Carolyn Haines Books in Order: Sarah Booth Delaney, Fear Familiar, and More
Carolyn Haines is an American author known for mysteries with strong Southern settings, unusual characters, and a mix of crime, humor, suspense, and personal drama. Her best-known series follows Sarah Booth Delaney, a private investigator in the fictional Mississippi Delta town of Zinnia.
If you’re new to Haines, reading a series in publication order is usually the easiest approach. Individual cases often have their own resolutions, but the characters’ relationships and personal lives continue to develop from book to book. This guide separates her major series from her standalone novels so you can choose where to begin.
1. Sarah Booth Delaney Books in Order
Genre: Southern cozy mystery · Start with: Them Bones · Series ongoing
The Sarah Booth Delaney series is the best-known part of Carolyn Haines’s bibliography. Sarah Booth is a private investigator who lives at Dahlia House in Zinnia, Mississippi, and works cases with her friend and business partner Tinkie Bellcase Richmond. The series combines murder investigations with Southern life, complicated relationships, and Jitty, a spirited ghost connected to Sarah Booth’s family home.
Read the main novels in this publication order. The official author website lists Ode to the Bones among the latest books, while Joy to the Bones is scheduled for October 2026.
Main series reading order
The descriptions below explain the reading experience and series context; they are not intended as full plot summaries.
1. Them Bones (1999) — This is the first Sarah Booth Delaney mystery and the right starting point for readers who want to meet Sarah and understand her life in Zinnia. It establishes the Southern setting and the mix of investigation, family history, and eccentric characters that shapes the series.
2. Buried Bones (2000) — The second book continues Sarah Booth’s work as a private investigator while expanding the world introduced in the opener. Reading it after Them Bones helps you follow the relationships and personal developments that carry through later books.
3. Splintered Bones (2002) — This installment brings readers back to Sarah Booth’s Mississippi Delta investigations. It is best read in sequence because the series’ ongoing personal story is as important as each individual case.
4. Crossed Bones (2003) — Sarah Booth continues to navigate the demands of private investigation alongside the complications of her personal life. The book builds on the established cast and setting rather than serving as a completely separate introduction.
5. Hallowed Bones (2004) — This mystery involves questions of faith, healing, and suspicion, with Sarah Booth following a case in which appearances may not tell the whole story. It also retains the series’ characteristic blend of crime-solving and Southern atmosphere.
6. Bones to Pick (2005) — Sarah Booth returns to another mystery in the Mississippi Delta. Readers following the series from the beginning will get more of the character development and relationships that distinguish these books from standalone detective stories.
7. Ham Bones (2007) — The series continues with another investigation for Sarah Booth and her circle. Its place in the sequence matters because the characters’ lives continue to move forward between cases.
8. Wishbones (2008) — Sarah Booth’s investigative work remains at the center, with the familiar setting and recurring cast providing continuity. It is a natural next read for anyone following her career and personal story from the beginning.
9. Greedy Bones (2009) — This entry adds another case to Sarah Booth’s growing body of investigations. As with the earlier novels, the appeal lies in both the central mystery and the continuing life of the series’ characters.
10. Bone Appétit (2010) — Sarah Booth takes on another mystery in the series, with the title continuing Haines’s playful use of bone-related wordplay. Readers can expect the familiar combination of a crime investigation and the distinctive social world of Zinnia.
11. Bones of a Feather (2011) — Sarah Booth’s next case unfolds within the established Southern mystery setting. The recurring characters and evolving relationships make it more rewarding to read after the earlier books.
12. Bonefire of the Vanities (2012) — This installment continues the series’ mix of mystery and humor. Its place in the reading order helps preserve the gradual development of Sarah Booth’s professional and personal life.
13. Smarty Bones (2013) — Sarah Booth returns to her detective work in another entry in the long-running series. It offers the most context to readers who already know her friends, local connections, and history.
14. Shorty Bones (2014) — This shorter series entry sits between the surrounding full-length mysteries in many reading lists. It is worth including when you want to follow the Sarah Booth books closely rather than skip shorter installments.
15. Booty Bones (2014) — Sarah Booth continues solving cases in the Mississippi Delta, with the familiar cast and setting anchoring the story. Reading it after Shorty Bones keeps the series in publication order.
16. Bones on the Bayou (2015) — The title points to the region’s distinctive Southern atmosphere, a recurring part of Haines’s mysteries. The book continues Sarah Booth’s investigations and the larger character story that develops across the series.
17. Bone to Be Wild (2015) — This installment adds another case to Sarah Booth’s detective career. Readers who enjoy the series’ playful titles and ongoing cast should continue from the preceding books.
18. Jingle Bones (2015) — This entry brings a seasonal note to the series while keeping Sarah Booth’s world and investigations at the center. It fits best after the earlier books, which establish the recurring relationships and setting.
19. Guru Bones (2015) — Sarah Booth’s next mystery continues the series’ blend of crime, character, and Southern flavor. Following the sequence makes the continuing personal threads easier to appreciate.
20. Rock-a-Bye Bones (2016) — This book extends the series with another investigation involving Sarah Booth and her familiar circle. It is part of the ongoing sequence rather than a recommended starting point for new readers.
21. Sticks and Bones (2017) — Sarah Booth returns to the detective work that drives the series. By this point, readers will recognize the recurring characters and ongoing relationships that give the books continuity.
22. Bones and Arrows (2017) — Another case brings Sarah Booth back into the center of the action. The book is best approached after the earlier novels so the continuing character arcs remain clear.
23. Charmed Bones (2018) — This installment continues the mystery series with its established mix of investigation and quirky Southern characters. It is a good next choice for readers working through Sarah Booth’s adventures in order.
24. A Gift of Bones (2018) — Sarah Booth’s story continues in another mystery set within the series’ familiar world. Reading it in sequence preserves the context of her relationships and her life as a private investigator.
25. Game of Bones (2019) — The title keeps up the series’ playful wordplay while Sarah Booth tackles another case. Readers continuing from the beginning will be familiar with the recurring cast and the Mississippi Delta setting.
26. Enchanted Bones (2020) — This is a shorter entry or related story listed between the main novels in some bibliographies. Include it if you want a fuller reading experience rather than limiting yourself to the numbered full-length books.
27. The Devil’s Bones (2020) — Sarah Booth returns to another mystery, with the series continuing to combine crime-solving and the personal lives of its central characters. It is best read after the earlier installments.
28. A Garland of Bones (2020) — This book adds another case to Sarah Booth’s long-running investigations. Its place in the series means it benefits from familiarity with the characters and their history.
29. Independent Bones (2021) — Sarah Booth continues her work as a private investigator in another entry in the series. Readers following the books in order can also keep track of the changes in her personal and professional life.
30. Lady of Bones (2022) — This installment continues Sarah Booth’s adventures in the Mississippi Delta. It is a later-series read, so starting with Them Bones will provide better context.
31. Bones of Holly (2022) — This seasonal mystery continues the series’ tradition of combining crime with its distinctive Southern setting. It is a good choice for readers who have reached the later books and want to keep going in order.
32. Tell-Tale Bones (2023) — Sarah Booth takes on another mystery while the series’ recurring characters and relationships continue to develop. Reading it after Bones of Holly preserves the publication sequence.
33. Lights, Camera, Bones (2024) — This entry brings another case into Sarah Booth’s world and continues the series’ long-running mix of mystery and humor. It is particularly suited to readers who already enjoy the established cast and setting.
34. Blue Christmas Bones (2024) — This holiday-themed mystery continues Sarah Booth’s adventures. It follows the earlier novels and is best read as part of the larger sequence rather than as a first book.
35. Doggone Bones (2025) — Sarah Booth returns for another mystery in the Mississippi Delta. The book continues the ongoing series and is the next main installment after Blue Christmas Bones.
36. Ode to the Bones (2026) — This is one of the latest published Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries listed by the author. Readers who have followed the series from the start can continue here before moving to the next scheduled release.
37. Joy to the Bones (scheduled for October 2026) — The author’s website lists this as Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery #31, with an October 31, 2026 availability date. Since that date is still in the future as of October 9, 2026, treat it as an upcoming release rather than an already published book.
A note on numbering: Different book databases count shorter stories and related entries differently, so their total book counts can vary. For the clearest reading experience, follow the publication sequence and check the author’s official books page for new releases.
2. Fear Familiar Books in Order
Written under the name Caroline Burnes
Before becoming widely known for the Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries, Haines wrote romantic suspense novels under the pen name Caroline Burnes. The Fear Familiar series is part of that earlier work and is a good option for readers who enjoy suspense alongside romance. The author’s official website lists the series, while reference lists give the publication order below.
1. Fear Familiar (1989) — The opening book introduces the suspense series and its blend of danger and romantic tension. Start here if you want to explore Haines’s earlier fiction under the Caroline Burnes name.
2. Too Familiar (1993) — This second entry continues the series’ romantic-suspense approach. Read it after the first book to follow the series in publication order.
3. Shades of Familiar (1994) — The third title continues the suspense-focused stories associated with the series. It is part of Haines’s earlier career, before the Sarah Booth books became her best-known work.
4. Familiar Remedy (1994) — This book continues the series under the Caroline Burnes name. Its original publication order places it after Shades of Familiar.
5. Familiar Tale (1995) — The fifth title offers another entry for readers exploring the author’s romantic-suspense catalogue. It belongs with the Fear Familiar books rather than the later Sarah Booth mysteries.
6. Bewitching Familiar (1995) — This installment continues the series’ suspense and romance themes. The official author website also lists it among Haines’s books.
7. Familiar Heart (1997) — The seventh book continues the earlier series. It is worth including if you are tracing Haines’s work under her former pen name.
8. Familiar Fire (1998) — This title continues the Fear Familiar sequence. Readers working through the series should place it after Familiar Heart.
9. Familiar Christmas (1999) — The holiday-themed title adds a seasonal entry to the series. It is part of the publication sequence rather than a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery.
10. Familiar Obsession (2000) — This installment extends the series into the new decade. It is best read in its original publication position.
11. Familiar Lullaby (2001) — This book continues the series’ romantic-suspense format. Haines’s official books page also lists the title as part of her Fear Familiar work.
12. Familiar Mirage (2002) — The twelfth title is another entry in the series. Read it after Familiar Lullaby if you want to follow the original sequence.
13. Familiar Oasis (2002) — Published in the same year as Familiar Mirage, this title continues the Fear Familiar line. Keeping both books in publication order makes the series easier to track.
14. Familiar Double (2003) — This installment continues the series’ romantic-suspense stories. It belongs to the Caroline Burnes bibliography, not the Sarah Booth Delaney series.
15. Familiar Texas (2005) — The series continues with another title from Haines’s earlier romantic-suspense career. It follows Familiar Double in publication order.
16. Familiar Escape (2006) — This book is another entry in the Fear Familiar sequence. It is a useful addition for readers who want more than Haines’s best-known mystery novels.
17. Familiar Vows (2008) — This title continues the series under the Caroline Burnes name. Read it after Familiar Escape to maintain publication order.
18. Familiar Showdown (2009) — The eighteenth title is another installment in the series. It precedes Thrice Familiar, which appeared several years later.
19. Thrice Familiar (2017) — This later entry continues the Fear Familiar series after a lengthy gap in publication. Readers who want to explore the full series should leave it until last.
3. Pluto’s Snitch Books in Order
Genre: Paranormal and historical mystery
The Pluto’s Snitch series offers a different side of Carolyn Haines’s writing. It combines mystery with paranormal and historical elements, making it a good alternative for readers who want something beyond conventional detective fiction. The series has four books, beginning with The Book of Beloved.
1. The Book of Beloved (2016) — This is the first Pluto’s Snitch mystery and the best place to begin the series. It introduces the story world before the later books build on it.
2. The House of Memory (2017) — The second book continues the series and expands its mystery-focused world. Read it after The Book of Beloved to follow the intended sequence.
3. The Specter of Seduction (2017) — This third installment continues the series’ mix of suspense and paranormal atmosphere. It belongs after The House of Memory in publication order.
4. A Visitation of Angels (2019) — The fourth book is the latest title in the Pluto’s Snitch sequence listed by major book databases. It is the natural next choice after the first three novels.
4. Legend of Blackthorn Books in Order
The Legend of Blackthorn titles are another part of Haines’s bibliography, with the books listed on her official website under the series name. The series includes two novels and a novella, so readers who want the full set should include the shorter work as well.
1. Rider in the Mist (2025) — This is listed as the first Legend of Blackthorn book on the author’s official website. Start here before moving to the next novel.
2. Dark Rider (2025) — This novella is listed as a Legend of Blackthorn story. It offers an additional shorter read connected to the series.
3. Babe in the Woods (2025) — The author’s website lists this as The Legend of Blackthorn #2. Read it after Rider in the Mist; include Dark Rider as a related novella if you want to read all the available stories.
5. Standalone Novels by Carolyn Haines and Caroline Burnes
Not every Carolyn Haines book belongs to a continuing series. Her standalone catalogue includes suspense, crime, and other fiction published under her own name and as Caroline Burnes. A few older books may be listed under their original pen name in library and bookseller databases, so both names are useful when searching for editions.
| Book | Publication year |
| Phantom Filly — Caroline Burnes | 1989 |
| Jaguar’s Eye — Caroline Burnes | 1990 |
| Fatal Ingredients — Caroline Burnes | 1992 |
| Summer of Fear | 1993 |
| Hoodwinked — Caroline Burnes | 1993 |
| Flesh and Blood — Caroline Burnes | 1993 |
| Cutting Edge — Caroline Burnes | 1994 |
| Season of Innocents | 1994 |
| Touched | 1996 |
| Shop Talk | 1998 |
| Texas Midnight — Caroline Burnes | 2000 |
| Midnight Burning — Caroline Burnes | 2001 |
| Judas Burning | 2005 |
| Penumbra | 2006 |
| Fever Moon | 2007 |
| Revenant | 2007 |
| Deception | 2011 |
| Skin Dancer | 2011 |
| The Seeker | 2019 |
| The Darkling | 2019 |
These books are listed as standalone novels in author-order bibliographies, although some titles may be associated with related story worlds or have later editions. The list is most useful if you want to explore Haines’s work outside her main mystery series.
The Jexville Chronicles
Three of the titles above are grouped on the author’s official website as the Jexville Chronicles. If you plan to read these connected books together, use this order:
1. Summer of the Redeemers (1994) — The first book in the Jexville Chronicles, according to the author’s official books page. It is the starting point for readers who want to follow this connected set.
2. Touched (1996) — This is the second Jexville Chronicles title. Reading it after Summer of the Redeemers keeps the series in the listed order.
3. Judas Burning (2005) — The official website identifies this as the third Jexville Chronicles book. It completes the three-title sequence currently listed under that series name.
6. Other Books, Short Stories, and Related Works
Alongside her novels, Haines has published short mysteries, collections, and nonfiction. These are worth knowing about, but they do not all need to be read before starting one of her main series.
- My Mother’s Witness: The Peggy Morgan Story (2003) — A nonfiction title listed in Haines’s bibliography. Readers interested in her work beyond mystery fiction can look for this book.
- Bone-A-Fied Delicious — A cookbook connected to the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series. It offers a different way to explore the world associated with the novels.
- Short Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries — Titles such as Shorty Bones, Bones on the Bayou, Jingle Bones, Guru Bones, Bones and Arrows, Clacking Bones, and Enchanted Bones are listed as shorter stories or novellas in bibliographies. Include them if you want to explore more of Sarah Booth’s world, but distinguish them from the numbered full-length novels.
A note about book counts
You may see different totals for the Sarah Booth Delaney series across book-order websites. Some lists count only the numbered novels, while others also include novellas and short stories. The author’s official website currently labels Ode to the Bones as Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery #30 and Joy to the Bones as #31, with the latter scheduled for October 31, 2026. Use the official numbering when referring to the main novels, and treat shorter works as additional stories.
7. Which Carolyn Haines Book Should You Read First?
The best starting point depends on the type of story you enjoy.
- For her best-known mysteries: Start with Them Bones, the first Sarah Booth Delaney novel. It introduces Sarah, her setting, and the recurring characters who make the series rewarding to follow.
- For romantic suspense: Begin with Fear Familiar, published under the name Caroline Burnes. This is the opening book of her earlier Fear Familiar series.
- For paranormal and historical mystery: Choose The Book of Beloved, the first Pluto’s Snitch novel. Continue through the remaining three titles in publication order.
- For connected standalone-style fiction: Start with Summer of the Redeemers if you want to read the Jexville Chronicles in sequence.
- For a shorter read: Try one of the Sarah Booth Delaney novellas after you are familiar with the main series. These are optional extras rather than replacements for the first novel.
For most new readers, I recommend starting with Them Bones. The Sarah Booth Delaney books are Haines’s signature mystery series, and reading them in publication order makes it easier to follow Sarah Booth’s relationships, friendships, and development as a private investigator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books has Carolyn Haines written?
Carolyn Haines has written books across several mystery and suspense series, standalone novels, short stories, and nonfiction. The total depends on whether a count includes novellas, short stories, anthologies, and books published under her Caroline Burnes pen name. Her official website is the best place to check her current bibliography.
What is Carolyn Haines’s most popular book series?
The Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries are her best-known series. They follow a Mississippi Delta private investigator and combine murder cases with Southern atmosphere, humor, and continuing character storylines.
Do Carolyn Haines’s books need to be read in order?
It is best to read each series in publication order. Many novels feature a central mystery, but character relationships and personal storylines continue across the books, especially in the Sarah Booth Delaney series.
Does Carolyn Haines write under another name?
Yes. Haines published a number of romantic-suspense novels as Caroline Burnes. This name appears in book databases for works including the Fear Familiar series and several standalone titles.
What is the latest Sarah Booth Delaney book?
As of October 9, 2026, Ode to the Bones is listed as Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery #30 on the author’s official website. Joy to the Bones, listed as Mystery #31, is scheduled to be available on October 31, 2026.
Final Thoughts
Carolyn Haines offers more than one kind of reading experience, from the Southern mysteries of Sarah Booth Delaney to the romantic suspense of Fear Familiar and the paranormal elements of Pluto’s Snitch. If you are new to her writing, begin with Them Bones and work through the Sarah Booth Delaney novels in order. Readers who enjoy her style can then explore her other series, standalone fiction, and shorter stories. Checking the author’s official books page is also a helpful way to keep up with new releases and avoid confusing numbered novels with novellas.
Leave a Reply