Hallowed Bones

Rating:
Summary: Suspension of Belief Required of Sarah Booth...
Review: ... and the rest of us. One reviewer says the author brings the Delta to life? Only if there are readers who truly believe that "life" means a land where heroines are pursued by not one, but two incredibly perfect males--one of whom globe trots between life-and-death political standoffs and our heroine, Sarah Booth (whose sexual proclivities are mighty virulent)--and where "Daddy's Girls" still circle the wagons on behalf of each other's so-called honor.
This book may have worked in the seventies, possibly a stretch in the eighties, but there is no way anyone with a healthy dose of realism can force it to fit today. Not only is there a live-in ghost--dredging up unfortunate memories of the Aunt Dimity cozies--but we are treated to frequent sexually-charged romantic interruptions, recalling (shudder) Barbara Cartland and her earls, dukes, and wayward lords.
The perpetrator can be guessed rather early on, which made finishing the book even more of a chore. But finish it I did, so that probably says something about me: an incurable optimist. I kept believing there had to be *something* at least lightly touching reality in this book. Another suspension of belief! I will definitely pass on the series. If you like a good mystery, not too much gore, and a real brain teaser, this is not the book for you. If, however, you like a romance-titillator-cozy-snuggums, buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: Another good Sarah Booth novel
Review: In the latest installment of this series, Sarah Booth and Tinkie are hired by a nun to prove that a faith healer didn't murder her handicapped illegitimate daughter. Not as simple as it looks. The healer Doreen, is the daughter of a deceased religous fanatic, who lived in Zinnia until her death in a fire 12 years before. There are many intertwining plot lines, much like Sarah Booth's love life. Coleman is still sort of in the picture, with his manipulative wife pulling his strings and Hamilton returns with the intention of taking Sarah Booth back to Paris with him. Aunt Jitty doesn't play as big a part in this one as the others, but CeCe and Tinkie really make up the difference. I hope the next one comes out quickly.

Rating:
Summary: Hallowed Bones
Review: Southern Belle and P.I. Sarah Booth Delaney along with her best friend, Tinkie Richamond, has finally opened her own detective agency. For her first case they are called upon by a nun looking to help healer, Doreen Mallory. Doreen has been arrested for killing her deformed infant daughter by giving sleeping pills. Doreen swears she did not do it and from all accounts loved her baby very much. Three other suspects are the men who might be the baby's father. Sarah Booth and Tinkie set out to prove Doreen's innocence, and unleash an avalanche of secrets in the process.

If you are looking for gritty realism, this will not be the book for you. It's a charming, atmospheric tale set in the south with a cast of likable and somewhat stereotypical characters. The plot was not overly complex, but it was a light and enjoyable read while it lasted.