Charmed Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery

Haines’s enchanting 18th Sarah Booth Delaney mystery (after 2017’s Sticks and Bones) pits a trio of sister witches against the Zinnia, Miss., school board. Bob Fontana, the board’s chairman, and his wife, Kitten, are opposed to the plan of Hope, Faith, and Charity Harrington to open a Wicca-based school in the community. That the sisters intend to use the valuable Musgrove Dairy owned by artist Trevor Musgrove—property that Bob wants to develop—is just one matter of contention. Bob and Kitten, unscrupulous and underhanded, do what they can to undermine the reasonable sisters. When Musgrove, a notorious womanizer, is found dead, it’s up to Sarah Booth, proprietor of the Delaney Detective Agency, to investigate the many suspects. Weird supporting characters—including Corey, Kitten’s 16-year-old delinquent son, and Malvick, who claims to be the leader of the Harrington coven—add to the fun. Fans of humorous paranormal cozies will be rewarded. Agent: Marian Young, Young Agency. (May)