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 … 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?
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As usual – G. A, McKevett knocks it out of the park with her Savannah Reid mystery. This is #24 in the series, I’ve read them all, and they just get better every time. It is such a wonderful mix of family, friends, and ugly murderers who are very difficult to figure out. This is about the 21st book in this series where I was totally unprepared for the identification of the murderer. Yep – I got it wrong again. Bravo G. A.!
The description of this book was much more interesting than the actual book, I quit reading after the first page.
Weak mystery and repeat of many of the same stories from previous books.
This was an enjoyable, feel good story with pleasant Characters and a clear cut mystery.
Love all her books!
I liked the different storylines. I didn’t know how everything would work out or who the real bad guy was. I’m going to read more of the series.
Have read a number of other titles in this series & love every one !
Savannah and Dirk are spending another evening at a stakeout that is offering little in the way of evidence for Dirk’s case. When a woman pulls up to the suspected drug house she leaves her van barking orders to someone inside her vehicle as she walks to the house. This routine stakeout soon turns chaotic and Dik is left with black eye and bruised ego.
A phone call the next day for Savannah has her on a homicide case for a close friend. A Hollywood legend is dead and clues are difficult to uncover. Dirk is assigned the case so the duo works with the Moonlight Magnolia team with the hopes of allowing the 90 year old to be laid to rest.
This is another fantastic book in the Savannah Reid Mystery series. This book contains a subplot that might be a little predictable, but it’s heartwarming just the same. The new characters in this book are well developed and easy to picture. I didn’t figure out the murderer until just before the perpetrator was revealed. The plot is very engaging. I almost read the entire book in one sitting. I did not want to put it down. I’m only disappointed that I now have to wait so long for the next book. I recommend this book and I highly recommend this series.
A good read.
Super to read another Savannah Reid mystery. Really one of her best. And I have read them all.
The newest in the “A Savannah Reid Mystery” series comes And The Killer Is…, from Kensington Books. Savannah is at it again, another case, another murder only this time it’s making Hollywood headlines.
Savannah Reid is one of my favorite characters, right after her granny. The characters in this series are welcome at my house anytime. I adore Granny, and all of the Reid kids, well… most of them. I was pleased to see that younger sister Alma makes an appearance in this latest in the long-running series. Even the victim in this book is likable, and the premise of an old Hollywood star is unique and highly enthralling. The setting is as always thought-provoking and described in enough detail that readers will be glad they aren’t there.
Finding an old Hollywood actress dead in a hoarder’s mansion is unique enough, but figuring out who killed her while sifting through all the trash is one of the hardest things Savannah has ever done. The fact that Savannah’s husband is there from the start digging through the mountainous rubble helps. Suspects are varied, all with distinct personalities that are almost as difficult to figure out as the tonnage of garbage in the star’s home. There are plenty of clues and red herrings to go through, and even though most readers will figure who the killer is before the unveiling, they will want to read to the very end to find out why.
This stunning addition is another wonderful book that puts old Hollywood front and center and keeps Savannah on her toes. And The Killer Is… will bring a tear to your eyes, which is not unusual in this series, mainly this is due to Granny. It is heartwarming, endearing, and ultimately a memorable who-dun-it that leaves readers wanting more. I am thrilled with this latest addition and looking forward to more editions.
And the Killer is…well, to start with, it’s the 25th book in the series. I’m going to say this is the best one yet. Savannah Reid and the team that makes up the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency are drawn into a strange case when the strangled corpse of a 90 year old former silver screen star is found amidst the trash that fills her once glorious mansion. In her later years, Lucinda Faraday had become a major hoarder but who would want the elderly woman dead? Well, it turns out that she wasn’t all that nice and the words secrets and sordid come to mind. Somebody wanted those secrets buried forever and Savannah may be getting in the way. But when it’s a friend of Savannah’s who wants answers, Savannah won’t hesitate to investigate.
If that wasn’t enough, she is on a stake out with her husband, Dirk, involving a drug bust when he arrests a young mother for drug possession and savannah and Dirk take custody of her son. One thing is certain about Savannah, she has a big heart.
From the great puzzle complete with the twists, turns and red herrings to the time I love spending with the friends and family and members of the agency, my favorite character – after Savannah, of course – is Granny Reid. I wish I had a grandmother like her.
If you are new to this series, don’t worry, this works as a stand alone but be warned…if you enjoy your time spent with Savannah, Dirk, Granny Reid and the rest, be ready to play catch up. You will be in for some very well crafted mysteries. I already have a spot on my TBR list for #26.
And the Killer Is… by G. A. McKevett is book twenty five in the A Savannah Reid Mystery. This is a great series but can be read as a stand alone.
During a stake out with her detective husband, Dirk, Savannah spots a child in a vehicle that is at the drug house they are watching. Getting the child quietly to safety proves the first adventure and brings back childhood memories for Savannah. The child’s mother is arrested and the child goes home with Savannah for the night. Before she can get settle in, a former client shows help needing to hire her for an investigation into the murder of his dear friend, Lucinda Faraday. Faraday is ninety years old former movie star now, living in her mansion as a hoarder. Dirk and Savannah find her body in a pile of trash in a not so nice pose, strangled with a pair of silk nylons. Who hated Lucinda is what Savannah wants to know but once she starts questioning people, who didn’t hate Lucinda.
There are plenty of suspects that have you guessing until the end, enjoyable characters and critters, a great side story, romance, love of family and humor.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
When Savannah learns of the death of Lucinda Faraday, a 90 year old former silver screen siren, she jumps at the chance to investigate especially since there is a reward for finding her killer. Lucinda was killed in her mansion, that has seen better days, by a pair of vintage stockings. She was strangled to death and.left to be found in garbage and some of her own memorabilia. What kind of person would have an axe to grind with such an old woman? Savannah soon learns that Lucinda was no sweetheart, one sordid secret after another pops up as she investigates. The list of people who hated Lucinda astounds Savannah but she knows she must work through each and every name to figure out who the murderer is. Follow along as Savannah visits the past to find some answers, can she out-maneuver a killer or will she end up in the headlines? This is a wonderful series with strong female characters, and exciting plots!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I truly hope there will be another twenty-five Savannah Reid books. Every book that comes out is better than the ones before and this book was amazing!!! I could not put it down. The writing is flawless and the characters are superb! Don’t miss this wonderful read. Enjoy!
A past client contacts Savannah and asks her to investigate the death of a wealthy, elderly woman that was a friend. It turns out that she was a hoarder and the estate is a disaster. The murder is staged to look like a picture of the star when she was 15. Along with all the familiar characters, Savannah has a added a temporary foster child, a neglected boy who was homeless when his mom was jailed for drugs.
This story has everything you love about Savannah and more. I can’t wait for the next book.
private-investigators, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, family-dynamics, friendship, situational-humor, verbal-humor, California, cozy-mystery, no-gratuitous-erotica
Somebody remind me why the earlier books in the series are hiding in my TBR pile when I remember the ones that I read very fondly? If you haven’t read about BBW Private Investigator Savannah Reid and her family (including Homicide Detective husband and former police partner, Dirk) don’t hesitate to jump in and read this newest one. I hadn’t read about them in a while, and while I missed out on some interesting cases and a lot of fun, there was no real problem as any info was included.
About this murder mystery. The victim is a 90 year old former film star who got into the business at 14 in the 1940’s but has deteriorated into a nasty old woman with a serious hoarding problem. There are only a select few suspects, but getting hard evidence is complicated by the state of the once grand residence. There are non-police friends to help, but it’s a real mess of a case that just keeps getting more convoluted. There are several personal and family issues that crop up and they add a lot of positive things to the read. I loved this one even more than the ones I read in the past!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!