Bonefire of the Vanities (36 page)

She pulled on her hat. “I know that, sweet thing. Everybody has something to conceal.”

Acknowledgments

A book takes such a long time to write that many people have a helpful finger in the pie before it’s baked. I want to thank the usual suspects: my wonderful agent, Marian Young; my editors, Kelley Ragland and Matt Martz, and the entire editing team at St. Martin’s Minotaur; and Hiro Kimura, whose covers capture the fun element of the books.

Suzann Ledbetter kept a sharp pencil when she read the manuscript, along with Kathy Bergold and others. The people who read my books are an amazing resource. They often provide near-instantaneous answers to any questions I have about my own work. Amazing.

Each book is a different journey. Some are easier than others, and all of the stories surprise me. This is the joy of writing. With each book, the characters reveal more of themselves to me. Tinkie has grown and changed in ways I didn’t imagine when penning
Them Bones
. And Jitty—that ghost truly has a mind of her own.

For those of you on Facebook, please join the sassy ladies (and gentlemen) on the Carolyn Haines fan page. There is always mischief afoot.

You can sign up for my newsletter on my Web site:
www.carolynhaines.com
. We’re planning another Daddy’s Girl Weekend. Since no one was arrested at the last one, we feel confident to do it again. The newsletter is the best place to keep up with our plans.

And finally, I want to thank the booksellers who have hand-sold my books. Booksellers and readers who personally recommend my books to patrons, friends, and family have my total gratitude.

ALSO BY CAROLYN HAINES

SARAH BOOTH DELANEY MYSTERIES

Bones of a Feather

Bone Appétit

Greedy Bones

Wishbones

Ham Bones

Bones to Pick

Hallowed Bones

Crossed Bones

Splintered Bones

Buried Bones

Them Bones

NOVELS

Revenant

Fever Moon

Penumbra

Judas Burning

Touched

Summer of the Redeemers

Summer of Fear

NONFICTION

My Mother’s Witness: The Peggy Morgan Story

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

BONEFIRE OF THE VANITIES
. Copyright © 2012 by Carolyn Haines. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.minotaurbooks.com

Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein

Cover illustration by Hiro Kimura

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Haines, Carolyn.

   Bonefire of the vanities: a Sarah Booth Delaney mystery. — 1st ed.

         p. cm.

   ISBN 978-0-312-64187-0 (hardcover)

   ISBN 978-1-250-01485-6 (e-book)

 1.  Delaney, Sarah Booth (Fictitious character)—Fiction.   2.  Women private investigators—Mississippi—Fiction.   I.  Title.

   PS3558.A329 B654 2012

   813'.54—dc23

2012005491

e-ISBN 9781250014856

First Edition: June 2012