A Few Drops of Bitters

The Blurb

For the first time in recent memory, PI Savannah has no guilt about indulging in personal interests before her career. Between being a mom to her new foster son and arranging a lavish wedding for her sister, things are messy, unpredictable, and delightfully fulfilling. She even gains an impressive friend: Dr. Carolyn Erling, a caring veterinarian with a deeper story than her down-to-earth nature suggests.

When Savannah attends a birthday bash for Dr. Carolyn’s husband, she’s astonished to find that her no-frills acquaintance resides in a pristine hilltop mansion with Dr. Stephen Erling, a jet-setter brain surgeon boasting throngs of A-list patients around the globe. Before Savannah can get a headcount on the mingling celebrities, Dr. Stephen has one too many champagne toasts and drops dead.

With a poisonous residue found inside Dr. Stephen’s glass, the search is on for the killer who spiked his drink. Motivated to set things right for a devastated Dr. Carolyn, Savannah must infiltrate the elite world of foreign dignitaries and Oscar-winning stars to identify the guilty culprit or prepare to kiss this happy chapter in her life goodbye.

---

The Details
Series: A Savannah Reid Mystery – Book #26
Author: G. A. McKevett
Genre/Category: Cozy – PI/Pets
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 1496720164
Page Count: 304
Rating:

---

The Review
I love Savannah and Granny Reid. They are two of my favorite characters in any cozy series. In the latest book in the “A Savannah Reid Mystery” series, A Few Drops of Bitters Savannah, who is a PI, is present when a murder takes place at a famous doctor’s birthday party, and no one will miss him. It becomes evident that the doctor was poisoned, and many people had a motive to want him dead. Savannah has no choice but to take on the case even before she is asked when his wife and idol of Brody’s is accused of murder.

Everyone present at the party is on Savannah’s suspect list, and even as a PI, she may be on that list too, as far as the police are concerned. No one liked the doctor, not even Savannah, even her foster son Brody, who doesn’t hate anyone, seems to have a distrust of the doctor. Most of the evidence points to the doctor’s wife, a veterinarian whom Brody idolizes, and Savannah calls a friend. There are plenty of twists and turns and moments when Savannah isn’t sure who to trust, other than her husband and Granny. To add to her stress, her sister Alma’s wedding is coming up, and she feels as though she is letting her little sister down. The investigation takes Savannah down roads she may not want to go down but are necessary to catch a murderer. Between murder and family, Savannah has a lot on her plate, but she’s used to it, and with dogged determination and a bit of luck, she finds the killer. The culprit may surprise readers, but the identity adds that unique little twist that a good mystery needs to be great.

Like most of the books in this series, this one is emotionally charged. It’s more about relationships and what makes us who we are than a murder. Savannah had a hard childhood, as did Granny and Brody. A hard life is what makes Savannah a great PI, wife, mother, and human being. It’s not necessary for readers to have read every book in this series, although I would suggest they do so for pure pleasure. This series has always had the ability to make readers feel emotions they weren’t expecting, and crying happy tears as you turn the last page is a part of the story. A Few Drops of Bitters is a study in relationships. It is filled with lessons in humanity, kindness, and love.

---

The Author
Since the publication of her first novel in 1986, Sonja Massie has authored more than 60 published works, including the highly popular and critically acclaimed Savannah Reid Mysteries under the pseudonym G.A. McKevett. Sonja’s novels range from Irish historicals to contemporary thrillers. Her earthy humor and fast-paced plots delight her fans, while critics applaud her offbeat characterizations and incisive observations on human nature.

Having lived in Los Angeles, Toronto, and County Kerry, Ireland, she now resides in New York with her husband. Her hobbies include: making jewelry, origami, Irish folk music, Celtic beading and needlework, and playing with her “grandangels.”

Other books in the “A Savannah Reid Mystery” series readers will enjoy include, And The Killer Is… or they may like to read another one of GA’s delightful series such as “A Granny Reid Mystery” book two, Murder in the Corn Maze.
Contact GA:

Find GA on Social Media:

---

Contact The Cozy Review