Corpse Suzette

A Savannah Reid Mystery #11

by G.A. McKevett

Despite New Year's resolutions to avoid irritating houseguests and nerve-wracking cases, California P.I. Savannah Reid finds herself playing host to her assistant's cranky cousin - in town for an unwanted makeover at a local spa - before the Christmas fudge is even gone. But when the spa's renowned plastic surgeon goes missing, murder's on the menu. And for Savannah, it's in for a penny, in for a pound....

Voluptuous and proud of it, Savannah can't understand why any woman would diet in pursuit of beauty, never mind go under the knife. She likes herself just fine the way she is...and so does her detective buddy, Dirk. Too bad her houseguest isn't as content. Abigail is livid that her cousin, Tammy, won her an extreme makeover, complete with plastic surgery, at Emerge, San Carmelita's new luxury spa. Abigail's daunting enough when she's ranting about social pressures and medical butchery, but when she suddenly puts on a cooperative smile Savannah gets really nervous....

There's barely time to worry about it when Dirk brings her in on his latest case. One of Emerge's owners, renowned plastic surgeon Suzette Du Bois, is missing. And quicker than you can say Botox, Sergio D'Allessandro, Suzette's business partner and ex-husband, hires Savannah to find Suzette before the cops do. As she broadens her search, Savannah begins to realize that some of the employees at this temple of perfection harbor serious inner flaws. There's Myrna Cooper, Emerge's receptionist, whose permanently surprised expression proves she fears aging almost as much as she despises her bosses. And publicist Devon Wright, Sergio's not-so-secret lover, was overheard threatening Suzette just before the doc disappeared. Add to the mix Jeremy Lawrence, Emerge's disgruntled and aggressively ambitious style consultant, and the picture is far from pretty. When one of the suspects turns up dead, Savannah's had enough. She'd love nothing more than to wrap up this case, kick out her guest, and make friends with a nice strawberry margarita - or three. But first, she'll have to stitch up a killer who cuts to the bone....

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Chick Lit, Contemporary

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Since publication of her first novel in 1986, Sonja Massie has authored over sixty published works, including the highly popular and critically acclaimed SAVANNAH REID MYSTERIES under the pseudonym G. A. McKevett.

Sonja's novels range from Irish historicals to contemporary thrillers. Her earthy humor and fast-paced plots delight her fans, while critics applaud her offbeat characterizations and incisive observations on human nature.

Irish by ancestry, Sonja has authored two non-fiction books on the history of Ireland: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO IRISH HISTORY AND CULTURE and IRISH PRIDE: 101 REASONS TO BE PROUD YOU'RE IRISH. Both books impart detailed knowledge of the complex and controversial Irish story with a light hand and plenty of humor. Her Irish novels include: DREAM CARVER, CAROUSEL, DAUGHTER OF IRELAND and the bestselling FAR AND AWAY - the novelization of the Ron Howard movie starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

On nationwide tours, Sonja lectures to published and "pre-published" authors in her workshop, "The Novel Approach," a seminar which covers such topics as: story structure, characterization, plotting, pacing, and marketing manuscripts.

Sonja has taught numerous courses at university and adult continuing education facilities including: general fiction, historical research, and mystery writing. She was managing editor at "Single Living" magazine and has functioned as a manuscript doctor and storyline editor for major publishers. Earlier in her career, she was a prolific ghostwriter, authoring both fictional and non-fictional books for celebrities and professionals.

Having lived in Los Angeles, Toronto, and County Kerry, Ireland, she now resides in New York.

Reviews

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to decide whether to keep going with this series or remove it and move on. This book seemed to be a repeat of previous plots in this series and standard plot devices. The mystery is a missing doctor or she dead or did she disappear on her own. Throw in some missing money and a bunch of suspects and there is the mystery.

Dirk and Savannah relationship is changing and I am not sure if that is a good thing. I like the books more when Savannah is more of a sleuth and solves the crime without so many side stories.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and the author who writes them. This book took until the last 3 chapters to tell who done it and the twists and turns to find out if Dr. Suzette was dead or alive and where the money went. We started out with looking for the lost doctor and then more and more characters were missing. And throw in a relative of Tammy and her connection and you have lots of surprises in this series. I recommend this series to mystery lovers.

[D. Wickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been away from this series for awhile but I'm glad I'm back to it. I love sassy Savannah, old-fashioned cop buddy Dirk, young Tammy and of course her sexy friends Ryan and John.

[Tabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stuff

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars. I liked and enjoyed it - I didn’t love it to the point I’d read it again or go out of my way to read more in the series. Having said that, this is the second Savannah book by McKevett I’ve read. Both came in a bag of free cozy mysteries I got from my local library and I did read both. If I were to come into possession of others, I’d probably read them too. I like Savannah’s style (except her eating habits), the characters around her, and find the endings more surprising than anticipated. They are light reads and distract me from the day-to-day stresses of life.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tammy's cousin comes to visit and man is she cranky.😤 Savannah is more than happy 😊 to get a case looking for a missing lady. Dirk and Savannah👫 find themselves investigating not just a missing person but also a murder and some shady banking💰 practices. When the missing woman is found and the killer is unwrapped its not as pleasant as Savannah was hoping for.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tammy won her overweight cousin, Abigail, an extreme makeover at a renown spa. Abigail is not happy with this as she is just fine being fat. When one of Emerge's world class surgeon's goes missing, and a suspect is found dead, Savannah has her hands full. It was rated higher than usual for this series because none of Savannah's obnoxious relatives came to visit and annoy.

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character is the compelling reason I read this series. She is my kind of lady!!! I want to hang put with her, meet all of her family, and go have lunch with her. She is simply fun and very intereting.

To create a character this engaging and interesting is, to me, an amazing feat. I look forward to every installment of Savannah's story.

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series I lost interest in, but every once in a while i want to get caught up with the gang again.


My previous review didn't job much memory arise except I am not sure I like the direction Dirk and Savannah are heading in their relationship.


The mystery was good but wrapped up a little too quickly

[Karen Ditsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to like this series but this one fell flatter for me especially at the end. If Dirk can't get information about anything because his badge is irrelevant on Tesla Island how can he legally execute an arrest there?

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get into this book. It's sort of strange but in a nice way. Plot and the storyline were excellent which is why I gave it a 5. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns. Some suspense. It was hard to put down once I got into the book. Highly recommend.

[Deborah Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been making my way through the Savannah Reid series. This installment is not my favorite to date, but it does check all the boxes.
Good Characters
Cozy Mystery

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one has tammys cousin coming to visit. shes fat and tammy won her a visit to the spa where they do liposuction to reduce them. but the lady at the spa disappeared the first day, doesnt look good. the fat cousin isnt very nice, i hope savanah puts her in her place. shes staying at savanahs house cause tammy doesnt have room (I dont think tammy wants her at her house anyway). usually savanah has one of her relatives come visit so this is a change. just started it this morning.

this was a good one too. it concluded on what i think was catalina island. the plastic surgeon was dead when we thought she was the one who 'did it' all along, it was the nice receptionist!

hope the next book comes soon...

[E Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books by G.A. McKevett are fun books to read; light and just enough mystery to enjoy the who done it.

I have read all her books up to current. Sometimes the story line has the same tone as one I read before but she still finds ways to change everything around so in the end you are totally surprised but who done it.

But enough already of who she loves & wants to marry; getting old on that part. How can someone be so great at running a business & sluething but no idea about what she wants from her love life. Plus two guys in the same town & no jelousy...where is the reality in that.

Other than that everyone that likes cozy mysteries should read at least one of her books. Her recipes are very good as I have tried a few.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book that I read in the Savanah Reid mystery series. I enjoyed the story and Savanah who happens to be a great protagonist with a good supporting cast; including Dirk her friend and investigative partner. A famous surgeon disappears right as her new clinic opens, foul play is suspected, but there are not many clues to go on. Savanah is on the case and talks and eats her way through the investigation.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another Savannah Reid mystery. It deals with the serious subject of how overweight people are mistreated and why they usually have such a poor self-image. Aside from that, the plot of the story is confusing because Dr. Suzette Du Bois is missing. The resolution is less than satisfying because the story really gives no clue who the murderer really is. The ending is bizarre and smacks of Psycho.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plus sized detective Savannah Reid is out to solve the disappearance of a plastic surgeon. Is she missing or is she dead? The opinion changes several times throughout the story. The investigation covers two swanky spas and the people who deal with body modification through surgery. Set on the California coast just outside of LA. Savannah is a Georgia transplant and former police detective who now owns her own agency. Cute fast read, great to take on vacation.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Savannah Reid Mystery's that I read. I loved Savannah. She is a southern girl with lots of attitude. Some of the lauguage you have to skip over. I do wish they would take out the profanity. it is a great mystery series I have never been able to guess who the bad guy/girl until the very end. it allways keeps you guessing.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, Savannah curses, eats too much food and has a big body and heart. The connection she has with each of her friends in the detective agency is priceless. I would not change anything about her or her style and quick wit and quirkiness. Another good story and I look forward to each and every book after this one.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Savannah Reid series. The characters are fun, and after having read the first 10 books in the series, they seem like old friends.
This wasn't he best of the series, but I still enjoyed it. Pick up her books for fun, light, mystery reads.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good story in the Savannah Reid series. I like it that the heroine is not perfect, nor is her partner, the cop. She has a realistic view of life and treats people in a realistic manner. I really enjoy this mystery series.

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 11

[Sunday Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!This book is amazing it is a great mystery series and it keeps you guessing who the suspect is till the very end!I enjoyed it!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in the series.

[Annie Kostyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quirky murder mystery with believable characters, lots of food, and a great plot.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure with Savannah Reid and the gang.

[Kim Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of her books, but really??? Didn't see that coming :)

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable as always! Great summer read!