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Savannah Martin Mystery #16

Wrongful Termination

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Savannah Martin has always been a good girl, doing what was expected and fully expecting life to fall into place in its turn. But when her perfect husband turns out to be a lying, cheating slimeball—and bad in bed to boot—Savannah kicks the jerk to the curb and embarks on life on her own terms. With a new apartment, a new career, and a brand new outlook on life, she’s all set to take the world by storm.

If only the world would stop throwing her curveballs...


When Savannah's husband Rafe Collier loses his position with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Savannah gets excited about the prospect of them taking their new baby and moving back to their hometown of Sweetwater. Rafe has already received a job offer from the Columbia Police Department, and although he doesn’t seem terribly interested in accepting, Savannah would enjoy having her family around, not to mention Rafe’s grandmother Mrs. Jenkins.

But before they can make any decisions, Rafe’s former boss at the TBI turns up dead. And Rick Goins, the MNPD detective in charge, seems determined to prove that Rafe had something to do with it.

Detective Tamara Grimaldi, former colleague of Goins and now Chief of Police for Columbia, swears that while it might take him some time, Goins usually comes up with the right solution in the end. But with fresh victims dropping like flies, and someone seemingly doing their best to fan the flames of Goins’s biases, Savannah isn’t sure she can wait for the detective to come to his senses. Because while she’d like to move back to Sweetwater, she doesn’t want it to be because her husband is behind bars…

328 pages, Nook

First published December 21, 2018

168 people are currently reading
96 people want to read

About the author

Jenna Bennett

122 books538 followers
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)

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5 stars
213 (62%)
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90 (26%)
3 stars
35 (10%)
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2 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Charlene.
203 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2019
Disappointing storyline for Savannah Martin Fans

Let me just say, I am a big Jenna Bennett fan and her Savannah Martin character is so much fun ! That being said, "Wrongful Termination" was not one of my favorite novels. First, the suspicious characters ; Since there was no character development, I was confused as to which character was being discussed as there were too many to go through and not having any personal knowledge on the characters made it difficult to discern who was who. Second, the breast feeding. I have nothing against breast feeding, in fact, I applaud and encourage it. However, reading about Savannah nursing Carrie several times in the book was not something I really warned up to, not did I have an interest in unless it was worked in the plotline for a specific purpose. I just really liked the other Savannah Martin books much better.

Profile Image for Sonia Cristina.
2,273 reviews79 followers
February 28, 2019
Tinha saudades de Savannah e Rafe, especialmente porque o último livro tinha sido tão mauzinho. Foi ótimo ver esta pequena família, agora com a bebé Carrie, de 6 semanas, que acompanhou os papás babados na investigação às mortes de alguns elementos no TBI e cujo suspeito é Rafe (pode lá ser uma coisa dessas?!) por ter sido despedido.

Não posso dizer que gostei do caso policial; os personagens eram apenas nomes, não eram personagens que intervinham mesmo, em pessoa, no desenrolar dos acontecimentos, logo tive dificuldade em ter presente na memória quem era quem - nome e função no TBI e sua relação (ou não) com o trabalho de Rafe.

Também sinto alguma falta de quando a Savannah trabalhava como agente imobiliária, das visitas que fazia às casas, etc...

De resto, foi bom, como já disse rever os personagens, principalmente o casal foi uma alegria.
Profile Image for Bette Stanek.
2,144 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2020
Well, it’s taken me a while, but I’m finally getting back to one of my favorite book couples. Wrongful Termination is book sixteen in the Savannah Martin Mystery series, one of my favorite series of all time. I don’t have an excuse except that I tend to hoard things I really enjoy and so I downloaded this when it first became available and have been saving it to read. Don’t judge.

OK, once again Savannah and Rafe find themselves as suspects when the body of a higher up at the TBI is found after a suspicious car accident. Well, more specifically, Rafe is the prime suspect. Once again, they have to prove Rafe innocent and figure out who really did it. This couple attracts more dead bodies than any couple in the history of forever. Good thing, I guess, at least they know how to figure out who really committed murder.

2,418 reviews42 followers
December 23, 2018
Wrongful Termination is an outstanding tale of two characters I have come to love spending time with, Savannah Martin Collier and Rafe Collier! Jenna Bennett has created a dynamic world that pulls readers back over and over. From the naive southern belle to the strong woman who truly understands her rough-around-the-edges husband, we have watched the development of a beautiful relationship against a background of trouble. Not all of that trouble has come from his job as an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation but this time it is the very center of the trouble that lands in their lives and their home. Fans of the series will naturally love the newest challenge they face but new readers will be fascinated by the adventure and the special chemistry between Savannah and Rafe.
Profile Image for Judith Post.
Author 57 books104 followers
July 17, 2019
I love this series. Savannah and Rafe make such a great couple. When I read the blurb that Rafe's boss was killed, I panicked, because I'm so fond of Wendell. But luckily, it was an agent one step above him. The mystery was solid, and the action, as always, kept a steady pace, ratcheting up toward the end. I have to say, though, that Rafe's been a TBI officer long enough, that I'm ready to NOT have people jump to the immediate conclusion that he committed whatever crime turns up. Goins got to be a little too much for me. But I was happy to see Rafe stand his ground this time and refuse to put up with a lot of his bully tactics. Still, as always, the book was a fast and fun read. I always look forward to a new book in this series.
407 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2021
Enjoyed

I really enjoyed this installment of the Savannah Martin series. In typical Savannah fashion, she put herself unnecessarily in harms way; but, not a stupidly as in some of the previous books. But, in the incident in this book (I won’t give away the details) Rafe should have thought of the potential danger & not sent her into it. My negative on this story is that the “villain” played a minor role in the storyline; so, there was no way for me to solve the crime myself. In fact, now that I’be finished the book & have the named “whodunnit” I really don’t know who he was or how he played into the story. I will definitely continue this series to the end. That is unless the author decides we need to know about Savannah & Refe’s grandchildren. 😂
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
March 19, 2024
I really liked the format of this story a lot. It was one main mystery that everyone was putting all their effort into solving. It was kind of strange to have had so little time with Grimaldi, but all the extra time spent with the taciturn Wendell was completely worth it. I just wish we could have gotten to know the suspects as more than just names and the property they owned. Also, I was a bit concerned by the number of potentially deadly situations the Colliers kept dragging their infant daughter into. My fingers are crossed that as they get used to parenting, some of their most dangerous shenanigans will fall by the wayside.
Profile Image for Short, Sweet and Cozy.
1,496 reviews
December 29, 2018
This is book 16 in the Savannah Martin series and it is an exciting addition! Rafe's position with the TBI is eliminated. He has a job offer with their friend Chief Grimaldi in Sweetwater but he is hesitant to take it. An accident occurs and one of the bosses at the TBI is found dead. Rafe is the prime suspect. The usual exciting and suspenseful stuff happens as they investigate the case. The culprit was a surprise. There is a page from the next book at the end, so that is exciting. This is a really exciting series and well written.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Evans.
279 reviews3 followers
January 3, 2019
A hit for sure

This book series is ACE! I LOVE the Savannah Martin novels! Rafael and Savannah Martin Collier along with darling baby girl Caroline are involved in an inside case of trouble murder and mischief when rafe is dismissed and his position at TBI also dismissed as of now! The one that was part of telling him dies so the detective in charge who is ready to solve it puts all the blame on race and he and Savannah along with his buddy and former banker set out to solve it to prove race innocent l a must read seri!
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
2,810 reviews46 followers
February 18, 2019
Things look really bad for Savannah and Rafe, but the new baby takes so much time and energy that Savannah sometimes is just along for the ride in this book. Rafe is released from his job. Tamara has taken a new position as Chief of Police for Columbia and wants to hire him. Meanwhile Rafe is a suspect in his former boss's murder. So the race is on to solve the murder before he is railroaded into another jail term. Family and moving back to her home town are incentives for Savannah to help Rafe clear the mystery up quickly.
Another fun read in a good series.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews21 followers
December 25, 2018
Justice

I look forward to every Savanah and Rafe book and they flawlessly continue with a great story, à sweet romance, humor, wonderfully written and filled with great characters and adventure! If you haven't met the Martin ' s and Collier's of Sweetwater, TN you're missing one of the best mystery series available! If you have enjoyed solving previous crimes the Rafe and Savanah way you're going to really love this book!
62 reviews
December 25, 2018
Wrongful Termination

I have read all of Jenna Bennett’s books and have never been disappointed in their content. It is good to meet up with Savannah and Rafe again and become immersed in one of their adventures after a considerable absence. I enjoy a good murder/mystery and this is excellent with fast paced action and a clever plot. I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
249 reviews
December 26, 2018
Slow start but a good read

Still enjoying the series but the first 30% of the book is filling in backstory that loyal readers already know. I actually found myself thinking "Get to the dead body already." Once that happened then the book felt like a Savannah Martin mystery and I didn't stop reading until I finished the book.
70 reviews
April 8, 2019
Wrongful Termination: A Savannah Martin Novel(Savannah Martin Mysteries Book 16)

I love this series. Waiting for the next book in the series is always the worst because I can wait to see what Savannah and Rafael will get into next. It is good to see them back in Sweetwater. So May can't get hear fast because I have finished this book and loved it.
25 reviews
January 9, 2019
Another great book and chapter in the lives of Rafe & Savannah! I have read each book from the beginning and have loved each one. I would highly recommend the whole series! Wrongful Termination Is a good read with plenty of twists and turns. Kept me guessing to the end. Loved it!!
24 reviews
January 9, 2019
Love it

I have been reading this series from the beginning and I can not get enough of Rafe and Savannah and all their exploits. Absolutely love this story and how it is transitioning. Looking forward to the next adventure.
920 reviews6 followers
January 16, 2019
Great series

This book is wonderful. I love all the books in this series. Always mystery, murder and romance. Just the right amount of each. Usually social issues come into play as well.
Profile Image for Diane Aldrich.
17 reviews
January 26, 2019
Savannah Martin series

If you love a cozy mystery then this series is for you! Jenna never disappoints me! I'm happy to see you gave Rafe a way back into the TBI after his Wrongful Termination! Another winner thanks Jenna.
Profile Image for Martimagic.
410 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2018
Another wonderful Savannah and Rafe story. No sleep last night had to finish. Never been disappointed by the content in these books. Eagerly waiting for the next!
Profile Image for Teresa Snyder.
710 reviews30 followers
January 11, 2019
This is book #16 in the series. I’m enjoying Rafe and Savannah as much in book 16 as I did in prior books. I’m already missing them and can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Anika.
791 reviews
February 9, 2019
Another excellent mystery! Can't wait for the next since we were given a snippet at the end of this book.
4 reviews
February 23, 2019
Fantastic

I truly liked the entire book. Very fast pace It was a page turning book. Looking forward to book 17
Profile Image for Vivian.
36 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2019
Loved it!!!!! Love Rafe with a baby!!!!! Love that Savannah is still in the middle of stuff with a baby
Profile Image for Jessica Meeks.
192 reviews
March 11, 2019
Hooked

And I wanted to continue until the very last page! Mystery and seeing Rafe with his family but still solving crime is worth losing sleep over!
Profile Image for Karen.
1,424 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2019
Another winner

This series isn't my usual genre, yet it has me totally hooked. And while Wrongful Termination can standalone, the series will be more meaningful when it's read from the beginning. Rafe and Savannah have been through alot in the short time they've been together. And this book takes it to a new level. Savannah has had her baby, Caroline, now six weeks old. They've returned home from holiday with the family and Rafe has been let go from his job at the TBI. Grimaldi, now Chief of police in Columbia, has offered Rafe a job there and a trip to learn more about the prospective position has them back in Sweetwater. But when they return home, Rafe is confronted and questioned by a Nashville police detective about the death of a TBI manager, one in Rafe's chain of command. Goins is sure Rafe killed the man out of revenge. And no amount of evidence to the contrary is going to change his mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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