Living on a plantation in the Mississippi Delta is a dog’s dream come true. I’ve got fields to roam, rabbits to chase (I don’t really want to catch them) and bad guys to snare (I really, really DO want to catch them). I get to ride around in a convertible and eat ice cream cones from the Sweetheart Drive-Inn, but best of all, I go to work with my mistress, Sarah Booth Delaney. Before Sarah Booth saved me, I lived either chained to a plastic barrel or in a pen with fifteen other dogs and had to fight for food. Now, my biggest concern is keeping my friends out of too much trouble.
Most days it’s a horseback ride (I don’t really ride—I run along beside the horse) in the cool of the morning where I can work on keeping my lean, svelt red tic hound figure. Then some home-cooking from Millie’s Café. Millie sends me dishes at Dahlia House that she knows I’ll enjoy. Sarah Booth isn’t much of a cook unless Graf is in town from Hollywood, so it’s up to Millie to make my chicken and dumplings and beef stew.
Around ten or so, Tinkie Bellcase Richmond, a little blonde bottle of nitroglycerin and Sarah Booth’s partner in Delaney Detective Agency, will show up with Chablis, her dustmop dog. Chablis and I are best friends. She weights about four pounds, and I top out at seventy-five, and we romp and run and play and I would never harm a blond-glitzed hair on her head. (She is such a girly dog, though. Glitzed hair, painted toenails, bows—thank goodness Sarah Booth doesn’t make me do that! )
Some days, Harold Erkwell, a local banker, will bring his dog Roscoe over for a play date. Roscoe looks a little like a goat. He’s got this tuft of hair on his chin, and these wild eyes and a bark like maybe he’s smoked a pack too many cigarettes. And man does he love practical jokes! Especially on stuck-up humans. With my own eyes I’ve seen him pee on a prissy woman’s shoe. And he gets away with it.
We call ourselves the Three Dogateers.
Lately, we’ve taken to teasing Pluto, the tubby black cat who moved in last year. Pluto’s pretty smart, but he’s a cat. Thinks he’s better than the dogs. And the people. But he’s okay, for a cat. Most of the time.
Once the day gets started, there’s no telling what Sarah Booth and Tinkie will get into. Maybe chasing bank robbers, or digging up old bones long buried and hidden. Those two can get into more trouble than anyone I know. And I get to help protect them and get them out of the jams they get into.
The latest case they worked involves a Mississippi legend about a woman buried in an unmarked grave and accidentally unearthed by a backhoe in 1969. Some workers were digging field lines on Egypt Plantation and struck the coffin of a beautiful woman in a red dress. She was perfectly preserved in a coffin filled with alcohol with a glass top.
They called her the Lady in Red. And this mysterious woman, who died around 1865 or so (based on scientific calculations, of course) brings a stranger to the Mississippi Delta.
As the old saying goes, when a stranger comes to town, a good story is bound to happen.
Sarah Booth and Tinkie have their hands full, but per usual, it’s up to me and Chablis to save the day. And Pluto helps a little. Mostly he just acts like a know-it-all cat, but he does help. He’s got this maneuver where he jumps on someone’s head and goes for their eyes. Guaranteed to make them scream and shout. Very effective when teamed up with a little doggy nudge or a toothy clamp on the old gun arm. I don’t really like to admit it, but Pluto and I work well together. Throw in Chablis, and we’re sure to win the day.
Stop by for a visit at Dahlia House in the Mississippi Delta, and join us in solving a mystery.
From Carolyn: What’s the funniest scene in a Bones book? Two lucky commenters will win an autographed copy of SMARTY BONES.
You can read more about Sweetie Pie in Smarty Bones, the thirteenth book in the “Sarah Booth Delaney” mystery series. The first book in the series is Them Bones.
Meet the author
Carolyn Haines is the author of the Sarah Booth Delaney Mississippi Delta Mystery series. SMARTY BONES, the 13th book, will be released May 21. She also writes darker Southern tales under the pseudonym R.B.Chesterton. The Darkling was released April 19. More at www.carolynhaines.com or on her Facebook page. In her free time she works to rescue animals and urges everyone to please spay and neuter companion pets.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I haven’t yet read any of this series, so I can’t comment. I will put the first one on my t-b-r list. Dee
I am so looking forward to a new Sarah Booth adventure. I devoured this series last summer and can’t wait to see what adventures await for sarah and her gang!
I love this series! Carolyn Haines is a terrific writer!! Looking forward to reading Smarty Bones.
When Sarah Booth found ‘Chablis’ for Tinkie…
Sweety Pie sounds like a happy dog with a fun and exciting life!!
It’s been too much fun reading about Sweetie Pie. Thank you so much.
I’m so excited about a new Bones book! Love, love, love all the characters. I’d have a hard time picking the funniest scenes–there are so very many. I’ve got Smarty Bones ordered anyway. Thank you, Sweetie Pie Delaney! You’re my favorite character in the whole series (but don’t tell Chablis)!.
I really enjoyed meeting Sweetie Pie. These character blogs have been so much fun to read.
I have never read a bones book but I will definitely put this set IRS on my wish list!!
I do like this series!!
I think that Bone Appetit was one of the funniest books in the series; but anything about Zinnia is funny and with Tinkie along, the capers are always laugh out loud hysterical. Keep up the good work with writing. Love the books. Would love to win the latest book for sure!!!!!
I love the Bone Appetit books! Tinkie and Zinnia are just a hoot
The first one when she kidnaps Chablis made me laugh. I also enjoy all of Jitty’s outfits.
You guys are great. Thank you so much for visiting with me and Sweetie. I really had a hound named Sweetie Pie. She showed up very sick, and the vet said she would only live about two years. But she lived 10 with diabetes and Cushings Disease, and so many other problems. But not one time did she fail to wag her tail when I spoke her name. She was a noble, loving dog.
I haven’t read a Bones book–so I can’t tell you the funniest scene—but I’d like to win one so I could read one.
suefarre..farrell@gmail.com
Sweetie Pie welcomes all new readers!
The fact Carolyn comes up with all those “bone” titles is pretty funny. I’ve only read one in the series, but I’m open to more. Love to be in the drawing. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I think I will have to turn it into a drawing. I’ll give it a day or two to see if anyone else responds and then draw two winners.
Sweetie Pie, I love you! I am new to these mysteries, so I don’t have a favourite just yet. But reading Sweetie Pie’s story here, I can say any dog scene is going to top the list. Now to introduce Shango to Sweetie Pie. Should be interesting!
Omg! I just got finished with book one and delving into book 2! Can I say the scene between Cece and Sarah about which story to tell had me giggling. I thought only my buddies and I could be so evil! Plus, I have decided that I want to be haunted. Not so sure if I want Sarah’s ghost, but I love the opening byplay between them in Them Bones!
Thanks, Cynnara. You are an amazing reader. I love that!
i’ve yet to read this series, tho i do have a few of the books in my TBR piles…………
i love this cover!!! actually, i’m more curious what each of those books are supposed to be…..yeah, i would try to ‘name’ them!!! LOL!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome
Thanks Carolyn and Sweetie Pie for telling us about what’s happening Dahlia House
Thank you for hosting us, Dru. Sweetie and I had a blast!