Sugar and Spite: A Savannah Reid Mystery [LARGE PRINT] (Paperback)

by G. A. McKevett (Author)
Key Phrases: sugar and spite, Macon Reid, Dirk Coulter, Lieutenant Jeffries (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Delightful and spunky, California private detective Savannah Reid, always enticed by food, turns her talents toward clearing her ex-partner of the murder of his ex-wife. Never a dull moment, so be sure to buy this one.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Savannah Reid, erstwhile police officer and current PI, has deep Georgia roots and close ties to the family of friends she's built in Southern California, especially Dirk, her former partner and buddy. When Dirk's ex-wife is found in his trailer, shot with Dirk's gun, it looks very bad indeed. But never you mind: Savannah, armed with a passion for food and oozing steel-magnolia charm, sees what needs to be done. The plot encompasses skinheads, a Renaissance fair, stupid e-mail tricks, and abusive boyfriends; there are also amusing bits involving zaftig Savannah's skinny assistant, Tammy, and the sartorially perfect and perfectly charming gay couple, Ryan and John. This is a tale of revenge, finally: Savannah gets to stick it to the guy who fired her, to her deadbeat dad, to a clueless neo-Nazi teen, and even, in a way, to Dirk's ex-wife. Romping good fun, and don't forget the chocolates. GraceAnne A. DeCandido --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Largeprint edition (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078625890X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786258901
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,369,589 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 5 in The Savannah Reid Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun addition to a lighthearted mystery series, December 24, 1999

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sugar And Spite: A Savannah Reid Mystery (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Savannah Reid lost her San Carmelita police job when she challenged the authority of her ruthless superior Chief Norman Millquist. Savannah opened up the Moonlight Magnolia Detective agency offering private investigative services. Norman plans to be the next mayor of the small California town. Still loyal to her former police partner Dirk Colter, Savannah helps him on stakeouts when she can. When Dirk's former wife Polly returns to town, Savannah expects trouble. Polly dumped Dirk for a younger musician, but now wants something from the cop.

Savannah's instincts prove accurate as a hysterical Dirk tells her that Polly is dead. The murder weapon is Dirk's gun. Dirk claims he was taking a shower, heard a shot, and ran outside to observe an intruder bending over Polly's body. Dirk never catches the culprit. The police arrest him for premeditated murder. This leaves it to Savannah and her cohorts to find the real killer.

Savannah Reid is a sexy, voluptuous person who loves to eat and does not care that she is a full figured woman. She believes in herself and her worth, rejecting those who belittle her. G.A. McKevett provides a strong mystery that showcases Savannah's abilities. The pieces to the puzzle are in front of the reader, but placing them in the right positions is difficult and fun. The secondary characters are a group of eccentrics while the background of a Renaissance Fair adds to the overall enjoyment. SUGAR AND SPITE is a wonderful entry in a superb series.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, friendship, and loyalty..., May 7, 2004

By	Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sugar And Spite: A Savannah Reid Mystery (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Another Savannah Reid mystery... Sugar And Spite. And I'm still liking this series a lot...

Savannah's ex-partner on the force, Dirk, is called by his ex-wife Polly (who Savannah can't stand) in what looks like a kiss and make up attempt. But Savannah gets a call from Dirk that turns their world upside down. Polly is dead, shot in Dirk's trailer, with Dirk's sidearm, her blood is all over Dirk, and neighbors heard them fighting before the gunshots. He says he came out of the shower to find someone there who had just shot Polly, but was unable to grab him before the intruder escaped. The chief of police seems to have it out for Dirk, and pushes hard to bring him up on murder charges. Savannah and the members and friends of her detective agency have to figure out who really did it and save Dirk from a lifetime of jail or worse.

The subplot here involves why the chief might want to have Dirk out of the picture, and what he may know about the crime. There is also a Savannah family subline (as there are in all the stories) that didn't work quite as well as the ones in the other stories. Her father who deserted the family when she was young has shown back up and wants to talk with her.

Fun read, good pacing, and some excellent themes of friendship, love, and loyalty. Probably one of the more emotionally satisfying stories I've read to date in this series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this writer !, May 18, 2003

By	"mountaintops99" (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sugar And Spite: A Savannah Reid Mystery (Savannah Reid Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

No matter what she writes, the people come across as real, and never fails to grab me. GREAT series!