Customer Reviews

Just Desserts

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To answer the previous reviewers' question, the author's real name is Sonja Massie, and she's written other books under that name.

I really enjoyed this debut of the character Savannah Reid. In this book she's introduced as a police detective in her forties (a nice change of pace) who gets chosen to head up the investigation into a city councilwoman's husband's death. It is a powderkeg, and unfortunately for Savannah, she does her job too well, much to the dismay of the powers-that-be. The price she pays for her tenacity is the loss of her job on a trumped-up rules violation. Needless to say, when she is asked to continue investigating the case by the person who is the prime suspect, Savannah agrees. On top of all this, her very naive yet stubborn teenage sister arrives unexpectedly from Georgia, announces that she is going to stay with Savannah permanently, and promptly becomes involved with an older man well-known to the local police dept.

Savannah is interesting, independent character. She seems to be comfortable with herself, and isn't afraid to go after what she wants. Ms. McKevett has also created a nice assortment of secondary characters with their own quirks and flaws. The mystery had some nice twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

 

Savannah Reid is an intelligent, witty detective who will appeal to readers who enjoy realistic women protagonists in their novels. She is tough, but sensitive, and has a caustic sense of humor about her body and her life. The plot revolves around a murder of the estranged husband of a highly visible local politician. The ways in which Savannah solves the murder as well as the other dilemmas facing her in her life are original and satisfying. I highly recommend this book. (I just wish I knew the author's real name as G.A. McKevett is a pseudonym so that I could read her other works.)

I withheld the fifth star because although I enjoyed reading it, the literary quality just isn't there and it lacked a certain something I can't quite put my finger on that five-star books have. Still, there are enjoyable characters and the pacing is quick. Great airplane or doctor's office reading, however. It will hold your attention and not require intense concentration.

The plot involves the murder of a designer who is married to a well-loved politician. Savannah Reid, California police detective, is assigned to this politically sensitive case, and from the beginning, gets put under pressure by her superiors to find the "right" solution without ruffling feathers. A subplot involves a visit from a strong-willed but naive teenage sister.

This is the first book I've read in the series, and I liked it enough that I intend to read more. However, I would also add that this probably isn't a book you'd send your grandmother or your pastor, although the sex and language issues are very minor.

I think this is first in the series. The great attraction is the character of Savannah Reid who is forty plus and gets fired from the local police force for being overweight and sets up as a private eye. She is overtly heterosexual. Many varieties of sex are hinted at but the main carnal pleasure described is food, and there is some excellent food description.
On the negative side: The murder mystery gets solved by a new character being introduced who tells Savannah who did it. A few sentences like "Savannah had only one cognitive thought after she hit the floor" and an unlikely confession by the murderer.

Now I am not sure if this series falls under the traditional Cozy genre since there isn't the warm fuzzy feel, but there is a small town, there are cats, and of course a woman on the tail of a killer. But that is where the comparison to cozy ends.

After a couple of so-so cozies in my recent past, it was nice to finally get drawn in by a writer that knows how to keep the plot moving forward without relying on clichés and cats with above human intelligence.

Savannah Reid, is a police detective in the small town of San Carmelita, that is until she steps on one too many toes and finds herself out of a job and still on the trail of a brutal killer. Not having a badge or a police issued weapon doesn't stop her, she has a job to do and with her southern charm and wit she is going to find out who killed Jonathan Winston even if it does take her ex-partner and a rather dashing ex-CIA agent Ryan Stone, who with his partner, John Gibson, add quite a bit of splash to a rather dull life.

This first in a series book definitely makes you want to read the rest. If you are a fan of Stephanie Plum you will without a doubt find a new lead character that has you laughing and scratching your head at the same time.

This is a murder/mystery story with the lead character, Savannah Reid, a detective from San Carmelita investigating the murder of a prestigious designer. I enjoyed the characters in the story including Savannah and her sister Atlanta (their mother names her children after cities in Georgia). The story centers around a not-so-well-liked man, Jonathon Winston, who owns a high end boutique in San Carmlita and is married to a wealthy councilwoman, Beverly Winston. Savannah is placed on the case to investigate the homicide but is unceremoniously dumped from the case due to a clause concerning her "weight". This debut novel sets up for Savannah Reid to go into private investigating. The book is entertaining and the mystery keeps you interested.

This is the first book in the Savannah Reid series. It's a great start to a very enjoyable series. Savannah is super. Keep 'em coming !G.A. McKevett - who are you ? I'd love to read more of your works !

I have purchased later books in this series but wanted to read the first book to get to know the characters. The book was enjoyable and I love all the characters. I plan to read the entire (16 books to date) series. Fun reading.

I found this book at a used bookstore, it was a fun read and really entertaining. I will definetly read through the series.

Victoria Laurie is one heck of a suspense author, I couldn't put her books down. Instead of taking a week to read, I read it in two days. She really keeps you in suspense the entire book.
I've read all her "psychic" books and wish there were more.