Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines

Independent Bones

by Carolyn Haines

Series: Sarah Booth Delaney #23
Series Rating:
Published by Minotaur Books on May 18, 2021
Genres: Private Investigator Paranormal Southern Mystery
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: Sticks and Bones, Charmed Bones, Clacking Bones, A Gift of Bones , Game of Bones, The Devil's Bones, Enchanted Bones, A Garland of Bones, Lady of Bones, Bones of Holly, Tell-Tale Bones, Lights, Camera, Bones, Blue Christmas Bones

Carolyn Haines's Independent Bones is the next novel in the series that Kirkus Reviews characterizes as "Stephanie Plum meets the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" featuring sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney.
When Dr. Alala Diakos, a visiting professor of Greek literature, comes to teach at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, it doesn't take long for controversy to follow. With her fervent feminist ideals and revolutionary leanings, she quickly earns the admiration of many--and the ire of others. During a speech in the park, in which Alala tries to organize the women of Zinnia to demand equal pay, the crowd gets unruly, with men heckling the professor. And when PI Sarah Booth Delaney finds a sniper rifle and scope in the bushes, she begins to worry that there are more than fighting words at stake.
Sarah Booth calls her boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters, who offers the protection of the Zinnia police department, but Alala rejects him, saying she has no use for the law or men. And when a notorious domestic abuser is found dead the next day, suspicions turn to Alala herself, who was overheard bragging that she would take him down. Tensions deepen when connections are drawn between Alala and two similar, previous deaths.
But Sarah Booth doesn't want to believe Alala is a murderer, and when the professor shows up at Sarah Booth's doorstep, asking her to find the real criminal, Sarah Booth embarks on a case stretching across the Delta. Yet Alala remains at the center of it all, and Sarah Booth can't help but wonder if the killer has been with her all along...

Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines is a fascinating read, filled with mystery, history, and individual rights.

Will Sarah Booth and Tinkie figure out what is happening before Alala is arrested for murder?

The Mystery

In a nutshell, Dr. Alala Diakos, a feminist, is in town to write a controversial book about women’s rights, and she likes to stir up the population. After a riot at the park, an abusive man is killed, and Alala is accused. Alala hires the Delaney Detective Agency to find the real killer, but she holds back and won’t fill Sarah Booth and Tinkie in on much. There is a men’s group in Sunflower County that wants to stop women from being in political office, getting better jobs and anything else that will give them independence. Coleman finds out that Alala has been nearby when two other abusive men were murdered in the same way as the man in Sunflower County. Everything keeps leading to Alala, and now she is missing.

I so enjoy reading these mysteries; there is never a dull moment in Zinnia, Mississippi, that is for sure. I saw the clues for the culprit in this one and dismissed them. Perhaps I didn’t want to believe that person capable of murdering someone. I picked my own culprit early on, and although my choice was guilty of some things, it wasn’t the murders. Well played, Ms. Haines.

Roscoe

Roscoe, Harold’s little dog, plays a part big part in this story as he helps get the riot going at the park. He is getting out and into trouble all over town and seems to know more than Sarah Booth. Alala has taken a shine to Roscoe and has even offered to watch him during the day while Harold is working.

I love the fiend, Roscoe. I wouldn’t want him to be my dog but I wouldn’t mind watching him terrorize a few people. Could Harold and Alala bond over Roscoe and his antics?

Tinkie

Tinkie is about to pop and is huge. She isn’t up for running around in the woods, but don’t count her out; she will be there when needed. Oscar is trying his hardest to keep her safe and well-rested; however, Tinkie doesn’t always listen. Everyone is there when the baby is born healthy. That is all you get from me. You’ll have to read the book for the official birth announcement.

I adore Tinkie and agree with Sarah Booth that Tinkie gets more done her way than I do my way, too. I would love to have a best friend like Tinkie.

Will this baby change the Delaney Detective Agency? Do you think that Oscar and Tinkie are going to have a few arguments over Tinkie’s chosen profession now that she is a mother?

Sarah Booth

Sarah Booth and Coleman are getting along well. She is still keeping secrets, but Coleman is wise to her this time. This man is the right one for her as he understands and loves her for herself. I think that Coleman is the best man for Sarah Booth. I am so happy that the two of them make each other happy and keep each other guessing at the same time.

Jitty is still trying to teach Sarah Booth lessons and help her with her case while staying with the rules that ghosts must abide by. These are the ghosts that Jitty impersonates in this installment.

Five Stars

I absolutely love everything about this book, the mystery, friendships, relationships, the characters – human and animal; most of all, I love the way that Ms. Haines writes the story and the topics that she chooses. I feel like I learn something, or I am reminded of a memory with every installment. My rating for Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines is five stars. She writes the best southern mysteries. If you haven’t read this series, jump in anywhere. I highly recommend it.

Other Books in the Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of  Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines.

Until the next time,

 

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