A Gift of Bones

August 13, 2018
Haines’s light as a snowflake 19th mystery featuring Zinnia, Miss., PI Sarah Booth Delaney (after Charmed Bones) finds Sarah Booth looking forward to celebrating Christmas with her new love, Sheriff Coleman Peters. Meanwhile, Sarah Booth’s journalist friend, Cece Falcon, needs her help. Cece has received a ransom note demanding $130,000 for the safe return of her pregnant cousin, Eve Falcon, whose delivery date is Christmas Eve. Eve is estranged from her parents, which may explain why the kidnapper, who threatens to kill Eve if Cece brings in the law, approached Cece instead. Sarah Booth and assistant PI Tinkie Richmond resolve to rescue Eve and bring the kidnapper to justice—without telling Coleman. Sarah fears her relationship with her beau will suffer as result, but she can always rely on her family home’s ghost, Jitty, to keep up her spirits. Amid the holiday frivolity, Haines touches on such themes as family loyalty, reconciliation (or not), and acceptance. Fans of cozies with a paranormal slant will be rewarded. Agent: Marian Young, Young Agency.