Haines continues to delight readers with this long running series. In this outing, a local pet activist is kidnapped and Sarah Booth and Tinky are on the job. Joined by their delightful pets, this is just the kind of book we need right now.

This book is an absolute treat, brimming with Southern charm, witty banter, and a mystery that’ll keep you on your toes. Sarah Booth Delaney and Tinkie are the perfect blend of fierce and funny, diving headfirst into the chaos of dognappings, shady breeders, and a suspicious online pet detective poking around. The heart of the story lies in its vibrant community, where neighborly feuds are as tangled as the mystery itself. The writing is sharp and engaging, making every twist feel deliciously unpredictable. If you’re in the mood for a sassy, fast-paced whodunit with plenty of humor and heart, this one’s a winner.

Doggone Bones is book 29 in the Sara Booth Delaney Mystery series but would probably be okay read as a standalone. Someone is stealing dogs in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Sara Booth and Twinkie are hired to track down the thieves and get drawn further in when their own pets are snatched. Facing down danger once again, Sara Booth finds her arch enemy has returned to make her miserable. Sara Booth takes on dogfighting and corruption as she manages to save the day once again. Light hearted with lovable characters and their adorable doggies, the story keeps the reader interested and the pages flying by. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Animal loving readers will quickly grasp why I suddenly felt the need to keep my eye on my dog outside no matter what. This series, as thoroughly entertaining and well-written as it is, touches on animal abuse this go-round. Not just animal abuse but the theft of dogs for dog fighting, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. It left me entertained, angry, frustrated, hopeful, and feeling helpless at various times as I read, sometimes an odd mix of these. In other words, not the light read one might anticipate but one well worth your time.

I actually came to this series late in the game but was immediately hooked. The characters of Sarah Booth Delaney and her partner in the investigation practice, Tinkie Bellcase Richmond are both intriguing characters, even if I continually marvel and wonder what hidden skill Tinkie may showcase next. Like Sarah Booth, she's a dog/animal lover and harks back to a previous book when she wishes she could feel abusers to a shark. Dogs are obviously the focus here but I'll note that the book "Black Beauty" even gets some space courtesy of Jitty the, shall we say, "identify shifting" ghost. Lots of twists and turns centering about not only the current issue, dog theft, dog fighting, danger, and greed, but we're reminded of a Sarah Booth's past as the book progresses. While the book stands alone, I sort of wished I'd managed to read more of the early books -- I'm working on it -- so I'd have a better handle on the background that lead up to the supposedly accidental death. The villain is definitely someone you'll love to hate for many reasons, that's for sure.

While I'm doing my best not to reveal more of the plot, I will say that as much as I felt the need to cling to my own fur girl as I read, this was an entertaining, albeit troublesome read. The author, I understand, is a long time advocate against animal abuse, so kudos to her for putting the practice of dog fighting and all it entails, which you'll have a better grasp of after reading, squarely in the spotlight. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for this early peek into the frequently complicated world of Sarah Booth and Tinkie, this one focusing on an issue more need to be aware of while leading us on a merry chase of whodunit. And, oh, wow, what a cliff hanger of an ending!

I wait impatiently for the next Sarah Booth adventure! This one was so good.

Dogs are being kidnapped all over town and Tinkie and Sarah Booth are on the case.

As they investigate, things get weird. And when there own dogs are taken, nothing is going to stop these two from rescuing all the dogs and bringing the culprits down.

Trouble is there are so many suspicious people! Is everyone in town on the take?

Just when I thought I had it figured out, I did not.

Always a pleasure.

NetGalley/ May 27, 2025 St. Martin’s Press

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur.

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

It’s a doggie mess when a local dog activist dog goes missing from her backyard. It would be just a simple case of dog napping as Sarah Delane will soon find out. Enter a world of illegal breeds and dpg fighting. Someone wants to keep things a secret. This is one doggie mess you don’t want to miss.