Doggone Bones, the latest installment in Carolyn Haines’s beloved Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series, delivers the same irresistible blend of Southern charm, sharp wit, and suspense that has captivated readers for years. From the very first page, the thought-provoking plot pulls you into a world filled with richly drawn characters who feel like old friends—and keeps you guessing until the final twist. This series remains as fresh and compelling today as it was when it first debuted twenty-nine books ago.

Missing dogs, dog fighting rings, and drugs are not just plot devices—they are real-world horrors that evoke powerful emotions and a deep sense of injustice. The cruelty inflicted on voiceless, defenseless animals in underground dog fighting is staggering: dogs are bred and abused for violence, forced into brutal fights that often end in severe injury or death, and those deemed unfit are discarded or killed in horrific ways. These rings are frequently linked to other criminal activities, including drug trafficking and illegal gambling, compounding the suffering and perpetuating cycles of violence within communities. The emotional toll of these crimes lingers, leaving readers with a profound ache.

Ms. Haines inspires a powerful resolve to stand against such cruelty through her masterful storytelling and the unforgettable characters she brings to life.

This ARC book was provided complimentary by the publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Sarah Booth & Tinkie set out to find a missing dog, stumble upon yet another dog that has been taken and an illegal dog fighting ring happening in nearby Nixville. The gang comes together working to find the dogs and save all of them. Gertrude rears her ugly head, and things get a bit dicey in spots. Carolyn Haines has a fun series going here that I feel can go on and on for some time! Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Haines, and St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Even though I love the Sarah Booth Delany mystery series, I was unsure about this entry because I love dogs and didn’t want to see any get hurt in a story about dog fighting. I should have known Carolyn Haines would never let me down! I love this entry in the Sarah Booth series and I just love to visit Sarah Booth and all her wonderful friends. One of the things I love most about Sarah Booth is that she is not a character that goes out on her own and is constantly begged by her sheriff boyfriend to stay out of it. Sarah Booth, Tinkie, Coleman and all of their friends work as a team and they are smart, kind and compassionate. They work together so well that it’s a joy to watch them solve mysteries and live their lives together. This was a fun mystery to solve and I was surprised, but intrigued by the plot development. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

This was my first read from this author and I truly loved it. The FMC is bold, feisty, determined and loves animals. Her business partner is someone you definitely want on your side! I absolutely loved Tilly and Squatty! All the characters of this book were amazing. You really got to know who they were and feel for them. I totally love the Raven, Poe. I want one of my own now lol!

The storyline to this book was great. It had me guessing who the basic guys were. The ending is a cliffhanger but it's definitely not in bad taste.

If you want a cozy mystery with a strong and loveable FMC's, this is definitely a good choice!

Another good story in the series. Not sure why, but I struggled a bit with this one, as there a lot of characters that kept throwing me off the trail. Sad with the dogs being kidnapped and used as bait dogs in illegal dog fighting. Would recommend.

For animal lovers everywhere, Sarah Booth and friends are on the case! When pets begin to disappear, she and Tinkie jump right in. Who is responsible, why they were stolen and, oh no, an old enemy seems to be involved too. An excellent read

I love Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries! I love this series. This is the 29th book by Carolyn Haines. It will be released in May! This book could be a standalone but I would recommend reading them in order to get all the characters and side characters. This story was about a dog napping, dog fighter ring and a small town where Sarah and Tinkie’s dogs band together! The plot was good. I love the characters.

Sarah and Tinkie who is her partner in their detective agency are hired to find a missing dog. They found only more than one missing dogs but criminal activity that surrounds the missing dogs. Sarah's archnemesis comes into play in this book. The thrill of finding the dogs and trying to figure out who was behind this was just as fun! I was have a running list of suspects in my head and I'm always surprised how off I am.

I always love the ghost, Jitty, who turns into who ever she wants but it’s always someone on history that we know or don’t in the south. It's like a history lesson.

I gave this book 4 stars. As always, Carolyn Haines writes with heart and compassion!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Sarah Booth and Tinkie are on the case of several kidnapped dogs. Dogs are missing. Who took them? As they try to track down the thieves and find the dogs, they encounter a lot more than they bargained for.
I really love this series. Always plenty of action, lovable characters and the story keeps me interested.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

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.