You probably think that being a walking, talking skeleton is the best gig imaginable. I can stay up all night, I never need bathroom breaks, and I can’t have weight problems. But there are a couple of downsides. One is having to share a house with Byron, an Akita who eyes me far too covetously whenever he sees me. But the dog I can handle. What I don’t like is that I don’t get out of the house much.
Hard though you may find this to believe, a lot of people freak out when they see me. Though the literature says the condition is rare, there are a surprising number of cartilogenophobics around the town of Pennycross, Mass. Or maybe it’s necrophobia, because technically, I am dead, but you’d think my being both ambulatory and extremely personable would chase that fear away. But some people still find me threatening, even when I smile my biggest smile and reach out to give them a big hug. So in deference to their issues, I stay at home a lot more than I’d like.
Recently, however, I happened upon a place I could go out and about without anybody blinking an eye. In fact, people seemed happy to see me. They laughed, they sent their children over to hug me, they posed for selfies. Admittedly, for some reason people kept calling me Jack Skellington instead of Sid, but that’s a small price to pay for such a warm welcome.
I’d share some of the pictures they took, but Georgia, my best pal and housemate, says I should keep it quiet that I went to this world-famous vacation spot. Something about not being able to sneak me in again. All I can say is that it’s the happiest place on earth.
Of course, I can’t go to Dis—to that wonderful “world” every weekend. That’s why Madison, Georgia’s daughter and my other housemate, and I came up with the brilliant idea of hiding me in plain sight. On stage, in fact. I’m going to star in a play at Madison’s high school!
Okay, maybe starring is exaggerating a bit, but I will be in a featured role. I’m going to be in Hamlet as Yorick, of “alas, poor Yorick” fame. Unfortunately, I don’t have any lines, and only my skull will be involved, but it’s a start. Madison reminds me that there are no small parts, and actually, my skull is one of the bigger parts of my frame, whether or not it’s the biggest part in the play.
When I’m not in rehearsal, I get to hang around backstage, which is great! I’ve been hearing about all the hot games, the best movies, the funniest cat videos on YouTube. And the gossip! Since I don’t actually remember being alive, I’d never realized that most high school happens off stage, not on.
So for the past couple of weeks, my daily routine has been to get up in the morning and help Georgia and Madison fix breakfast, then plop my skull into a bag for Madison to carry to school. I spend the first part of the day in her locker, listening in and peering out through the vents, and after classes are over, Madison takes me to rehearsal. Once that’s over, it’s back home again. I just hope she doesn’t forget to pick me up one day.
It is a little weird not having the rest of my bones around. If I were to hear anything requiring manly action—like a fire alarm or a theft in progress—I wouldn’t be able to do anything but yell. Still, what are the chances of that happening? How likely is it that anybody would, for instance, commit murder in a high school auditorium?
PS – Now that I think about it, Georgia only said I couldn’t post photos taken of me at that place I went for fun. This, however, isn’t a photo—it’s a drawing by the soon-to-be-famous artist Maggie Kelner. I can’t help it if you figure out where it is we went. (I’d totally be winking right now if I had eyelids. Or eyes.)
You can read more about Sid in The Skeleton Takes a Bow, the second book in the “Family Skeleton” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is A Skeleton in the Family.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 23 for the chance to win a copy of either THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW or A SKELETON IN THE FAMILY, winner’s choice. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Leigh Perry is Toni L.P. Kelner in disguise, or maybe vice versa. As Toni, she’s published eight books in the Laura Fleming Southern Mystery series and three novels in the “Where are they now?” series; written a couple of dozen short stories, many of which were nominated for awards; and co-edited seven urban fantasy anthologies. As Leigh, she’s still a newbie. The Skeleton Takes a Bow, a September 2014 release from Berkley Prime Crime, is the second in the Family Skeleton series, and Leigh is hard at work on the third. No matter who she is, she lives north of Boston with her husband, fellow author Stephen P. Kelner; their two daughters; two guinea pigs; and many many books.
The perfect read for Fall.
I would love to read either one, they both look fun to read 🙂
I read the first book in this series and found Sid to be great fun. I love the idea of a talking, walking skeleton instead of the normal ghost.
Cleaver idea. Never read a story where the character is a skeleton.
This sounds interesting. I’ve never read about a talking skeleton before!
Sounds like a fun book – thank you for the chance to win.
I did read the first one a while back…:-)
Thoroughly enjoyed the first one with Sid and his unique circumstances. Thanks for chance to win the second one in series.
This sounds like so much fun. I have not read either of these but they are now on my TRL. I’d really LOVE to win one 🙂
This is a great opportunity for me. The local library doesn’t have the first book in the series and I own the second one. So Dru, toss my hat in the contest ring for book the first. LOL
I adore this series. Love the cover and title of this book. I also have to say this series inspired me. I haven’t read this one yet so I will want to read this book.
I think Sid is great and I’d like to think that (after I got over the initial shock) I be comfortable around him.
Hoo-boy! This sounds like a winner. I want it! I want it!
This does look like a fun one.
The more I read about the series the more enjoyable it sounds.
Just reading the review makes me smile and chuckle. Must have this now to read since it not only is a cozy mystery but also ties into the Halloween theme. Thanks for sharing with us.
Loved the first book in the series and look forward to reading the second one.
It’s fun to read about Sid’s problems as a skeleton—-I think I’ll like this book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I really enjoyed Sid’s first adventure and I can’t wait to read this one! Thank you for the giveaway.
I think this might be a fun read for me…Sid sounds like a riot of fun! Thanks Leigh and Dru for the chance to win.
This has got to be good! 🙂
Skeletons — I always think of them hanging in a classroom or in a doctor’s office. Reading about one who takes an active interest in life will be a hoot — Can’t wait!!
Just picked up the second one from the library a few days ago. Accidentally found it when I was looking at the new books. I didn’t know that it had come out. The library didn’t have the first one back in December but now they do. I was interested in this series because of the skeleton. I got sucked into the book and read 60 pages. I didn’t mean to read that much because I had another book to read.
Sounds like a great read! Awesome giveaway!
I’m going to be honest here–skeletons sound like a strange subject matter to me, especially for a main character. So–I figure I’ll love this book or hate the series. Would love to win the book to read and review because I think it may be “love”, but I would like to be convinced first before I get involved in a new series.
A skeleton is possibly better than a ghost to take one on an adventure. i’m in.
I’ve been meaning to start this series…..checking Mount TBR for the first one. Great giveaway.
This is already on my goodreads shelf … sounds like a great series.
another awesome giveaway!!
thank you!!
This looks like a great series. So funny! I loved her Southern Mystery Series, too.
Sounds like a fun read—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Loved the first book and can’t wait for the second. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Hi Sid! I promise you if we ever meet in person, I won’t scream and I will give you a great big hug.
This sounds like a fun book.
A talking skeleton sounds like fun,
A “living” skeleton sounds like a rather interesting character to get to know. Should be fun though. Thanks for the chance to win.
I read the first book in the series and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the chance to win it.. I love your postings.
This sounds like an awesome book. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
contest is closed.