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Sarah Booth Delaney #2
Buried Bones
Private investigation isn't on the list of a southern belle's most desirable accomplishments--but it's saved Sarah Booth Delaney's Delta homestead. Now all she has to cope with is its bossy antebellum ghost who is determined to save Sarah--from spinsterhood. Then comes the perfect social occasion: Lawrence Ambrose's dinner party. . . .
Ambrose, once a famous man of southern letters, is planning a comeback: a delicious tell-all with a bitchy ex-model as his "biographer." As he taunts his dinner guests with the news that his book will blow the lid off Zinnia's darkest secrets, it becomes plain that each and every guest has a secret--and wants Ambrose to keep it. When the morning-after mess includes a bloody corpse and the manuscript of the biography disappears, Sarah Booth goes digging for answers. But many who hold them are six feet under--or soon will be--and if she doesn't tread carefully, she could join them any day now. . . .
Ambrose, once a famous man of southern letters, is planning a comeback: a delicious tell-all with a bitchy ex-model as his "biographer." As he taunts his dinner guests with the news that his book will blow the lid off Zinnia's darkest secrets, it becomes plain that each and every guest has a secret--and wants Ambrose to keep it. When the morning-after mess includes a bloody corpse and the manuscript of the biography disappears, Sarah Booth goes digging for answers. But many who hold them are six feet under--or soon will be--and if she doesn't tread carefully, she could join them any day now. . . .
354 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 31, 2000
236 people are currently reading
1207 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 220 reviews
March 27, 2018
Buried Bones by Carolyn Haines is a Bantam Books publication.
This second installment in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series has Sarah investigating the death of a reclusive author, who recently decided to write a tell-all book, revealing long buried secrets. Naturally, this manuscript has made a few people mighty nervous, including a few of Sarah’s friends. Could one of them be a murderer?
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first one. I laughed out loud as Sarah Booth joined the ranks of pet parenthood, which is always an adventure. Sweetie Pie is adorable and was a nice compliment to the story.
I loved the atmosphere, again, with deep southern roots and unspoken rules that go along with that. The plot here is a bit more complex than it was in the first book with quite a bit of interesting history, all of which was truly absorbing. The pacing as perhaps a bit slower, but in this case. I think it necessary, since rushing through the drama wouldn’t have given it the levity it deserved.
Jitty, of course, was back, as saucy as ever, but with a much more conservative message that keeps Sarah Booth frustrated and annoyed. I can’t wait to see which decade Jitty decides to embrace next!!
Overall, this second book solidified the series even more in my mind and heart. I will have to really restrain myself from going on a binge read with this series. I have too many other series I need to check up on first, but I have a feeling this one will become one of my favorites.
4 stars
This second installment in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series has Sarah investigating the death of a reclusive author, who recently decided to write a tell-all book, revealing long buried secrets. Naturally, this manuscript has made a few people mighty nervous, including a few of Sarah’s friends. Could one of them be a murderer?
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first one. I laughed out loud as Sarah Booth joined the ranks of pet parenthood, which is always an adventure. Sweetie Pie is adorable and was a nice compliment to the story.
I loved the atmosphere, again, with deep southern roots and unspoken rules that go along with that. The plot here is a bit more complex than it was in the first book with quite a bit of interesting history, all of which was truly absorbing. The pacing as perhaps a bit slower, but in this case. I think it necessary, since rushing through the drama wouldn’t have given it the levity it deserved.
Jitty, of course, was back, as saucy as ever, but with a much more conservative message that keeps Sarah Booth frustrated and annoyed. I can’t wait to see which decade Jitty decides to embrace next!!
Overall, this second book solidified the series even more in my mind and heart. I will have to really restrain myself from going on a binge read with this series. I have too many other series I need to check up on first, but I have a feeling this one will become one of my favorites.
4 stars
October 6, 2018
I love Carolyn Haines’s living people, their town is very well brought to life, and my namesake is a fantastic authoress. It is a shame the only aspect that categorizes these novels as paranormal, is the sour note that forces serious, dark mysteries to occupy the “cozy” genre: bitchy Jitty. I hope Carolyn utilizes the umbrella to introduce spirits with the reverence and mysteriousness that are the point of paranormal mysteries. I grade well for loving this series, otherwise.
The introductory novel only took two chapters to surprise us with actual suspense that became gothic. “Buried Bones”, 2000 remained a police case: who killed a returned local author and what was his wealthy young assistant’s stake in his book? Sarah did a good job of investigating a lot of moving pieces, although a feeling persisted that a few people could tell her everything and it was a matter of twisting the correct arms. The plot only lent emotion pertaining to the author’s love of cats. Nobody else was likeable and Sarah’s former beau was puzzlingly catering to her nemesis. Brianna’s lack of affection for her family was a disappointment and the only atmospheric scene, was Sarah’s visit to Moon Lake at the end, where disturbing crimes originated in 1940.
There was a mistake I must keep vague. A baby born in the 1940s or 1950s did not match the age of involved parties. If the woman’s nephew is Sarah’s age, he could not have known her until age 10. I mainly disliked repetition of needless scenes: Jitty nagging Sarah to copulate and silly dog scenes, like culling objects. Four stars are not shabby and leave room for five stars again, for volumes I like better. I adore and respect Tinky, determined to excel in her detective job, salary be darned.
The introductory novel only took two chapters to surprise us with actual suspense that became gothic. “Buried Bones”, 2000 remained a police case: who killed a returned local author and what was his wealthy young assistant’s stake in his book? Sarah did a good job of investigating a lot of moving pieces, although a feeling persisted that a few people could tell her everything and it was a matter of twisting the correct arms. The plot only lent emotion pertaining to the author’s love of cats. Nobody else was likeable and Sarah’s former beau was puzzlingly catering to her nemesis. Brianna’s lack of affection for her family was a disappointment and the only atmospheric scene, was Sarah’s visit to Moon Lake at the end, where disturbing crimes originated in 1940.
There was a mistake I must keep vague. A baby born in the 1940s or 1950s did not match the age of involved parties. If the woman’s nephew is Sarah’s age, he could not have known her until age 10. I mainly disliked repetition of needless scenes: Jitty nagging Sarah to copulate and silly dog scenes, like culling objects. Four stars are not shabby and leave room for five stars again, for volumes I like better. I adore and respect Tinky, determined to excel in her detective job, salary be darned.
October 10, 2016
This was a very good reads with many twist and turns right up to the very end. I was very surprised who the killer was never even suspected that person. You will have to read to find out who it was.
June 6, 2024
2-1/2 stars
I have loved every other book I've read so far in this series, including the first one. But this second installment fell very flat for me. It was published in 2000 and felt sooo dated! Especially with its woman-hating-woman subplot. Ugh, so stale. If this had been the first Sarah Booth mystery I'd picked up, I never would have read any more of them.
I'll still keep reading back volumes, but I highly recommend starting this series from the latest book, not the first.
I have loved every other book I've read so far in this series, including the first one. But this second installment fell very flat for me. It was published in 2000 and felt sooo dated! Especially with its woman-hating-woman subplot. Ugh, so stale. If this had been the first Sarah Booth mystery I'd picked up, I never would have read any more of them.
I'll still keep reading back volumes, but I highly recommend starting this series from the latest book, not the first.
July 30, 2019
What an interesting adventure Sarah takes us on this time! She is invited to a fancy dinner hosted by a famous author that is need of revitalizing his career. He teases all of the guests about an upcoming tell-all book he is having written that is supposedly going to be just full of secrets. Sarah is interested but has no stake in the past so she is along for the ride at least until the author turns up dead. Next thing she knows she is investigating what happened with the help of her BFF Tinkie, who is hoot I must say, and her new pup Sweetie who is chaos in motion yet still helpful when needed. Sweetie makes a great addition along with Chablis the tiny one. Add in the ghost for the cherry on top. Perfect if your looking for a fun, quirky cozy mystery with a ghost in the mix. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
September 27, 2014
Twisted !
When local world traveling author/artist Lawrence comes home stirs the pot with his tell all book that he has written. He warns about secrets that are all going to come out and the people should prepare. Worried stares, whispers and scrambling surround his pressence. When he goes belly up at after his whoop to do dinner party the fun begins.
Sarah Booth is paid by her electric dance teacher and friend to find the murder. The players all peek their heads into her view. The quirky, jerky, sexual, smooth and bitchy, that make up this small town are almost all suspects. She wanders into something so deep her boots may not save her from getting touched by the muck. Her life once again my be ended early with her inability to stick her nose in her own business only.
Her love life is still a mess. The man who has been a perfect gentleman has sipped into something ugly. He gives her a sweet cuddly puppy one minute and completely shuts her off another. He can go from hot to freezing so fast even I got whiplash. Yes, here is another man who could use a basic class in communication 101. His lack of ability to share might just cost him any chance with Sarah Booth. Then there is the fact that even his is a suspect.
Sweetie Pie was the hero of this story. She wore her super dog cape and wore it well, so well the 4 legged male population visited her regularly. It's tough being a sex symbol an hero at the same time.
I had a good time reading this second book in the series. I love the quirky side characters they each hold so much attention they could go off on their own stories. I've already ordered the next book and can't wait to see where the ending went. I can't tell you without spoilers but Sarah Booth was in a very happy moment in the arms of....
When local world traveling author/artist Lawrence comes home stirs the pot with his tell all book that he has written. He warns about secrets that are all going to come out and the people should prepare. Worried stares, whispers and scrambling surround his pressence. When he goes belly up at after his whoop to do dinner party the fun begins.
Sarah Booth is paid by her electric dance teacher and friend to find the murder. The players all peek their heads into her view. The quirky, jerky, sexual, smooth and bitchy, that make up this small town are almost all suspects. She wanders into something so deep her boots may not save her from getting touched by the muck. Her life once again my be ended early with her inability to stick her nose in her own business only.
Her love life is still a mess. The man who has been a perfect gentleman has sipped into something ugly. He gives her a sweet cuddly puppy one minute and completely shuts her off another. He can go from hot to freezing so fast even I got whiplash. Yes, here is another man who could use a basic class in communication 101. His lack of ability to share might just cost him any chance with Sarah Booth. Then there is the fact that even his is a suspect.
Sweetie Pie was the hero of this story. She wore her super dog cape and wore it well, so well the 4 legged male population visited her regularly. It's tough being a sex symbol an hero at the same time.
I had a good time reading this second book in the series. I love the quirky side characters they each hold so much attention they could go off on their own stories. I've already ordered the next book and can't wait to see where the ending went. I can't tell you without spoilers but Sarah Booth was in a very happy moment in the arms of....
March 25, 2022
3.5
I have mixed feelings about this series. It is well-written and the mysteries are good. This one seemed to drag a bit with multiple motives and suspects. The twists made it worth the read.
The MC is a true Southern belle: She stopped in the midst of the murder investigation to prep her black-eyed peas for New Year's! 😅 (It's New Year's and mine are soaking as I write this.)
Where the story stumbles for me is with Jitty - a ghost who was nanny to Sarah's grandmother's grandmother. Jitty was an African-American woman living in Mississippi working on a plantation for a wealthy white family during the Civil War. Jitty was enslaved - a crucial fact that is completely disregarded!! The author creates a unique character then fails to give her a realistic voice. Instead of being who she is, Jitty is searching for an identity by dressing across different eras. It's a missed opportunity. A writer with Haines' talent can do much more with this character.
I like how Tinkie makes herself part of the team. She along with the divine CeCe add flavor to the story. Tinkie presents as the perfect Southern belle; a facade she uses skillfully. CeCe used the family fortune to recreate him/her self and live life on her own terms. Editor of the local paper, CeCe is information central. Both add a lot to the story and uncover key evidence too. And then there are the Southern gentlemen - a wealthy banker and a dedicated lawman. Oh my...
I have mixed feelings about this series. It is well-written and the mysteries are good. This one seemed to drag a bit with multiple motives and suspects. The twists made it worth the read.
The MC is a true Southern belle: She stopped in the midst of the murder investigation to prep her black-eyed peas for New Year's! 😅 (It's New Year's and mine are soaking as I write this.)
Where the story stumbles for me is with Jitty - a ghost who was nanny to Sarah's grandmother's grandmother. Jitty was an African-American woman living in Mississippi working on a plantation for a wealthy white family during the Civil War. Jitty was enslaved - a crucial fact that is completely disregarded!! The author creates a unique character then fails to give her a realistic voice. Instead of being who she is, Jitty is searching for an identity by dressing across different eras. It's a missed opportunity. A writer with Haines' talent can do much more with this character.
I like how Tinkie makes herself part of the team. She along with the divine CeCe add flavor to the story. Tinkie presents as the perfect Southern belle; a facade she uses skillfully. CeCe used the family fortune to recreate him/her self and live life on her own terms. Editor of the local paper, CeCe is information central. Both add a lot to the story and uncover key evidence too. And then there are the Southern gentlemen - a wealthy banker and a dedicated lawman. Oh my...
May 14, 2019
This was another good one. I foresee many, many more hours of enjoyment as I work my way through the series.
November 7, 2008
In the end, I liked this story. I thought it got off to a slow start, but eventually, about half way through, it picked up and I found myself very anxious to find out how it ends.
Not as good as the first in the series, but not so bad that I won't continue on to the next one of the series. :)
Not as good as the first in the series, but not so bad that I won't continue on to the next one of the series. :)
October 12, 2012
I enjoy the story line and the character of Sarah Booth Delaney, but I find her sidekick, the ghost Jitty, somewhat annoying.
December 17, 2020
3.5 Stars...
October 1, 2025
Sweetie Pie is such a good dog! Always coming to the rescue.
October 8, 2019
I am loving these books. This is the 3rd one that I have read and I find them very entertaining. Enough mystery that I keep turning the page to see what's next. I love the Daddy's Girl concept and references and her characters are quite endearing!
August 8, 2020
This series has been disappointing as I expected a decent, intelligent main character. And the family ghost, Jitty is just mean and worthless who doesn’t provide any beneficial angle except to remind Sarah that she’s unwed and childless.
Things that irritate me about Sarah Booth:
* Who calls people by their first & middle names esp when the middle name is a mother’s maiden name? As a southern girl myself with this naming, NO ONE has ever called me by my first & middle name. Just dumb
* has no common sense & as a wanna-be PI her ability to judge others is pathetic. She believes anything almost strangers tell her
* She’s all about getting a man yet is only attracted to men who use her
* On brink of foreclosure but doesn’t bother to get a job
* No money but accepts a dog that destroys her home & things
* Corrupts crime scenes over & over and never gets in trouble over any of it.
Issues with this book:
* Snowing in MS esp with accumulation just doesn’t happen but the author writes it like it’s a usual occurrence.
* Actual statement in the book is powerful men are “above the law” – yet she discovers a dead body & can’t be bothered to call the police. In fact she explores the crime scene & takes things from it. Then calls a friend of the deceased who then goes into the house & further corrupts the crime scene. She also breaks back into the crime scene multiple times without permission & takes more items. Irritating & stupid
* Once again Sarah Booth has no pride when it comes to men. In the first book, her lover & suitor both left her at the crime scene & couldn’t be bothered with her; then the lover left the country. Her suitor treated her like dirt in this book & she still goes out of her way to help him. As soon as the lover steps foot in Zinnia again, she falls all over him-she needs a backbone!
I just don’t get the appeal of the series.
Things that irritate me about Sarah Booth:
* Who calls people by their first & middle names esp when the middle name is a mother’s maiden name? As a southern girl myself with this naming, NO ONE has ever called me by my first & middle name. Just dumb
* has no common sense & as a wanna-be PI her ability to judge others is pathetic. She believes anything almost strangers tell her
* She’s all about getting a man yet is only attracted to men who use her
* On brink of foreclosure but doesn’t bother to get a job
* No money but accepts a dog that destroys her home & things
* Corrupts crime scenes over & over and never gets in trouble over any of it.
Issues with this book:
* Snowing in MS esp with accumulation just doesn’t happen but the author writes it like it’s a usual occurrence.
* Actual statement in the book is powerful men are “above the law” – yet she discovers a dead body & can’t be bothered to call the police. In fact she explores the crime scene & takes things from it. Then calls a friend of the deceased who then goes into the house & further corrupts the crime scene. She also breaks back into the crime scene multiple times without permission & takes more items. Irritating & stupid
* Once again Sarah Booth has no pride when it comes to men. In the first book, her lover & suitor both left her at the crime scene & couldn’t be bothered with her; then the lover left the country. Her suitor treated her like dirt in this book & she still goes out of her way to help him. As soon as the lover steps foot in Zinnia again, she falls all over him-she needs a backbone!
I just don’t get the appeal of the series.
December 20, 2019
This was a very good read that really picked up in the second half. I love the way the author describes the food and atmosphere of the Mississippi Delta- all of it is very rich.
Which leads me to the interesting way in which the secret life of the wealthy and rich society circles that Sarah Booth inhabits are explored. I am under the impression that this book was written during a time in which this way of life was starting to fade- and that’s fine- and it made me wanna grab a bag of popcorn picturing these people who used to be rich off the backs of others and are still seeing their old way of life crumble. Debts, becoming a has been, foreclosures, marrying for money and squandered inheritances- oh my! Give me more.
For as problematic as Jitty is the absurdity of her character makes me laugh. She wasn’t as funny to me as she was in Them Bones but I still appreciated her quips. I loved that in the first book she was giving really useful and cunning ideas to Sarah. This time around she seemed like a depressed housewife one generation removed from Valley of the Dolla. To me that doesn’t fully negate that there were other laugh out loud parts that gave this mystery a cozy feel.
I was so excited towards the end of this book because the pace picked up wildly. The end was satisfying and I am off to book 3.
Which leads me to the interesting way in which the secret life of the wealthy and rich society circles that Sarah Booth inhabits are explored. I am under the impression that this book was written during a time in which this way of life was starting to fade- and that’s fine- and it made me wanna grab a bag of popcorn picturing these people who used to be rich off the backs of others and are still seeing their old way of life crumble. Debts, becoming a has been, foreclosures, marrying for money and squandered inheritances- oh my! Give me more.
For as problematic as Jitty is the absurdity of her character makes me laugh. She wasn’t as funny to me as she was in Them Bones but I still appreciated her quips. I loved that in the first book she was giving really useful and cunning ideas to Sarah. This time around she seemed like a depressed housewife one generation removed from Valley of the Dolla. To me that doesn’t fully negate that there were other laugh out loud parts that gave this mystery a cozy feel.
I was so excited towards the end of this book because the pace picked up wildly. The end was satisfying and I am off to book 3.
May 6, 2015
Carolyn Haines is one of the most engaging writers of Southern Delta cozies that I have fallen in love with in a while. The content of her books is rich and engaging and you won't be disappointed. #2 in the Sarah Booth Delaney series is a smooth humdinger of a whodunit. There are old, new and a few good ol cookoo's mixed into this mystery. As in the first book, there is the old history, repercussions of that history, and Sarah Booth, aka the Zinnia Mississippi newly minted(by fate, need or otherwise) Private Investigator, her loving but snarky ghost, Jitty, and small town southern scandals that have risen yet again to the surface when a former resident who fled to Europe decides to write a tell all that some think will expose the landed gentry, or maybe not. Throw in a little fraud, some intriguing men, and the quashing pre publication and removal of the author.. as well as some twisted relationships...oh this is a delish, can't put this down Southern Mystery...Tennesee Williams kind of mystery all scrambled together. Add in her BFF Tinkie(could there be a more southern nickname?) who becomes her sidekick, and her newly adopted outgoing hound Sweetie...and you have yourself a mishmash of a wonderful book. I just loved this one to pieces.
October 19, 2018
I really enjoyed the mystery itself. That would easily be 3 stars.
However, at only the 2nd book into the series, I am sick of Jitty (what a waste of space), and was really annoyed by the seemingly endless feminist/old south daddy's girl/1950s tv rhetoric. Wherever one stands on any of that--and granted, some of it was necessary for context regarding the past--it was just too much. It went on and on, detracting from the flow of the story and weighing the whole thing down.
Because I like the mysteries themselves, I'll keep trying this series, but I'll skim past Jitty as much as possible. I don't want to skip the older books because I don't want to miss important parts of Sarah Booth's journey. I may, however, have to resort to that eventually.
However, at only the 2nd book into the series, I am sick of Jitty (what a waste of space), and was really annoyed by the seemingly endless feminist/old south daddy's girl/1950s tv rhetoric. Wherever one stands on any of that--and granted, some of it was necessary for context regarding the past--it was just too much. It went on and on, detracting from the flow of the story and weighing the whole thing down.
Because I like the mysteries themselves, I'll keep trying this series, but I'll skim past Jitty as much as possible. I don't want to skip the older books because I don't want to miss important parts of Sarah Booth's journey. I may, however, have to resort to that eventually.
April 12, 2020
While sick with a cold/virus this last week I couldn’t concentrate well enough to read much. This was the fifth book I’d picked up and read a few pages of, and it was the only one that worked for me at that time. And although I had other books in my reading schedule for this weekend, I just had to finish this one!
Haines does an excellent job of characterization, using the setting descriptions to create atmosphere, and inserting a bit of history/geography here and there to create an immensely enjoyable reading experience. And the mystery is always much more complicated and complex than I expect, yet believable.
Haines does an excellent job of characterization, using the setting descriptions to create atmosphere, and inserting a bit of history/geography here and there to create an immensely enjoyable reading experience. And the mystery is always much more complicated and complex than I expect, yet believable.
January 15, 2012
A sequel that's even better than the first book. Buried Bones is a fun mystery filled with vivid characters who are entertaining all on their own. Where Them Bones felt a bit tentative, Buried Bones is confident and assured. Haines has settled into her characters well and begins to lay the groundwork for future installments while revealing more back story in Sarah Booth's world.
Highly recommended for a serious mystery that's not dark.
Highly recommended for a serious mystery that's not dark.
November 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this mystery set in Mississippi--story takes a literary bent quoting Tennessee Williams and Faulkner, but the story is fun--there's a ghost who lectures the main character about her empty love life--there are secrets from the 40's --that are haunting those who live today--some laugh out loud parts--and will definitely read another in the series--easy to figure out the guilty party, but be warned there are many characters!
September 19, 2013
After reading book 1, I was excited to read book 2. This one wasn't a disappointment. I'm still a little perplexed by the ghost, but she's charming enough. I liked this mystery and loved the plot. Fair resolution.
April 1, 2018
I totally see why this series is bestselling - quirky Southern characters, charming heroine, but just not my thing. I don't care about Southern mores, socialites, etc. I do see the appeal though, and wouldn't say don't read if you like semi-cozy mysteries.
October 14, 2016
this book was a nice little cozy mystery type read. it did seem to kind of take a while to get to the point of things. I'm glad I stuck with it and finished it. not at all the ending I was expecting.
March 2, 2021
3.5 stars
The 2nd book in the cozy-but-sassy Sarah Booth Delaney series. As with the first, the author does an amazing job of evoking the feeling of the Deep South.
I have two complaints however. The first is that it's just too long for this genre. 12+ hours/350+ pages is too long. Honestly I got tired of it for a while in the middle. Editing out some of the extras would've done a great deal to hold my interest. There was too much of Jitty - she ended up being annoying rather than charming.
Also the narrator is too old. Sarah Beth is 33 and the narrator sounds several decades older. It's mostly a shock in the beginning because you get used to it as you get into the book. The narrator is good at her job and does the best she can, but I'm of the opinion that if a book is told in 1st person, the audio narrator should sound like the book's narrator.
The 2nd book in the cozy-but-sassy Sarah Booth Delaney series. As with the first, the author does an amazing job of evoking the feeling of the Deep South.
I have two complaints however. The first is that it's just too long for this genre. 12+ hours/350+ pages is too long. Honestly I got tired of it for a while in the middle. Editing out some of the extras would've done a great deal to hold my interest. There was too much of Jitty - she ended up being annoying rather than charming.
Also the narrator is too old. Sarah Beth is 33 and the narrator sounds several decades older. It's mostly a shock in the beginning because you get used to it as you get into the book. The narrator is good at her job and does the best she can, but I'm of the opinion that if a book is told in 1st person, the audio narrator should sound like the book's narrator.
October 25, 2024
Flew through this second one just like the first. C. Haines writes some interesting mysteries. The start was set up very much like a Murder, She Wrote episode with a great party full of people who hate one another passing wasp stings around and the obviously soon to be murdered host doing a grand all-for-one insult at it's pinnacle.
There's a messiness to these stories that stays just this side of "too much" and doesn't cross over, making them oddly enjoyable.
The books are fairly dated, though. Being from the home-state these are set in, it gets a little tiresome hearing the old stereotypes come out. There are situations here which just wouldn't be tolerated by southern women, no matter how oppressed the author keeps saying we are. And as with the previous book the former-slave ghost, Jitty, haunting the family descendants in ever-changing outfits is just.. unfitting.
There's a messiness to these stories that stays just this side of "too much" and doesn't cross over, making them oddly enjoyable.
The books are fairly dated, though. Being from the home-state these are set in, it gets a little tiresome hearing the old stereotypes come out. There are situations here which just wouldn't be tolerated by southern women, no matter how oppressed the author keeps saying we are. And as with the previous book the former-slave ghost, Jitty, haunting the family descendants in ever-changing outfits is just.. unfitting.
August 17, 2018
Another great romp
Sarah Booth Delaney can’t stay out of mischief. Case no. 1 was solved just after Thanksgiving. By Christmas, she is embroiled in another mystery. Lawrence Ambrose, local legend and author, throws a huge party in celebration of his soon-to-be published biography. That night, he dies tragically. But is it an accident or murder?
Carolyn Haines has done it again. This was another fast-paced, fun romp through Zinnia, Mississippi. I couldn’t put it down. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Sweetie Pie, Harold, CeCe, a 1940’s murder, communists, unrequited love, and Jitty, oh Jitty! - this book will not disappoint.
Sarah Booth Delaney can’t stay out of mischief. Case no. 1 was solved just after Thanksgiving. By Christmas, she is embroiled in another mystery. Lawrence Ambrose, local legend and author, throws a huge party in celebration of his soon-to-be published biography. That night, he dies tragically. But is it an accident or murder?
Carolyn Haines has done it again. This was another fast-paced, fun romp through Zinnia, Mississippi. I couldn’t put it down. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Sweetie Pie, Harold, CeCe, a 1940’s murder, communists, unrequited love, and Jitty, oh Jitty! - this book will not disappoint.
May 28, 2020
This series is always good for some laughs and a fairly involved murder mystery that involves something from the past as well. I just love Jitty, Sarah Booth's house ghost. She's hilarious! This was the book where Sarah Booth got her hound, Sweetie Pie which was really cute, and Sweetie ended up saving Sarah's life from the killer. I'd read a couple of the newer books from the library and decided that I wanted to start at the beginning and meet all the characters.
I didn't figure out the killer but at least the person I was suspecting wasn't totally innocent. It was a great showdown and perfect intro book for Sweetie Pie.
I didn't figure out the killer but at least the person I was suspecting wasn't totally innocent. It was a great showdown and perfect intro book for Sweetie Pie.
July 31, 2025
I have fell in love with this author and the books she is writing. This book is great. She is invited to a fancy dinner hosted by a famous author that is need of revitalizing his career. Then all of sudden she is investigating a murder. Then all then the guest is on the list of being the murder. Jitty is the ghost that keeps Sarah Booth on her toes and keeps trying to get her to marry and have a baby so that she could continue to haunt the family. Then she has a dog as a side kick (Sweetie Pie) and the dog plays a big part in helping Sarah Booth. There are some vivid characters who are entertaining all on their own. Can't wait for the next book.
October 4, 2019
Buried Bones (book 2 in the Sara Booth Serie). (Rb digital Library audiobook loan). Sara Booth (our Southern novice detective) continues her adventure this time horde to solve the murder of a local author. Kloning her this time around is her new “Assistant” fellow Daddys Girl Tinkie and Saras new oversexed hound Sweetie Pie. She gets to work hunting for clues while also taking pictures for the local paper. The book definitely has slot of funny moments and a more original mystery. Still interested. Started to listen to book 3 or the series
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