it made sense in the context of the story and the final chapter fleshed it all out neatly. This is not a dig at the author's ability to curate an engaging tale, rather just a personal vendetta against feeling as though I had been fooled.
However, the final chapter did a very good job at filling me with sympathy towards characters I felt the opposite about throughout the whole book.
4 stars but honestly I'd give it a 9.5/10. Would read again and would recommend for anyone wanting to read a crime mystery that's also light-hearted with plenty of comedy and drama mixed in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2023
Here Sarah Booth DeLaney goes again. She's living on the family plantation trying to make ends meet and running her private detective agency but she hasn't had a client in some time. She was surprised by the road show of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" coming to Zinnia because the original venue was destroyed by a hurricane.
The leading man Graf used to be her old flame and the Leading Lady Rennata and Sarah were far from friends. Sarah was asked to be Renata's understudy so when Renata is found dead in her dressing room and Sarah goes on stage with the thought That the Show must go on.
It becomes obvious that it was murder but who would kill Rennata? More like who didn't want to kill Rennata. She wasn't a very nice person. There are plenty of suspects and Sarah was at the top of the list.
And Sheriff Coleman doesn't show any support for Sarah. Remember Coleman and Sarah stopped short of going all the way but since Coleman is still married he halted the heated moment.
This part was annoying because that's all Sarah whined or complained about. Coleman's wife was manipulating the situation and Coleman seemed to be falling for the game again.
All and all, pretty good with an interesting ending.
The leading man Graf used to be her old flame and the Leading Lady Rennata and Sarah were far from friends. Sarah was asked to be Renata's understudy so when Renata is found dead in her dressing room and Sarah goes on stage with the thought That the Show must go on.
It becomes obvious that it was murder but who would kill Rennata? More like who didn't want to kill Rennata. She wasn't a very nice person. There are plenty of suspects and Sarah was at the top of the list.
And Sheriff Coleman doesn't show any support for Sarah. Remember Coleman and Sarah stopped short of going all the way but since Coleman is still married he halted the heated moment.
This part was annoying because that's all Sarah whined or complained about. Coleman's wife was manipulating the situation and Coleman seemed to be falling for the game again.
All and all, pretty good with an interesting ending.
February 10, 2020
Many suspects, including Sarah Booth? Holy cow!
Don't worry. Though jailed, she's just the bait to flush out a murderer that might be careless with someone else in jail.
Meanwhile, her romance hits the rocks because Coleman (you remember Coleman, right? He's the by the book county sheriff and Sarah Booth's heart throb.) doesn't tell her that just to keep Sarah Booth on her toes. Bad move, Coleman.
As a neophyte actress failed ion Broadway, Sarah Booth performs in a local production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as the understudy for the unavailable star. Her really impressive acting causes rave reviews. That reintroduces her to a former lover. He tempts Sarah Booth with dreams of Hollywood stardom and mega buck salaries for her acting in the movies.
Whether or not that happens will be revealed in later books, I hope. At book's end, the murderer is named, but moving to the movies is still being decided.
Don't worry. Though jailed, she's just the bait to flush out a murderer that might be careless with someone else in jail.
Meanwhile, her romance hits the rocks because Coleman (you remember Coleman, right? He's the by the book county sheriff and Sarah Booth's heart throb.) doesn't tell her that just to keep Sarah Booth on her toes. Bad move, Coleman.
As a neophyte actress failed ion Broadway, Sarah Booth performs in a local production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as the understudy for the unavailable star. Her really impressive acting causes rave reviews. That reintroduces her to a former lover. He tempts Sarah Booth with dreams of Hollywood stardom and mega buck salaries for her acting in the movies.
Whether or not that happens will be revealed in later books, I hope. At book's end, the murderer is named, but moving to the movies is still being decided.
September 6, 2021
The story was ok but I felt like the author didn't make an effort for this book. I found the mystery around the death completely obvious from the beginning so there was no drama to it; just waiting for the characters to bumble their way into the same conclusion. The writer needs to try harder and please stop the constant description in every book of Tinkie "chewing on her lip" to make men crazy and Cecile's body mutilation. Seven books into a series and the author needs to stop the repetitive parts; if readers don't go in order then they'll just be a little lost.
And after all the build up in previous books, the destruction of Coleman & Sarah Booth was terrible. That aspect of the book really irritated and disappointed me; especially the end when Sarah Booth didn't even let Coleman speak when he was finally ready to have a discussion with her.
Overall the book moved Sarah Booth's life along and in a different direction but still a disappointing.
And after all the build up in previous books, the destruction of Coleman & Sarah Booth was terrible. That aspect of the book really irritated and disappointed me; especially the end when Sarah Booth didn't even let Coleman speak when he was finally ready to have a discussion with her.
Overall the book moved Sarah Booth's life along and in a different direction but still a disappointing.
October 5, 2019
A red hot touring production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is opening in Zinnia. It stars two individuals Sarah Booth knows from her days in New York City trying to make it on Broadway. She and Graf had dated for a while, but he never said anything positive to her about her acting and when she left, he made no attempt to stop her. She was Renata's understudy, but Renata did not miss a single performance. Now Sarah Booth has to deal with both again. There are also things going on with Coleman and his wife. Then on opening night Renata is found dead during the first intermission and Sarah Booth takes her place on stage. That sets lots of people to talking and Sarah Booth is arrested the next morning for the murder.
June 21, 2018
Small town Mississippi resident and aspiring actress, private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney, has been charged with murder by no other than her would be boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, which has put quite a damper on their relationship. Sarah's got a good group of close friends to see her through this, though, especially her best friend and investigative partner, Tinkie, and they have no plans to let Sarah be sent off to jail.
This book contains a good mix of humor, heartache and mystery with a good cast of characters.
This book contains a good mix of humor, heartache and mystery with a good cast of characters.
November 11, 2019
Ham Bones (A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery) (Rb Digital Library loan) oh boy! poor Sara Booth. She can’t even be an understudy without someone dying on her but this time the accused murderer is someone she knows very well.. as she herself is arrested for the murder. With her friends and especially her best friend Tinkie at her side, Sara must find the real killer to say herself the slammer. Interesting plot twists, laugh out loud situations, and an interesting ending. I’m off to the next one.
August 17, 2024
Ham Bones was an excellent title for this one: so melodramatic.
Sarah Booth was a true DG in this one, entitled, self-absorbed, totally annoying. She kept ignoring her friends telling her that the way Coleman was treating her was for her benefit and suffering so very, very dramatically (and needlessly).
And, Coleman, good grief, so co-dependent with his duplicitous wife. I don't even feel sorry for him any more. Honoring your vows is one thing, being a continually willing victim is another.
Sarah Booth was a true DG in this one, entitled, self-absorbed, totally annoying. She kept ignoring her friends telling her that the way Coleman was treating her was for her benefit and suffering so very, very dramatically (and needlessly).
And, Coleman, good grief, so co-dependent with his duplicitous wife. I don't even feel sorry for him any more. Honoring your vows is one thing, being a continually willing victim is another.
August 28, 2017
Sarah Booth Delaney this time is understudy in her own home town of Zinnia, MS for Renata Travaioli just as she was in New York. But unlike NY, Sarah Booth goes on because Renata has been murdered. But Sarah Booth has been charged with murder and now she an Tinkie have to solve the murder to clear her name.
I have read another of Sarah Booth's adventures and I am coming to enjoy all the characters who live in Zinnia.
I have read another of Sarah Booth's adventures and I am coming to enjoy all the characters who live in Zinnia.
July 16, 2019
I just finished Wishbones by Carolyn Haines. The 8th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series. I read them all in order. I don’t read books in the paranormal category, but I am so glad I read these, and grateful my library has the series. The characters are fun and believable, the story flows very well, and the plot had me guessing right to the end. I also loved the “character” interviews at the end of some of the books. I would recommend these to anyone who loves cozies.
October 28, 2021
Oh Sarah Booth what have you gotten into? When the tour group that has SB nemesis and her old beau comes to Zinnia all hell breaks loose! SB is charged with murder after the leading lady that SB had been the understudy for in NY come up dead the second night of Zinnia's run. It's up to Tinkie, Doc, Cece, Millie and anyone else that's on SB side to solve this murder.
All I can say is Coleman comes up on the short side of the stick this time!
All I can say is Coleman comes up on the short side of the stick this time!
August 28, 2021
Don’t listen to those who didn’t like it.
I actually read a few reviews before listening to this one. Shouldn’t have done it. I went in thinking the characters were going to be more “whiny” than in other books. Not true. Just a book with a few turns that may be unexpected of this # in the series. It was a good read/listen. I am on to the next in the series.
I actually read a few reviews before listening to this one. Shouldn’t have done it. I went in thinking the characters were going to be more “whiny” than in other books. Not true. Just a book with a few turns that may be unexpected of this # in the series. It was a good read/listen. I am on to the next in the series.
May 27, 2018
New Chapter for Sarah Booth Delaney
In this book we find out more about Sarah's past life in New York and her desire to make it as an actress. When some of her former cast members come to Zinna, Sarah finds herself in the middle of the investigation as the primary suspect.
In this book we find out more about Sarah's past life in New York and her desire to make it as an actress. When some of her former cast members come to Zinna, Sarah finds herself in the middle of the investigation as the primary suspect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews