A Savannah Reid Mystery Series

After taking a missing persons case, a rookie P.I. in a posh California town is framed for murder in this cozy by the author of Just Desserts. Savannah Reid, that curvy, sexy, middle-aged, Southern-born sleuth with a black belt in karate, has finally established herself as a private detective in San Carmelita, California. All her Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency needs is enough business to pay the rent and put some serious sweets on the table . . . No sooner does Savannah complete her first case—finding the long-lost sister of a local real estate broker—than murder enters the picture. Framed in a diabolically clever double-cross, she sets out to find the real culprit . . . only to discover that she's the prime suspect among the lovers. Losers and liars lurking in the shadows of the victim’s past. Each of them has a motive. Not one of them has an alibi. Now Savannah must call upon all her own resources to sort out the baffling clues, clear her own name, and corner a killer whose appetite for murder is growing everyday . . . In Bitter Sweets, G.A. McKevett serves up a mystery where the suspense is sweet and everyone gets their just desserts. And in Savannah Reid, she gives us an earthy, exuberant sleuth to believe in, root for, and care about. Praise for Bitter Sweets “A light, satisfying tale.” —Publishers Weekly

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? 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.  .  . "Solid.  .  . Savannah's wit about food and healthy weight continues to sparkle."--Publishers Weekly "Enjoyable.  .  . A nice mix of cozy relationships and mystery."--Booklist

First in the series: A full-figured Southern police detective transplanted to sunny California untangles the murder of a politician’s husband.   Detective Sergeant Savannah Reid is a long way from Georgia, but she’ll go anywhere for good food and good friends. And policing the exclusive Southern California town of San Carmelita is as tasty as sausage-gravy-and-biscuits with super-spicy home fries. Until city councilwoman Beverly Winston’s husband turns up dead—and an unprecedented media frenzy sweeps the elite beach community like a tsunami.   The good news—Savannah is put in charge of the case. The bad—she’s pressured to investigate any person of interest except the main one: Beverly herself. And when Savannah refuses to play ball, she’s summarily fired for “being overweight.” But when another suspect hires her to find the truth, Savannah turns up the heat on an unsavory mess of triple-dealing, infidelity, and betrayal that will rock San Carmelita’s sun-soaked elegance to its core—and put a calculating murderer’s target dead on Savannah’s back.   Starring a “warm, winsome, and weight-bedeviled” heroine whose down-home savvy can solve the most sophisticated crimes, this series is a delight for mystery fans (Publishers Weekly).

Sexy private detective Savannah Reid maybe built for comfort and not for speed, but she likes herself just fine as she is. So the only way she's likely to set foot in a health spa is over a dead body—someone else's—along with a hefty fee to sweeten the deal. The irresistible combination of murder and money brings Savannah to Royal Palms to investigate the death of spa owner and former cult-flick actress Kat Valentina. The medical examiner called it a fatal—but accidental—mixture of booze and a hot tub, but Savannah's anonymous client thinks otherwise. Savanah quickly learns there's no shortage of likely suspects from ex-lovers and would-be lovers, to employees and prior co-stars with unsavory pasts. As for Savannah and her sweet tooth, this may prove to be a costly case. For if the strict regimen of exercise and nasty spa cuisine doesn't kill her, there's a murderer close by who's prepared to finish the job. . .

Plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid prides herself on cracking even the toughest cases. But her latest investigation is leaving her hungry for answers as she tries to unmask the identity of a cunning, would-be killer. His prey? Legendary designer Helene Strauss, creator of the world-famous Helene doll. While Helene's brassy, take-no-prisoners style made her a huge success, it also made her quite a few enemies. Before long, Savannah is sure she has a handle on the case. But when two key players turn up dead in Helene's sizzling hot Jacuzzi, Savannah will have to start from scratch--and question everything she thought she knew about the Strausses' twisted family tree. . . "Superb." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "McKevett serves up plenty of action." --Kirkus "Fans of Diane Mott Davidson will appreciate this one." --Library Journal

Business has been a little slow at the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency, but full-figured P.I. Savannah Reid doesn't have time to drown her sorrows in a box of double-chocolate truffles. She's too busy watching the Gourmet Network--and drooling over the sinfully scrumptious confections that Lady Eleanor ("The Queen of Chocolate") whips up on-air. But someone isn't sweet on the Queen's charming chatter--and wants her to hang up her oh-so-quaint apron--for good. . . When Savannah hears that Lady Eleanor's been getting death threats, she jumps at the chance to be her round-the-clock bodyguard. It's a great chance to meet her idol in person--and maybe pick up some free chocolates, too! But her sweet dreams melt away the minute she meets Lady Eleanor. The woman is as rotten as last year's Valentine candy--and stingy with the chocolates to boot! After a few miserable days of her boss's put-downs and pettiness, Savannah finally understands why someone wants to put an end to Her Majesty's reign. But when the Queen of Chocolate bites into a chocolate and drops dead in the middle of her own live TV show, Savannah is horrified. After all, it was her job to protect Lady Eleanor--and now thousands of traumatized chocoholics know how horribly she failed. Talk about bad for business. If only to save her own reputation, Savannah has to figure out who's to blame for the Queen's untimely (and very ungraceful) demise. . .

Savannah Reid, the “full-figured” private detective who has wowed critics and readers alike in G.A. McKevett’s acclaimed mysteries, is back with a vengeance. This time out, the former Dixie belle with the take-no-prisoners attitude is turning her voracious appetite toward a case that hits very close to the heart.   When Savannah Reid’s only shot at romance for Valentine’s Day includes a stakeout with her ex-partner, Dirk Coulter, things aren’t exactly looking up in the hearts-and-flowers department. After pulling an all-nighter, Savannah wants nothing more than to cook up a plate of steamy grits and hash browns. But no sooner has she buttered the skillet when disaster arrives in the overdone, underdressed form of Polly Coulter, Dirk’s ex-wife.   Days later, the no-good, two-timing broad is found lying in a pool of blood in Dirk’s doublewide trailer, shot through the chest with his service revolver. When Dirk is arrested for Polly’s murder, Savannah goes to work to clear his name, and every lead points to trouble. All in all, this is one Valentine’s Day that’s shaping up to be a real massacre…   “Romping good fun.” —Booklist   “McKevett’s latest puts as much emphasis on food as it does on its exciting action.” —Publishers Weekly

A Southern cop-turned-PI hunts for a homicidal Santa Claus in this holiday cozy mystery by the author of Killer Calories. It’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit in exclusive San Carmelita, California, when the Santa Ana winds are blowing at a balmy ninety degrees. It’s also hard to live in a “Baywatch” world when you’re an overly voluptuous size 14. But Savannah Reid has never been one to believe that good things come only in small packages. Right now, the only present Savannah wants wrapped up is the one of a serial rapist who dresses as Santa. Thanks to a twisted brand of holiday visits, Savannah has a full-time job teaching self-defense to San Carmelita’s terrified women. But the feisty detective is less than thrilled when Captain Bloss, her ex-boss from the San Carmelita PD, asks Savannah—with her black belt in karate—to be his daughter’s personal bodyguard. It seems the rapist has turned vicious cop killer, making the captain and his daughter prime targets. With enough chaos swirling around to make Tiny Tim grouchy, Savannah looks over her list of suspects to figure out just who’s been naughty. From the ex-con cop killer just released on parole to the bookie with more than a few debts to collect, Savannah considers them all, plus a few others, while she tries to keep danger from dropping down her chimney, and bringing a killer home for the holidays . . . Praise for Cooked Goose “It's hard not to like Savannah Reid, a large woman with appetites, emotions and attitudes to match.” —Publishers Weekly

Southern California’s plus-sized P.I. takes on a beauty contest killer in a mystery that’s “as crisp and sparkling as Villa Rosa's best white zinfandel” (Publishers Weekly).   Since moving from the Deep South to San Carmelita, California, private detective Savannah Reid has longed for a little slice of home. But just when she’s about to enjoy some juicy fried chicken, her spoiled baby sister, Atlanta, comes knocking. She’s here to enter the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant and become a star. Savannah is less than thrilled by the impromptu visit, but she's more alarmed about Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. Competition at the pageant is getting fierce—so much so that someone's been driven to murder. Desperate to keep her sister out of harm's way, Savannah digs into a real beauty of a case—and discovers the ugly side of the wave-and-pose industry. And when it comes to a bevy of backstabbing, sequin-wearing, crown-coveting glam girls, the question isn't who would want to commit murder, but who wouldn't?

In a world where stick-thin women adorn fashion magazines and silver screens, plus-sized private eye Savannah Reid is grateful for the wild success--and fabulous fashion tips--of full-figured model Cait Connor. When Cait is found dead after months of extreme dieting, everyone assumes the risky regimen did her in. But then a second full-figured model meets an untimely end, and it's time to weigh the facts. . .and search for suspects. At first it seems that Cait's death is a clear case of dieting run amok. As the new spokesperson for Wentworth's Slenda Flakes, Cait needed to lose thirty pounds in sixty days and apparently died trying. It all seems cut and dried until Kameeka Wills, another plus model working--and starving--for Wentworth, is killed by a hit-and-run driver while jogging at four a.m. Now Savannah's really suspicious, and determined to avenge her curvaceous sisters. . .even if it means going undercover for the camera. There are more models on the Slenda Flakes campaign who could be at risk, and enough suspects to keep Savannah hopping. But she's determined to satisfy her craving for justice--before a cunning killer strikes again. . .

Plus-sized private eye Savannah Reid is about to discover the answer to that age-old question: What could be worse than going back home to the Deep South in the height of August humidity? It's going home to a wedding--not your own--without a ring on your finger or a date on your arm. But a hideous bridesmaid's dress is the least of Savannah's problems after her kid brother is arrested for murder. . . 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 Honorable 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. Shaking the Patterson family tree nets Savannah an assortment of embittered ex-wives, spurned mistresses, and illegitimate offspring--but no real leads. Now, with hapless Macon stewing in a steamy cell and Marietta pouting about her postponed nuptials, it's time for Big Sis Savannah to turn up the heat and show a cleverly concealed killer that this is one Georgia peach who ain't just whistlin' Dixie. . .. "Savannah Reid makes a good showing in this strong series' latest volume. . .McKevett also delivers a surprise ending with panache--the clues are there!" --Publishers Weekly "A luscious heroine, humor, and down-home characters." --Library Journal

Old grudges die hard for the Southern PI when her high school reunion is interrupted by murder in this cozy mystery by the author of Just Desserts. When Savannah Reid fled McGill, Georgia, everyone figured the chubby girl from the wrong side of tracks would never come back. But now the successful private investigator is making a triumphant return, attending her 25th high school reunion with her handsome husband on her arm. When her old nemesis Jeanette Parker reprises her role as the Queen of Mean, Savannah finally shows her up. But her moment of victory is sunk when Jeanette's dead body is found in the swamp.  As the primary suspect in Jeanette’s murder, Savannah’s rocky history with the local sheriff doesn’t help her situation. But after calling on her partners at Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency, it is soon revealed that the Queen of Mean had plenty of enemies—and possibly the blood of her recently deceased husband on her hands. Now Savannah and her fellow detectives will have to act fast to catch a killer before another victim is crowned.

Despite New Year's resolutions to avoid irritating houseguests and nerve-wracking cases, California P.I. Savannah Reid finds herself playing host to her assistant's cranky cousin--in town for an unwanted makeover at a local spa. But when the spa's renowned plastic surgeon goes missing, murder's on the menu.  .  . Voluptuous and proud of it, Savannah can't understand why any woman would diet in pursuit of beauty, never mind go under the knife. She likes herself just fine the way she is. Too bad her houseguest isn't as content. Abigail is livid that her cousin, Tammy, won her an extreme makeover at Emerge, San Carmelita's new luxury spa. There's barely time to worry about Abigail when one of Emerge's owners, renowned plastic surgeon Suzette DuBois, goes missing. As she broadens her search, Savannah begins to realize that some of the employees at this temple of perfection harbor serious inner flaws. And when one of the suspects turns up dead, Savannah's had enough. She'd love nothing more than to wrap up this case and make friends with a nice strawberry margarita. But first, she'll have to stitch up a killer who cuts to the bone.  .  . "A well-constructed mystery with several surprising twists that keep the reader guessing till the end." --Romantic Times "Savannah's as feisty as ever." --Kirkus Reviews

The California P.I. is ready to killer her wedding planner—until someone beats her to it—in this “satisfying mystery” by the author of Just Desserts (Booklist).   Wedding planner to the stars Madeline Aberson has orchestrated some of the most exclusive soirees in Hollywood. But when Madeline becomes embroiled in a nasty divorce, rumors swirl that her parties have become total duds. Desperate for work, Madeline finds herself planning far less glamorous affairs, including plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid's wedding to Dirk Coulter. It doesn't take long for the opinionated Madeline to get on Savannah's last nerve, and when the big day finally arrives, Savannah can't wait to send Madeline packing. But when the bride finds Madeline's body face down in the pool, floating among an elegant array of rose petals, it's clear that someone has already hastened the diva's departure. For better or for worse Savannah and Dirk put their wedding on hold, vowing instead to find out who killed Madeline and why. . . "Readers will relish the author's trademark wit." --Publishers Weekly

A celebrity corpse interrupts a California gumshoe’s Georgia honeymoon in this cozy mystery by the author of Buried in Buttercream. Plus-sized PI Savannah Reid and her new husband, Dirk Coulter, were hoping for a little honeymoon excitement, but finding a freshly killed body on the beach wasn’t what they had in mind. To their surprise, the recently deceased is Amelia Northrop, the popular L.A. anchorwoman whose super sexy looks landed her a super wealthy husband. Now, instead of hosting the news, Amelia will be the lead story. The local police clearly don't want Savannah's help, so she does a little digging on her own—and what she discovers could blow the case wide open. It seems Amelia crossed more than a few powerful people on her way to the top—and learned the hard way that karma can be a girl's worst enemy. The question is, who hated Amelia enough to shoot her dead in broad daylight? Savannah will have to find out, before a killer gets away with murder . . . Praise for Killer Honeymoon “Charming . . . . Cozy fans will enjoy the laugh-out-loud dialogue and Southern witticisms.” —Publishers Weekly “Plenty of romance between the newlyweds as well as humorous investigative antics . . . only add to the fun.” —Booklist

Plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid gets a taste of the high life when she attends a Hollywood premiere on the arm of husband Dirk Coulter. Savannah may be a newlywed, but even she gets weak in the knees when she meets celebrity athlete-turned-movie-star Jason Tyrone. So imagine how she feels when the star’s rock-hard body is found rock-hard dead… Some guys have everything. With his stunning looks and dazzling charm, Jason Tyrone is America’s favorite new action hero. Make that was. Once so spectacular in action, the blockbuster idol was found dead in his hotel room after his latest premiere. Despite his chiseled physique, Jason is never getting up again… Though the autopsy reveals Jason may have gotten his killer body through doping, no one wants to believe the beloved athlete is a fraud, least of all Savannah. Soon she’s deeply immersed in the dark world of body enhancing drugs, and wondering if the world-class gym where Jason worked out is really just a front for a lucrative drug ring. Was Jason’s death the price he paid for threatening to expose other celebrities caught in the clutch of keeping a flawless image? Or was everyone’s favorite hero a victim of his own desire to always be at the top of his game? No stranger to society’s obsession with image, Savannah is determined to get to the truth. And for the voluptuous investigator, this time it’s personal….

The search for a movie star’s missing family puts California’s plus-sized P.I. on the case of a killer’s plot in this mystery by the author of Every Body. In San Carmelita, California, private detective Savannah Reid and her husband are facing their latest challenge: babysitting their newlywed friends’ incredibly fussy infant daughter. But soothing a squalling baby is kid’s stuff compared to the Midnight Magnolia Detective Agency’s latest case. Charismatic actor Ethan Malloy has enlisted the help of Savannah and Co. in a desperate attempt to track down his missing wife and toddler—just before the beloved family nanny gets murdered. With the police involved and paparazzi swarming at every turn, the discreet search becomes a sensationalized homicide investigation. And some snooping into the complicated private lives of Ethan and his wife tells Savannah that she’s in for a deadly chase. As Savannah dismantles bombshell after bombshell while balancing delicate family matters of her own, she soon finds herself closing in on a terrifying culprit—one who’s willing to do anything for a moment in the spotlight.

A PI with a love of food and justice is on the case after a celebrity chef is eighty-sixed in this cozy mystery by the author of Killer Physique. When Savannah Reid and the Moonlight Magnolia gang learn their friends Ryan Stone and John Gibson are planning to open a chic new restaurant in San Carmelita, California, they eagerly offer their input on everything from what dishes to serve to how many calories they should contain. But all Ryan and John can think about is how excited they are to have hired the temperamental but talented chef Baldwin Norwood. Too bad the only thing being sliced and diced in the kitchen is the chef himself . . . As Savannah turns her attention from munchies to murder, she quickly realizes the cantankerous chef left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, and any number of people could have whipped up a recipe for revenge. Could the jilted sous chef he stabbed in the back have done the same to him? Perhaps the loyal girlfriend he took for granted was finally fed up. Or maybe the business partner whose career he ruined had an appetite for blood. Savannah has her work cut out for her, and just when she thinks there couldn’t be any more suspects, she uncovers a plot more precarious than a perfect soufflé . . . Praise for Killer Gourmet “Engrossing . . . . Natural dialogue and characters with real-life problems set this series well above the cozy average once again.” —Publishers Weekly

PI Savannah Reid has delved into the ugly side of SoCal’s celebrity culture more than once. But the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency may have bitten off more than they can chew when a Hollywood legend makes a deadly comeback . . .     It will be a cold day in San Carmelita before Savannah skips over a high-profile homicide case, especially one attached to a tasty reward. But when 90-year-old former silver screen siren Lucinda Faraday is murdered inside her derelict mansion, serving justice comes with unsavory risks. The fallen star, considered one of the most beautiful women of her time, was found strangled by a pair of vintage stockings amid a hoard of garbage and priceless memorabilia. Now, Lucinda is making headlines again—and, like in the past, her name is connected with the worst kind of scandal . . .   As a quest for answers reveals sleazy secrets about the victim’s history, the Moonlight Magnolia Agency soon discover that corruption, addiction, and blackmail were as rampant in the good old days of Hollywood as in the present—maybe even more so. Balancing a suspect list longer than the Lucinda’s acting credits and evidence that could destroy the reputation of people still alive, can Savannah outsmart the culprit before she or someone else get reduced to tabloid fodder next?    

When good intentions pull her into a toxic murder case, P.I. Savannah Reid’s days as San Carmelita’s most full-figured detective might be running out . . .   Savannah is shaken to the core when coroner Dr. Jennifer Liu appears on her doorstep late one night and admits to fudging an autopsy report to keep her friend Brianne’s suicide a secret—fulfilling a final promise made before the terminally ill woman administered a lethal drug cocktail. But after Dr. Liu finds the same unique mixture in a second body, she fears the deaths share a dark connection . . .   Apprehensive about concealing a felony, Savannah and the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency launch a discreet investigation into Brianne’s rare condition and the deadly concoction linking the two bodies. As chilling evidence points to an undeniable case of double murder, Savannah only hopes that, like Dr. Liu, her desire to help a friend won’t put her reputation at risk—or, worse, land her on the next slab . . .

Plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid has no problem mixing business with pleasure—especially if that means a free trip while on the job. But when a gruesome murder rocks the boat, Savannah may be in over her head . . .   When famed mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef invites the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency on an Alaskan cruise in exchange for some personal protection, Savannah is instantly onboard with the idea. The voyage goes smoothly—until Natasha and her husband flee the ship and get killed in a suspiciously explosive crash . . .   Awash in regret, Savannah and the MM crew won’t return home to San Carmelita until they expose whoever caused the fatal “accident.” But Savannah and her team discover that Natasha’s life was far more dramatic than any of her bestsellers. Not only was her marriage and literary career splattered with bad blood, but a crazed fan was tracking her every move. With suspects and clues flooding in by the boatful, it’s all hands on deck as Savannah rushes to seize the murderer before she lands herself in hot water next . . .