Home Stretch

Savannah Martin Mystery #15

by Jenna Bennett

The end is near.The end of Savannah’s pregnancy, that is. Less than a month to go, and she’ll be the mother of what will surely be the most adorable baby boy or baby girl in the world.But before that, there’s Thanksgiving with the Martins to get through. Not to mention a little spot of murder at the group home where Mrs. Jenkins, Savannah’s grandmother-in-law, lives. A spot of murder that leaves Mrs. Jenkins covered in blood, and with no memory of who else might have hurt night nurse Julia Poole.With Savannah’s friend, homicide detective Tamara Grimaldi, investigating, and Savannah’s husband Rafe insisting that the detective can’t find out about Mrs. Jenkins’s involvement, in case she doesn’t share his rock-solid belief that Mrs. Jenkins would never kill anyone, Savannah’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Can she help Mrs. Jenkins figure out the truth before Detective Grimaldi throws them both in prison... or before the real murderer comes back to finish the job?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2017

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

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series really does it for me. Grittier than the typical cozy without turning into a real horror fest. Hopeful that more will be published after the novella that is currently available.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I Could Give this 20 Stars!!!!!!

This is the best Savannah Martin Collier book yet! It has everything you could want in a book - intense action, lots of suspense, & loads of spicy yet sweet romance. Savannah & Rafe are my favorite couple. Quite a few surprises to be had also. And the ending, it was absolutely perfect!!

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bem, chegando ao fim desta série, que dizer deste livro? Que desilusão... Acho que todos os aspetos deste livro foram tão pouco convincentes e pobres que não se tirou nada daqui exceto o nascimento da pequena Carrie. Desde a fuga de Mrs. Jenkins do lar onde vivia, a aparecer cheia de sangue em casa, os assassínios e seus motivos, a forma como Rafe lidou com Savannah, tudo foi sem sentido. Rafe, tão protetor e quando a mulher está no final da gravidez deixa-a sozinha em casa para tratar da avó demente, que estava sempre a fugir?! Não parece coisa do Rafe. Já para não falar da imbecilidade que foi não abrir a porta do carro a Savannah quando ele se atirou ao rio para salvar a avó, deixando-a desprotegida, trancada num carro com um assassino na zona. E depois de a tirar do carro que se afundava, não a levou ao hospital?! Uma mulher grávida de 9 meses, com contrações ainda que fossem as Braxton-Hicks e dor abdominal?! A sério, fiquei parva com este comportamento...
E depois ainda se descobrir agora que Audrey é prima, em 2º ou 3º grau, de Rafe e sobrinha da Mrs. Jenkins?! De onde veio isto agora?!

É melhor ficar-me por aqui ou ainda altero a nota para 2 estrelas.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has done it again, Jenna Bennett captured me from the beginning of Home Stretch and refused to let me go until the end, not that I was fighting the draw to read one of my favorite series from beginning to end! I adore Rafe and Savannah and most of their friends and it was interesting have Rafe grandmother with us throughout the book. She is such a sweetie whether her mind is at peak, seldom, or if she is lost in time as usual. Seeing Savannah and others working with Mrs. Jenkins was wonderful. What isn't wonderful is seeing her covered with blood and watching Rafe's fear that someone might think that the dementia plague woman might be accused of murder and might be put in a place where should would be miserable. His law enforcement license could be jeopardized if he withholds evidence but he would sacrifice anything for three people, Savannah, David, and Mrs. Jenkins. When part of the action shifts to Sweetwater, Savannah is concerned about how her move will react to an uninvited guest. So much happens that pieces of several lives in Sweetwater are altered for good or for bad.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure this is my absolute favorite of the Savannah Martin series, but if it isn't it's pretty darn close! I know I've said this before, numerous times, I LOVE this series!!!! Home Stretch has it all; suspense, laughs, intrigue, lots of action, wonderful characters (of course, that goes without saying), and the sweetness that is Savannah and Rafe. Trouble follows them, mostly Savannah, wherever they go and those troubles continue in Home Stretch. Like always, though, they figure it out in the end. What an ending this one was.....their long-awaited baby finally arrives. And arrives as you would totally expect Savannah's baby to arrive...unpredictably and independently of what anyone thinks.

While I guess you don't technically have to read these books in order, to get full enjoyment you really should. If you haven't read any of them and feel intimidated by 15 books in the series, don't be. They are so engaging and fun you won't want to put them down.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The baby bump

It's the home stretch for Savannah, whose baby is due in three weeks. Then Mrs. Jenkins shows up at the house on Potsdam in the middle of the night, soaking wet and covered in blood. Once again, Savannah finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, even while sidelined looking after Rafe's grandmother. And when the murderer discovers Mrs. J. survived the attempt on her life, Mrs. J. isn't the only one that's in danger.

This is a great addition to the series that so far covers only a little more than a year in the life of Savannah Martin Collier. I am so glad to have been along for the journey and look forward to the next release.

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

This is book #15 in the Savannah Martin series and it is one of the best! It takes place aroundThanksgiving. Rafe's grandmother shows up at their house in the middle of the night with blood on her clothes. She has dementia and can't remember what happened. Rafe & Savannah get to work solving the crime. It is a very exciting cozy mystery with some twists especially with the family! Plus Rafe & Savannah ' s baby arrives!! It is what we have all been waiting for. This is one of the best series I have ever read!

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed this book. I like the wild chases it kept leading me on. But all of the characters that really should have known better kept doing incredibly dumb things that put lives in danger and delayed solving the mystery. I loved seeing how Savannah’s family is growing and changing; the individuals becoming better people, especially with the addition of the newest member of the younger generation. However, that ending was really jarring. From a beautiful, tender sentiment to something I think was supposed to be funny, but I just thought was the wrong time and place for it.

[Marty Mcintyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been a lot of fun to read. It finally answered the question concerning how Rafe's parents met; it allowed us to get to know his grandmother better and finally added an interesting twist to what we knew about Savannah's mother's best friend. Can't wait to see what happens now that Savannah and Rafe have a little girl. How will she juggle motherhood and crime solving and how will Rafe manage to keep them all safe?

[Ashlee Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part about this book was witnessing the character growth that has happened in 15 books. So many relationships have grown, shifted, and intertwined in such an endearing way. While the mystery itself in this book was fairly predictable, it was still a fun, enjoyable, fast, well written read.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

We FINALLY have a baby! The storyline was good. But I was slightly disappointed in the book. Rafe came off as weak - he was tailed and allowed someone to call his wife fat. Totally not the Rafe we've been reading about for months! I was also disappointed with the birth process. I expected more investment from Rafe.

[Wendy Ulewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once i again I couldn't put this book down!

The Savannah Martin series is one of my absolute favorites. I absolutely love the characters! The twist and turns makes me nervous and excited while reading. I never want the book to be over when it comes to the end, and I anticipate the next in the series to find out what she has stumbled into next.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so addicted to this series! I've grown attached to these characters and one how they have developed. Savannah started off as someone I found rather shallow but now she is holding her own against Raff, who is perfection. The plots hold my attention so much I find myself reading the book from beginning to end in one sitting. Keep them coming!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good

Wonderful story, but if course with Rafe and Savannah how could it not be. I loved Mrs Jenkins part in this story and felt that it was handled with great care and very realistically. I am not going to put spoilers in here so you will have to read and enjoy it yourself.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

Such a great set of characters.!! One of my favorite cozy series.
Savannah can't seem to stay out of trouble, but who wouldn't want a "Rafe" to save them. 😊
Great read!

[Kathy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!

Great story! So glad Savannah finally had the baby, but I still want more of Savannah's (mis?)adventures! No matter how slowly I try to read these books, I always end up burning through them and wanting more.

[Tracy Stackhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read

Books by this author always please me . I love this series and enjoy finding out what surprises Jenna Bennett will spring on me in each new installment of Rafe and Savannah 's life.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!! Suspense and love

This book is so entertaining! I love all the characters and this story is wonderful! It has great suspense and ties up many of the loose ends from the last few books in this series. Very enjoyable!!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how long it is between books, I'm always able to pick up in the story where I left off. My only complaint is I sometimes get frustrated when Savannah thinks things like "damn it... I mean darn it." I feel like that's a bit overdone throughout the series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one

I have read the whole series , more than once, and love it. So excited about the new baby. Can't wait for more!

[Lorraine Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loose ends tied up!

Can't wait for the continuation of Rafes and Savannas story. Characters are great, lots of humor. Fun story and a good mystery.

[Megan E Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Series

If you like a romantic mystery then this series is for you. The books are so good! Cant wait till the next one comes out!

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Love this series.

[Santhiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery

Great characters with developing lives. However could be read as stand alone book. Entertaining to the last word.highly recommend the series.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and after being pregnant for what seemed like FOREVER, Savannah finally had the baby!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

good cozy, I like this series.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love,love this book & the entire series. A fitting ending to all the mish-mash plot lines tying everything up nicely. Looking forward to the next one. Hope there will be one

[William N Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fast read.

Love the author's descriptions of the characters and the way she immediately immerses the reader in the story. Hard to put the book down once you get started.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series!!