Them Bones by Carolyn Haines

Series: #1 in the Sarah Booth Delaney series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 318
Challenges: A-Z Reading #36 (T Title)

This one could also count for the Southern Reading Challenge, but I’m sticking with my original list for that one. I first heard of this series just a week or so ago when my very favorite Montgomery, Alabama bookstore sent out a notice about a booksigning by the author. I checked into the series and decided to give it a try.

Sarah Booth Delaney is 30 something, unwed, unemployed, about to lose her family home. She’s also hounded by (because that’s a more accurate description than haunted by) the ghost of her great great grandmother’s nanny. The ghost, Jitty, is a hoot. For some reason she’s into lat 60’s and early 70’s fashion. She’s also concerned about Sarah keeping Dahlia House.

From the book cover:

I shouldn’t have listened to that ghost . . .
If only I hadn’t kidnapped the dog . . .
But the ransom paid the mortgage . . .
Now I seem to be a private eye . . .

This is pure light cozy mystery with a fun poke at Southern Society in Zinnia, Mississippi. Sarah is unconventional for a Southern Belle, and I liked her a lot (although she’s a bit obsessed with her womb). The mystery was about a 20 year old possible murder and the cast of characters included some fun quirky folks.

It was light fun and a quick read. I’ll probably read more of the series someday.