Welcome to another thrilling Mississippi read by Carolyn Haines! When a body is discovered an archeology team is immediately suspected. In comes Delaney Detectives to clear his name! A fun read for this spooky time of year!

What a fun and entertaining read. Game of Bones has all the ingredients to make this a great book. I quite enjoyed the storyline and the well-crafted characters, especially Sarah.

Synopsis: When a ritually murdered corpse is discovered at the new-found Native-American temple site smack in the middle of Sunflower County, Mississippi, the archaeology crew on the dig is immediately under suspicion — with particular focus on its handsome, flirtatious leader, Dr. Frank Hafner. So when Sheriff Coleman Peters closes in on him, Hafner does the only logical thing: he hires the Delaney Detective Agency to clear his name.

What can I say...I am a little late. I do love Sarah Booth and Tinkie! This book did not fail to entertain me and keep me up late at night to finish. I love how this book involved an archeology dig and history! Please keep the Sarah Booth books coming!

Game of Bones was so amazingly good. There is so much rich detail and dialogue, that I am always drawn into the story and mystery and find myself lost in the world of Sarah Booth Delaney. I loved the Native American history told in Games of Bones and the Ghost that visited Sarah Booth, honestly gave me chills. The only complaint that I have is that the book ended to soon. This book needs to be on you TBR list, along with every book in the series

Well hot damn Sarah Booth, always a kerfuffle, a chase or a missing in action. And what's with those pets with super strength and intuition to boot! Another fast paced fun mystery with Sarah and friends, along with random appearances from Kitty, resident haint. I am not going to insert spoilers because you need to experience the highs and lows and frustrations in this journey like the rest of us
I am happy for Sarah and Coleman's relationship still going strong, and Tinkie, could things be looking up for her in the next book??? Fingers crossed.

I was about five pages into Game of Bones when I started doing the slow-blink “what the heck am I reading”.

We meet the heroine, Sarah Booth Delaney, when she’s riding her horse around her family’s ancestral Southern plantation estate and mourning the fact that she’s had to lease most of its ‘vast acres’ to a local farmer. So when she’s having vague money worries later on in the book, it really doesn’t ring true; what about the lease income from those ‘vast acres’?. And yes, if I was descended from slave-owners, I might wish I wasn’t too - but I wouldn’t be hoping to find ‘exotic g’psy’ in my DNA test.

Honestly, that’s two racial slurs slapped together in the same thought, but what else can you expect from an author who has a former slave haunting and helping the descendant of her owners? Not only that, but pressing her to have children so the line can continue, and manifesting as a series of prominent First Nation women from history who all, inexplicably, want to help and protect Sarah Booth.

There’s so much hot racist mess in this book I can’t begin to express my disgust with it, but my greatest rage is reserved for the Nice White Ladies who have made this series so popular the author has written 20 of them, and are all over the reviews praising the author for teaching them about Native American culture. I mean, personally I’d go and read something by an actual Native author, but maybe that’s a bit too far out of their comfort zone.

One star for a privileged, racist mess which can’t even keep its own story continuity straight.

This was another book with such a good ending that I hated to see it end. After only reading the previous book and the first book, I feel like these characters are old friends. Sarah Booth and Tinkie were working for a professor who was part of an archaeological dig, but who also ended up being suspected of the murder of one of his colleagues. When another person ended up killed the same way as the first one, people were getting spooked by the press into thinking there was a serial killer out there. It didn't help matters that Sarah and Tinkie's journalist friend Cece went missing. There were a lot of secrets, but I had an idea early about who was behind it all, and for once, I was right. I enjoyed seeing how it all played out. I really need to hurry up and get caught up in this series before another new one comes out!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

It has been a little while since my last Sarah Booth Delaney book. I am glad to say that as a character she still packs a punch, as does her best friend, Tinkie as the two demonstrate detecting at its best. I really enjoy not only the playful banter between Sarah Booth and Tinkie but also how far Sarah Booth has come to not only accepting Sheriff Coleman Peters as a partner in sleuthing but also as a partner quite possibly in life. Very interesting how archeology, voodoo, toymaking, and zombies all come together to make another great cozy mystery.

Carolyn Haines plays a Game of Bones as the haunted ghosts try to guide her in fnding the murderer. Archeology is a health hazard on the indigenous site. What are people seeking?

Overall, my biggest issue with this book is that I made two judgement errors:
*that you can jump in to any cozy mystery series at any point without reading the previous books and be okay
*or I assumed this book was the first of a series because I wasn't paying enough attention.

And because of that, this review is more on me than it is on the author or the book. Unfortunately, there are just too many characters for me to balance, given that I have no ties to any of them, and the added bonus of ghosts yet a detective who "doesn't believe in magic or curses".....overall, it just wasn't for me.

And again, I take most of the blame for that.

This series is a favorite and the latest book didn't disappoint. The characters feel like long lost friends and I love the setting. I loved the twists and turns and the unexpected bad guy and the reasons behind all the trouble.

As soon as I read the first few words I knew I was back in Zinna, just by the descriptive words used to give me a picture. I could feel myself riding on Miss Scrapiron with Sarah Booth smelling that soil. I was back with friends and on another adventure with Sarah Booth, Tinkie and Coleman. What an adventure this was! Ghosts, murder, an archaeology dig, suspense that kept me turning pages to the very end.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

This book exceeded my expectations in many ways. Sarah Booth has grown up and is able to show a sensitivity which I did not anticipate seeing. I loved revisiting the effervescent Jitty, the ghost, and could have used a lot more of her quips and barbs. This time she presented herself in many invocations of Native American women which offered food for thought along with a dose of history.

There were some supernatural elements and rumors throughout this book. But I suppose that is to be expected when we are dealing with Sarah Booth who has her own personal ghost. Whether some of the supernatural elements were based on superstition or stereotyping is a question I will turn over in my brain in time to come.

I liked the college students being introduced and seeing them run around Zinnia. It was nice to see them as focal points within the story. They really made for good characters and I was constantly wondering how much they were involved with the murder. The topic itself, of excavation of Native American burial places and areas of importance, was an excellent choice for a cozy mystery.

The author did a good job of presenting the big business behind digging up bones. As well as what it means to the disenfranchised people who are helpless in watching their ancestors and their way of life be examined without their permission. Reality TV being incorporated was very cool and I could imagine the characters and persons of interest playing up for the cameras.

There weren’t many things endearing about the murder victim and I enjoyed the candor the suspects used in talking about her deep flaws and true intentions. It was fun to discover all of the various secret motivations behind those who worked on the excavation site. A couple of the surprises made my jaw drop; I simply did not see them coming.

The mystery itself was one that kept me guessing. I had no idea that things would unfold the way they did and basically any theory I would have been able to develop would have not have even come close to the truth. I call that impressive. There were not a ton of subplots in this book- it was pretty straight forward and things were wrapped up nicely in the end. The action scenes were good and the multiple discoveries that mattered the most occurred in the final pages.

Thank you to Net Galley and to the publishers of this book for providing with an Advanced Reader Copy of Game of Bones in exchange for my honest review.

As I've come to expect Ms. Haines has written a book that not only draws me into the story almost from page 1 but also a book that 'explains' the nuances of the Mississippi Delta.

These characters are like old friends that I can't wait to visit with each time. I love watching the relationships as they continue to develop.

This was a book that I didn't want to put down until I was finished. And then I was sad that I'm to have to wait to visit with them again.

The private investigative team of Sarah Booth and Tinkie are investigating a murder by exsanguination during an archaeological dig in Game of Bones.

Two competing archaeology professors set up an excavation on a Native American burial mound. To stop the work, a local Native American attorney files an injunction. When one professor is killed ritualistically, the other becomes the number one suspect though the attorney is also under suspicion. Professor Haynes hires Sarah Booth and Tinkie to clear his name. Despite warnings from a ghost and a psychic, Sarah Booth is determined to solve the case.

Game of Bones is one of the best books in this excellent cozy mystery series. There is just enough paranormal activity to keep it interesting without overwhelming the dynamics between the living characters. The mystery was full of convincing red herrings making this tale a good choice for armchair detectives. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 20th mystery for Sarah Booth and it's possibly the best yet. Not many series can continue to stay fresh and entertaining but this one sure can. Sarah Booth and her partner, Tinkie are hired by an archaeologist who has been accused of a very nasty ritualistic murder at the dig site. Neither he nor the woman killed were very nice and Sarah Booth and Tinkie have plenty of suspects to sort out. Tempers run hot as people take sides, especially when the subject of the land being sacred to the Native American population is investigated. Ghosts and curses abound, especially when Jitty, Sarah Booth's family ghost morphs into various Native American warrior women, acting as a vehicle for them to warn of dangers to come.
I always enjoy spending time with the wonderful characters in this series. From Sarah Booth and Tinkie, Jitty and Coleman not to forget the animals, Pluto, Sweetie Pie and Chablis. The setting of Zinnia, MS is so well drawn, I feel like I'm there. As for the mystery, it was solid, full of the twists and turns all good mysteries should have with a red herring or two thrown in for good measure. Mysteries this well written keep me up way past my bedtime, telling myself "just one more chapter". I can't wait to read #21.

Fantastic Cozy Mystery
This mystery has a bit too much graphic violence for a 'cozy', but I still enjoyed it. This book is the 20th in the series and the first that I have read. It stands alone extremely well. I enjoyed this book enough that I will be looking to read the other 19 books in the series. This book is a little longer than most. The author has used the extra pages to fill in needed detail and give the story more twists. There is a touch of paranormal activity involved, too. I fell in love with the characters and was drawn into their lives like good neighbors. I got this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I enjoy cozies but had never read anything by this author. I have to say I'm happy to have had a chance to read this book. It's actually book 20 in the series, and I may not have known some of the underlying issues or events that may have happened previously, but I didn't feel like I missed anything. I liked Sara Booth, Tinkie, Coleman, and all the other characters and critters that made up this story. I loved the twists and turns and the unexpected bad guy and the reasons behind all the trouble.
A very satisfying cozy whodunnit!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

It's just another day in the lives of Mississippi delta private eyes Sarah Booth Delaney and Tinkie Bellcase Richmond until they are hired to look into a murder at the Mound Salla archeological dig. It turns out the murder is just the first in many problems at the ancient burial ground.

Each new book in this series of 20 is fresh and new. Sarah Booth evolves and changes but always stays true to herself. I enjoy not only the mysteries but also the development of her romantic relationships which have faced a lot of challenges. Thanks to Minotaur books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

I read other book in this series but I think this is the best one so far.
It's a fast paced, complex, entertaining and engaging book, a page turner you won't be able to put down.
I was happy to meet again the great cast of characters and to read about their life and changes.
The plot was complex, full of unexpected twist and turn and red herring. It kept me guessing till the end and the solution came as a surprise.
I really appreciated how Ms Haines manage to keep the horror/paranormal elements, some description could be perfect for a horror book, and the tension under control. This book kept me on the edge till the last page but the cozy elements made it relaxing and enjoyable. I loved the mix and I think Ms Haines was very good at making it work.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine