Wicked Craving (Savannah Reid Mystery Series) »

Savannah Reid may have a few extra curves on her full-figured body, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of California's most successful private investigators. Her latest case puts her hot on the trail of a shady weight loss therapist who's made a killing treating—and cheating—his overweight patients. The question is, did he kill his wife, too?

Dr. Robert Wellman claims his breakthrough hypnosis techniques can help anyone shed unwanted fat in record time. But while countless weight-challenged folks have flocked to his popular clinic, most have only lighter wallets to show for it. Still, Dr. Wellman seems to have it all, until his wife Maria is found dead at the bottom of a cliff outside the Wellmans' seaside estate—and it's clear she didn't go down without a fight.

Savannah is more than happy to help her good friend, Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter, investigate Maria's untimely death. The clues all seem to point to murder, from the broken statuary to the trampled flowerbeds surrounding the deadly precipice. And since Dr. Wellman appears to be the only viable suspect, Savannah is sure it's an open and shut case. But she's about to learn that appearances can be oh-so deceiving. Pound for pound, this is shaping up to be one of Savannah's toughest cases ever. But she'd better find the killer soon or else the bodies will just keep piling up

Publishers Weekly

When Maria Wellman, the unpopular wife of philandering diet guru Dr. Robert Wellman, is found dead on the beach below the couple's cliff-top estate, Savannah Reid investigates in McKevett's solid 15th mystery to feature the voluptuous San Carmelita, Calif., PI (after 2009's A Body to Die For). Granny Reid, who flies in for a vacation, distracts Savannah from her sleuthing, but she also provides major help (and biscuits!) after Savannah and her policeman beau, Sgt. Dirk Coulter, uncover a big secret about the Wellmans. Suspects include battered wife Lydia Mahoney, whose husband was blackmailing Robert, and Karen Burns, a single mom pregnant with Robert's baby whose mother runs a nightmarish day-care center. Though Savannah's wit about food and healthy weight continues to sparkle, the “will they or won't they?” banter between Dirk and Savannah is getting a little tired. Hopefully, McKevett (the pseudonym of Sonja Massie) will let the two fully connect soon. (Feb.)