Cooked Goose

A Savannah Reid Mystery #4

by G.A. McKevett

Determined to rid the world of a rapist who dons a Santa suit to attack women at a local shopping mall, food connoisseur and P.I. Savannah Reid is delighted to find that one of her self-defense pupils--Markie Bloss--fought off the attacker, and is hired to be Markie's bodyguard to find a killer amidst the holiday mayhem. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Christmas

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

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]

Another book in the Savannah Reid series. This was a twisty series on the Santa Claus serial killer with a mysterious star ring. I think I am just drawn to this series for Savannah and her wittiness and easy-going attitude. The books aren't that great but they are good cozy in betweeners. Get me in the mood for a darker read.

[Maureen DeLuca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as 'cozies' go- this series I do enjoy - I can only take so many of the cozies- but they come in handy after reading so many psycho killer books! Enjoyable characters- yes, silly at times- but that is what a cozy is !! Will pick up number 5 sometime in the future for sure !!

[Valerie Consoer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first savannah Reid book I've read. I really like her! She sounds a lot like me! Sounds like I'm going to have to make our library get the first three seeing as how this is the earliest one they had.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Savannah Reid episode.

[Crystal Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah is helping her ex-partner, Dirk, go after a serial rapist. Suddenly, they also have to deal with the death of some fellow police officers and figure out if the two crimes are related.
I’m really enjoying this series so far. I would have given this five stars, but it drives me crazy that Savannah talks about how poor she is and how late her bills are because she doesn’t have a paying job, but she never seems to go hungry. She still buys plenty of stuff! And whenever somebody offers to pay her for something, she turns them down. Where is she getting money??

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I plan on reading the rest of the series.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was mislead by the cover art and title into thinking this was a cozy mystery, it is not in my opinion. Cozies keep profanity and graphic violence to a minimum, and that did not happen with Cooked Goose much to my disappointment.

I read books from many different genres, mysteries are one of my favorites. Cozies are an escape for me from some of the heavier reading that I do.

I liked the character of Savannah and her friend Dirk although they did have some annoying traits, don't we all? The pace of the story was good but it was obvious early on who the perpetrator was and that took it down a notch. I have another book in this series, which I'll give a try, but I probably won't be looking for more.

[☺Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darker-toned mystery than usual for P. I. Savannah Reid. She's assisting her former partner Dirk Coulter in his attempt to apprehend a serial rapist who disguises himself as Santa Claus.
The storyline involving Savannah's sister Vidalia and her red-neck, low-class family seemed jarring and out of place in a book featuring such serious subject matters as serial rape and cop-killing - totally inappropriate.

I think I'll take a break from this series.

[Aditi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting to have some issues with the overall arc of the series. She is a PI who left the police department (albeit involuntarily) and still works most cases with her partner from the police force. Whether she is helping him out or he is helping her. He never had a new partner assigned to him. Then there are her friends with FBI connections that help her out with things on each case.
I am not saying solving crimes shouldn't be a collaborative effort but this feels weird.
As far as the individual story, I feel I knew who did it about the middle of the book, it was slightly obvious. However the sudden pivot from rape to murder felt like it was two different books smushed together. The story tied up but not seamlessly in my opinion.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Christmas season and someone dressed as Santa is raping women in and around the mall. Savannah (we know, "big boned" and chesty) is teaching a self defense class for the women of San Carmelita. One of her students is Margie, the somewhat unconventional daughter of her worst enemy, Capt. Bloss. When Margie is attacked by the rapist, he asks Savannah to be her bodyguard. Then when members of the police force begin to die, things get interesting. Then, one of Savannah's sisters arrives announced with her 2 bratty 5-yr old twin boys. This would have been more enjoyable if we didn't have to get a rundown of her daily intake of crap food. She whines about her weight, but does nothing to help herself. And, we already know that she has a pie crust table at the entry of her home for keys and mail. Why remind us each and every book????? Guess I am dense but I didn't guess the killer right off.

[L8blmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked a good bit of this story, the ending really let me down. There was little to no explanation as to why the bad guy did half of what he did, and and the "logic" for why he committed some of the crimes was lame. I also had difficulty tolerating Savannah's sister Vidalia and kids, all of whom should have had a come-to-Jesus meeting with Savannah and shaped up or shipped out. However, there were tender moments involving a troubled teen and there's something about curmudgeonly Dirk that I really enjoy. I have the next two books in this series in my possession and, after I finish those I will have to decide whether I'm going to commit to a long-term relationship with this set of characters.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average because Savannah is not a formulaic cozy mystery heroine; she is 40ish, an ex-cop, now a P.I., single, unattached, with a weight problem, but she handles herself well in tight situations. She and friend, Dirk, a current detective on the police force, investigate crimes. First is a violent serial rapist who targets women out Christmas shopping and beats them viciously. Second investigation is about a cop killer who tortures and murders cops. Throughout the investigations Savannah must cope with home problems - her sister has run away from her husband and has brought her twin toddlers along so they can stay with Savannah. Everything comes together in the end and all problems are resolved.

[Sandra Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to catch a serial rapist, who has decided to add murder to his crimes

This book has everything Savannah Reid’s book are famous for. A really really bad guy, a serial rapist who delights in terrorizing his victims and leaving them half dead. Dirk is working the case, but more victims pile up. Bloss’s daughter is a victim who escaped and turns to Savannah for protection. In the middle of it all, Vidalia, her very pregnant sister, shows up with her twins that haven’t known discipline in their lives. This may be the most surprising of who the rapist is and why murders of cops are happening. The perfect book to read on a lazy afternoon. The author never disappoints.

[Corale Faltynski]

It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit when the Santa Ana winds are blowing at a balmy ninety degrees It's also hard to live in a "Baywatch" world when you're an overly voluptuous size fourteen. But Savannah Reid has never been one to believe that good things come only in small packages. Right now the only present Savannah wants wrapped up is the case of a serial rapist who dresses as Santa. Thanks to a twisted brand of holiday visits, Savannah has a full-time job teaching self-defense to San Carmelita's terrified women.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story kept me interested, but something still felt disjointed even when the storylines merged.
Also, characters, Ryan Stone and his partner, as in the previous book don’t appear until about halfway into the book with minor roles or just to take Savannah out to dinner. They are more like fairy godmothers.
This book really wasn’t even a job that Savannah was hired for, she was just assisting Dirk.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah is a sassy PI who helps her ex partner solve cases. She was fired from the police department. There is a serial rapist dressed as Santa and now someone is killing policemen. Savannah needs to help Dirk find out if these are related.

This was a first time author for me but I very much enjoyed the humor. I'm going to have to go back and find the ones I've missed, this is a fun series.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the books I read leave me with a disturbed feeling and this book was one of them. I was able to figure out who the bad guy was pretty easily (which made me almost stop reading) but I was interested in how they would take him down. Savannah taking digs at Dirk got old fast and having read the newer books I know it doesn't get any better.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost stopped reading this early on. Have a very hard time reading about rape. Fortunately I got past that part and was able to enjoy the book more. Like most books of this type it was a bit sappy at times and not a great piece of literature, but it did entertain and spirited me away from life’s day-to-day downers. Got this free in a bag of “cozies” from my local library. Glad I did.

[Jody Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Savannah Reid is a strong, plus-sized women who feels good about her body. Love her relationship with her former police partner, Dirk Coulter. I'm just not sure how she makes a living as a PI?

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savannah Reid #4. A little dark for a cozy type mystery. About a serial rapist and cop killer. Set in California. I like to read these between more serious literary picks. Savannah Reid is a plus sized private eye/former cop who lives in California but hails from GA.

[Autumn Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read...savannah and her ex partner dirk on the hunt of a serial rapist who dresses like a certain character...and while they hunt this serial rapist they also have to begin searching for missing police officers...Great fun read and can’t wait to read the next book

[Fairlee Corkran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is coming and Savanaha has a full plate and then some. She is searching for a Santa rapist and has a full house on top of that. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and will continue with the series.

[Joellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

first of this authors books I have read. very good mystery, I had a hunch and yet I didn't figure it all out till the end with all the other readers. Gonna read a new one … though I think I will spread it out over a couple days, I read this in one day.. cuz it was that good.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I read one other book by this author, “Death by Chocolate” at some point in time and enjoyed it as well. For me, the only downfall for “Cooked Goose” was the profanity for a Cozy Mystery, if it is one. I don’t recall if “Death by Chocolate” was the same way.

[Patty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed through the book, and eventually went to the last few pages just to get it over with. This and the first several books are not my idea of a cozy mystery, and I don’t think I will read any more in this series.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is humor and quirky characters, as in all the Savannah Reid books, but this involves the search for a violent serial rapist and is quite disturbing in parts. Also felt the ending was not well developed and it left me wanting more clarification.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner with lots of twists and turns and lots of mystery and action to the very end of the book.

[Megan Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho ho ho, it's not a Merry Christmas in San Carmelita, but thanks to the Magnolia Manor Detective Agency, it turns out all right in the end.

[Anna Budziak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would rank between 3.5 and 4. Loved most of the characters and will check back in to see if Savannah has a good vacation.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in California

This is a great Christmas mystery. McKevett does it again. She brings old and new characters to vibrant color with her clever plots and touching scenes.