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A Savannah Reid Mystery #1
Just Desserts
In the first of this series, a full-figured Southern police detective untangles the murder mystery of a California politician’s husband.
Det. Sgt. Savannah Reid is a long way from Georgia, but she’ll go anywhere for good food and good friends. And policing the exclusive Southern California town of San Carmelita is as tasty as biscuits and gravy with spicy home fries. Until city councilwoman Beverly Winston’s husband turns up dead—and an unprecedented media feeding frenzy sweeps the elite beach community like a tsunami.
The good Savannah is put in charge of the case. The She’s pressured to investigate every person of interest except the main one, Beverly herself. And when Savannah refuses to play political ball, she’s summarily fired for “being overweight.” But when another suspect hires her to uncover the truth, the detective turns up the heat on an unsavory mess of triple-dealing, infidelity, and betrayal that will rock San Carmelita’s sun-soaked elegance to its core—and put a calculating murderer’s target on Savannah’s back.
Det. Sgt. Savannah Reid is a long way from Georgia, but she’ll go anywhere for good food and good friends. And policing the exclusive Southern California town of San Carmelita is as tasty as biscuits and gravy with spicy home fries. Until city councilwoman Beverly Winston’s husband turns up dead—and an unprecedented media feeding frenzy sweeps the elite beach community like a tsunami.
The good Savannah is put in charge of the case. The She’s pressured to investigate every person of interest except the main one, Beverly herself. And when Savannah refuses to play political ball, she’s summarily fired for “being overweight.” But when another suspect hires her to uncover the truth, the detective turns up the heat on an unsavory mess of triple-dealing, infidelity, and betrayal that will rock San Carmelita’s sun-soaked elegance to its core—and put a calculating murderer’s target on Savannah’s back.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 1988
272 people are currently reading
3593 people want to read
About the author
G.A. McKevett
34 books726 followersSince 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
November 13, 2010
Two and a half stars. Unusual for series books, part of the plot line leads to our heroine being fired by the police department, which leads to subsequent start of being a private detective. Most books seem to start out with the private detective and then fill in the back story as they go.
The mystery was partly credible. Her skills as a professional police detective were not, however; most of her leads seem to depend upon other people's random suggestions (such as a mysterious phone call) rather than her own investigation into the victim's life. Why did it take so long to learn he had two ex-wives, for instance? Why didn't she access financial records immediately, rather than being pointed to it later by others? She delayed talking to the chief suspect at her own chief's request, so that should have given her plenty of time to be digging into the victim's paper background. It made her less likeable as a main character; although she is supposed to be self-confident and determined, her lack of investigating made her seem incompetent to me.
The author's special twist on the female detective seems to be the focus on food and Savannah's self-appreciation of her womanly curves. That fails when the police use her weight as an excuse to fire her from the department. It also became an evident writing flaw when Savannah declined to pursue the matter through her union or her own legal representative. It gradually became clear to me that this was a device leading to the opening of her own detective agency, but it felt hollow for a character that was supposed to be determined and full of moxy. It also felt hollow to be celebrating food and curves, and then to walk away from a fight where said curves are punished.
The characters were detailed but seemed to acquire caricature status more than humanity as they interacted. I liked her partner; he became one of the most real to me, with unspoken loves, descriptions of daily interaction and special ones (going out to eat with a sandwich) that gave him humanity. Her sister seems blatantly a cross between the stereotypically dumb blonde and the self-absorbed teen, and a further excuse for Savannah to hate her curves. A stereotypical handsome gay man shows up, with a partner who has a million useful connections, as well as a computer whiz/secretarial whistle-blowing who seems destined to become the perky assistant.
In fact, now that I analyze the book in greater detail, I feel less satisfied. Clearly a Snickers-level book; good for a fast bite in between something more satisfying.
The mystery was partly credible. Her skills as a professional police detective were not, however; most of her leads seem to depend upon other people's random suggestions (such as a mysterious phone call) rather than her own investigation into the victim's life. Why did it take so long to learn he had two ex-wives, for instance? Why didn't she access financial records immediately, rather than being pointed to it later by others? She delayed talking to the chief suspect at her own chief's request, so that should have given her plenty of time to be digging into the victim's paper background. It made her less likeable as a main character; although she is supposed to be self-confident and determined, her lack of investigating made her seem incompetent to me.
The author's special twist on the female detective seems to be the focus on food and Savannah's self-appreciation of her womanly curves. That fails when the police use her weight as an excuse to fire her from the department. It also became an evident writing flaw when Savannah declined to pursue the matter through her union or her own legal representative. It gradually became clear to me that this was a device leading to the opening of her own detective agency, but it felt hollow for a character that was supposed to be determined and full of moxy. It also felt hollow to be celebrating food and curves, and then to walk away from a fight where said curves are punished.
The characters were detailed but seemed to acquire caricature status more than humanity as they interacted. I liked her partner; he became one of the most real to me, with unspoken loves, descriptions of daily interaction and special ones (going out to eat with a sandwich) that gave him humanity. Her sister seems blatantly a cross between the stereotypically dumb blonde and the self-absorbed teen, and a further excuse for Savannah to hate her curves. A stereotypical handsome gay man shows up, with a partner who has a million useful connections, as well as a computer whiz/secretarial whistle-blowing who seems destined to become the perky assistant.
In fact, now that I analyze the book in greater detail, I feel less satisfied. Clearly a Snickers-level book; good for a fast bite in between something more satisfying.
November 7, 2016
Not really a cozy, but at the same time, not really not a cozy; it's one of those in between books that floats just on the edge of the cozy world. Needless to say, I was expecting a cozy. However, this was a fast paced book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm on board for the next one.
September 11, 2012
I was at the library the other day and one of the adult section librarians asked me if I had read any of McKevett's books. I had no idea who she was talking about and said no. So she ran into the stacks, grabbed the first Savannah Reid mystery, stuck it with my stack of books on the counter and told the librarian who was scanning my books, "She wants this one too!"
Sigh.
I really didn't want to read it but in my experience it is better to stay on excellent terms with your local librarians. And I can't lie. And I know the next time I go into the library she's going to pounce on me and ask how I liked this book. While I have a really hard time lying I can stretch the truth, so as far as my local library is concerned, "I did read it and it was okay, though I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to read another one."
As far as you are concerned, dear Goodreads community, the most I can give this book is 1.5 stars. It was not terribly imaginative, the plot was ridiculously lacking in sophistication, and I just didn't care about the characters. There was a lot of language thrown around that was annoying and Savannah's "southern drawl" was awful, as was most of the vernacular the author employed. Atlanta (Savannah's sister younger by about 26 years) was an idiot, their mother was an even bigger idiot, and there is no way Savannah had grown up taking care of her 8 younger siblings (seriously, you can't have that much experience at child-care and still be as helpless as her). There were weird plot tangents and cliches abounded. Anyway, I'm pretty sure you get the idea.
The only reason this book doesn't get 1 star is because that is reserved for books I really hated, and this one? I just don't care enough to hate it. So the only good things that have come out of my reading this book are a) I can tell the librarian I did, in fact, read it and not have to blatantly lie, and b) I have been able to warn my fellow Goodreaders to not waste their precious reading hours on Southern Belle Savannah Reid (who lives in SoCal- wait, what the...?)
Sigh.
I really didn't want to read it but in my experience it is better to stay on excellent terms with your local librarians. And I can't lie. And I know the next time I go into the library she's going to pounce on me and ask how I liked this book. While I have a really hard time lying I can stretch the truth, so as far as my local library is concerned, "I did read it and it was okay, though I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to read another one."
As far as you are concerned, dear Goodreads community, the most I can give this book is 1.5 stars. It was not terribly imaginative, the plot was ridiculously lacking in sophistication, and I just didn't care about the characters. There was a lot of language thrown around that was annoying and Savannah's "southern drawl" was awful, as was most of the vernacular the author employed. Atlanta (Savannah's sister younger by about 26 years) was an idiot, their mother was an even bigger idiot, and there is no way Savannah had grown up taking care of her 8 younger siblings (seriously, you can't have that much experience at child-care and still be as helpless as her). There were weird plot tangents and cliches abounded. Anyway, I'm pretty sure you get the idea.
The only reason this book doesn't get 1 star is because that is reserved for books I really hated, and this one? I just don't care enough to hate it. So the only good things that have come out of my reading this book are a) I can tell the librarian I did, in fact, read it and not have to blatantly lie, and b) I have been able to warn my fellow Goodreaders to not waste their precious reading hours on Southern Belle Savannah Reid (who lives in SoCal- wait, what the...?)
July 1, 2012
I’ve read several of the Savannah Reid series before and it’s usually mentioned that she once was a police officer on the San Carmelita police force. You know she was fired and it worked out well in the end. (Obviously – this series is about her and her private investigative agency.)
I never knew about the details regarding her termination from the police force. You learn all about that here in this first book of the series. It’s also interesting that she meets the rest of her extended family in this book. The author must have envisioned her characters well before this first book and had a good idea of her development plan as well.
Savannah is a very likable character. Though I have classified this as a cozy (since it’s a relatively light, easy read); she is what a cozy heroine used to be, before they have evolved into these shallow, foolhardy, TOO STUPID TO LIVE heroines that seem to dominate the genre today. Savannah is smart and savvy. She does take risks that could seem to classify her as TSTL. But, she’s a professional and the risks she takes are based on her experience – not her overwhelming ego and overconfidence in her abilities.
I was enjoyed this book and look forward to catching up on the other I’ve missed. I think stumbled upon this series maybe midway and look forward to going back and learning about Savannah as she grows.
I never knew about the details regarding her termination from the police force. You learn all about that here in this first book of the series. It’s also interesting that she meets the rest of her extended family in this book. The author must have envisioned her characters well before this first book and had a good idea of her development plan as well.
Savannah is a very likable character. Though I have classified this as a cozy (since it’s a relatively light, easy read); she is what a cozy heroine used to be, before they have evolved into these shallow, foolhardy, TOO STUPID TO LIVE heroines that seem to dominate the genre today. Savannah is smart and savvy. She does take risks that could seem to classify her as TSTL. But, she’s a professional and the risks she takes are based on her experience – not her overwhelming ego and overconfidence in her abilities.
I was enjoyed this book and look forward to catching up on the other I’ve missed. I think stumbled upon this series maybe midway and look forward to going back and learning about Savannah as she grows.
March 9, 2013
Yet another potentially cute cozy mystery wrecked by an author's insistence on obsessing about the fact that the female protagonist is Fat/Heavy/Zaftig/whatever BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL. OK, I get it already.
I wish there was a way to identify this sub-genre before reading the books -- it is profoundly annoying.
I wish there was a way to identify this sub-genre before reading the books -- it is profoundly annoying.
December 22, 2018
I read this in one day. Quick enjoyable reading. Looks like a cozy, really not a cozy. Too much language , adult situations (not sex but sex type talk and masturbation...that's really tmi) I like savannah and I really love Dirk. The tension and relationship between them is wonderful! I would read more just for that. I found myself caring less about the mystery at the end and more about the relationships. I'm not running out to buy more of these books but if I run across one, I'll grab it!
August 6, 2020
Super cute mystery! The title was happily misleading. The plot and characters were much more fleshed out than I expected. I really enjoyed it and the writing was impressive. Not my usual type of reading, but I look forward to more of Det. Savannah Reid. My detailed review is here: https://bookreviewsbykristie.wordpres...
February 7, 2013
What a delightfully brash and enjoyable main character. Savannah is fresh, fun, tells it like it is, and her heart is in the right place. She became a cop for all the right reasons--because she wanted to serve the community and help people. But she gets involved in a political situation and ends up making some changes in her life. She's full of confidence yet isn't afraid to show her vulnerabilities. She has good friends and strong family ties. The mystery was fairly interesting but secondary to the character development. Additional characters of partner Dirk and investigators Ryan and Gibson also added fun to the book.
My only disappointment was that the book seemed to end rather abruptly. I was enjoying the development of the story and the characters, then suddenly it was solved and over. And I didn't get the ending bit about the tree and wishes. That couple of paragraphs didn't seem to go with the rest of the book at all.
Favorite quote on friendship: "Good ol' Dirk; he had always appreciated the value of a comfortable silence and didn't seem to need to sully it with worthless chitchat."
My only disappointment was that the book seemed to end rather abruptly. I was enjoying the development of the story and the characters, then suddenly it was solved and over. And I didn't get the ending bit about the tree and wishes. That couple of paragraphs didn't seem to go with the rest of the book at all.
Favorite quote on friendship: "Good ol' Dirk; he had always appreciated the value of a comfortable silence and didn't seem to need to sully it with worthless chitchat."
August 16, 2023
It's not me, this time, but the book - for all the reasons the 1 & 2 star reviewers have already said so no need for me to repeat. I'm very disappointed as I was hoping to like it (I didn't the first time I listened to it last year) because there are over 20 books! But nah, I find the plotting and execution sloppy and won't be able to put up with more.
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Review of 2022 Audiobook:
What I liked about this first installment of a long (25 books) series is that the protagonist is a cop. She gets fired, as the blurb says, but at least she has law enforcement experience. AND - a biggie for me, as a PI she has a legitimate reason for getting into murder investigations and such. OK, they don't in real life but I'm going to cut them some slack for the sake of the genre.
I liked that Dirk and Van have an old, comfortable friendship going and that despite the presence of some sexual attraction, they have not acted on it. Not for lack of trying Van's part (when she's a little drunk, feeling sorry for herself, etc)
April 14, 2019
Savannah Reid is a southern raised woman of size and substance. She's a cop in a small California coastal town. She fields the murder of the husband of a prominent politician and as the story of corruption unfolds, it's clear the victim richly deserved to be dead. She uncovers facts that make the cop bureaucracy uncomfortable and gets fired for her troubles. The widow hires her to investigate the murder and that's when the fun begins.
Told with great humor, glamour, and obsession with chocolate (nothing wrong with that) Savannah Reid uncovers the murderer and discovers her new vocation.
Told with great humor, glamour, and obsession with chocolate (nothing wrong with that) Savannah Reid uncovers the murderer and discovers her new vocation.
May 9, 2015
Savannah Reid is one of my all time favorite female detectives! She's a sassy southern gal who doesn't pussy foot around and always gets her perp! Savannah is surrounded by a huge passel of siblings, a loving granny, a dashing partner, and many other loyal friends who enjoy many crazy cases with her. This is one series you shouldn't miss!! WARNING: Once you pick these books up they're hard to put down!! May be habit forming.
October 19, 2018
I'd been wanting to read this for quite a while, and am so glad that I finally got to do so. A well written suspense/mystery with likeable and intelligent main characters; great setting of a small, seaside Southern California town. There were a couple of gruesome crime scenes, and straight talk about child predators (a separate incident from the main crime), that may prevent this from being classified as a cozy, and yet it wasn't a horror fest. A very good read.
January 22, 2022
From the cover art and title, I had thought this was going to be a cute cozy mystery. I like cozies, I particularly enjoy ones with a food theme (ex: the Hannah Swenson series by JoAnne Fluke).
Just Desserts begins as more of a police procedural detailing a gruesome murder with 40-something Savannah Reid, a full-figured Georgia transplant, being the cop assigned to investigate. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes apparent that the San Carmelita police department is a corrupt, misogynistic, and hostile work environment, to say the least.
This book is the introduction to the Savannah Reid mystery series (it is not a true cozy series - it's much too gruesome and a tad too racy for that label). I plan to read the next few books in the series to see how Savannah's detective agency works out.
P. S. Savannah is described as around "30 lbs. overweight", which would not have been grounds for dismissal, even way back in 1995 - she is a detective, not a cop on a beat. There would be very few detectives able to maintain their employment, if that was the case.
P. P. S. My father is one of eleven children and there is an over 20 years age difference between the oldest and youngest.
So, Savannah's youngest sister, 16-year-old Atlanta - although extremely annoying - is a plausible character, at least to me.
Just Desserts begins as more of a police procedural detailing a gruesome murder with 40-something Savannah Reid, a full-figured Georgia transplant, being the cop assigned to investigate. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes apparent that the San Carmelita police department is a corrupt, misogynistic, and hostile work environment, to say the least.
This book is the introduction to the Savannah Reid mystery series (it is not a true cozy series - it's much too gruesome and a tad too racy for that label). I plan to read the next few books in the series to see how Savannah's detective agency works out.
P. S. Savannah is described as around "30 lbs. overweight", which would not have been grounds for dismissal, even way back in 1995 - she is a detective, not a cop on a beat. There would be very few detectives able to maintain their employment, if that was the case.
P. P. S. My father is one of eleven children and there is an over 20 years age difference between the oldest and youngest.
So, Savannah's youngest sister, 16-year-old Atlanta - although extremely annoying - is a plausible character, at least to me.
April 17, 2019
This book starts out with an action-packed chapter involving police officer Savannah Reid and her partner, Dirk Coulter apprehending an escaped prisoner. This chapter sets the stage for a wise-cracking easy going relationship between Savannah and Dirk filled with lots of sarcastic humor. Savannah proves to be a strong feisty Southern woman who won't let anyone run her life.
Savannah is assigned to a grizzly homicide implicating a powerful local leader who happens to be the victim's estranged wife. However, as Savannah discovers, she is hampered by the chief of police who has personal reasons to thwart Savannah's investigation. Savannah along with her former partner, two former FBI men Ryan Stone and John Gibson, and a computer expert Tammy Reese, eventually crack the case. I would have liked to see more of the fiery relationship between Savannah and her bosses at the police precinct. Hopefully, as this series continues, that scenario will develop.
This book has been identified as a cozy mystery, but with its language, sexual innuendo, and violence it is better described as a rollicking fast-paced mystery.
Savannah is assigned to a grizzly homicide implicating a powerful local leader who happens to be the victim's estranged wife. However, as Savannah discovers, she is hampered by the chief of police who has personal reasons to thwart Savannah's investigation. Savannah along with her former partner, two former FBI men Ryan Stone and John Gibson, and a computer expert Tammy Reese, eventually crack the case. I would have liked to see more of the fiery relationship between Savannah and her bosses at the police precinct. Hopefully, as this series continues, that scenario will develop.
This book has been identified as a cozy mystery, but with its language, sexual innuendo, and violence it is better described as a rollicking fast-paced mystery.
June 24, 2019
Read for #Book1CoziesClub
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this read as much as I thought I was going to when I first started. Though this is considered a cozy, I don't think it would appeal to the normal cozy reader as the murder was quite gruesome and there is definitely more racy content contained in this story. Not something that bothered me at all as I do also read grittier mysteries, but just something I think might bother someone who looks to cozies for less violent or racy themes.
I disliked the parts regarding Savannah's sister. Not sure what that brought to the story at all, besides throwing in family drama. That actually made this story less enjoyable for me. With it being a first book in a series, I think maybe waiting for the family drama to be introduced could've waited.
I will probably read the next installment as I am curious how these characters get on in the future, but I won't be jumping to read it right away.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this read as much as I thought I was going to when I first started. Though this is considered a cozy, I don't think it would appeal to the normal cozy reader as the murder was quite gruesome and there is definitely more racy content contained in this story. Not something that bothered me at all as I do also read grittier mysteries, but just something I think might bother someone who looks to cozies for less violent or racy themes.
I disliked the parts regarding Savannah's sister. Not sure what that brought to the story at all, besides throwing in family drama. That actually made this story less enjoyable for me. With it being a first book in a series, I think maybe waiting for the family drama to be introduced could've waited.
I will probably read the next installment as I am curious how these characters get on in the future, but I won't be jumping to read it right away.
August 25, 2017
Fluff but not really empty calories. This is the first of the series, which seems to be MANY volumes long now, and it reads like a long introduction to the characters that form their own PI agency. Might read another if I had time. But there are a lot of more worthy books in my to-read queue.
April 23, 2022
Had its goods and its bads, and also it's why's? Pretty nice over all. 3.5
September 23, 2023
Absolutely 💯 wonderful!!!!!
April 9, 2025
definitely NOT a cozy mystery but enjoyed it. Will try book 2
December 7, 2016
I read about 3 books in this series a long time ago, then stopped for some reason. To be honest, I don't remember which of the stories I read (I don't think I started with book #1, either, which is typical of me), but I believe I enjoyed them. The two details I retained were: (1) the titles were all a play on words using foods, and (2) the heroine and her many siblings were all named after cities in Georgia. So, this time around I decided to do it right. I enjoyed this one, book #1, enough to continue at least with the three others I acquired. The pace was good, the mystery was decent and not too predictable, the language wasn't straight out of the gutter, the main characters were at least interesting, and a couple were downright entertaining. You can't ask for much more than that from a quick, easy read when you're in the mood for a relatively light mystery. A solid 3.5 stars, rounding up because, you know.
September 21, 2011
I like Savannah and her brassy attitude. That she didn't let her police chief boss get in her way of investigating and that he had to use her being overweight to get her fired. How typical. But it was a great plot twist that I didn't see coming.
The secondary characters are interesting, especially her partner and I enjoyed all the little pieces of her southern personality that got thrown in.
The secondary characters are interesting, especially her partner and I enjoyed all the little pieces of her southern personality that got thrown in.
April 8, 2013
This is the first Savannnah Reid mystery. The author refers to the action in this novel in every other Savannah Reid story. This book gives the full background on why and how Savannah Reid was fired. The characters are not as fully drawn, as would be expected, in this first book, but the seeds are definitely there. This is a real "must" read for Savannah Reid fans!
October 7, 2011
A fun "who-done-it" with a woman protagonist (Savannah Reid) and several quirky characters in the mix. The bookcover doesn't even hint at the storyline and I will check to see if McKevett wrote any more.
February 3, 2015
great characters
Fun book. Lots of twists and turns. Savanah is a kick. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series
Fun book. Lots of twists and turns. Savanah is a kick. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series
June 3, 2016
Not a fan of mysteries and this book did not change my mind about the genre. However it kept me entertained for a couple of hours--and I did finish it in one sitting, so kudos.
February 21, 2016
I love Savannah Reid!
I stumbled upon a book in this series awhile back and I love Savannah's sassy southern style. The mysteries twist until the end.
I stumbled upon a book in this series awhile back and I love Savannah's sassy southern style. The mysteries twist until the end.
March 19, 2018
Reads like a Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, except the main character is a female. Likeable, full of action but hard to remember outside of the pages. It's worth a read.
August 25, 2015
Love love love this series!!!!!!! Am trying to get the entire series on my kindle
November 12, 2019
Savannah Reid, a Georgian native, is working at the San Carmelita Police Department when she got assigned to investigating the murder of a prominent person, the husband of a popular San Carmelita city councilor. After discovering something important, she gets taken off the case and then subsequently fired from the police department. The victim's widow, who is also the prime suspect in the case, hired Savannah to continue the investigation in order to clear her name.
The first thing I thought was "Yep, this is a dated cozy mystery." (According to Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...], the original publication date was May 1, 1995.) My modern self was squirming about the misogyny of the San Carmelita Police Department and the blatant and sexual innuendos of the males towards the females. There were also mentions of "color TV" and "black and white TV" which are obviously relics of the past. The subject of homosexuality was treated as something novel, both in the good and bad way, which kind of unnerved me. Savannah even lost her job because she was thought to be "too fat", something that would never be a just cause for termination of one's employment, and the fact that her union simply because of this issue did not help her was troubling.
I would want to like the characters, but I don't find myself sympathetic towards them. The characters were either stereotypes or caricatures. For example, Savannah's issue is about gaining weight, and yet she constantly eats, but the book makes too much of a big deal out of it. She's smart and gutsy and kind-hearted, but the focus is on her weight, and there's really no relevance except to make fun of her to make her likeable to readers (which is not true; I find it offensive for her and for everyone in the same situation). The others were like that; they were caricatures so they can be more appealing, which again, they are not. I like the craziness and the tone of humor in the story, though. I don't know what went wrong, though. You have a strong female character, but she was just made fun of. The fact that the setting is dated can't be employed as an excuse. I've read the Death on Demand mysteries; they're dated too, but the characters - the protagonist, the support, the suspects, the real murderer/s - are like real persons with real problems, and the themes in the story are timeless and universal.
I would still want to read the rest of the books to see if the characters have improved. Savannah also gets to form her own private investigation agency, so we'll see how that would contribute, character and story-wise.
The first thing I thought was "Yep, this is a dated cozy mystery." (According to Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...], the original publication date was May 1, 1995.) My modern self was squirming about the misogyny of the San Carmelita Police Department and the blatant and sexual innuendos of the males towards the females. There were also mentions of "color TV" and "black and white TV" which are obviously relics of the past. The subject of homosexuality was treated as something novel, both in the good and bad way, which kind of unnerved me. Savannah even lost her job because she was thought to be "too fat", something that would never be a just cause for termination of one's employment, and the fact that her union simply because of this issue did not help her was troubling.
I would want to like the characters, but I don't find myself sympathetic towards them. The characters were either stereotypes or caricatures. For example, Savannah's issue is about gaining weight, and yet she constantly eats, but the book makes too much of a big deal out of it. She's smart and gutsy and kind-hearted, but the focus is on her weight, and there's really no relevance except to make fun of her to make her likeable to readers (which is not true; I find it offensive for her and for everyone in the same situation). The others were like that; they were caricatures so they can be more appealing, which again, they are not. I like the craziness and the tone of humor in the story, though. I don't know what went wrong, though. You have a strong female character, but she was just made fun of. The fact that the setting is dated can't be employed as an excuse. I've read the Death on Demand mysteries; they're dated too, but the characters - the protagonist, the support, the suspects, the real murderer/s - are like real persons with real problems, and the themes in the story are timeless and universal.
I would still want to read the rest of the books to see if the characters have improved. Savannah also gets to form her own private investigation agency, so we'll see how that would contribute, character and story-wise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2021
Savannah Reid is now added to the list of my favorite mystery characters! This book was so good and I really enjoyed it even when listening to the robotic Kindle voice reading it. I have been adding books in this series to my Kindle library as they've gone on sale, hoping that I liked the series and reminding myself I really, really, needed to start reading this series! Well, I really, really do like it and I'm so glad that I have as many as I do in my library because I will have them all to look forward to! I should never have left it so long. Savannah is a smart, feisty, strong, capable police officer when we first meet her with a voluptuous figure and a healthy appetite for sweets and snacks. She is fearless and observant as she solves crimes. Unfortunately, she runs up against some police corruption and is fired on a trumped up charge (she's too fat). Rather than fight her firing she sets up as a PI and, being hired by one of the suspects, solves the homicide after all. Along the way, in addition to her police department partner she adds an ex-FBI operative and his English partner and a former secretary to her new business. In the middle of this investigation Savannah is also saddled with her teenaged sister who runs away from home to the "bright lights" of the city and gets herself and Savannah into lots of trouble. I'm glad she was sent home before the end of the book. I look forward to reading more of this series.
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