A Decadent Way to Die

I've been reading this series by G. A. McKevett sine the beginning (Just Desserts is the first one) and have loved every one. This is the best book yet though and I can't wait to read the next one. This series is about a private detective originally from Georgia, Savannah Reid, and A Decadent Way To Die is set in the fictional town of San Carmelita, CA. Savannah is a plus-size woman and she left the San Carmelita Police Department due to issues with her weight. She now runs the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency with her friend and assistant Tammy, and two retired FBI agents. Her one-time partner at the police department, Dirk Doulter, often helps them on cases and she returns the favor.

In the latest installment, Savannah is commissioned to find out who wants to do harm to Helene Strauss, the 81 year old owner of Strauss Doll Works, Inc. There have been two suspicious "accidents" and the evidence and motive are pointing towards members of Helene's own family. Savannah is on the case but has to do some work alone because Tammy's time is taken up with a new boyfriend who seems intent on controlling her every movement. Savannah's efforts to get Tammy to see the boyfriend's controlling nature are met with resistance until Tammy is savagely beaten. Savannah doesn't let anybody get away with that! As the case of who wants to kill Helene draws to a close, there are some unforseen consequences for Savannah and perhaps at long last the simmering attraction Savannah and Dirk feel for each other will come to a head--or will they once again part ways as just friends?

G. A. McKevitt is a pseudonym for Sonja Massie.