Bitter Sweets

A Savannah Reid Mystery #2

by G.A. McKevett

Savannah Reid, that big, sexy, Souther-born sleuth with a black belt in karate has finally established herself as a P.I. in posh San Carmelita, California.

All her Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency needs now 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 resources to sort out the baffling clues, clear her own name, and corner a killer whose appetite for murder is growing every day...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Chick Lit, Crime

308 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

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

[Angelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I really like the detective, Savannah Reid and her sweet tooth. I also like the touches of humor used throughout. But, despite the cute cover design and the punning title, this book isn’t a cozy. The phrase “fun read” on the cover is also misleading. The sleuth is fun. Her banter with the supporting cast is fun. Her gobbling up sweet desserts and drinks is fun. But the graphic descriptions of the murders and the nature of the deaths is nothing other than gruesome - the opposite of “cozy”.

I’m a horror fan as well. I’m not offended by gore or gritty, dark acts. But the reader in my rebels at finding these things tucked inside something marketed as a cozy. It’s like biting into a chocolate covered cherry and finding a rotting eyeball inside. Shocking, way out of proportion to the genre. I like breaking rules sometimes - that’s the rebel in me - but the rules of cozies are there for a reason. We don’t expect (or want) hard-boiled, graphic crime.

I’m disappointed to say I probably won’t read the other three books in the series that I brought home from the library with this one. Just not my cozy cup of tea. :( It’s a shame, because the sleuth is likable and they seem to be well-written. If only they’d stayed on target for the genre as which they’re marketed.

[Chaitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this lady. She's a big girl, a cop turned PI, a Georgia peach not afraid to speak her mind. She eats a lot, but she's no wonder woman who cooks/bakes all that she eats. I relate to that completely. She also has an adorable 83 years old grandma who does an outrageous thing every year. What's not to love?

The mystery isn't all too strong, and a couple of things could have been more satisfactory (for example, the kid is seven, but she doesn't seem overly concerned about the fact that she heard her mom murdered. It could have been shock, but would no one treat her for PTSD? and the brother character is just there to sort of get in the way, and I kept hoping that he would somehow be entangled in the whole mess). But I love the recurring characters - even though Savannah, Dirk, Tammy and Granny are the only ones who have something to do here. Mainly I just love Savannah, and it's for her I'll continue reading the series.

[Jaymi Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having gotten tired of Stephanie Plum and Hannah Swensen..I moved onto Savannah. Savannah is pure fluff--and totally enjoyable. I am so happy there are NO love triangles--at least not yet...I've only read two and am hoping this stays true.

Sometimes you just want to read a book that doesn't tax your mind and gives you a good laugh.

There's something more real about Savannah than many other female detectives I've read.

I can't wait to read more.

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting around age 60, I began to read the first few chapters of a mystery and then, I would read the last few chapters. I figured that life is much too short to waste time on a book with a lousy ending. Then, on stories I liked, I would go back and read the entire book from start to finish.
That way, if I died unexpectedly, at least I would die knowing "whodunit". (Note: I never rate books that I do not actually read in their entirety - that just wouldn't be fair.)
I enjoyed Bitter Sweets much more than the initial Savannah Reid mystery, Just Desserts. An intriguing mystery, captivating characters, and a truly "happy" ending . . .
P. S. Except for Lisa Mallock and Colonel Neilson, that is . . .

[Keela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mash up of some pretty dark themes for a "cozy mystery". War crimes, torture, domestic violence, child molestation, graphic descriptions of crime scenes... it's all a bit much for a book that seems to want to be a light hearted mystery. Aspects of the plot are too far fetched to suspend disbelief. A medical examiner is not going to share autopsy results with a private investigator. A private investigator does not have the power to arrest people and they don't decide who gets charged with crimes. Savannah has a black belt in karate but she can't hike a few miles? There are random descriptions of candy and cookies thrown in at odd times, I guess to tie into the title? A quick read and entertaining at times. I keep hearing this series improved with each book, so I'll try one more.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a lead character who is not perfect and I like a mystery where I'm not sure who the killer is until near the end.

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 in the Savannah Reid Mystery series

Not sure why it took me so long to continue with this series, but I liked it just as much this time around as I did when I started this series years ago. Savannah is an entertaining and enjoyable character. She loves to eat and doesn't worry about it. She's confident and good at what she does (former cop, current private investigator). She loves her family and is a good friend. She didn't take any foolish chances, I don't think, but worked her investigation by asking questions and using her contacts to gather information. I liked the mystery surrounding a brother searching for his missing adopted sister, plus the murder mystery that eventually occurred. Dirk, Tammy, and Gran are all good supportive characters who helped build Savannah into a well-rounded character. Fun, and it definitely won't take me as long to continue with the next book in this series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this series very out of order and it was fun to go back so close to the beginning. It really kept hitting me throughout this book how much the dynamics between the characters have evolved over the course of the series. I liked the mystery in this one. While the case didn't keep me guessing on who did it there were lots of twists and turns tracking everything down. I always like when someone from Savannah's family comes for a visit and Granny Reid is a favorite.

[Kimber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this one.

I've enjoyed all of the Savannah Reid mysteries, but something about the torture of a mother when her child was nearby, I just couldn't finish it.

It probably has a happy ending, but the mother ends up dead so it can't be too happy. (or at least I think so, I didn't get past that, I was just sick to my stomach.)

Luckily, none of her other books are like this.

She has a great list of characters, they are funny and enjoyable.

This one just hit a little too close to home.

(I just finished another one though and LOVEd it!)

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. I like the characters and appreciate them going through some ethical questions. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book did not catch my interest at all. I skipped through to see if it got better, no luck.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now, I have NOT read book 1 in this series. I had never heard of this author or this series before. I needed the book for a reading challenge at the end of the year, so I was running out of time to be picky or OCD about where in the series the book was from. I didn’t even read what the plot blurb said, I just found it at the library and checked it out STAT! I went into this book without knowing anything.

The main character, Savannah Reid, and I did not see eye to eye pretty much right from the start. She really rubbed me the wrong way and was difficult for me to connect with or care for. The more I read, the more she grated on my nerves. OMG, the woman went on and on about boobs, food, PMS, God and wanting babies. Bleh. I kept rolling my eyes so hard I thought for sure they’d roll out of my head by the end of the book. Savannah was super judgey and kinda bitchy about her assistant being thin, athletic, and small chested, and how she (Savannah) was better because she was curvy, had huge boobs and could cook amazing food which = getting all the men. I don’t remember direct quotes, but she’d say stuff along the lines of “God blessed her with filling up her bra cups” or something like that. Ooookay. Savannah was pushy about getting people to eat something and she mentioned repeatedly how she “missed out” on having kids because she was “too old” now, which, she wasn’t.

Hey, I AM a southern girl, ok? I was born and raised in New Orleans. My grandparents basically lived out in the bayou. I get southern charm and southern living, I do. But Savannah…. I don’t know, man… something about her was just YIKES. Something was missing from her southern lady routine, but I can’t exactly put my finger on what. I have heard from other people that it takes several books to warm up to her, so I don’t know. I don’t care to explore her character growth in the rest of the series. I’m good.

There are a handful of characters that round out Savannah’s team. I liked basically all the supporting cast way better! I almost want to read more of the series just for them. Almost. They seemed much more interesting to me.

I was kind of surprised at how dark the story was for a cozy mystery. Domestic abuse, child abuse. Focused heavily on the loss of a child. A little bit more… I don’t know… violent, I guess? Still a cozy, but more on the darker side of the spectrum then most.

Bitter Sweets is a pretty quick read. The Plot is ok. Certain parts of it were pretty entertaining and creative. Other parts just felt like a cheap attempt to pull on your heartstrings with a child. HA! Good Luck with that! If you really wanted to pull on MY heartstrings, you would have had the killer kidnap and threaten the pets! 😛 It wasn’t super obvious who the killer was until the second body turned up late in the book. The ending was very…. anti-climatic. :/ It was basically Savannah confronting someone, saying “You did it.” and the person says “Yeah. I did.” and then sits down to wait to get arrested. I’m not saying it had to be a knock down drag out fight or anything but…. it was just kinda… there. And then the end.

[Corale Faltynski]

Savannah Reid has finally established herself as a P.I. in posh San Carmelita, California. Her agency is called The Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency with her name on the door and a personal assistant. All she needs now is her first case so she can pay the rent, settle up with her creditors and put some serious sweets on the table.
Real estate broker Brian O'Donnell wants Savannah to find his long-lost sister. Savannah has no sooner located Lisa and celebrated with a hefty slice of cheesecake when she's forced to eat her words. Murder enters the picture. Lisa is dead and she sets out to find the culprit and rescue a missing child.She has her fill of a veritable smorgasbord of disreputable suspects scattered among the lovers, losers and liars who lurk in the shadows of Lisa's puzzling past. Each of them has a motive. Not one of them has an alibi. Now, Savannah must call upon all her resources to sort out the baffling clues, corner a killer, and clear her own name. If she fails, the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency just may bit the fdust before it even has a chance to prove its mettle.

[Teri-K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I collected and read this series when it first came out but some of my books got lost in a move and this must have been among them. A low e-book price encouraged me to reread it and I enjoyed it a lot. This is a mystery about a female private detective and her ex-partner cop friend. No romance here, though I think it appears later IIRC. I enjoyed the story and figuring out who did it. The solution may have been a bit pat but it was a pleasant read, and a nice change from books packed full of recipes or directions for crafts or sex. Just a mystery, nothing more.

I'd rate it higher but I think the author over does Savannah's cute saying and clichés. I've lived in the South for over 20 years and never met anyone who talks anything like her. And I got a little tired of her references to being overweight, though I think that was unusual at the time and worth notice back then. Now, not so much. Still if you like clean mysteries they're worth a try.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st half 4 stars - Savannah is hired to find a missing mom and young daughter. Tammy, Ryan and John, along with Granny help her, and the search is tedious, but they find her; unfortunately, she is dead. 2nd half is the search for the killer - many suspects turn up, but this search is muddled and confusing: 3 stars. Loopholes: why did the killer tie up the 2nd victim with piano wires after he was already dead? not explained. Did the Colonel die or not - they ask the doctor, and he says sooner or later. What does that mean? Good characters, but poor story development.

Trivia: the medical examiner in San Carmelita is an attractive Japanese American woman; in the Nina Reilly series by Perri O'Shaughnessy the medical examiner in Monterey is also an attractive Japanese American woman; is this typecasting?

[Dana Clinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Bitter Sweets (Savannah Reid #2) by G.A. McKevett. Some years ago I was into light-hearted pun-titled cozy mysteries and this came my way in a book box. I haven't read the first one, but it didn't matter to start with the second. This is a pleasant easy read with a feisty woman P.I. who (probably in the first book) used to be a police officer but was kicked out and is now on her own, although maintaining a close friendship with former officer Dirk and sparring nastily with others in her old unit. A man comes to her looking for his lost sister; lots of red herrings in this charming whodonut, and the appearance of Savannah's pistol of a grannie, visiting California where our story takes place from Georgia, their old stomping grounds. It is a quick and satisfying read.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah has started her PI business - Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency - named by Tammy,her assistant she met on her first unofficial case in Book #1. Her first real case is to find the long lost sister of someone. They were separated as infants when mom died and dad could not take care of 2 infants. She has been tracked to San Carmenita. Husbands, ex-husbands, adoptive father, lover - all suspects with alibis along with Savannah who is now constantly being harassed by the police chief who fired her. Kidnapping, multiple murders - Savannah blames herself for the kidnapping. These are easy to read books, not requiring much thought. Murders were graphic.

[Pria Alston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. The mystery was definitely different and there were quite a few red herrings. There were a couple of parts that I found annoying it seems like the author was overly focused on Savannah being a stereotypical southern belle. Everyone instilling Dirk’s clothing seemed weird. Also the gay couple was very stereotypical “gay male couple.”

The mystery had a few dark themes I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be a cozy mystery or just a mystery. I hear that the series gets better as it advances.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savannah and Tammy are taken in by a client, they make a terrible mistake that leads to someone being murdered. They're feeling responsible and guilty so they're desperate to find the killer. A woman's ex-husband is their top suspect but finding proof is leading them to more suspects. They're racing against time since there's a child involved and she's been taken....they must find her, hopefully alive and safe. Working along with Dirk and the police Savannah and Tammy ant to solve their first case as private investigators and prove to themselves they can do it.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah establishes herself as a P.I. I enjoyed reading about the start of her private investigator life. Tammy is introduced and the mystery solving is off. Well written. Searching for a long lost relative moves into murder and just as Savannah is feeling pretty low, a surprise visit from Granny Reid shines a little light in a dark corner.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah's established her own private detective agency. Now all she needs is paying work. But when she finds a man's long-lost sister who then ends up dead, Savannah feels honor-bound to solve the murder. Can she find the killer before the killer finds her?

Another terrific adventure for Savannah. I love this series so far!

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb mystery featuring Savannah Reid! I am so impressed with the writing of these fun, engaging books! Excellently organized plots, twists and turns, great character development, and the ideal balance of dialogue and descriptions. I’m definitely hooked on this series. On to book #3! What a delicious discovery! My detailed review is here: https://bookreviewsbykristie.wordpres...

[K. East · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I've read and my initial impression wasn't particularly favorable-- the Savannah/Tammy exchange in the first chapter seemed a bit silly for my tastes, for instance. And the relationship with Dirk seems waaaay out of the realm of what a detective -- even a former partner -- would share with a PI. But the book grew on me over time. The characters didn't wow me, but the plot was complex enough to make me consider reading another book in the series.

[Jennifer Kovaleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

In the second book, Savannah is starting her new life as a PI, that’s of course if she gets a client. Well she does but she also gets secrets, lies and murder.
Very enjoyable. Fast paced and well written. Warmth, humor, and raw emotion keeps the pages turning.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

New PI and owner of Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency finally gets her first case and it's a real crime. A mother is murdered by her ex-husband who steals their daughter, then he is murdered and the child is missing. Race is on to find the child and the murderer.

[Jody Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a find! This Savannah Reid series is a winner for me. I love to read series and often the first book is a "meh" but these books are so good. Love the plots and the characters. Will definitely read more!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sled Ride

This is the second time I have read this book and it just gets better. The story is like watching a hang glider catch a down draft then at the last second pull up. Readers will love the furthering stories of these main characters. Sit back and enjoy.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new mystery series to read!

[Megan Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah Reid is my kind of hero!