Peaches and Screams (Savannah Reid Mysteries) [Hardcover]

G. A. McKevett (Author), G.A. McKevett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2001 | Series: Savannah Reid Mysteries

As the oldest of nine siblings, Savannah has attended her share of family weddings south of the Mason-Dixon Line...several of which have featured her sister Marietta as the bride. But before the fickle Southern belle can traipse down the aisle with her latest Mr Right, the youngest of the Reid brood is thrown into the slammer. At first, Savannah wonders if unruly Macon really is responsible for killing the Honourable Judge Patterson. But when she learns that the ornery old geezer had more enemies than Marietta's had husbands, Savannah is convinced that her brother's been framed.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Savannah Reid makes a good showing in this strong series' latest volume (Just Desserts, etc.) when she travels home to small town McGill, Ga., for her sister Marietta's third wedding. Before the rehearsal can start, unpopular Judge Patterson is found shot to death, and his valuable collection of Confederate war medals has vanished. Worse is to come the missing medals turn up in the toolshed Savannah's youngest brother, Macon, has fixed up for his private apartment. Worst of all, prosecuting attorney Mack Goodwin, the late judge's son-in-law, is determined to see Macon "strapped to a table with a needle in his arm." Before standing up with her sister, Savannah must stand by her brother and clear his name. Certainly none of her seven other siblings is capable of lifting a finger to help do the laundry, much less some legwork. But her best friends, Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter and Tammy Hart, factotum at Savannah's Midnight Magnolia Detective Agency in California, ride (in a rental car from the airport) to the rescue. Some of the secondary characters are merely sketched in, like the shiftless, lazy Macon, but the main characters are carefully portrayed, their actions realistic and engrossing. In particular, Savannah's increasing exasperation with her siblings and devotion to the grandmother who raised her, as well as a nostalgic flirtation with her first beau, strike a chord with anyone who has sighed for the might-have-been. The pseudonymous McKevett also delivers a surprise ending with panache the clues are there! (Jan. 8)Forecast: Like previous titles in the series, this novel boasts eye-catching jacket art, though the black cat, an incidental figure in the plot, would seem to be there chiefly to lure cat cozy fans.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When her sister Marietta gets married again private detective Savannah Reid (Bitter Sweets) revisits her Southern roots. The arrest of their baby brother for murdering a philandering judge postpones the event, however, until Savannah can make things right. A luscious heroine, humor, and down-home characters.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575667118
• ISBN-13: 978-1575667119
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since publication of her first novel in 1986, Sonja Massie has authored over fifty 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real peach of a cozy mystery!, January 18, 2002

By 

Paula Hess (Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peaches and Screams (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Savannah Reid is back and in fine form. She has been called home to McGill Georgia to be in her sister's third wedding and is expected to wear the all time worst bridesmaid dress. Needless to say she is not really looking forward to going home. Of course once she gets there her younger brother is thrown in the slammer accused of murdering one Judge Patterson. Susannah learns that Judge Patterson had quite a few enemies and she is convinced her brother has been framed. She sets out to prove his innocence and his helped along the way by her L.A. detective friends Dirk and Tammy and a little help from her hometown old flame, deputy Tommy Stafford. I really enjoyed meeting Savannah's family. From her nine siblings, to the grandmother who raised them and even her mother the alcoholic. This is a wild ride from the moment Savannah steps off the plane to the last chapter. I loved it and look forward to McKevett's next book. If you like a good southern cozy this is the book for you.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A whole slew of Reids, January 15, 2002

By 

Barbara O'Neill - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peaches and Screams (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Savannah Reid is back. Back home, that is. Back in McGill, Georgia for sister Marietta's 3rd trip down the aisle. Savannah's not too keen on wearing the dress Marietta picked out, but she is anxious to see her Gran again and catch up on all that been going on. Unfortunately, what's been going on is all the trouble brother Macon has been getting into. The latest, being arrested for murder, has put a serious crimp in the matrimonial festivities and all eyes turn to Savannah to make things right.

This is not cut and dried case. Seems the victim had quite an impressive list of those who hadn't minded seeing him gone. Who to finger? Just when it looks like it just might too much for Savannah to handle, her California cohorts--Dirk and Tammy--show up and with this trio on the path to justice, the murderer just doesn't stand a chance.

McKevett gives another entertaining mystery with enough red herrings to throw the reader off and a stellar cast of secondary characters. I was especially pleased to read more about Savannah's family members, especially her mother. We get to meet all the brothers and sisters, learn the particular quirks of each and share the special bond Savannah has with her grandmother.

I do hope the author doesn't relegate the Georgia Reids to the back burner when Savannah returns to California. They make a nice addition to an already outstanding mystery series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner for G.A. McKevett, June 11, 2002

By 

Ellen b (Long Island United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peaches and Screams (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This series continues to grow and get better. I loved Savannah's grandmother, and especially the pooch Beauregard. I will be looking forward to the next one in the series. I wish I could figure out who G.A. McKevett really is (supposedly a pseudonym for a famous writer).