Just Desserts

By: G. A. McKevett

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Finding herself in over her head with a case involving a politician's infidelities, Memphis-born karate expert Detective Sergeant Savannah Reid is told that she must turn in her badge because she is overweight.

©1995 G.A. McKevett and the Kensington Publishing Corp. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Confusing title for a great book

The title led me to expect a series similar to Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series (which I enjoy), but this was really closer to a Southern version of Sue Grafton’s Millhone series (but not as dark).

I loved this book and have already downloaded the next three in the series. I’m especially excited to have found a new series with a good number of books as it’s always a bummer to find books I love only to find there are only a few in the series.

What was so great? The plot was complex enough to be interesting without being convoluted. The characters were also very likable and interesting. Best of all for me was the humor. I didn’t laugh out loud most of the time like I do reading an Evanovich Stephanie Plum book, but there was enough clever, real humor to keep the story from being too dark.

The relationships had a real feel to them too, versus the overdramatized version of relationships you often see in books so it felt like I was getting to know real people.

Also, having lived in GA for some years I was pleased that the narrator didn’t over do the Savannah accent. She did a really decent job of it and overall she did an excellent job bringing out the main character’s personality. For me the sign of a good narrator is when I forget someone is reading to me and I just recognize characters, which happened right away in this book. Savannah is someone I’d love to know so it was great fun being part of her life for a few hours. Hopefully you’ll feel the same if you try the book!

35 of 35 people found this review helpful

Sweet

Savannah Reid is my kind of heroine! She's comfortable with her body, won't let others push her around, and is warm, loyal, and loving to her friends and family. She is also really funny! Loved hearing some familiar 'southernisms' coming out of her mouth. Dina Pearlman did her usual great job as a narrator - good accents without going over the top. A great start to a fun series.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Want to read more about Savanah

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to a friend that enjoys mysteries

What did you like best about this story?

Exciting plot line

Which character – as performed by Dina Pearlman – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all. Savanah's character was performed well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed often while listening to this book

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A delightful cozy read

Any additional comments?

Welcome to Savannah's world -- cops, criminals and confections, oh my! She manages it all with sweet southern sass. She is genuine and does not let the machinations of others keep her down. She picks herself up and flings herself into the next round of investigative work with passion. Dina Pearlman narrates the story beautifully, particularly Savannah's sassy southern accent and sarcasm.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great read!!

I'm really liking this series! It is fun but also keeps you on the edge of your seat!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Tough Gal with a soft centre!

Any additional comments?

I really did enjoy this book although it took me a bit to get into it and get used to the narrator. Overall I think she delivered the main character just as the author intended. It keeps you on your toes. You feel for her as a woman in a man's world but at the same time admire her stamina and drive. I look forward to listening to book 2.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great book to start a series.

Would you consider the audio edition of Just Desserts to be better than the print version?

Have not read the written edition of this book.

What did you like best about this story?

An interesting assortment of characters. I liked that the main character is from the south and she is proud of her southern roots. She is smart and sassy with a taste for chocolate.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Savanna pretends to be a drunk woman looking for her cheating boyfriend as a ploy to get into the apartment of an escaped prisoner.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Southern comfort meets southern California

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to character development and meeting all of Savanna's family.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

First in the series.

This is good enough that I've got the rest of the series in my Wishlist. I love a good literary read, but when at work or driving this is the kind of listen that suits me best. It doesn't take too much concentration but fills my otherwise boring time with enjoyment.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Beginning of an Excellent Series!

Do you like to laugh out loud without expecting it in a book? Do you like family? Friends? Mystery? and, good people? Do you need to get away from what is going on around you at times?

This is an excellent series! I found myself downloading the next book as I was ending the one before.

Savannah Reed is a police officer at the beginning of this book and a PI at the end. She is good at what she does, and her down home Alabama character is refreshing.

I had to get used to the narrator because I was not used to the Southern Alabama Drawl. Once you get used to it, you don't want anything different .Dina Perelman does an excellent job at each character. It is as if you are watching your favorite program on television. You don't want to miss next weeks episode.

I can't say enough about the enjoyment I have had through this series. Enjoy!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Amateurish writing sinks a promising character and potential mystery series

This book introduces Savannah Reid, a cop in Los Angeles originally from Georgia. Her situation is fairly involving from the start – she's 40 and a little overweight and working on a high-profile homicide that she gets fired from. In her disappointment at her dismissal she begins to connect with her male cop partner in a new and a sexual way. At this point, the writing, which had not been great but I was willing to overlook that, became pretty bad "she was overwhelmed by an overwhelming feeling of..." Really? Was there an editor? An English teacher? I kept at it for a while but then her teenage sister arrives from Georgia at four in the morning on an alleged redeye flight. This makes me crazy. No such flight exists. This is an easy enough thing to check, especially with the Internet. Not only that, the girl talks about having picked up some cute clothes at the boutiques at the Denver airport when she changed planes there. If she in fact had taken a flight that would arrive LAX at 4 o'clock in the morning, she would have transited Denver at about 3AM local time. There's no excuse for this. Too bad, because I wouldn't mind knowing what happens to this character, not to mention the solution to who killed the Councilwoman's husband, but it's just too tough to get through.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book - I love Dina Pearlman's reading!

I love crime stories but have needed a change from forensic thrillers - just too awful!

This was very good indeed - I did not guess who did it and laughed out loud more than once. I love the main character and will order all the next titles.....

1 of 1 people found this review helpful