I have read a bunch of this series by Carolyn Haines. This was just a bit off. I felt it was missing something that caught my detective skills. Oh well, will go on to her next book.

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Tell-Tale Bones by Carolyn Haines.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

Sarah Booth Delaney and Tinkie are hot on the case of the disappearance of a young woman who dropped out of sight, almost seven years ago. Her husband, with a questionable past, has only days before he can collect money from his wealthy wife's estate, declaring Her dead. Her mother needs Sarah Booth and Tinkie to find out the truth before he inherits the money, especially since the mother believes her son-in-law killed her daughter!

Reading a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery is like a visit from an old friend. Sarah Booth and Tinkie are absolutely my heroes! The mystery is well-written, the characters are believable and lovable, the descriptions of the Mississippi delta are so vivid, you feel as if you're there. enjoying the view. The friendship between Sarah Booth and Tinkie is heartwarming. I certainly can't leave out the wonderful Jitty, the "haint" that makes Sara Booth life interesting. Jitty is my hero too..

If you're in the mood to be transported to the delta, in the middle of a wonderful mystery with the two best private investigators you'll ever meet, the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries are a fantastic choice.

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

What a fun cozy mystery! Sarah and Tinkie are on the hunt to find the missing daughter and heiress to the Redd family fortune. As private investigators, they have access to the cold case files, but as they uncover more evidence, they don't realize the danger they could be in!

Love this whole series and this book was no different. I loved the whole story and book. The characters were wonderful as always.

The Sarah Booth Delaney series isn't completely new to me as I reviewed book 16 in the series, Rock-a-Bye Bones, back in 2020. I wondered why I hadn't tried to pick up other books in the series like I have done with MC Beaton's series (I also discovered her series when there were a whole lot of books already published). I wasn't too far into Tell-Tale Bones, which is book 26, when I remembered why I might not have sought out the other books in the series.

While it is definitely a cozy mystery, there are also many Southern fiction aspects in the novel and I'm not a big Southern fiction fan.

Yet, I really like the characters. I read my review of Rock-a-Bye Bones and saw that I had trouble connecting with the characters, but I didn't feel that with this book. I don't really remember much about the previous book I read, but I didn't have any trouble figuring out the characters and their relationships. The only character problem I had was that two female characters had T names and I would sometimes briefly confuse them. Sarah Booth kind of reminded me of Meg from Donna Andrews's Meg Langslow series.

I enjoyed the mystery. It is nice to read a cozy mystery that isn't necessarily a murder mystery. The case Sarah Booth is investigating is for a missing person - a woman who has been missing for nearly 7 years.

I loved all the literary references. I don't remember Rock-a-Bye Bones having so many references. So I'm not sure if this is typical of the series or not, but it was fun how various classics served as clues.

I enjoyed Tell-Tale Bones more than I did the previous book so if you have tried this series but didn't keep up with it then you might want to give it another go.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/02/2-mysteries-to-cozy-up-with.html

Reading a Carolyn Haines novel is like coming home and staying warm and cozy for a weekend. If you are looking for a cozy mystery that is just a little bit scary and also quite funny with great descriptions of loveable characters, Carolyn Haines is for you! This is yet another wonderful book in the series. Can’t recommend it enough.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I loved this book, it gave me everything I wanted as a reader and more. I am a sucker for a cover and fell in love with the storyline and characters. Well written and kept me engaged :)

I have been provided with a review copy of Tell-Tale Bones from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Private Investigator Sarah Booth Delaney and her partner Tinkie are in Sheriff Coleman Peters's office, consulting Coleman about cold cases, when Elisa Redd storms in with a case of her own. She wants Coleman to reopen the investigation of her missing daughter, Lydia Redd Maxell, the heiress to a large fortune who disappeared along with her friend Bethany nearly seven years ago. Lydia and Bethany were rumored to be working as human rights organizers abroad, but Elisa suspects Lydia’s problems might have stemmed closer to home. Now Lydia’s husband, Tope, is set to inherit the fortune, and Elisa believes he’s behind the disappearance. Such a great series that just continues to get better with every new story! Highly recommend the entire series!

This is the 26th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries, set in MS.
Sarah Booth is a private detective and owns a detective agency with her best friend Tinkie. In this book they’re searching for a friend’s missing daughter, whose husband wants her declared dead so he can control her extensive fortune.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Such a wonderful addition to the Sarah Booth Delaney series. I can't get enough of Jinny and her antics and the mystery was so amazingly woven into the story. I highly recommend this book and series

I absolutely love the Sarah Boothe Delaney series! It is my favorite cozy mystery series! I adore all the cast of characters that appear in each story, and I also love the fact that the characters are so diverse and progressive. This was such a good story, based on The Tell-Tale Heart, but with all the fun of Sarah Booth's adventures. I cannot get enough of this series and I'm so excited for the next installment!

Another fantastic book in the series! I loved how this worked out. While the villain was known up front, the conclusion kept me guessing. I loved the writing and the plot. The characters feel family and I was so excited to dive into this story. I cannot stress enough how imaginative the storyline was. I highly recommend this book!

Sarah Booth Delaney has a support system that any of us would envy. She has a gorgeous old historic house, a slew of friends, cuddly pets, a hot sheriff boyfriend and her own supernatural haint Jitty. She had her own detective business with her bestie Tinkie to keep things interesting when things are quiet.
This latest is a take on the Tell Tale Heart tale by Poe. What I like about the suthors cozies is that she always has a social commentary about a current women's social issue that she brings awareness to. I also love learning about the details and trivia about the Deep South.
A Must read!

Tell-Tale Bones is #26 of the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries
Another fantastic and fun read! I love these mysteries and this one did not disappoint! Recommend giving this book a try.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elisa Redd has been waiting almost seven years for her daughter, Lydia, to come home. Lydia and her friend, Bethany, disappeared and haven’t been seen or heard from since. Elisa thinks it had to do with Lydia’s marriage. She’d been happy to get married but came home from the honeymoon emotionally broken—and soon after has “accidents because she’s clumsy.”

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are private investigators. It helps that Sarah Booth’s significant other is the Sheriff so they can coordinate on cases.

This case is more difficult than usual due to the time that’s elapsed. Time is of the essence though since, Tope, Lydia’s husband has a new girlfriend he wants to marry so he’s going to declare Lydia dead as soon as the seven-year waiting period is up.

Amid rumors of moonshine stills, herbal remedies for girls “in trouble”, several more missing girls, a tale of a hanging, a grave, and almost everyone lying to Sarah Booth and Tinkie, they begin to wonder if they’ll ever solve the case.

Add in the fact their friend, Tammy, who is a medium and is having dreams that could relate to the disappearances and there’s a talking raven, a ghost, and a thunderstorm to beat all, and it’s understandable that even Sarah Booth and Tinkie worry this might be the case they can’t solve.

This is book twenty-six in the series. Tinkie is a mother now and baby Maylin is getting the princess treatment. Coleman still has his own place but is staying with Sarah Booth more often than not. They make a good pair and are respectful of each other’s work.

There are twists and turns, false clues, lies, plots and subplots, that blend together to make one great mystery. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

Ebook/Cozy Mystery: I want to thank Netgalley for a copy of the book. IAs nuch as I love Sara Booth and her antics, this book was just okay for me. The plot and explanation of the missing/murdered women was way out there, especially in this day and age of computers, no privacy, and forensics. The villain came out of left field as the reader has not met him in previous books.
I do love the first person narrative and the character building of characters by the author.

If you are a fan of cozy mystery books, you will enjoy the plot and characters in this book! If you are also a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, you will enjoy the allusions to his works throughout the book as well. This book is part of a series, but you do not need to read the previous books in order to enjoy this cute mystery!

Thanks so much to Net Galley and St Martins Press for a gifted copy of this book!