A SKELETON IN THE FAMILY (FAMILY SKELETON MYSTERY, BOOK #1) BY LEIGH PERRY: BOOK REVIEW

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4 star rating
A Skeleton in the Family
Family Skeleton Mystery, Book #1
By Leigh Perry
ISBN 978-0-425-25584-1
Author’s Website:  http://leighperryauthor.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn

a-skeleon-in-the-family-family-skeleton-mystery-leigh-perrySummary:

Most families have skeletons in their closets…

Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends.

Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton.

Sid walks, he talks, he makes bad jokes, he tries to keep Georgia’s dog from considering him a snack.  And he manages to persuade Georgia to let him leave the house. But when she takes him to an anime convention—disguised as a skeleton, of course—he sees a woman who triggers memories of his past.

Now he is determined to find out how he died—with Georgia’s help.  But their investigation may uncover a killer who’s still alive and well and bad to the bone…

Review:

Georgia is moving back into her parents’ home with her daughter. Madison, since they are on leave. She has come home because she got a job with the local college as an adjunct.

I did not know much about college professors or adjuncts prior to reading this book. It is an eye-opener for sure. I felt so bad about how the adjuncts were treated despite their doctorate degrees. They are treated horribly and with a total lack of respect from tenured professors. It is humiliating for them.

Being an adjunct has meant Georgia has relocated a lot. It has had an effect on Madison; how can it not? Madison is sick of moving; she craves stability. Madison is an interesting character. She and her mom are into anime and manga. They like to go to conventions, to dress up.

Next we meet Sid. Sid is a hoot. He is the ghost/skeleton that has lived in Georgia’s home since she was a child. He does not recall his name in life or his past. Sid loves being snarky; he likes practical jokes. His jokes about bones were the best.

I cracked up many times throughout the book. The dialogue is clever; I love Perry’s sense of humor. It is a gift to be able to weave that into a story.

Sid tags along when Georgia and Madison when they go to a local convention. He is in costume (lol) so no one will question him. While at the convention, Sid thinks he recognizes a woman. When he tells Georgia, they decide to go on a hunt for information about his past, how he died.

The investigation is slow going at the beginning but they begin to unravel the mystery a piece at a time.

The plot along with character development make this book a must read. It is a fun book.

I recommend the book across the board to men, women and young adults. It is very well written. The characters leap off the pages as does the humor. You will find yourself laughing consistently.