Lavish and Lethal

Davia Glenn #4

by Laura E. Akers

Her most dangerous mission yet? Dealing with high society.
Operative Davia Glenn is tasked with coordinating a lavish charity horse show for the elite of Rancho Suprema. But when a shocking murder rocks the exclusive riding club, her duties take a lethal turn.
To solve the case, Davia must navigate a cutthroat book club, suffer through a ‘transformative’ wellness retreat, and untangle a web of secrets where everyone has a motive. Juggling the demands of entitled equestrians, compelling suitors, and an enemy with a personal vendetta, Davia must also contend with the glittering facade of the ultra-wealthy before it cracks and buries her alive.
If you want a thrilling blend of fast-paced action, mystery, and humor, this series is tailor-made for you.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2025

About the author

Thank you so much for your interest in reading the Davia Glenn series. The idea for this story began when I was a prosecuting attorney and a person I convicted, who made death threats against me, was being released from prison. My training with a former CIA operative led me to create my protagonist, Davia Glenn.
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Thank you so much for reading about Davia, and supporting this indie author. Please consider leaving a review or recommending it to a friend if you enjoyed it.
Thank you again for your support!
Laura E. Akers

Reviews

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s how I know an action book is really well-written: I am turning pages like a maniac, palms sweaty, rooting for the FMC, shaking my fists at the bad guys, and laughing at the humor that only well-drawn characters can find in precarious circumstances. That’s exactly what happened while reading the 4th book in Laura Aker’s Davia Glenn mystery series, Lavish and Lethal.

The writing is superb, both rich with detail describing the lives of Rancho Suprema’s uber-wealthy and laser sharp in the action sequences. The FMC Davia Glenn is hilariously wry and relatable, even though she’s a former special ops agent who could break your arm with a flick of her wrist. This book features lots of twists, turns, and surprises for mystery fans, as well as a jaw-dropping peek into the weird habits of California billionaires.

I can’t recommend this book or the series highly enough. A well-deserved five stars.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

High society might just be the death of Davia—literally! Trading in her spy gear for evening gowns should have been simple, but danger seems to follow her everywhere. When a body turns up at her latest charity fundraiser, Davia can’t help but dig into the mystery. Between gossiping socialites, suspicious donors, and a dash of romance, she’s got her hands full! This mix of murder, danger, and charm will keep you guessing (and smiling) to the very last page. #TeamAdair

*ARC provided by BookSirens for an honest review.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ladies' club and putting on an equitstarian charity event, and Davia is involved.

There are also openings for a book club, and Davia has been nominated to join.

But when the book club are victims at a spa weekend retreat and events leading up to the charity event has someone murdered, things are definitely not as they seem.

But in this world of high money, expensive fashion and divas, there is a deeper and darker underworld where money can buy you anything. Davia is caught up in a world of the rich, dark and seedy, and she needs to get answers fast.

The timeline in this novel comes a month after the previous one, and I like how we are able to recap the previous narrative.
This book definitely showed more of our main character's human side and that she isn't invisible, but that so many people around her care about her.

There is definitely a trigger warning in this one. But I still love this book and do really enjoy this series.

And while Akers keeps us on our toes, I am still team Warden.

[Karen Wrobel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Up until now, this series has been a light and slightly silly fish out of water set of books that did not take themselves too seriously. I’m a little baffled as to where the author is taking the story after this outing. The introduction of a SA side plot feels so incongruous in what had previously been a fairly fluffy series. Plus, I’m not at all sure it’s handled very well, particularly in light of all the innuendo throughout the rest of the book (apparently every super attractive male within a five mile radius has a case of the hots for the FMC). Our FMC is also baffling, she’s supposed to be a tough and PROFESSIONAL member of a special forces team who is desperate to rejoin her ‘family’. As it is, a little bit of advice from the fabulous Olympia Dukakis may be in order- ‘don’t shit where you eat’. Screwing the boss is NOT a good look, for either party, and only serves to reinforce every concern ever voiced about women in the military. I just don’t understand what this series is trying to be, or who the main character is ‘evolving’ into. I started to give this three stars, but dropped it down because the more I think about the story, the more the message it sends bothers me. 2.5 stars, rounded down.

[Gemma Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Davia Glenn series of books are great fun to read. This is book four and it is just as action packed and fast paced as the previous three. Davia Glenn is better suited to dangerous missions with her team but suddenly finds herself thrown into the world of the elite after she inherits a fortune from her Aunt. Life in Rancho Suprema is anything but boring though.

Davia is a fun main character - strong and capable with a great sense of humour and it doesn’t hurt that she has the attention of not one, not two but now three dashing suitors. This novel is an entertaining read although it does come with a trigger warning this time that you may want to check out in advance. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Davia’s world and I am hoping for some more romance in the future.
#TeamAdair

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐴I can’t say enough about this series. Each book is so different and the characters are so lovable; even the unlovable ones. Does that make sense? Davia is at it again and this time she is working locally. She lives in a posh neighborhood that she still isn’t quite comfortable in, after inheriting money from family. A murder occurs in her neighborhood and she must step in.

🐴Some new characters are introduced but the same characters we all know and love come back! If you’re reading this book and have not read the first three, do not fret! You will understand all of it.

🐴So much going on. The love triangle turns into a bigger thing, Davia must use her skills to stop the killer, and all of this while dealing with the rich and snobby! I love that Akers is able to mash together the rough and tough Davia, with her beautiful, feminine side. Perfection.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

High society and social obligations are not Davia's normal comfort zone but she is doing her best to fulfill her obligations for her inheritance. Then a person is murdered, someone Davia thought might become a friend in this uncomfortable zone. Plus strange dangerous events are occurring, are they meant for Davia? I enjoyed this story, the action really picks up in the last half of the book. Davia is a great character, written well as were the other main characters. The story flowed smoothly throughout the book.

I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davia Glenn continues following the provisions of her aunt’s will and, as usual, this leads her into mystery and life threatening circumstances. This is the fourth book in the series and has a standalone story, but I would recommend reading the previous books to fully understand how Davia came to be living the wealthy lifestyle she is trying to navigate while she recovers from a serious injury to her leg. This series is very entertaining reading and will leave you wanting more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavish and Lethal is a sharp, witty, and fast moving mystery that blends high-society glamour with the grit of covert investigation. Davia Glenn is as capable as she is charismatic, juggling a luxury horse show, a spiraling murder case, and a maze of privileged egos with equal parts skill and snark. The book thrives on its lively humor, brisk pacing, and clever layering of suspects each more entertainingly suspicious than the last. A stylish, engaging thriller with plenty of personality.

[Collings MacCrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lavish and Lethal” is a brisk, glamorous mystery‑action novel in a well-established series. Davia Glenn gets pulled into her most socially treacherous assignment yet, and Akers balances the darker mystery story by blending high‑society satire with high‑stakes danger. This genre mashup series is always smart, always fun, and always worth your time. You can read them out of order, but I recommend starting at book 1. You’ll thank me.

[Tracy Fonteneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the most wonderful series. Davia , our heroine has my heart. She is strong, sharp, brave, and cares! I bought these books for my daughters. These are the books every mother wants her daughters to read. Women and girls need to have examples that give them courage, determination and grit. Davia does it all. Take a chance, you will love it.