Sarah Delaney is back. This is book 28 in her series and I've read most of them. Sarah is a sassy middle aged lady that isn't afraid to face life. this year's Christmas is almost derailed. Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends can’t help falling in love with Christmas this year, which they plan to spend celebrating the King of Rock n’ Roll at the annual Elvis Festival in Tupelo. The main attraction is an Elvis impersonator competition, drawing impersonators from all over the world to honor the king.
But before the revelry can get underway, a priceless jewel-encrusted replica of a belt once worn by Elvis is stolen from its display case, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are roped into one of the biggest heists in the history of Mississippi. Soon suspicious minds are lurking around every corner, with one eyewitness even claiming to have seen Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s long deceased and highly questionable manager, prowling around the festivities. Sarah Booth will have to find the devil in disguise or she might just end up singing Jailhouse Rock herself.

Yay! Another Sarah Booth Delaney Christmas book. I enjoy this series but the Christmas ones are some of my favorites. Once again Sarah and friends are headed for a Christmas getaway. This time they are headed to Tupelo for the Elvis Christmas celebration. Of course, they can't go anywhere without stumbling into a mystery that has to be solved. This was a fast read and it captured my attention from the first few pages. There were a few extra twists and turns but it kept me guessing. This is a great book to get you in the holiday season!

This is an enjoyable Christmas mystery with a lot of Elvis thrown in. Fans of the series will love it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

It’s Christmas time and Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends are thrilled to be spending it in the city of Tupelo, just a few hours’ drive away from their own hometown of Zinnia, Mississippi. The birthplace of Elvis Presley has decided to add a slate of wintertime festivities to match its annual summer celebration of the cultural icon. Sarah Booth and co are all huge fans:

QUOTE
I love Elvis. I inherited my addiction to Tupelo’s native son from my mama, who basically had an altar to the Mississippi icon. One of my best memories is sitting on the blue velvet sofa in the music room watching my parents dance to Elvis classics. I’d never heard anything more romantic than his love ballads. His appearance on TV shows–my mother had purchased the entire collection–reeked of wholesome sexuality. He was a man ahead of his time and completely unprepared to deal with the fame that dropped on him like an anvil. Generous to a fault, he was easy pickings for some of the unethical people drawn to his life.
END QUOTE

It’s not just the proliferation of Elvis impersonators, exhibits and themed attractions that have drawn Sarah Booth there. Her friends have roped her into joining them in various competitions that involve either knowing tons of trivia about The King or performing to his music. It’s looking to be loads of fun… until a valuable replica belt gets stolen almost right out from under their noses. Adding insult to injury, the culprit is most likely the person who’d been seen wandering around the exhibit hall dressed as Colonel Tom Parker, the manager whom Sarah Booth firmly believes exploited her idol.

This would merely be an unfortunate event if the belt’s owner, the evocatively named Grace Land, hadn’t caught wind that Sarah Booth and her partner Tinkie Bellcase Richmond are some of the state’s foremost private investigators. Though they’re supposed to be on vacation, Sarah Booth and Tinkie agree that they can’t just let someone spoil the Elvis festivities in this way, so agree to take on the case.

They regret it almost instantly. Reality TV star Grace is a handful, and not opposed to lying to make herself look good. Worse, she has dozens of enemies, largely due to her high-handed nature around town and on her show. Anyone could have wanted to take her down a peg or two by stealing the belt. But when events take a deadly turn, Sarah Booth and Tinkie will have to start investigating who might hate Grace enough to kill:

QUOTE
While everyone else was busy, I ducked behind the thick curtains with Robbie and went to the back of the stage. There were ropes and levers and mechanical things used to set lights or bring the curtains up and down. There were moving dollies to change scenery. A longing for the stage hit me hard. I loved the trappings of the theater, but I was looking for something in particular. What I found was a pulley with a bit of severed rope still on it. I picked up the end of the rope. The rope was cleanly cut, except for one bit that was frayed.
END QUOTE

With foul play clearly afoot on what should be the most wonderful time of the year, will Sarah Booth be able to figure out whodunnit before someone gets hurt for real?

Series fans and Elvis fans will be rooting for Sarah Booth and co to get to the bottom of this mystery, and bring the thief and wannabe killer to justice. This was actually my first experience with the protagonist’s namesake series, and I was struck by how lovely and warm-hearted she and her friends are in defending and celebrating the differences of others. The twenty-eighth book of the series showcases its diverse main characters with both charm and aplomb. I was rooting for them all, but especially for theater-loving Sarah, whose complex background lends her a wonderfully relatable depth and humanity.

Try as they might, Sarah Booth and Tinkie cannot make it through one Christmas getaway without stumbling upon a case. They are in Tupelo for the Elvis impersonators Christmas event when an expensive replica of his famous belt is stolen from the arena where the events are being held. The owner is beside herself and even more so when she discovers the belt was not covered by insurance because her premium was not paid.

This is but the start of a complex series of relationships that swirl around the owner who hires them to find her belt. Rehearsing and performing in a couple of the contests proves less of a hindrance than the scarcity of truth in Tupelo. They are told assorted stories. Whom to believe when everyone lies, including their client. Luckily, they have their intrepid posse who help investigate. Her boyfriend Colman also needs to get involves because the local police do not seem to be doing anything to help solve the mystery.

I just love the Deep South feel of this series. The characters are interesting and the story is always entertaining. Five purrs and two paws up.

Blue Christmas Bones is a fun cozy mystery centering around an Elvis-themed Christmas festival in Tupelo. When an invaluable jewel-encrusted Elvis belt is stolen from a local socialite-become-Hollywood-reality star, Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends are determined to quickly solve the case before their much-earned Christmas vacation is ruined. With a snarky, uncooperative client, Sarah Booth faces not only a frustrating mystery but also a vacation filled with drama, angst, Elvis-music, and the threat of murder. Overall, Blue Christmas Bones was a nice, holiday cozy mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Carolyn Haines for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the story. I'm providing my honest review below.

As this is book 28 in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series the author must have a devoted following. This is my first encounter with the writer and series and it's a shame that I don't feel the same way. I never clicked with the characters, found myself apathetic. I liked the book PR blurb about the Elvis Christmas festival in Tupelo, I'm from Memphis so Elvis is always fun. Even an abundance of Elvi couldn't keep me turning pages. I began to skip around to speed up the story. Going over and over the same information discovered with the same formula wasn't entertaining but convoluted which became tiresome; I skipped a few chapters and found I hadn't missed much action. I did appreciate the Elvis themed events and Sippi, what a lovely image I came up with in my mind.

#NetGalley #BlueChristmasBones #CarolynHaines #MinotaurBooks #SarahBoothDelaney #mysteryseries #Elvisfestivle #murdermystery

It is Elvis mania in Tupelo, Mississippi this Christmas in Blue Christmas Bones. And best friends Sarah Booth and Tinkie are here for all of it.

With Elvis impersonators everywhere, a replica of the belt from his famous white jumpsuit is on display. The belt was crafted with $3 million worth of jewels and gold so security cameras and armed guards are on hand to protect it. Alas, it is somehow stolen anyway.

As co-owners of the Delaney Detective Agency, Sarah Booth and Tinkie, who really just want a fun vacation, are roped into the investigation. With no help from the at best incompetent, and at worst crooked, local sheriff, they must hurry to find the belt before it is broken up and sold. Their only lead is a creepy Colonel Parker lookalike lurking around.

Put on a comfy Christmas sweater, Elvis pompadour is optional, and just roll with this improbable but humorous cozy mystery. Reading Blue Christmas Bones is a unique and enjoyable way to get in a holiday mood. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Carolyn Haines’ Blue Christmas Bones delivers a delightful mix of Southern charm, holiday cheer, and a rock n’ roll mystery that’s perfect for fans of lighthearted whodunits. In this festive installment of the Sarah Booth Delaney series, our sassy Mississippi private investigator and her trusty partner, Tinkie, are swept into a high-stakes heist during the Elvis Festival in Tupelo. The theft of a priceless, jewel-encrusted Elvis belt sends them on a wild chase, and the setting, complete with Elvis impersonators and Southern hospitality, makes for a fun and quirky backdrop.

Sarah Booth is as witty and tenacious as ever, and the holiday spirit adds a festive twist to her sleuthing adventures. The colorful cast of characters, from die-hard Elvis fans to eccentric festival-goers, adds humor and intrigue to the story. The introduction of bizarre clues—including a supposed sighting of Elvis’s long-deceased manager, Colonel Tom Parker—keeps the plot lively and unpredictable. Haines' signature Southern wit and the close-knit friendships of the main characters add warmth to the mystery, making it more than just a straightforward crime-solving romp.

While Blue Christmas Bones is a thoroughly entertaining read, the mystery itself unfolds at a somewhat leisurely pace, and some of the side characters feel a bit underdeveloped. However, the lighthearted tone, holiday setting, and Elvis-themed fun more than make up for it, making this a perfect cozy mystery for fans of Southern sleuths and holiday hijinks. It's an enjoyable escape that’ll leave readers tapping their feet to the King’s tunes and eagerly anticipating Sarah Booth’s next adventure.

All your favorite characters. A twisty mystery. Holiday hijinks. Humor, love, and heart. What more can you ask for? A new book in this series is like a visit with old friends.

Blue Christmas Bones by Carolyn Haines is a Sarah Booth Delany book and as usual is quite good, but very convoluted. Lots going on. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, two friends are in Tupelo for the Christmas Elvis impersonators’ festival. There are Elvises everywhere and a few Pricillas and Colonel Tome Parkers as well. It was a heady time. The men and Tinkie’s baby were going to join them in a couple of days for an actual vacation. Also with them was Jitty, Sarah Booth’s ghost. Almost immediately there is a crime: a local woman named Grace Land (true) had a replica of Elvis’ jeweled belt made and it was on display. Then, it was gone. It was reputed to be worth three million dollars. And there was no shortage of suspects, including the owner, herself. It was several days of running around, not really knowing what to look for. It could not be sold as is: it was too well-known. It could be broken down and the gold melted and all resold.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are an unstoppable pair who can weasel their way into any building, conversation, or situation. It is always amusing to follow them around. Tinkie having the baby hadn’t changed much as Oscar was a doting father who did his share, much to Sarah Booth’s amazement. It was an entertaining book, full of relationships and juxtapositions of relationships. These people seemed to have no sense, Sarah Booth thought. They did solve the crime and managed to enjoy moments of vacation before they all had to return home. It was a fun read, full of fun personalities and plenty of twists and turns. Good book. Aren’t they all?

I was invited to read Blue Christmas Bones by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #CarolynHaines #BlueChristmasBones

Sarah Booth and her friends are celebrating at the annual Elvis festival in Tupelo, MS. But before the revelry can get underway, a priceless jewel-encrusted belt once belonging to Elvis is stolen from its display case, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are roped into one of the biggest heists in the history of Mississippi.

Being a Mississippi girl, I enjoyed so much about this tale. I loved the setting of Tupelo…I just live down the road. And of course, how could you not love Sarah Booth Delaney. She is one of my favorite characters.

Once again, Carolyn Haines has nailed it! This is adorable and entertaining. Add in the Elvis stuff…from impersonators to the music…and you have a charming holiday yarn!

Need a blue Christmas tale…this is it! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Blue Christmas Bones is book #28 in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series by Carolyn Haines.

It’s always an adventure when Sarah Booth travels. Sarah Booth and her friends attend the annual Elvis Festival in Tupelo, MS. Sarah Booth and Tinkie are pulled in to investigate a missing belt. I enjoyed the humor as well as the mystery. This is an entertaining, easy read.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The girls take a trip to Tupelo for a Elvis look-alike festival. Well, they’re also participating in the festivities, they weren’t counting on finding yet another case right before Christmas. But such as life with Sarah Booth and Tinkie.

When a three million dollar gemstone stud belt is stolen from the convention center , the owner hires, the PI to find out who took her work of art. But with a lying client, plenty of suspects and Christmas looming, it’s going to be Christmas miracle this sol before they need to leave town. Can they solve it, or does someone plan on ensuring the ladies leave the building with Elvis once and for all?

I love, LOVE, ❤️ this series! I cannot get enough of Sarah, Booth, Tinkie, Jitty I’m a gang. Christmas on the South has never been as devious as it has this year in Tupelo. If you have not read a book in this series yet, no worries, each book reads fine as a standalone. the best part of all? you’ve got so many books to binge on before the next entry is published. Enjoy an we will both be back for more!

I'm going to keep reading them as long as Haines keeps writing them, but I feel like the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries are getting kookier as time goes on. Or maybe it's just the characters. Either way, I was not as charmed as I usually am with this series.
This time, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in Tupelo, Mississippi for the Xmas Elvis Extravaganza. They get sucked into helping "Grace Land" (yeah, I know) find a missing Elvis belt that she had on display. The belt was stolen right out from under everyone while on display and it's worth 3 million. However, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are having trouble narrowing down suspects and the story keeps getting more convoluted. I also think that the Jitty appearances were super-silly and not at all helpful to the case. It's like the ghost is just thrown in for good measure now. Anyway, entertaining as usual but way off the mark. At least there was no murder this time.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-arc.*

Oh my goodness, Sarah Booth and Tinkie were at it again on a girls’ trip with their other pals Millie and Cece. Toss in a bunch of Elvis impersonators at a Christmas festival along with a paid case for Delaney Detective Agency and you've got hilarity, suspense and just a very fun Christmas read.

Tinkie absolutely cracks me up when she interrogates someone. There's the best scene later in the book. When she and Sarah Booth both get the questions flying, I pity the perp lol. It was awesome how all their loved ones were able to join them in Tupelo, then of course everyone from Zinnia ended up at Harold's for his annual Christmas party which had some interesting entertainment this year.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin Paperbacks via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Blue Christmas Bones is book 28 in The Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries series by Carolyn Haines.
This is great cozy mystery with a great atmosphere.
I love Sarah Booth and Tinkie and all their adventures. This series is has everything, humor, mystery, romance, and suspense.
The characters are fun and believable, the story flows very well, and the plot had me guessing right to the end.
I loved book 27 Lights, Camera, Bones and was eager to read the next one.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

4.5 upped to 5
I love Sarah Booth mysteries as they're always entertaining and a good way to learn something new about history or places that are off the beaten track and I usually add to my list of places to visit.
This a holiday mystery, a very entertaining mystery but also it pays homage to Elvis as there's plenty of impersonators, trivia, and bejewelled belt that could have used by The King
I'm not a huge Elvis fun but I thoroughly the mix of history and Elvis trivia.
I was glad to catch up with Sarah Booth and her gang of friends and had a lot of fun as there's a lot of humour.
The mystery is solid but it was quite easy to guess culprit but, as this is a Elvis cozy, i enjoyed it nonetheless
Even it it's the twenty-seventh installment it can be read as a stand alone
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A fun read, especially if you’re an Elvis fan…

I had read and really enjoyed a lot of the early Sarah Booth Delaney books, especially since my mother was from the South. But I lost track of the series in recent years. So I was happy to have a chance to read a review copy of Blue Christmas Bones, by Carolyn Haines, which is the latest Sarah Booth book, coming out in a couple of days. And, although IMO mid-October is still a bit early for curling up with cozy holiday mysteries, I enjoyed this one.

Sarah Booth, Tinkie, and a couple of girlfriends – and Jitty - have decamped from Zinnia to a winter Elvis festival in the King’s hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. They’re planning to watch, and even enter, some Elvis contests, and also do some holiday shopping. But this is a mystery series. So, sure enough, shortly after they arrive, a one-of-a-kind replica of one of Elvis’ jeweled belts is stolen, and Sarah Booth and Tinkie are asked to find it before it disappears for good. Of course they take the job, and after a lot of leg work and investigation, and working their way through a lot of emotional outbursts and entanglements between the many suspects, they figure out what happened.

But the real fun in Blue Christmas Bones is everything Elvis – bazillions of Elvis impersonators running around (including the eight-year-old Elvis Tots), the Elvis trivia contest, the Elvis dance contest, and even an impersonator (or another ghost?) of Elvis’ nasty manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Personally, I’m not a huge Elvis fan, but even I was able to get into the mood. And if you already ARE a big Elvis fan, I suspect you’ll be even happier. (So - four stars if you like Elvis, and three-and-a-half if you’re more like me.) And finally, a big thank you to St Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the review copy!

I thought this was an interesting and unusual premise. Original location and great character development. I found this to be a really fun read. Definitely recommend to my patrons.