Sour Grapes: A Savannah Reid Mystery (Savannah Reid Mysteries)

When it comes to sassy private detectives, no one's bigger than Savannah Reid. The feisty, full-figured, steel magnolia of G. A. McKevett's acclaimed mysteries knows how to turn every investigation into a delicious romp, even when she's dealing with a bunch of waif-like beauty queen hopefuls who will kill to be crowned. . . Sour Grapes Things finally seem to be calm and peaceful in Savannah's life, but before she can celebrate by biting into a mouthful of juicy fried chicken, her spoiled baby sister, Atlanta, comes knocking. Atlanta's determined to become a star, and her first step is the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant that's being held right in San Carmelita. Savannah is feeling pretty ornery about the impromptu visit, but she's more alarmed about Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. Savannah blames it all on the beauty pageant, where the competition has become so fierce that someone's been driven to murder. Desperate to keep her flighty sister out of harm's way, Savannah digs into a real beauty of a case--and discovers the ugly underside of the wave-pose-and-cry scene. And when it comes to a bevy of backstabbing, sequin-wearing, crown-coveting glam girls, the question isn't who would want to commit murder, but who wouldn't?

savannah Reid Discovers The Ugly Side Of Beauty Pageants While Investigating Some Waif-like Queen Hopefuls -- One Of Whom Would Kill To Be Crowned.

publishers Weekly

savannah Reid, The Georgia-bred, California-based Sleuth, Is Back In A Delicious Addition To The Series (sugar And Spite, Etc.). Food-loving, Witty And Down-to-earth, Reid Is No Typical Fey Southern Belle. After Using Her Keen Detective Skills To Help Capture A Gang That's Been Terrorizing Fast-food Joints, Reid Looks Forward To What She Assumes Will Be A Tranquil Assignment As A Security Guard At The Miss Goldcoast Beauty Pageant. The Surprise Arrival Of Her Spoiled Youngest Sister, Atlanta, Who Has Flown To California To Be A Contestant In The Pageant, And The Subsequent Disappearance Of Atlanta's Obnoxious Roommate, Barbara Matthews, Make Things Anything But Tranquil. When Matthews Is Found Dead And The Evidence Points To Murder, The Cushy Job Reid Envisioned Becomes A Fast-paced Murder Investigation, During Which She Exposes The Self-destructive Eating Habits Of Many Of The Contestants And The Often Hard-to-believe Dirty Tricks The Girls Will Play To Win. When A Second Victim Turns Up, Reid Doesn't Rest Until The Truth Is Revealed In A Heart-stopping, Cleverly Crafted Ending. The Change Of Mckevett's Usual Venue To The Villa Rosa Winery On California's Gold Coast Lends Freshness, While A Bright, Eye-catching Jacket Design Should Hook Browsers. Fans Will Welcome Back Reid's Familiar, Somewhat Stereotypical Family Of Characters And Will Enjoy The New Additions. Of Its Kind, This Cozy Is As Crisp And Sparkling As Villa Rosa's Best White Zinfandel. (feb. 14) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Southern California's plus-sized P.I. takes on a beauty contest killer in a mystery that's “as crisp and sparkling as Villa Rosa's best white zinfandel” (Publishers Weekly). Since moving from the Deep South to San Carmelita, California, private detective Savannah Reid has longed for a little slice of home. But just when she's about to enjoy some juicy fried chicken, her spoiled baby sister, Atlanta, comes knocking. She's here to enter the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant and become a star. Savannah is less than thrilled by the impromptu visit, but she's more alarmed about Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. Competition at the pageant is getting fierce—so much so that someone's been driven to murder. Desperate to keep her sister out of harm's way, Savannah digs into a real beauty of a case—and discovers the ugly side of the wave-and-pose industry. And when it comes to a bevy of backstabbing, sequin-wearing, crown-coveting glam girls, the question isn't who would want to commit murder, but who wouldn't? Just when feisty, full-figured Savannah Reid's life seems calm and peaceful, her spoiled, egocentric baby sister comes knocking. Atlanta is determined to become a star, and the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant is her first step. Savannah's alarmed at Atlanta's growing obsession with her appearance. She blames it on the beauty pageant ... where the competition has become so fierce that someone's been driven to murder When her self-centered younger sister Atlanta arrives on her doorstep demanding to participate in the Miss Gold Coast Beauty Pageant, Savannah Reid is hurled into a world of backstabbing beauties who will stop at nothing--even murder--to be crowned.