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A Savannah Reid Mystery #5
Sugar and Spite
A plus-sized private investigator must clear her friend and ex-partner of murdering his ex-wife in this cozy mystery by the author of Cooked Goose.
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...
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...
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
73 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
G.A. McKevett
34 books721 followersSince 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 14, 2020
These will never be a five star but that doesn't make them less enjoyable. Great cozy mystery for an in-between serious one. I like the characters by now and am invested in their lives.
In this one, Dirk gets into a dilemma where his ex-wife is staying the night. They are heard arguing, he goes in the shower and he comes out to find her dead with his gun. He claims there was an intruder and he fought him off naked but there is no witness to his claim. Can Savannah help her best friend before he gets life in prison?
In this one, Dirk gets into a dilemma where his ex-wife is staying the night. They are heard arguing, he goes in the shower and he comes out to find her dead with his gun. He claims there was an intruder and he fought him off naked but there is no witness to his claim. Can Savannah help her best friend before he gets life in prison?
June 16, 2018
Obviously I've been enjoying this series since I picked up book #5, but this entry in the series was a perfect storm of all the stuff I wasn't enjoying in books 1-4 (but managed to overlook). I couldn't finish it.
Savannah's total lack of computer skills. Ugh. Shameful.
I liked the idea that Savannah is a full figured gal. But my image was shattered when somebody labeled her as 5'8", 135 pounds and nobody batted an eye. Honey, that ain't overweight.
Tammy. Why, after four books, has she still not developed a personality?
Her gay pals. No, Savannah, you do not "attempt to reorient sexual preferences" nor is being gay an "alternative lifestyle." An alternative lifestyle is being a vegetarian or going off the grid, not your sexual orientation.
Dirk. Ugh. He's a pig. Savannah calls him her best friend, but he's a bigoted, angry, man-child. Oh, and I don't care how much you two are BFF's. You don't see him naked and then just shrug it off like nothing happened.
All that said, the tipping point was when she waltzed in to the forensics lab. Hello? A forensics lab lets civilians in and discusses cases just because the person happens to be a pal and former police officer? Nope.
So, bye bye Savannah Reid for me.
Savannah's total lack of computer skills. Ugh. Shameful.
I liked the idea that Savannah is a full figured gal. But my image was shattered when somebody labeled her as 5'8", 135 pounds and nobody batted an eye. Honey, that ain't overweight.
Tammy. Why, after four books, has she still not developed a personality?
Her gay pals. No, Savannah, you do not "attempt to reorient sexual preferences" nor is being gay an "alternative lifestyle." An alternative lifestyle is being a vegetarian or going off the grid, not your sexual orientation.
Dirk. Ugh. He's a pig. Savannah calls him her best friend, but he's a bigoted, angry, man-child. Oh, and I don't care how much you two are BFF's. You don't see him naked and then just shrug it off like nothing happened.
All that said, the tipping point was when she waltzed in to the forensics lab. Hello? A forensics lab lets civilians in and discusses cases just because the person happens to be a pal and former police officer? Nope.
So, bye bye Savannah Reid for me.
January 17, 2018
This is a book from early in the series, which is actually a great series. But, this one in particular is just not my favorite. The plot drags a bit and the characters are not as well established as her later books.
February 16, 2021
3.5 stars. This case was interesting since it involved one of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency's own. The story was interesting and justice was served which I always like.
September 3, 2023
Dirk accused of murdering his ex-wife!
Every bit of evidence points to Dirk murdering his ex-wife in his trailer with his gun. He’s arrested. Out on bond. His story as to what happened can’t be the truth? But, it is. Savannah is the only one who doesn’t have any doubts about his innocence. Savannah, Tammy, John and Ryan work hard to unravel what looks like an impossible case. As things hurtle toward a satisfying conclusion, there are 2 other murders or was it 3?
Tammy comes into her own by going undercover. She tried to not say she’s sorry constantly. She is a beautiful soul like a bunny rabbit.
John and Ryan lend their skills, connections and equipment. With the 5 of them working on Dirk’s case, they each bring a different skill.
The only negative I have is that Dirk is rude and critical of those trying to clear his name. Even more so than usual. Crass language. If this was the first time I had met Dirk, I wouldn’t have liked him at all. I kept waiting for a softening. That didn’t happen until the end.
I also don’t like that Dirk calls Tammy a “Bimbo or Fluff Head.” Name calling at his age seems exceedingly immature. It gets old. Dirk dislikes John and Ryan bc they are gay. He makes comments under his breath about them in all of the books. The comments about them keep happening until the end when they are spreading Dirk’s ex-wife’s ashes at sea. Of the 5 members of the detective agency, Dirk has alienated all of them, except Savannah.
Savannah and Dirk explore their relationship a bit more. It will be fun to see how that develops.
We get more insight into Dirk in how he relates to his ex-wife. She has lied, stolen, cheated on him, used him and walked away when she’s done. That is true-to-life. Some of the strongest, best individual are mistreated by a partner. Dirk doesn’t look like he would fall victim to that, but, boy, does he.
This series gets better and better as the characters evolve. On to Book 6!
Every bit of evidence points to Dirk murdering his ex-wife in his trailer with his gun. He’s arrested. Out on bond. His story as to what happened can’t be the truth? But, it is. Savannah is the only one who doesn’t have any doubts about his innocence. Savannah, Tammy, John and Ryan work hard to unravel what looks like an impossible case. As things hurtle toward a satisfying conclusion, there are 2 other murders or was it 3?
Tammy comes into her own by going undercover. She tried to not say she’s sorry constantly. She is a beautiful soul like a bunny rabbit.
John and Ryan lend their skills, connections and equipment. With the 5 of them working on Dirk’s case, they each bring a different skill.
The only negative I have is that Dirk is rude and critical of those trying to clear his name. Even more so than usual. Crass language. If this was the first time I had met Dirk, I wouldn’t have liked him at all. I kept waiting for a softening. That didn’t happen until the end.
I also don’t like that Dirk calls Tammy a “Bimbo or Fluff Head.” Name calling at his age seems exceedingly immature. It gets old. Dirk dislikes John and Ryan bc they are gay. He makes comments under his breath about them in all of the books. The comments about them keep happening until the end when they are spreading Dirk’s ex-wife’s ashes at sea. Of the 5 members of the detective agency, Dirk has alienated all of them, except Savannah.
Savannah and Dirk explore their relationship a bit more. It will be fun to see how that develops.
We get more insight into Dirk in how he relates to his ex-wife. She has lied, stolen, cheated on him, used him and walked away when she’s done. That is true-to-life. Some of the strongest, best individual are mistreated by a partner. Dirk doesn’t look like he would fall victim to that, but, boy, does he.
This series gets better and better as the characters evolve. On to Book 6!
Read
June 21, 2019Valentine's Day was never high on Savannah Reid's list of favorite holidays-even if it does guarantee a box of See's candy. And when her only shot at romance includes a stakeout with her ex-partner, Dirk Coulter, and a case of PMS that would make Lizzie Borden look mis-understood, things aren't exactly looking up in the hearts-and-flowers department. Then Dirk's ex, Polly Coulter, shows up. Days later the no-good, two-timing broad is found lying in a pool of blood in Dirk's trailer, shot with his gun. Always one to stick her nose where it doesn't belong, Savannah goes to work to clear Dirk. Top of the list is Polly's latest squeeze, Quince Jeffries one of San Carmelita's finest, and a man with more ambition than sense. And what about the prominent land developer whose latest project is ticking off every tree-hugger in town-could someone have dug up real dirt on him? All in all, this is one Valentine's Day that's shaping up to be a real massacre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2019
I enjoy this series because it features a Georgia "girl" who relocated to California and is very much a fish out of water. Her expressions amuse me and are often familiar from my own upbringing in the same state. I also appreciate her loyalty to her friends, her willingness to help any of her siblings (all named for cities in GA) and her knack for ferreting out clues and evidence and usually outsmarting the police department that fired her. However, I fail to see her attraction to her former partner and as this particular story revolves around him, I didn't enjoy it as much. However, I will happily continue with this series as I am able to find other installments of it; I only have one book of the collection left in my possession.
April 5, 2024
Savannah rallies her friends to help when her ex-partner and best friend Dirk is arrested for murder. Dirk is many things but never could he be a murderer. But Savannah may be the only one that thinks he's innocent. Planning to find the real killer and get the wrath of Dirk's boss, Quince Jeffries, off Dirk Savannah and the rest of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency (basically Tammy) follow the slim clues to a Medieval Faire. Donned in a corset Savannah gets shot at as another murder takes place. The clues begin to add up as connections form and the team, including Dirk and the detective in charge of his case join Savannah in her quest. Bringing a fun, humorous romp through time as ancient weapons come into play, Dirk wears tights and ugliness in politics is brought to light.
February 11, 2019
Dirk's ex-wife has come to town, and she is found shot to death in Dirk's trailer with his service revolver. Guess who is the chief suspect? They were heard fighting before the shots were fired and her blood is all over Dirk. Savannah, Dirk, and their 2 gay friends Ryan and John attend renaissance fairs to follow clues about Polly's murder. A side story is Savannah's dead-beat dad who returns and wants to kiss and make up. Again, we deal with her gross thinking about, fixing, eating, discussing - whatever - food. If you're fat and talk about it as nauseum, shut up or do something about it.
November 30, 2017
Entertaining story
This didn't grab my interest until a few chapters in. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Dirk is just not likeable although he kind of grows on you. He seems like a magnet for abuse lovers. Not the physical, but the emotional kind. Also well that ends well here, except for the dead people. A big mystery is solved, but too many loose ends or too many improbabilities.
This didn't grab my interest until a few chapters in. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Dirk is just not likeable although he kind of grows on you. He seems like a magnet for abuse lovers. Not the physical, but the emotional kind. Also well that ends well here, except for the dead people. A big mystery is solved, but too many loose ends or too many improbabilities.
October 4, 2024
I do want this series to get off early 2000s soon-ish. There's a good series in there but putting Dirk in trouble because of his ex wasn't a plotline I was fond of, and I got irritated reading about Savannah wanting to reorient her gay friend's sexual orientation again. Luckily, we don't encounter any of Savannah's siblings, but we do get to see Macon, who is a piece of work and should have been left alone.
October 26, 2017
A Mixture of Suspense, Sorrow and Vindication
I thoroughly enjoyed the complexities of this well-written mystery, the interactions between the characters, and the interesting settings. I felt as if I were accompanying the characters through a segment of their lives which is one of my requirements for a good book. I very much liked the resolution and solution, too.
I thoroughly enjoyed the complexities of this well-written mystery, the interactions between the characters, and the interesting settings. I felt as if I were accompanying the characters through a segment of their lives which is one of my requirements for a good book. I very much liked the resolution and solution, too.
May 6, 2019
This was quite the case for Savannah and Dirk. Dirk's ex-wife comes to town and promptly gets murdered. Well of course Dirk is the prime suspect and all the evidence points to him but come on... its Dirk. During the investigation new information starts to point itself to people who have wronged Savannah in the not to distant past and she's all to happy to take them down.
October 27, 2017
Gutsy and funny!
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and their ability to work together for a positive outcome. The story was a little soft, but developed into a decent read for an evening when you just need to not think to seriously.
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and their ability to work together for a positive outcome. The story was a little soft, but developed into a decent read for an evening when you just need to not think to seriously.
Read
August 26, 2021Looking to branch out into other cozy murder books. I picked this up at the library on a whim. It is the fifth book of the series, but the oldest one they had. It was pretty good, but not very cozy. I might pick up another one next time I am at the library and see if I can get into it more.
August 28, 2025
This is a series that I started some time ago and always forget about getting back to and I don’t know why because it’s fantastic! Love Savannah and her group
Of friends. The mystery was interesting and lots of covers ups revealed. Fun, sassy with a little grit. All the makings of a great read.
Of friends. The mystery was interesting and lots of covers ups revealed. Fun, sassy with a little grit. All the makings of a great read.
June 11, 2017
Quick easy read! Fun and enjoyable group of characters. The story moves along at a fast pace.
October 31, 2017
Another fun easy read. Savannah, an ex-cop owner of a detective agency helps her ex partner solve the mystery of who murdered his ex-wife in his home and that he has been charged with her murder.
November 1, 2017
Entertaining
January 24, 2018
A real page turner with lots of twists and turns.
August 6, 2018
Love the combo of food, mystery and sarcastic humor. One of my favorite authors!!
November 19, 2018
I just recently found the books by this author. I’m absolutely loving them! Fun reads! Great characters and a good mystery plot! Highly recommend!
January 17, 2019
I am sure I have read other books by this author. It must have been before I started logging books on Goodreads.
A bit overdramatic but fun nevertheless.
A bit overdramatic but fun nevertheless.
March 25, 2019
Great settings for this one, interesting turns, and a fantastic ending. Love this series!
November 14, 2019
This is really a great series. This was one with lots of twists and turns. Great read and great characters.
November 26, 2019
Smart mystery
June 26, 2020
good read, I look forward to reading another Savannah Reid book.
November 14, 2022
A fun read, just when everything looks dismal Savannah Reid and her magnolia detective agency save the day.
October 14, 2019
Sweet valentine's gift
October 6, 2014
I ask myself each time I read G. A McKevett's Savannah Reid's mystery series why the author has to have her protagonist eat so much. I swear between McKevett, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone mysteries I must have gained - a bunch of weight with all that eating of high sugar, fried, fast food going on. Makes a girl hungry and eager to find out - who did done it! Besides the eating I enjoy the women who-done-it enough to return. 'Sugar and Spite' (and love the titles) has the voluptuous (soon to bigger I'm sure) Savannah worried sick over her best buddy, police detective and ex-partner, Dirk Coulter's accusal of murdering his ex-wife. It doesn't look good with all the evidence stack against him. Polly, the ex, is found in a pool of blood in Dirk's trailer home, he is covered in it, his gun by her side, and neighbors who heard them arguing just before the bang. Savannah loses sleep, but not weight, while she unravels the truth behind the lies that are bigger than first appearing. She gets her just desserts for all her hard work sleuthing. And, with all this series the reader gets to meet more of Savannah's big Southern family with its myriad dysfunctional issues. If you enjoy an easy, often funny, murder mystery you'll enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews