This is the 22nd book in the series, and it was one of my favorites. It’s a Christmas cozy that I’m going to add to my annual Christmas reading list!
Sarah Booth and her friends have gone away for the weekend with their partners for a fun getaway. They are Christmas shopping and generally enjoying the Christmas festivities when they notice that some unusual accidents are happening around town. The detective agency gets hired to look into it and trouble, Sarah Booth style, ensues.
I highly recommend this book, 5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Carolyn Haines never disappoints and never fails to deliver highly entertaining and gripping stories.
I loved this one and was happy to catch up with Sarah Booth and the cast of characters.
The mystery is complex, solid, full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing.
I love the festive atmosphere and the descriptions of the city.
I can't wait to read the next installment, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sarah Booth, Tinkie and the crew are off on a pre-Christmas celebration to Colombus , Mississippi. A charming B&B, Christmas parades and flotillas, delicious food and a mystery will keep them celebrating and sleuthing!

Reading a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery is like visiting with an old friend. You think you know what to expect, but old friends can surprise you and that's what I enjoy about the books - while the characters are solid and dependable, they also have many "layers" and we see more with each book. It was fun to see how Tinkie is handling pregnancy and Sarah Booth is handling the relationship with Coleman. Those are Christmas gifts to the reader! The mystery is filled with twists and turns as the sleuths work on investigating a series of "accidents" in the festive town. Sarah Booth, Tinkie and I "sleuthed" until the early morning.

The mystery is well-written, the characters are relatable and have good hearts (though a little mischievous), and the descriptions of the delta and Mississippi make the reader feel as if they are right their detecting with Sarah Booth and Tinkie. I'm ready for the next case!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book that I have read from Carolyn Haines and it was fantastic! Sarah Booth, Coleman, and crew were just fantastic. Since it was the first book I had read of the series and this being the latest one in the series, it was a little bit difficult for me to just jump right in and figure out who all of these people are. However, once I figured everything out then I really had a rip roarin' fun time with the story. The thing I can definitely say about this book is that it is definitely unlike any other mystery I have read and that's a great thing.

Sarah Booth is so sweet and down to Earth with just the right amount of snark. A true lady in my book lol. I love the fact that she has no problems dressed to the 9's but also has no problems getting dirty to.

I really enjoyed Tinkie as well. I can definitely see Sarah and Tinkie as partners in crime. They are so close to each other that I can truly envision them joined at the hip. I love how protective she is towards all of her friends and even though she's so pregnant that she could burst, it doesn't stop her from letting people know that she would do anything to keep her loved ones safe.

Coleman, is the perfect guy for Sarah. He is a true gentleman but yet at the same time doesn't have a problem with getting rowdy if he needs to to protect Sarah Booth and their friends. I can definitely envision them and a future together. I cannot wait for the next book to see when they get married! I wonder how he is gonna handle living in a haunted house? lol

I have actually been wanting to read this series for a long time and I am so thankful and happy that I finally got the chance to. Now that I have had the opportunity, I cannot wait to be able to go back and read everything leading up to this book.

Absolutely fantastic! Christmas cheer and Southern Charm all wrapped up in one cozy book. LOVED IT! Only reason that I am giving it a 4 is because I didn't realize that I needed to read some of the past books to really be able to understand who these characters are.

And, also, one question...The Title is A Garland of Bones...kind of confused by this considering there wasn't any actual bones found? I know that it is probably word play and normally I can figure it out. Just confused on this one. But, everything else was fantastic. I loved the whole "Mardi Gras' and "Carnival" feel to this story. Once you figure who and what everyone is about it is truly a lot of fun. A great time to be had by all!

I was given this ARC to review by NetGalley for my own honest opinions. All opinions are my own.

It's Christmastime for Sarah Booth and her gang. A Sarah Booth book always bring me joy. While I did not love this book a much as previous books. I thought the mystery could have been better. I love the characters and they are what keep me coming back to this series. I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for review.

At first I struggled with the writiers style of writing. However as soon as i adjusted i thoroughly enjoyed the book! The characters are engaging and sometimes suprising, but always entertaining. I am now looking for other works from the author to read the previous books.

Sarah Booth is one of those unforgettable characters in a cozy series. As a PI, she has a way of stepping into trouble, even when she isn't working a case. This Christmas, she is determined to just enough herself with no cases and time with her man. Of course, things don't work out that way; they never do. A wonderful holiday trip with Tinkie and all of their friends turns into a who-done-it fit for the season.

The characters in this series, and in particular in A Garland of Bones, keep readers smiling and merry. There are some detailed descriptions of Columbus, MS, which is a lovely southern town and the home of Tennesse Williams. I love that this mystery is set in a location with so much history. Having a PI or two running around all over town during Christmas brings to mind happy holidays of the past, filled with sights, sounds, and inspiration for decorating or travel.

Throughout the book, there are plenty of secrets that aren't so secret, suspects, and motives. Sarah and Tinkie may not be familiar with Columbus' social circles, but they know how small towns work. Gossip filters through quickly, and everyone has a story to share. It doesn't take long for the PI's to find out the latest tidbits of who did what to whom or who is sleeping with whose spouse. Christmas doesn't seem to stop the scuttlebutt regarding the victim(s) activities, real or imagined. It takes Sarah Booth and Tinkie several days, but they find the culprit, and justice is done, in more ways than one.

I am happy to recommend A Garland of Bones this Christmas holiday to readers who love southern colloquialisms; PI's who may not be as professional as they think they are, are easy to love, laugh with, and always know how to solve a crime with fanfare.

I just love Carolyn Haines and the Sarah Booth Delaney series! This book had me until the end. Another great book added to the series. I can't wait to see what happens next with the Zinnia ladies.

A Garland of Bones is a delightful cozy mystery. Great plot and quirky characters. Mystery fans will love this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Tinkie has planned a special holiday trip for her friends and their partners - Christmas shopping, tree lighting, and a Wassail Fest in the river town of Columbus.

As always, violence interrupts the festivities and Sarah Booth and Tinkie jump in to investigate. It's always a pleasure to spend time with Sarah Booth and cohorts in this cozy mystery series.

What can I say? Carolyn Haines never disappoints. A GARLAND OF BONES with a delightful Christmas cozy that has the wonderful group of characters shining at their best!

Princess Fuzzypants here: When Tinkie organizes a couples getaway for Sarah Booth and their mutual friends and honeys, she has thought of everything. What she did not realize was Columbus is a viper’s pit of infidelity, betrayal and revenge. They hope to avoid entanglement with the antics but it seems wherever they go, something bizarre and potentially deadly occurs. When one of the head viper’s hires them to investigate, any hopes of staying free becomes moot.

The energy that these viceroys ladies use to come up with plots and intrigues is mind boggling. What Sarah Booth and Tinkie discover is a complex jumble of relationships that are questionable to say the least. These women are duplicitous and evil in the extreme and the reader is forgiven if the thought they deserve far worse pops to the surface.

But the two have taken the job and they are determined to find out who is behind the threats. When they do discover the truth, their sympathies may lie with the perp. They are professionals. They do resort to some borderline investigative techniques but neither of them is foolhardy or crosses too far over the line. It is interesting that as characters who have the training to go into dangerous situations, neither of them intentionally puts themselves of others in danger. It makes for a more fulfilling story than heroines who are candidates for the next Darwin Award.

I like these two. I like the people around them and I like how they have developed over the series. And I fell in love with a little kitty named Gumbo. Five purrs and two paws up. .

Carolyn Haines has Sarah Booth in a Garland of Bones getting on the road for the Christmas season with her friends. The descend on Columbus Mississippi to shop and enjoy the Christmas celebrations. While there Sarah and her friends are hired to find out who is booby trapping different events to harm people. Mayhem ensues. Hold your hat and enjoy the ride in this romping cozy.

Fun characters, enjoyable storyline, intriguing mystery, and some zaniness. Sara Both and Tinkie are ready and willing to do whatever necessary to solve a mystery.
Great book and series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

A Garland of Bones by Carolyn Haines is the twenty second in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series. This was the first one I have read but, it will not be the last.
Tinkie has arranged a vacation for Sarah Booth and their friends, from the limo, the B&B, and all the activities.at the Christmas celebration in Columbus, Mississippi. Sarah Booth is looking forward for some quiet time with her Sheriff boyfriend, Coleman.
They get settled in the B&B and hit the town. While at a bar for lunch and karaoke, one of the locals gets shocked on the mike and it didn't appear to be an accident to Sarah Booth. When more locals start having "accidents" , Tinkie and Sarah Booth's vacation comes to an end when they get hired to find out who is behind everything including a murder.
There are plenty of suspects that have you guessing to the end, There are plot twists galore. I love the setting with all the Christmas celebrations. Haines will have you wanting to go to Columbus! You even get romance and humor.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review.
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Oddly, this book started off differently than normal. The writing itself was stiff, and a bit pretentious, compared to the normal pacing and tenor of the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series. I was beginning to think someone else was writing the books, and about ready to give up on the book, but I persevered and by the end of Chapter 2, everything was back to normal. Not sure why there was a bit of disparity, but for those fans of the series (there are 21 books before this book), just skip the lead-in and get into the story! For new fans, just know it gets much better! Once the gang arrive in Columbus they get involved (like always) in a local problem, that is leading up to some serious crime, and eventually murder. With a time limit on their heads, and no fondness for the client, or her friends, Tinkie and Sarah Booth have their hands full trying to figure out who is lying, and who is misdirecting them, and the law. Fun, quick read, and a great lead into the holiday season!

What better way to bond with your girlfriends and your significant other than to go on a Christmas holiday vacation! Carolyn Haines brings all the bonding and holiday fun mixed in with some ludicrous detective work to this crazy holiday mystery. Don’t miss out on this one, but if cheating triggers you, this is not the mystery for you. All said, this is definitely a good one!

Sarah Booth is over the moon in love with Coleman Peters and the Christmas season is giving them all kinds of reasons to celebrate. And how could she not be? With Coleman’s steamy kisses that could melt your bones. Oh, boy!

A relaxing vacation filled with Christmas activities and private Christmas fun with Coleman sounded perfect! Also, being away from Jitty, her haunting ghost and impersonator of crazy movie characters, sounded peaceful. Tinkie, her best friend and agency partner, had planned this trip and although Sarah was reluctant to leave her home and her animals behind, she was looking forward to some time-off. I loved the friendship between all the characters. The supportive cast from their vacation town were a hoot. A very agreeable affair (see what I did there) of Christmas charm amongst all, but my favorite was Tinkie. Give me a pushy Tinkie as a best friend any day of the week!

Unbeknownst to Sarah and Tinkie, their friendscation was about to be hijacked by a murder-mystery Mean Girl edition. Witness to a bizarre near electrocution at a Christmas karaoke event, the group suddenly finds themselves more than spectators to an unusual number of peculiar happenings around their vacation town. With a numerous amount of merry go-round cheating among the town’s elite Mean Girls and a fair amount of near deaths, the Delaney Detective Agency gets hired to solve this case before the Christmas cheer runs out.

Witty and at times shocking with lots of steamy love-talk between Sarah and Coleman, this book was all kinds of fun! And out of all the entertaining holiday activities the characters were participating in, mumming is something I had never heard of. Maybe, I’ll do something fun like that around my neighborhood this year. Instead of Christmas caroling, perhaps my neighbors would enjoy a little acting and a play from the comfort of their front door.

I can definitely say that I enjoyed this book. A recommended read with ridiculous, not over villainous characters. It was an easy read. Well, except for all the cheating, because don’t you just feel bad for the women who go after married men and for the men who enjoy playing? (Sarcasm) Ha!

~ Patricia

Tinkie is still organizing pre-baby trips and this time it is a Christmas vacation to a small Mississippi town that is full of gossip, backstabbing, and unladylike behavior. All this group wants for Christmas is some holiday cheer and a break from investigating. Instead they are hired by a haint and I don't mean like Jitty, Sarah Booth's relative ghost, to determine who is causing the socialite swingers such grinchy grief. It looks like it will tke a Christmas miracle to get to the bottom of all this muck, and in fact they do end up in some swampy territory when one of the more congenial townsfolk goes overboard during the Christmas floatilla. I am always impressed by how well Sarah Booth and Tinkie work together to tackle these cases. All of the characters have such depth that you are easily visualize them as you follow their exploits. I am equally impressed by the wonderfully descriptive breakfast meals they managed to find at the B&Bs they have stayed with over the last few books. So be sure to grab some fresh-made biscuits before you settle in for a nice winter's read.

"A Garland of Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 22nd instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series.

I enjoyed taking a trip to Columbus, MS, to stay in a B&B with Sarah and the gang. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I loved that Sarah Booth and her friends took a trip away before the christmas holidays. We were able to get a better glimpse into the personal dynamics of each relationship. 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 plenty of twists and turns and lots of suspects to choose from to keep you intrigued. I found this book to be a real page-turner, suspenseful, read that had me second guessing up till the end.

I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

It is always a delight to spend time with Sarah Booth and her friends. I enjoyed this out-of-town installment. Sarah and Tinkie had plenty of time for fun, and sleuthing. For those who have read all 21 previous Bones books, they might find this was a little bit on the lighter side in terms of depth and action. But there was enough for me to devour the book in record time. It also seemed to drop some serious hints for what may be to come in the larger, overarching storylines with Sarah's nemesis and the connection to her parents. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.