Sour Grapes

A Savannah Reid Mystery #6

by G.A. McKevett

When it comes to sassy private detectives, no one's bigger than Savannah Reid. The feisty, full-figured, steel magnolia of G. A. McKevett's acclaimed mysteries knows how to turn every investigation into a delicious romp, even when she's dealing with a bunch of waif-like beauty queen hopefuls who will kill to be crowned... Sour Grapes

Things finally seem to be calm and peaceful in Savannah's life, but before she can celebrate by biting into a mouthful of juicy fried chicken, her spoiled baby sister, Atlanta, comes knocking. Atlanta's determined to become a star, and her first step is the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant that's being held right in San Carmelita. Savannah is feeling pretty ornery about the impromptu visit, but she's more alarmed about Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. Savannah blames it all on the beauty pageant, where the competition has become so fierce that someone's been driven to murder.

Desperate to keep her flighty sister out of harm's way, Savannah digs into a real beauty of a case--and discovers the ugly underside of the wave-pose-and-cry scene. And when it comes to a bevy of backstabbing, sequin-wearing, crown-coveting glam girls, the question isn't who would want to commit murder, but "who wouldn't?"

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

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great in between book to get me out of a reading slump.

Savannah is a funny, optimistic private detective with a Southern accent living in Southern California. It was a nice change of pace. Not the most gruesome or intelligent kind of book but it does the trick.

In this particular read (#6 in the series) she does security for a pageant contest in a winery. What could go wrong except girl fights, makeup and wardrobe right? Except when a pregnant beauty contestant turns up dead......

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. Review to come.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good addition to the series.

[Jennifer Kovaleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found each one in this series to be fun with a mystery that had depth. This one shocked me! What an ending! In her usual snarky way, Van is strong but had a good heart and is determined to get justice no matter the situation. Fantastic read

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entry in the series, this time set at a Beaty pageant in a vineyard. Of course one of Savannah’s sisters is there and competing in the pageant. I thought the mystery was done well and I like the banter between the characters.

[Katharine Coggeshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mystery with a predictable culprit. McKevett's style is not as fine-tuned in this earlier book in the series. I didn't like the narrator telling thoughts and knowledge from different character's perspectives. In the later books, most things are from Savannah's point of view only, and I much prefer it written that way. The characters are fun, but they lack the detail that I usually enjoy from her books. Overall, I adore this series, but this one wasn't my favorite book.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

. I would have stopped reading this book fairly early, but it was the only book I had with me at the time. I did get sort of interested in it…. At least interested enough to finish it, but I don’t think I’ll read another in the series. One of my main problems with it was the whole emphasis on eating.. usually eating large quantities of unhealthy food. Savanna Reid is an ex-cop now working as private investigator. I’m not sure the location of this story but I’m thinking it is on the West Coast, probably California. Savanna is originally from Georgia and enjoys her Southern cooking and style. She often moonlights with her former partner who is still an active policeman. In this way she often has access to police crime labs etc. In this story Savanna has been hired as security for a beauty pageant being held at a local winery. To Savanna’s chagrin, her youngest sister, Atlanta, flies out to be in the contest. On the first day of the contest, Atlanta’s roommate is found murdered. Are the rest of the contestants in peril???

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Savannah and Ryan have been hired for security at the Miss Gold Coast beauty pageant taking place at the local winery. Unfortunately, her younger spoiled sister, Atlanta, pops is to stay with Savannah as she has used Savannah's address as her own and has entered the pageant as a CA girl. She appears to have lost a whole lot of weight from Savannah's point of view - too much, in fact. (All of Savannah's sisters have names of GA towns). As usual, in any beauty pageant, there is always a nasty, snotty, I'm-better-than-you contestant. And this one is Atlanta's roomie for the weekend. It takes half the book for the murder to come along. I liked the story a lot, but guess I will have to get over the fact that Savannah is fat, loves to eat AND talk about it ad naseum. Also, the story started out the usual way with Savannah helping Dirk on a stakeout and catching the bad guys.

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still undecided about this series. On the one hand, Savannah is smart. But as the plot calls for more drama, more action, she suddenly loses faculties. She does not connect Francie's last name to Barbie's boyfriend. It hasn't been that long. She lets Francie go, doesn't follow up on the girl even though she's 90% sure someone has heard her conversation, etc. She also pegs the killer wrong, but she shouldn't have - she's offered enough hints.

It's also a running joke that her family, except herself and Granny Reid, are a mess, but I was a bit bothered by Atlanta's attitude - sure she's a teen, but she's Granny Reid's granddaughter, something should have rubbed off.

I like the Granny Reid mysteries, which were written much later than this book, so I'm hoping I'll like these books better than I do in the near future.

[Corale Faltynski]

When it comes to sassy private detectives, no one's bigger than feisty, full-figures Savannah Reid. Just when things finally seem to be calm and peaceful in Savannah's life, her spoiled, egocentric baby sister comes knocking. Atlanta is determined to become a star, and her first step is the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant that's being held in San Carmelita. Savannah's pretty ornery about the impromptu visit, but she's more alarmed at Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. She blames it all on the beauty pageant, where the competition has become so fierce that someone's been driven to murder. Digging into the real beauty of a case, Savannah discovers the ugly underside of the wave-pose-and-cry scene.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

"How hard could it be? What could happen at a beauty pageant?" Famous last words for Savannah as she gets ready for a job as security at a local beauty pageant. To make the job even "better," Savannah's bratty little sister Atlanta is competing in the pageant. Things take a down hill turn when one of the girls is found murdered. Savannah being well Savannah can't help but investigate because "damn it, this happened on my watch!" but when another girl gets murdered Savannah (after a little cuddle time with Dirk) puts on her big girl panties and sends the murderer packin' to the big house.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a grown-up episode of Toddlers and Tiaras at a winery. Makes for a funny combo. While I agree with some of the comments that Savannah's siblings are pretty annoying, Atlanta was pretty tame in this one and added some good things to the story, including a PSA on eating disorders.

[Autumn Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time savannah is going after a killer who sets their eyes on the girls of the pageant....with her little sister in the pageant, Savannah will have her hands filled...great read...onto the next book of this awesome series

[Arnetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might just not be clever enough to solve these mysteries - but for whatever reason - I love being surprised at the reveal of the murderer. Interesting read with different situations to keep me interested.

[Rholinelle Detorres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

The murder/mystery portion is slow to start; and you come across clues and solve the case alongside the protagonist, so you’re not really using any brain power trying to solve it yourself. Makes for a quick, easy, lazy read, but still enjoyable.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun quick read with Savannah and her friends and family!
Definitely made me want to grab a glass of wine to enjoy with the story!

[STEPHANIE HAUSSLER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Series! Love the characters!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisty Read

I chose this rating because the story was another hit. I would recommend this book to mystery lovers. It has some genuine surprises. Enjoy!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read. Main character, Savannah Reid, southern belle private detective-former cop with a lot of sass.

[Louise King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!!!

[Anwnh5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK read.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah is taking on a beauty pageant. I really enjoyed this book. Savannah is a great MC, a fun PI and of course a good friend and older sister. A beauty pageant is no match for this Southern gal.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't figure out how cops can spend so much time helping Savannah but it is a cozy mystery

[Sharon Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romp with the Magnolia group

[Deborah Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savannah gets hired as security for a beauty pageant where her sister Atlanta is a contestant. The Magnolia Detective Agency solves the murders again.

[Marc S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read. Fiction mystery. No sex; no crazy potty language. A pleasant ending.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read anything from this series for a while. It was such a good read. Love the characters and the mystery was great

[Addy Ausrud · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good intro to the mystery genre, and i was pleasantly surprised.

[Tabby Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to have sudden cravings for burgers, fires and onion rings while reading this delightful mystery! Savannah Reid, private detective extraodinaire is back and her latest outing involves providing security at the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant. Savanah believes that this job will be smooth sailing -- afterall all she has to do is make sure that the contestants refrain from pulling each other's hair out over a can of hair spray. As usual things do not work out according to her expectations. To begin her kid sister, Atlanta, appears to be a participant in the pageant and she also seems to have lost alot of weight -- perhaps too much weight. Savannah is concerned for Atlanta's health, but even as she promises herself to do something about Atlanta, the most obnoxious contestant turns up dead. Who would want to kill a beauty contest participant? Savannah delves into the ins and outs of pageant life, hoping to nab a killer before he or she can strike again, and to keep Atlanta from harm.