Dr. Alala Diakos is a visiting professor at Ole Miss and she's stirred up a storm cloud as she's advocated for equal pay and other women's issues. Sarah is concerned enough about her safety after she finds a gun in the bushes near one of Alala's rallies that she enlists her sweetie Coleman, the Sheriff. But that's not the problem for Alala. Nope she's worried about being a suspect in the murder of Curtis, a domestic abuser and she wants Sarah's help. Tinkie, Sarah's BFF, despite being incredibly pregnant, hops into the fray, as do other friends and family. Some of the nicest parts of this, btw, involve Tinkie (who has been a favorite of mine). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is latest in a long (really long) running series is probably best enjoyed by those who have read at least a couple of the preceding ones because but would still be a delightful entry into the town of Zinnia.

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & Carolyn Haines for the opportunity to preread Independent Bones in exchange for an honest review

I had forgotten all about Sarah Booth & her little corner of the world. Having read book one, some of the characters came back to me. I do think that reading some of the earlier books would help a reader, but isn't necessary. I had no idea who the murderer was until it was revealed & look forward to going back & reading past stories!

Make sure you read the other books in the series first! I wish I would’ve realized this was part of a series where this book was down the line, because the entire time I felt that I was missing bits and pieces of the characters as well as the town’s backstories and it affected my reading. Thankfully, I was able to get into the swing of things eventually and started enjoying the book. Sarah and her best friend/partner Tinkey are trying to take things slow since Tinkey is about to give birth, but when the whole town is attending a speech for Dr. Diakos, Sarah stumbles upon an attempted assassination of her and is immediately on the case. With the help of Sarah’s boyfriend, she is able to gain information about Dr. Diakos’ past and get to the bottom of what is fact and fiction as well as who would be behind everything. I enjoyed the fact that I was constantly kept guessing about who was behind everything and why the murders were happening and reading Sarah work through the different theories also made it a great read. In the end, Sarah solves everything and Tinkey has her baby, and the pair are ready for the next mystery!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

It's a girl!

I love this series and every character in it, including Sweetie Pie, Pluto, Chablis and Roscoe.

I'm so happy that Tinkie finally had her baby. Now it's Sarah Booth's turn!

DNF at 10%. Despite the jacket copy, this bears no resemblance to Stephanie Plum and the comparison is insulting. As a lover of Miss Plum, mysteries, and all things Southern, this seemed like a great choice. It was not. Every character was a stereotype. The heroine was crass, sarcastic, and unlikable. I just could not go on.

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the advanced reader copy of this book.

I have read the entire series and always look forward to the next installment. While the cases keep you guessing, my favorite aspect is the tight knit group of friends that surround Sarah Booth.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I simply loved Independent Bones. It's always a pleasure to return to Zinnia and read about Sarah Booth and Tinkie investigating a new case. In this instance, they try to help a feminist who is accused of murder. The case is complex, with very dark undertones. I salute Carolyn Haines for including very delicate issues into the storyline (namely violence towards women), it definitely struck a sensitive chord with me. Fortunately, there are enough lighter elements in the book to balance everything and keep it the cozy mystery genre. My fondness for this series increases with every new book, and I have recommended it to readers who like mystery novels.

Sarah Booth and her partner, Tinkie, have been hired to solve another case, one that involves murder and deception. Along the way, she is visited by a special visitor who provides historical background info on things that happened long ago. A cozy mystery, this also has a playful mood to it. I enjoyed reading it!

Kindle Copy from Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A visiting Greek literature professor with strong feminist views quickly causes conflict while speaking in the park. Rival sides start to heckle her and each other causing chaos in the midst. Sarah will find a sniper rifle hidden in the bushes which cause serious concern.

Sarah asks her boyfriend the sheriff for help but the professor refuses protection. Following day a domestic abuse is found dead and the professor is prime suspect stating that she would take him down earlier. It also does not help that two previous crimes seemed to be connected.

It will be up to Sarah to prove her innocence as the professor asks for help in the case. A suspenseful read that will capture the reader.

Sarah Booth has no desire to play detective with her business partner Tinkie about to deliver her first child. However, when a local abuser is murdered and an outspoken professor fears she may be accused, she agrees to take the case. Now she just has to find the killer while keeping Tinkie from any involvement. As always a fun read as the pets once again save the day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy of this book.
Independent Bones is a part of the Sarah Booth Delaney series, but the first one I have read. The author did a great job of introducing the characters, and I was able to follow along without having read the previous books. It was an enjoyable, easy read.

Dr. Alala Diakos comes into Zinnia with many feminist ideas. After an incident during Dr. Daikos' speech in the new park, Sarah Booth begins looking into her history. Sarah and her boyfriend, Sherrif Coleman, work together to find out who is really behind these attacks and determine if Alala is really innocent.

E-book/Cozy Mystery: I want to thank NetGalley for letting me have an advanced copy of this book. I liked this one a lot. Most of the Sarah Booth Mysteries take place during holidays. This one takes place in the fall and the independence has more to do with the Martina McBride song than firecrackers. The books theme of indepencence brings on my favorite subject, Women’s Liberation. Along with that is Tinkie’s baby being liberated from the womb and Tinkie is days from giving birth. (And she does it too quickly and easily for a first natural birth).

Jitty is stll around driving all of us crazy. The dogs still aren’t leashed, which drives me nuts.
I did like the idea of the book because there has been so much misogyny (being prejusticed against women) in recent years. The book really didn’t delve into the mind of a woman-hater (who can male or female) or into the mind of battered woman syndrome.

I did like that Sarah Booth had a mystery close to home because after reading eight of her books, the characters are like my friends. Tinkie and Oscar have really grown as characters since the beginning of the series. Sarah Booth, not so much. The backlog of the series I still need to read may help me understand how Harold went from jerk to decent person. I do like this one better than some others.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series, but reads well as a stand alone. It is a cozy mystery. These are fun books, not very practical but fun. I still don't understand the whole Jitty (ghost) thing but I go with the flow. It's a cute mystery. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Sarah's best friend Tinkie is very pregnant in this book=which makes for even more laughs. 3.5 stars

Characters are fun and related. The story line a fun and keeps you interested. Sarah the main character is free spirited and helps the story keep at a good pace. The ghost that haunts the house is also interesting. This story is a pleaser for mystery lovers and those that love romance.

Good plotline and many suspects but not as fun as usual probably because the girls weren't part of the investigation (especially Tink). The dogs did make me smile with their following of Rosco. And did make some good offense/defense with the bad guys
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

"Independent Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 23rd instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series. I enjoyed visiting Sarah and the gang again. Sarah Booth is a strong and intelligent protagonist and all the characters are fully developed. I love that it was about Woman’s Rights, I always learn so much from Carolyn’s books.

The relationship between Tinkie and Sarah is so special and one I would like myself. There’s such a sense of friendship and community in these stories. 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, also love how the animals are included the solving of the mysteries.

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’s so good to be back in Zinnia, Mississippi, with PI Sarah Booth Delaney and her partner, Tinkie. Tinkie is at that I’m about to pop stage of pregnancy, which just makes me like her more. Her southern manners are slipping and as usual, it’s hilarious.

Sarah Booth is at the new park that Harold donated and speaking is a woman Sarah Booth doesn’t know. Dr. Alala Diakos is a visiting professor who is at Ole Miss in Oxford for a year, working on a book and inciting men, as she demands women stand up for themselves and demand equal pay and rights. But this is Mississippi, where I don’t think we could vote until not that long ago. And these are some deeply southern bred men, who expect their women in the kitchen or cleaning the house.

One particularly loud man, Curtis, whose wife, Tansy is in the ER regularly because she doesn’t know her place. But try to get her to press charges and she will defend him like a momma bear. As the crowd gets fired up, Sarah discovers a rifle aimed at the speaker. Is it Curtis’s?

Sarah calls her boyfriend Sheriff Coleman, who takes this seriously and offers the visiting professor police protection. But Alala isn’t interested in protection or men. And when Curtis is found dead, Alala shows up on Sarah Booth’s porch looking for help in proving her innocence. Only she’s not helping her case when it’s found that she threatened him in a bar. Nor does it look good when more than one man is dead and she is a suspect.

It’s always a good time with this crowd. Sarah Booth is a strong, female who by the way has a friend who happens to be a ghost. All the characters are fully developed by now and I always have a laugh at Tinkie, who may be giving birth in the yard.

Well Done!

NetGalley/ May 18th, 2021 by Minotaur Books

Sarah Booth Delaney and crew---what can I say-I love them! Carolyn Haines continues to keep her characters and storylines current and relevant while honoring our history. I am always a little sad when I know I am starting the last chapter of the book-but I can never put the book down once I start. I highly recommend this book!

I enjoyed this book although at times it was hard to read. The subject of abuse and of the men who act like woman are inferior is a hard one. It was good to see Tinkie have her baby. #IndependentBones #NetGalley

While I love Sarah Booth, and enjoy her four-footed companions, this was not my favorite in the series. The topic was naturally depressing, as it was hammered over and over that there is a faction of men who believe women are their property and deserve the beatings they often give "their" women. Although the author did a great job of presenting this important topic, it sucked the enjoyment out of the book considerably. Humor was visibly at an all time low. Jitty's historical characterizations and lectures were too frequent, and did more to interrupt the story than enhance it. Even the love of the Delta and the pleasure of the land was barely mentioned. Despite this, the murders and final reveal were very well crafted and certainly full of surprises.

I appreciate St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book, it is not one that I would highly recommend.