Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A killer targets 80-year-old Helene Strauss, the wealthy creator of the popular Helene doll, in McKevett's superb 16th cozy featuring San Carmelita, Calif., PI Savannah Reid (after 2010's Wicked Craving). Those who might want Helene dead include her nasty niece, druggie great-nephew, and death metal-loving great-niece as well as Helene's gardener and her housekeeper. Savannah delves into each suspect's secrets, assisted by her one employee, Tammy Hart, and her former police partner, Det. Sgt. Dirk Coulter, while her professional bodyguard buddies, John Gibson and Ryan Stone, glue themselves to Helene. These precautions, however, aren't enough to prevent a double homicide. Meanwhile, Savannah suffers repercussions from her interference with Tammy's abusive boyfriend. In addition to a delightfully surprising happy ending, McKevett supplies an author's note about domestic abuse with a list of helpful resources and contact information for those who may be victims of such abuse. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
When plus-sized PI Savannah Reid (Wicked Craving) is hired to figure out who is trying to harm 80-year-old Helene Strauss, owner of a doll manufacturing company, the case proves more difficult than she expected. With the help of Dirk Coulter of the San Carmelita Police and Tammy, office manager and fledgling sleuth, Savannah is checking out possible suspects in the Strauss family when a double murder takes place on Helene's estate. VERDICT This long-running cozy series by McKevett, a pseudonym for Sonja Massie, has kept fans enthralled by following Savannah's investigations and her relationships with her grandmother and her faithful friends. Ususpecting readers will need tissues on hand as they finish this heart-wrenching tale about abuse and the meaning of love. And fans of Diane Mott Davidson will appreciate this one. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A private eye divides her time between finding her latest client's would-be killer and confronting her longtime assistant's abusive beau.Dollmaker Helene Strauss is an octogenarian with attitude. She runs her family business with an iron fist while keeping a tight rein on her rebellious granddaughter Emma and her drug-addled grandnephew Waldo. When Helene shrugs off several attempts on her own life, Emma, kicking her concern up a notch, consults with Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency's Savannah Reid (Wicked Craving,2010, etc.). Savannah's especially eager to catch the aspiring murderer because Helene reminds the detective of her own beloved family matriarch Granny Reid. And questioning Helene's liposuctioned niece Ada and her boy toy Vern only focuses her radar. But she's distracted by her assistant Tammy Hart's budding relationship with her new boyfriend Chad, who seems bent on isolating Tammy and controlling her behavior. When Helene's maid Blanca is found electrocuted in the family's hot tub along with a naked Vern, Savannah springs into action, searching the Strauss estate for whatever caused the spa to spark. And when Tammy turns up with bruises on her face, Savannah pounces, teaching Chad a lesson in how not to treat a lady.McKevett's 16th serves up plenty of action, then concludes with an author's note directed at abuse victims who don't have Savannah to protect themand who should know that whatever happens in fiction, physical confrontation with an abuser is not only ineffective but dangerous.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
