Sonja Massie’s Savannah Reid Mystery series, written under the pseudonym G. A. McKevett, isn’t for everyone. But if you happen to know, or be, an irreverent middle-aged foodie who enjoys wit and humor more than teeth-gritting suspense and graphic gore, there’s a good chance that the series will resonate with you. If a detective who can be tough and aggressive, yet also bubble with genuine friendliness and hospitality befitting her Georgian roots sounds appealing, check out this series. If you like chocolate, “Death by Chocolate” is a good place to start. Lady Eleanor is the famous Queen of Chocolate on the Gourmet Network, whipping up delicious chocolate treats on-air that LA-based detective Savannah can’t quite recreate at home, much as she tries. Luckily, she can buy Lady Eleanor’s treats through the Queen’s retail empire. When a well-connected friend offers Savannah’s services to Lady Eleanor, we learn that all is not sweet in the TV mogul’s world.Savannah is hired to find out who is sending death threat letters to Lady Eleanor. At first she is thrilled to meet her TV idol. But the gracious and well-groomed on-air Victorian is no lady off-camera. Crabby, self-important, and disrespectful, with slovenly personal habits, she gives both family and employees alike plenty of opportunity to wish that she were dead. So when she does drop dead during the next show after a bite of Death by Chocolate Cake, Savannah suspects that there’s more to the Queen’s purported on-air heart attack than meets the eye.Readers who like light theme-based mystery series, for example the various cat-themed mysteries; or series about funny, sometimes fallible female detectives, like Sharon Kahn’s rabbi’s wife books, will also enjoy this series.
This was the first novel I had read in the series, and I intend to read more. The characters were sharply drawn, and the mystery of who killed Lady Eleanor is not resolved until near the end. Savannay Reid has many facets. She not only investigates the death, but also deals with her sibling who is visiting. Even though she does not particularly care for Eleanor's 3 dogs, she calls a rescue group to save them when they are sent to the pound. Savannah is a bright, caring woman. No wonder she has her own mystery series!
What do You think about Death By Chocolate (2003)?
Business has been a little slow at the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency, but full-figured detective 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.When Savannah hears that Lady Eleanor has been getting death threats, she jumps at the chance to be her round-the-clock bodyguard. Although she soon discovers that the woman is as rotten as last year's Valentine candy, she's horrified when the Queen of Chocolate bites into a piece and drops dead in the middle of her own live TV show. Savannah's challenge now is to narrow down the long list of enemies. . .without becoming the next to die.
—Tabby Kat
