Past Due

Savannah Martin Mystery #8

by Jenna Bennett

The sins of the past are coming due, and someone has to pay...

Savannah Martin’s high school reunion is supposed to be a fun weekend of catching up with old friends and parading her boyfriend—Sweetwater bad boy Rafael Collier—in front of everyone who used to sneer at him back in the day. Not even the daily battle she’s waging with morning sickness can douse Savannah’s anticipation.

But when Rafe won’t come to Sweetwater, Savannah has to face her old schoolmates without his support. And her best friend Charlotte isn’t as happy for Savannah’s new relationship as Savannah had hoped. And when a dead body turns up in the Colliers’ old mobile home in the Bog, Savannah is thankful to be on her own. The sheriff is always looking for a reason to shove Rafe back behind bars, and a fresh homicide is just the excuse he needs.

But when another murder takes place at the reunion, even the threat of jail can’t keep Rafe away. Soon old classmates are dropping like bowling pins, and Rafe and Savannah are scrambling to catch up with a killer hell bent on making sure old enemies pay for old sins... all while trying to stay one step ahead of Sheriff Satterfield and the Columbia PD.
Description from Smashwords.com

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

287 pages, ebook

First published April 23, 2014

About the author

Jenna Bennett writes the USA Today bestselling Cutthroat Business mysteries featuring Southern Belle and new-minted real estate agent Savannah Martin in Nashville, Tennessee.

As Jennie Bentley, she writes the New York Times bestselling Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime, featuring designer and amateur sleuth Avery Baker and her boyfriend, handyman Derek Ellis, who renovate houses in Waterfield, Maine.

She also writes a variety of romance for a change of pace.

aka Jennie Bentley

The DIY series:

FATAL FIXER-UPPER (November 2008)
SPACKLED AND SPOOKED (August 2009)
PLASTER AND POISON (March 2010)
MORTAR AND MURDER (January 2011)
FLIPPED OUT (October 2011)
WALL TO WALL DEAD (September 2012)
HOME FOR THE HOMICIDE (December 2013)

The Cutthroat Business series:

A CUTTHROAT BUSINESS (May 2011)
HOT PROPERTY (June 2011)
CONTRACT PENDING (July 2011)
CLOSE TO HOME (September 2011)
A DONE DEAL (December 2011)
CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL (November 2012)
CHANGE OF HEART (May 2013)
KICKOUT CLAUSE (October 2013)

Soldiers of Fortune series:

FORTUNE'S HERO (December 2012)

Various:

ISLAND GETAWAY (October 2012)
VIRGINIA CREEPER (October 2013)
BEFORE YOU (March 2014)

Reviews

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

O meu preferido! Gostei tanto desse o início. Adoro a relação de Rafe e Savannah, como ele é protetor em relação a ela e como estão agora os dois entusiasmados com a gravidez. A explicação para os assassínios não me convenceu completamente, mas pronto, pormenores.

Savannah evoluiu muito desde o primeiro livro, adoro a forma como ultrapassou a forma preconceituosa como foi criada e agora faz frente a quem demonstra tendências preconceituosas/racistas.

Espero que desta vez não perca o bebé, vou adorar ver este casal com o seu bebé.

[Casceil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I like this series so much, but I have enjoyed all of them. (I think this is book 9.) I like the characters, particularly Savannah, even when I am exasperated with her. Savannah Martin is a Southern Belle from the mansion on the hill, who went to finishing school and was a debutante, but after her marriage did not work out, she became determined to make it on her own as a realtor. Naturally she ran into, and eventually fell in love with, her mother's worst nightmare, the town bad boy ("not our sort of people") who was (horrors) of mixed race and grew up in a trailer park called "the Bog." In Rafe, the author has created a very romantic character, even though this is not someone I think I would want to meet in real life. Like all cozy mystery series, you have to just accept that the protagonist is going to find or trip over bodies everywhere she goes. But once you accept that, the plotting is clever, the story is engaging and the pacing is good. This time out, Savannah is attending her 10th high school reunion. The interactions among the characters are interesting. These are people who all grew up and went to school together from grade school through high school in a small rural town, and then some went away and started new lives while others continued to stay in the same town, sometimes still living with their parents. The interactions of these people ten years later is handled well, though it does have a rather high body count.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #8 in this series and was pretty good. A warning though, part of this mystery deals with rape. It is handled well and with sensitivity. There are quite a few deaths. Savannah goes to her 10 year class reunion by herself. That night, a classmate dies and Savannah finds him. Rafe ends up coming down to help her and ends up in trouble with the Sheriff. A bit of the book deals with prejudice and narrow-mindedness. They are staying with Savannah ' s mother and some of her friends don't approve of Rafe. Savannah handles it well. The mystery moves along pretty quickly. I really liked the ending! It is another good book in this series.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, it seems, was all about past misdeeds being brought into the light. Not in any kind of legal way, but the chickens were all coming home to roost. And because there were so many possibilities, I was never able to get out in front of what was going on to identify the villain. Which I always consider to be the sign of a successful mystery. I also liked seeing Savannah growing more into her own strength and out of so many of the negative patterns she was raised to believe in. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the next adventure brings into Savannah and Rafe’s lives.

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep wondering where the narrator is from. She says certain words in a strange way. Like the word Penitentiary is said in a strange way, with additional syllables "pen-a-ten-chi-air-e" or "con-duck-tive," instead of conducive sound. She said the word piously, "pee-us-ly."

There have been other words that she says in a strange way. So I keep trying to figure out why and why no one has ever corrected her.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another “Savannah can’t stay away from trouble” adventure! Lots of murder going on & she finds herself in the middle of it as usual. I guessed the culprit fairly early in the book; but, there were twist & turns that kept me second guessing myself. Enjoyed this book; looking forward to the next

[Mary Stenvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it, I am hooked on this series. I came to it late, so I am playing catch up. I enjoyed this one with a background setting of a high school reunion. Made room for adding bits of the character's histories.

[Leigh Goldian · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!

The dialog in these books is hilarious, the mysteries suck you in, and it’s really wonderful to have a legit murder mystery/romance all rolled into one! This book was particularly good, though I’ve loved all books in the series so far.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series but I'm so disappointed that I can't find any more of them in my library!

[Chris Blackton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is definitely getting better. Looking forward to reading the next,

[Gwendolyn Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen’s review

Love this series,this author extremely entertaining.I feel like I know the characters personally.The mystery is intriguing and romance is hot !!!!

[Debbie Devaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out really enjoying these. After a while they remind me of the Stephanie Plum books, too much of the same stuff. Time to stop and move on to something else

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than starting off repetitive as all prior books have, a great book. Excited to start the next book.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. Absolutely. LOVE. This. Series!!!! Jenna Bennett has created a confident (mostly) female lead and paired her with a definitely alpha male that's enough of a bad boy (mostly) to keep things interesting. However, he's not so much an alpha male that he can't let his lady lead or give her the freedom she needs. Rafe and Savannah compliment each other perfectly without being ridiculous.

Speaking of ridiculous, the situations they get themselves into (or rather that Savannah gets into and Rafe helps out with because she's a trouble magnet) are believable while teetering on the fence of ridiculous. Savannah and Rafe seem to attract dead bodies. They also just can't let the local officials solve things on their own. It's a good thing, too.

The dialogue is humorous and sweet at the same time. Savannah's mother is a thorn in their relationship, but Savannah is pretty much over it. Although, she hasn't completely given up on her mother. Rafe accepts it and hopes for the best. The sheriff still has it in for Rafe. Savannah is still trying to protect Rafe from the sheriff's biases about Rafe. There may be some hope in that one.

I certainly hope that Bennett keeps giving us more of Rafe and Savannah!!! I'm sure there's many more adventures for these two. And, much more to learn about their relationship. They are completely adorable!!!

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I have loved the earlier books in the series, this one is the best yet!

Savannah wants Rafe to attend her high school reunion, but not too surprisingly he has no interest in going to his old home town where he is still remembered as the local bad boy, or even worse, spending time around her snobby mother. That is, he refuses to go until she discovers a second body and he must dash in to protect the love of his life and their unborn baby. The local sheriff who has had it out for him forever is trying to pin the first murder on the hunky TBI agent, so the couple is stuck in town were her mother hates her boyfriend and her friends really don't appreciate him, and the only way to get out of there soon is to find the real murderer.

I enjoy watching her growth as much as I do the mysteries, but not nearly as much as I love seeing Savanna and Rafe interact. Rafe is so hot but the sex is all behind the door.

As usual I have rated this book as 4 stars compared to all the other books I have read, but it is a full 5 star recommendation. I loved it expect you to love it too!

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Ms. Bennett. I love reading about Savannah and Rafe. I was pleasantly surprised about their news. But this story centers around Savannah's class reunion where she sees Charlotte her best friend and tells all but as expected she doesn't get the welcoming she was hoping for. Then classmates start to die and she is unable to leave Sweetwater but luckily Rafe comes and the adventure begins again. Some people are not whom they seem and secrets will be revealed as why the dying consequence for some classmates happen. You think you know who did it but then some thing else happens and you are shocked. I look forward to the next one.

[M.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another delightful chapter in Savannah and Rafe's relationship. They are one of my favorite fiction couples - they do bring out the best in each other. I love seeing how Rafe has challenged Savannah's childhood preconceived notions and how she's risen to the challenge. The scene with her and her old high school classmates is delicious in the veiled nastiness (and Savannah gets her own digs in).

The mystery kept me on my toes, and although I correctly guessed on a couple of the details, I still missed enough to keep it entertaining to the end (no "Geez, I figured it out by page 50).

And Rafe Collier can crash my high school reunion any time!

[Neena Christianson Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Class reunion

Savannah has gone home for her 10th class reunion, to catch up with old friends, and lands herself smack dab in the middle of four murders. Her brother calls Rafe to come take care of her, but they keep finding more dead bodies. To top everything else off, she's pregnant!! As usual Jenna has written a great book with all the drama, comedy, and romance for a great read. Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, Jenna would throw another curveball into the plot. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.

[Gayla Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books. Savannah and Rafe are a great couple. He is slowly winning over the people that matter to her and keeping her safe (or as safe as possible). Dont want to give any spoilers, but would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good easy read with great characters. I can never put these books down until it is finished.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Savannah Martin series. I enjoyed this book as much as the previous ones in the series, it's nice to see the series in continuing to stay strong and not wane. It amazes me that the author isn't a native English speaker, her command of English is beyond impressive. I'm glad the next in the series is due out soon.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. The plot has its twists and turns and Savannah and Rafe are truly a team. Savannah returns to her home town and quickly discovers dead bodies. The book was thoroughly enjoyable and I believe it , as well as the previous books in the Savannah Martin series, are all must-reads!

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. I fun and entertaining. And it deals with an issue that is still on the forefront in the south. But the best part is the Rafe and Savanna chemistry along with dialogue between all the characters. Awesome series to sit back and enjoy!

[Kathryn Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

#8 in the Savahah Martin Mystery series.
This one was very good. Setting is her 10 year high school class reunion. One classmate is found murdered in his truck. Why?
Savanah is 2 months pregnant with Rafe's baby.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I spent the last 5 days reading the 10 current novels of this series and two short stories. Yes it was that good, in fact I didn't stop to update my feed so I'll put this short review on the whole dang set. its a goodread, go for it.

[Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

[Morghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah!!! This one was good! I loved the tension, and even though I had read it before, the mystery had me guessing until the end.

[Stacey Coughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Another great Savannah Martin story. Savannah and Rafe are still great together. This time, they worked together to solve the murders at her high school reunion.

[Siobhan (tigress5cubs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. Margaret Ann pisses me off. She needs to be seriously smacked.