Why you people need to read the Family Skeleton Mysteries by Leigh Perry
They’re a series of cozy mysteries about Dr. Georgia Thackery, an English adjunct professor and single mother, and Sid, an ambulatory skeleton who’s been Georgia’s best friend since he saved her from being molested when she was six.
Here’s why should you read them
Georgia and Sid have an adorable, healthy friendship. The two are totally supportive and protective of one another and there’s never any gross sexual or romantic awkwardness between them.
Georgia, her daughter Madison, and Sid are all pop culture buffs but in a totally endearing manner. The books are full of references to current and old comics like “Uncanny X-Men,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Squirrel Girl,” and even “Ensign Sue Must Die.” Alex Ross even gets a shout out.
The fourth book in the series, “The Skeleton Paints A Picture,” takes place at an art college where the murder victim was working on exposing an art thief responsible for stealing hundreds of pieces over several years and selling them as t-shirt designs to a thinly veiled “Hot Topic” knock off. The book explores what kind of damage such theft can do to struggling young artists who don’t have any other source of income.
When Georgia discusses with the rest of the English department adjuncts about the art thefts, the other professors are more worried about what the bad press will do to the school and are pissed that Georgia’s potentially ruining their chances to get tenure by bringing it up. That, and they don’t believe the thefts are a big deal and think Georgia’s blowing things out of proportion. When Professor Waldron, the English department head, learns what Georgia’s told them, she thoroughly chews out the other professors for caring more about the school’s reputation and allowing the students, whom they’re supposed to help, to be further victimized.
Also, Georgia is repeatedly harassed by an ex-boyfriend adjunct who, worried about his job and thinking she led him on, tries to drug her and make her look like she’s been drinking on the job to get her fired. With help from Sid Georgia avoids falling into his trap, gets video evidence of what the guy tried to do, and has him promptly arrested.
Oh, and this part really made me laugh. One of the suspects is a snobby art student referred to as “Bad Bobbie,” the type who mocked those taking sequential art because it’s not “Serious” art. Until Georgia and Sid get a look at her laptop files to see if she’s the art thief, and Sid is practically traumatized. Because it turns out Bad Bobbie’s REALLY into creating horrifically graphic pornographic slash art combining MLP, Adventure Time, Supernatural, Homestuck, and Harry Potter. And she’s got thousands of online followers.
