Bibliography
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Family Skeleton SeriesA Skeleton in the Family (#1)![]()
Family Skeleton SeriesThe Skeleton Takes a Bow (#2)![]()
Family Skeleton SeriesThe Skeleton Haunts a House (#3)![]()
Family Skeleton SeriesThe Skeleton Paints a Picture (#4)![]()
Family Skeleton SeriesThe Skeleton Makes a Friend (#5)![]()
Family Skeleton SeriesThe Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking (#6)
Reviews
Family Skeleton Series
A Skeleton in the Family (#1)
“A very touching and entertaining whodunit. The mystery is intelligent and nicely done with fun insights into academia and anthropology.”RT Book Reviews
“An effortlessly narrated, meticulously crafted cozy mystery.”
“A SKELETON IN THE FAMILY is a very clever, engaging book with several LOL moments. I’m eagerly waiting publication of THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW."
“I had a grand time reading this fresh, original novel peopled (and skeletoned) with enchanting characters and a warm, engaging story. The undercurrent of the gift of love and loyalty between friends and family members gives this book a burnished glow of strength and peace. I totally loved every page and want to visit with Georgia and Sid again and again. Bring on book two of the series!”
“I loved this unique fusion of paranormal, cozy, and academic mystery.”
“The author’s dry humor and ability to poke fun at the pretentious is always evident and this eccentric mystery proves to be surprisingly grounded and realistic. I loved this fun mystery and can’t wait for a sequel that includes this bony and very likable sidekick.”
“This is a fun read and before you go making assumptions about skeletons that walk and talk—think about it!!”
“This off-beat paranormal cozy will resonate with a lot of different types of readers, from the single mom, to the professor, to the paranormal enthusiast. There is literally something for everyone!”
“Readers will not be able to resist smiling as they witness the predicaments that Georgia and Sid find themselves in […] Even readers who may not be fans of paranormal stories will find it hard to resist Sid’s charms and are likely to return for his next adventure.”
“Light-hearted whodunit filled with amusing banter and a great cast of characters in this wonderfully crafted debut series. There’s no bones about it, I can’t wait for the next book in this exciting series.”
“If you like cozy mysteries, I urge you to pick up A SKELETON IN THE FAMILY […] Georgia Thackeray and Sid make a terrific team. It’s an entertaining mystery involving a very special friendship.”Lesa’s Book Critiques
“The author’s dry humor and ability to poke fun at the pretentious is always evident and this eccentric mystery proves to be surprisingly grounded and realistic. I loved this fun mystery and can’t wait for a sequel that includes this bony and very likable sidekick.”
“Very clever writing and thoroughly enjoyable. Funny and exciting and a great book to read on a chilly autumn evening. A terrific start for this new series.”
“This was a fantastic and charming cozy mystery with a hint of a paranormal twist.”
“Dr. Georgia Thackery is smart, resourceful, and determined to be a great single mom to her teenager. Georgia is normal in every respect–except that her best friend happens to be a skeleton named Sid. You’ll love the adventures of this unexpected mystery-solving duo.”Charlaine Harris, The New York Times bestselling author
“Adjunct English professor Georgia Thackery makes a charming debut in A SKELETON IN THE FAMILY. Georgia is fiercely loyal to her best friend, Sid, an actual skeleton who is somehow still ‘alive.’ When Sid see someone he remembers from his past life-who later turns up dead-Georgia finds herself trying to put together the pieces of Sid’s past as she works to hunt down a killer. Amateur sleuth Georgia, and her sidekick, Sid, are just plain fun!”Sofie Kelly, The New York Times bestselling author of Cat Trick
“No bones about it, Leigh Perry hooked me right from the beginning. An unusual premise, quirky characters and smart, dry humor season this well-told mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. It’s too bad Perry’s sleuth is fictional — I’d invite Georgia over for dinner in a heartbeat.”Bailey Cates, author of Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti
“A delightful cozy with a skeleton who will tickle your funny bone.”Paige Shelton, national-bestselling author of If Bread Could Rise to the Occasion
“Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones! I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving lingers in our house with turkey pot pies made with the leftover meat and vegetables and stock from the skin and bones. And speaking of bones, I’ve just binged on a new discovery for me: Leigh Perry’s “Family Skeleton” series. Sid is the title bag of bones who doesn’t want to stay in the Thackery family’s closet. I started with the first one and am nearly through the third. Light, fun, and totally charming mysteries. Georgia and her teenage daughter Madison remind me of Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy and her daughter.”Margaret Maron, award-winning author of Corpus Christmas, Bootlegger’s Daughter, and Up Jumps the Devil
The Skeleton Takes a Bow (#2)
“The quirky and delightful Family Skeleton series continues [...] This mystery moves effortlessly with good plotting, amusing dialogue and a suspenseful and funny ending. Georgia’s endearing family of crime solvers will have readers clamoring for the next in the series.”RT Book Reviews
“The humor and wit are razor sharp […] The plot succeeds in connecting various threads in an unexpected but logical conclusion. Leigh Perry, the pen name of Toni Kelner, shines in this delightfully funny and unique series that blends paranormal with mystery and academic satire.”
“This newest in the Family Skeleton Mystery series is absolutely terrific. Yet again, Perry has come up with a fantastic concept that has never been done […] Such a fun read […] Perry has, yet again, come up with a barrel of surprises.”Suspense Magazine
“This is a great cozy filled with sparkling humor and lots of twists and turns […] [the] sense of family love and loyalty is pervasive throughout the story. Every cozy lover will revel in THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW.“
“THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW is greatly entertaining and a fun read […] I highly recommend THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW to fans of cozies in general and especially those who enjoy light hearted paranormal mysteries. I look forward to reading the next installment.”
“As we get to know this very likable group of people, we can’t wait to see what they will do together next. Thoroughly entertaining read!”
“A light-hearted cozy style mystery with slight paranormal overtones […] [a] traditional mystery with great characters, interesting subplots and a satisfying mystery […] Leigh Perry manages to infuse her story with vast amounts of humor.”
“This story is so much fun to read. It is one of those stories where it is so easy to let go of reality and believe Sid the Skeleton, can walk and talk and think […] You will not be sorry. These story will not only tickle your funny bone, it will delight your mind as well.”
“In THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW, the family love and humor are forefront in an enjoyable mystery […] Perry skillfully weaves together Georgia’s life as an adjunct professor, Madison’s school life, family life, and a murder investigation […] THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW deserves applause for its refreshing departure from the cozy mystery formula. The cast is an unusual family including a skeleton. There’s a great deal of humor, often due to the long friendship between Georgia and Sid.”Lesa’s Book Critiques
“As much as I enjoy the cozies I read (or I wouldn’t keep reading them), it’s fun every so often to find a twist on the genre. That’s definitely the case with the Family Skeleton mysteries. THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW is the second in the series, and it’s a lot of fun [...] So pick up THE SKELETON TAKES A BOW today. Its unique take on the cozy formula will leave you happily turning pages.”
“The book [is] very funny, and Sid is a great character. Not to slight the humans. Georgia, Madison, and Deb are fun, too, but it’s Sid who steals the show. If you like a good cozy, this is one to look for.”
The Skeleton Haunts a House (#3)
"This is a smart, fun book with lots of twists and a wry humor, making it the perfect Halloween book you can read late into the night and not have nightmares from."
“This fun cozy paranormal mystery provides a unique look at the investigative process when one of the sleuths has been distilled down to bare bones—literally [...] The characters are fun and the wacky situations escalate nicely to the exciting climax.”
“Leigh Perry does a marvelous job utilizing the humorous aspects to full effect as there are more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. However, the sense of family togetherness is what truly makes THE SKELETON HAUNTS A HOUSE perfect [...] each and every aspect of THE SKELETON HAUNTS A HOUSE is a true delight.”
“Sid and Georgia are an amazing duo. They complement each other very well and part of the reason why I love original and creative cozy-mysteries such as this one."Night Owl Book Cafe
“A haunted house full of creepy gimmicks and crazy talented scare actors, murder, and a skeleton that walks, talks and solves crimes […] This is probably the most perfect Halloween cozy setup ever written.”
“The perfect mystery to cozy up with on Halloween or any other time of the year.”
“Sid and McHades Hall, the light touch of the Scooby-Doo costumes, and the carnival, are all perfect for a Halloween mystery. Actually, though, THE SKELETON HAUNTS A HOUSE, will be a treat, not a trick, any time of year.”Lesa’s Book Critiques
"Leigh Perry is a wonderful author. Not only does she pen an awesome mystery, but she makes you forget that one of the lead characters is dead and a skeleton, even though it’s of course mentioned in the story many times. She has given a personality and a soul to a walking stack of bones and it works!”
“I will come right out and say it – I love Sid! The concept of a “living” skeleton as a main character should not work, but it does, delightfully so [...] THE SKELETON HAUNTS A HOUSE, and the entire Family Skeleton Mystery series for that matter, is a fun-filled, action-packed read that engrosses the reader from the first page to the last. Highly recommended!”
“If you like quirky cozy mysteries, you’ve got to try the Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry.”
“One of the freshest and original voices in the subgenre of paranormal mystery.”
“Sid (he likes to think of himself as Sherlock Bones) and Georgia come through in the end, of course, and there’s a lot of fun (and a bit of romance) to be had along the way. Check it out.”
The Skeleton Paints a Picture (#4)
“THE SKELETON PAINTS A PICTURE is the best book in the series to date.”
“A well-written and tightly woven whodunit. ”
“This was a great story and mystery, different from the last three but built on the magic and mystery solving duo I love.”
“I never thought I would find the friendship between a woman and a skeleton to be so charming, moving, or enviable. The murder plot is just as complex and unpredictable, making it a winning entry in the always entertaining field of academic mysteries.”
“Make no bones about it, if you enjoy a good mystery, you’ll enjoy THE SKELETON PAINTS A PICTURE. This is a fun book that will leave you hoping Sid still has a very long life ahead of him.”
“THE SKELETON PAINTS A PICTURE is a mystery that once again proves that Leigh Perry is one of the finest authors of modern humorous cozies [...] The Family Skeleton series is wonderful fun, and can be read by all ages of mystery lover.”
“Another enjoyable book in this series! The mystery is perfectly paced, with plenty of humor, investigation and college professor drama. Sid and Georgia make a great team.”
“It is a story that is [...] full of compassion, thoughtfulness, [and] gentleness.”
”5 stars all the way! […] A must read for anyone who likes their books a little more unusual than the norm!”
The Skeleton Makes a Friend (#5)
“Whodunits don’t come much funnier than Perry’s suspenseful fifth mystery featuring 'an ambulatory skeleton named Sid.'”
"This series just keeps getting better […] This is a solidly readable, writerly, thoroughly enjoyable mystery […] I can’t imagine it being better, honestly. I’m looking forward to more from Sid and Georgia.”
“Fans of Sid will delight in watching him navigate the challenges of having his first “outside” friendship while never straying to far from his smart-alecky roots.”
"What a treat to see another side of Sid as he makes a friend via an online game [...] The author did a great job in staging this mystery [...] The characters are well-developed and the dialogue is engaging [...] Overall, this was one of the best book in this delightfully endearing series and I can’t wait to see what is in store for Sid, Georgia and the gang."
“Kudos to the author for delivering one of the best in the series with this one.
“I love this series and I loved this story.”
“Ready for a light-hearted, slightly paranormal mystery? The Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry might be for you. This series is so unique, and the wise-cracking investigating skeleton never gets in the way of the mystery, but only adds to the fun.”
The Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking (#6)
"Mirth and murder blend beautifully in Perry’s sixth whodunit featuring Sid [...] Perry tosses in helicopter parents and academic politics en route to a satisfying denouement. Cozy fans who enjoy their mysteries leavened with humor will find their funny bones tickled."
"This fast-paced and well-written whodunit immediately grabbed my attention [...] a solid plot, a lovable and quirky cast of characters, suspense and intrigue to keep me reading, engaging dialogue, a feel good atmosphere, and a few strategically-placed twists that enhanced my reading pleasure [...] by far, the BEST book in this delightfully endearing series."
"Loveable, well-written and endlessly engaging. The plot in THE SKELETON STUFFS A STOCKING is exceptionally original [...] Sid and Georgia will delight readers of all ages and types [...] I truly enjoyed this holiday cozy and can’t wait for the next addition to this series. I am thrilled to recommend this book along with the entire series to cozy readers everywhere."
“Leigh Perry always manages to find new and interesting ways for the walking, talking skeleton to get out into the world and investigate murders […] If quirky cozies are your thing, I can’t recommend this series enough!”
“Sid is back with a murder that’s sure to send a chill down your spine in Leigh Perry’s festive new mystery.”
“[The Family Skeleton Series are] the perfect length and have a fine balance of complexity and levity […] It seems each newly published tale is better than the last one.”
“THE SKELETON STUFFS A STOCKING was purely delightful. Whether this book is your introduction to Sid or you want a chance to catch up with old friends, you’ll savor every page.”
“Delightful light reading […] There is romantic romping, daily college student dealings, family fun, perpetual puzzles, copious curious characters and tenuous trust.”
“THE SKELETON STUFFS A STOCKING excels at everything [readers] look for in a cozy mystery.”
Awards & Accolades
Family Skeleton Series
A Skeleton in the Family (#1)
USA
#4 Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore Paperback Bestseller