Wicked Craving

A Savannah Reid Mystery #15

by G.A. McKevett

Savannah Reid may have a few extra curves on her full-figured body, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of California's most successful private investigators.

Her latest case puts her hot on the trail of a shady weight loss therapist who's made a killing treating--and cheating--his overweight patients. The question is, did he kill his wife, too?

Dr. Robert Wellman claims his breakthrough hypnosis techniques can help anyone shed unwanted fat in record time. But while countless weight-challenged folks have flocked to his popular clinic, most have only lighter wallets to show for it. Still, Dr. Wellman seems to have it all, until his wife Maria is found dead at the bottom of a cliff outside the Wellmans' seaside estate--and it's clear she didn't go down without a fight.

Savannah is more than happy to help her good friend, Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter, investigate Maria's untimely death. The clues all seem to point to murder, from the broken statuary to the trampled flowerbeds surrounding the deadly precipice. And since Dr. Wellman appears to be the only viable suspect, Savannah is sure it's an open and shut case. But she's about to learn that appearances can be oh-so deceiving.

Pound for pound, this is shaping up to be one of Savannah's toughest cases ever. But she'd better find the killer soon...or else the bodies will just keep piling up...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

278 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

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

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really hard jumping into a book that’s 15th in the series... only one the library had but I could stand the characters

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the Savannah Reid adventures. The characters are fleshed out and the southern charm is evident. The comments about food and diet are often funny but true. In the 15th book of this series, Savannah is helping Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter solved the murder of the wife of a well-known wellness doctor. Granny is visiting from Georgia. Dirk is acting unusual and Savannah is wondering if he has a girlfriend. The Doctor has several secrets that will change the direction of the case. The ending is terrific. My Thanks to the Meridian Library for my copy of the book.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read. Good in between.

A shady hypnosis doctor's wife gets killed. Savannah finds that he mistresses and people wanting to kill him because of his worthless doctoring but why the wife? Is she even the wife?

Lots of twists in this one. Cozy mystery.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I committed a dreaded reading sin when I started this book. I have never read any of the other books in the series - *gasp*!

Luckily, it wasn't hard to figure out what was going on. Savannah is a detective who solves crimes. (Duh!) It was an easy book to read with witty dialogue and memorable characters. Savannah was fun and feisty -- Dirk was quite appealing as well. I was surprised by 'whodunit' at the end -- always a sign of a good mystery.

Also, Savannah is a plump heroine, which was always something I was always looking for in my chubbier days. It was always better to read about sassy ladies who looked like me than yet another waif. I will warn you -- do not read this book or any others in the series if you are dieting. Some of the food descriptions are drool-worthy.

I enjoyed this book so much, I went back and started the series from the beginning. I'm on book 4 and have enjoyed every story.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series that I simply love. I strongly suggest starting with book one to fully enjoy each book. Savannah is a wonderful heroine who readers will love.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun. This time Granny Reid was out visiting Savannah. I like the interaction between the characters in this series. The mystery kept me guessing and I was happy at who the culprit turned out to be.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah Reid Rocks!
She is everything I want to be when I am all grown up.

I am so glad that Granny Reid has the time and energy to visit Savannah so often, Granny is such a great character.

I know that it may be unlikely but I hope that Gus decides to give Savannah a reward for solving his ex-wife's murder and ensuring that justice prevailed.

I hope that Lydia manages to break the cycle of violence in her life, and that she manages to stay in touch with Savannah (even if it is only a card at Christmas).

Ryan and John are such a fantastic couple, I hope I find that kind of relationship eventually.

Tammy is a modern Nancy Drew, she should never change!

I can't wait to read all about Savannah's next adventure I know that whatever the case she will solve it (with her friends and family by her side).

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this is #15 in a series, but if you told me the author originally wrote this story in the 1980s and then decided to update it by throwing in some flip phones and Google searches, I'd believe you. The story, the descriptions, and the dialogue all scream 80s, maybe early 90s. I didn't like Savannah Reid or her partner Dirk Coulter. If there is supposed to be some hidden spark between these two, I just didn't believe it. I don't understand how a cop (Dirk) can have a now-civilian (Savannah) along on more than 80% of his time investigating first one and then two murders, not to mention having her in on an interrogation, with no interaction with the rest of the police force!? I can't figure out if Savannah is maybe sort of in love with Tammy, the sweet young thing who helps her out. And gee, isn't it convenient to have two impossibly handsome gay guys as friends who also have ties to the FBI and can get any sort of background info you need. There was a mystery here somewhere - the wife of a phony doctor selling weight loss magic is murdered - but I frankly just did not care.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I liked this book, it reminded me of a review I read when I finished "Murder in Her Stocking" (Granny Reid book). Apparently, enough years went by that it was forgotten that it was mentioned in this book that there were 9 siblings, but Granny's book had 7. No Macon and I don't know who the other extra kid is. Since my pocketbook is rather bare, I had to check out this book from the library and it's the first Savannah Reid book that I read. The library doesn't have half of the Savannah Reid books so I'm going to try to read what I can. Other than little things like that, I really enjoyed reading about how Savannah turned out when she grew up. I would love to be able to get my hands on the first book. When I become flush again (AC-after covid), I will buy the first one. Looking forward to my next Savannah book.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who killed the weight-loss "expert" and his wife? The patient who is disgruntled about his results? The patient who is carrying his child? The husband of another patient? His wife's ex-husband? This is the first book I have read in the series (by mistake) so am not overly thrilled with the relationship between Dirk and Savannah. And what PD allows private citizens access to crime scenes (even with a member of the force) and other information related to a crime? Not really believable. Cut out the annoying crap between the 2 and the story is okay. Will read others with a grain of salt.

[Susan McFarlane]

I thoroughly enjoyed Savannah Reid, her humor, her banter with her partner, her Grandmother, and her girl Tammy, the wiz kid on the computer. I read all of Kinsey Milhone, the protagonist of Sue Grafton's A-Z series. I felt kind of like I was reading Janet Evanovich, from a humor standpoint. Her Stephanie Plum, she too, has a funny grandmother. But what separated Savannah from Stephanie was the cop in Wicked Craving and Tammy was way different than the girls Stephanie hangs with.
I am looking forward to going back to the beginning and reading #1. I give Wicked Craving 5 stars!!!

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series I wandered away from, back glad to be back. I am not a reread person but finding with some series I abandoned I want to start over from the beginning, so I will be going back to read the earlier novels.

This time Dirk is assigned a murder of a rich doctor wife who preys on the obese in this country. There are plenty of suspects, a hidden past , and many motives for her death.

Good quick read, except this is the second time Granny visits and Savannah and is gone for most of the murder.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new series for me and I liked the main character Savannah Reid and her Gran visiting and she and Dirk investigating a case of a woman who fell off a cliff and died and her husband who was a weight loss doctor. All that is debunked and they come to a good ending. Not a lot of violence but some and twists and turns with the mystery of who-dun-it. I will explore this series of books and find some earlier books to read next.

[Chezirezmile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice unexpected plot twist. Read out of order so perhaps that’s why but something felt disjointed- one moment a character wouldn’t drink In front of the grandmother and then the next time he was drinking a beer; character was out of shape enough to be in pain days later from calf raises but able to tackle several others and climb through windows. They were very interesting anyway, series would probably make an excellent vacation read.

[Pamela Sepulvado Sepulvado Deroche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I started with book #15 something i never do but am thrilled I did. Savannah and Dirk are a perfect crime solving team. This witty duo has to solve the murder case of Maria, Dr. Wellmen's wife after finding her dead body on the beach at the bottom of a clift. And find her missing jewels
This mystery will draw you in from page 1.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loaned this from my local library and i rather prefer the kindle version book cover it does have. a mint kind of color background ...lady trying to lift a sundae that is huge compared to her. so cute!! quirky and fun. enjoyable read. i do believe i have read something from this author before. unless i am mixing it up with someone else???

[Dolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savannah Reid, private investigator, and her policeman beau track down the murderers of shady weight loss therapist and his wife. The zaftig Reid has much to say with humor on the subject of food.
This is a quick, cozy read.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT! Some of the crimes were tough to read about and made me so mad 😠 but overall it was wonderful. Savannah and Dirk were good as always but Granny 👵 takes 1st place as my favorite😊! Loved how it ended and I'm very sure that Savannah will be the first to know that Dirk has fallen in love😉

[ktouton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably closer to 3.75

The nice thing about any Savannah Reid book is they are like comfort food. You cherish them and enjoy them but they aren't always that good for you.

I do enjoy this series. Unlike many similar ones I still feel the original author is still writing the books.

[ChrisGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid mystery, interesting characters, enjoyed the interactions within the created family

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The slow burn aspect of this series is driving me crazy, but I love it nonetheless.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book. Savanna and Dirk have quite the time finding the murderer. ..kept me guessing all the way through the book!

[MaryLee Ashford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the Savannah Reid books so it's difficult to pick a just one book but Wicked Craving is one of my favs.

[Michelle Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good popcorn mystery. This was my first Savannah Reid mystery and I would definitely read more.

[Kris Hynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable but fun summer book to read. I feel like this whole series is like a grown up Nancy Drew.

[Jody Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy the Savannah Reid books in the series, but I wish there were less plots dealing with weight-loss doctors, clinics, etc.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed! Love seeing Savannah and Dirk's relationship grow more personally

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The mysteries always leave me guessing and I love how Savannah’s relationship with Dirk is growing and changing into something really sweet.

[Reba Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. It's so sweet between the two main characters.

[Louise King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading my way through spring break.