The Best Starting Point for Savannah Reid
If you are ready to jump into the delightful, body-positive world of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency, the absolute best place to start is with the very first book: Just Desserts (1995). Written by Sonja Massie under the pseudonym G.A. McKevett, this debut introduces us to Savannah Reid, a fierce, voluptuous Southern belle who has just been unjustly fired from the San Carmelita Police Department in California due to corrupt politics and size discrimination. Rather than backing down, she opens her own private investigation agency and sets out to prove that curves and crime-solving are a formidable combination.
While the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final page, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. Savannah’s personal life, her evolving relationships with her ex-partner Dirk Coulson, her quirky assistant Tammy, her massive Georgia family, and the progression of her detective agency build a rich, continuous story arc that makes chronological progression deeply rewarding.
Publication Order of the Savannah Reid Mysteries
Spanning over two decades, the core Savannah Reid series consists of 26 books. The tone blends cozy mystery tropes, witty Southern humor, and a refreshing celebration of body positivity. Here is the publication order of the main series:
- Just Desserts (1995) – Savannah is fired from the force and starts her Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency.
- Bitter Sweets (1996) – Savannah investigates a case of infidelity that turns deadly.
- Killer Calories (1997) – Savannah goes undercover at a high-end, shady health spa.
- Cooked Goose (1998) – A holiday-themed caper involving a cheating husband and a murder.
- Sugar and Spite (2000) – Savannah helps a friend whose wealthy, abusive husband is found dead.
- Sour Grapes (2001) – A mystery involving a local winery and a family feud.
- Peaches and Screams (2002) – Savannah returns to her roots in McGill, Georgia, to solve a hometown murder.
- Death by Chocolate (2003) – A mystery surrounding a dead chocoholic and a prestigious chocolate shop.
- Cereal Killer (2004) – Savannah dives into the cutthroat world of television advertising and modeling.
- Murder à la Mode (2005) – The death of a high-fashion designer takes Savannah to the runways of Los Angeles.
- Corpse Suzette (2006) – Savannah is hired to find a missing heiress, only to find a body instead.
- Fat Free and Fatal (2007) – Savannah investigates the suspicious death of a prominent fitness guru.
- Poisoned Tarts (2008) – A Hollywood starlet hires Savannah to find out who is trying to kill her.
- A Body To Die For (2009) – A fitness competition becomes the backdrop for murder.
- Wicked Craving (2010) – Savannah helps a young woman escape a bizarre cult.
- A Decadent Way To Die (2011) – The murder of a prominent food critic lands on Savannah's plate.
- Buried In Buttercream (2012) – A wedding cake baker is murdered, and Savannah must find the killer.
- Killer Honeymoon (2013) – Savannah and Dirk finally tie the knot, but murder interrupts their honeymoon.
- Killer Physique (2014) – A murder mystery set in the competitive bodybuilding circuit.
- Killer Gourmet (2015) – Savannah investigates a deadly cooking competition.
- Killer Reunion (2016) – A high school reunion in Georgia turns fatal.
- Every Body on Deck (2017) – A mystery aboard a luxurious Alaskan cruise ship.
- Hide and Sneak (2018) – Savannah hunts for a missing teenager in a high-stakes investigation.
- Bitter Brew (2019) – A local hip café becomes a crime scene when a barista is murdered.
- And the Killer Is . . . (2020) – A glamorous Hollywood awards show is disrupted by a killer.
- A Few Drops of Bitters (2021) – The latest main series novel finds Savannah investigating a historic Hollywood mansion's dark secrets.
The Prequel Spin-Off: Granny Reid Mysteries
In 2018, G.A. McKevett launched the Granny Reid Mystery series. This spin-off serves as a prequel set in the 1980s in McGill, Georgia. It stars Stella "Granny" Reid, the sharp-tongued, beloved matriarch who raised Savannah and her eight siblings. These books are a treat for longtime fans because they feature a teenage Savannah Reid and provide rich context for her upbringing, her Southern values, and the origin of her fiercely protective nature.
If you prefer a strictly chronological reading experience, you can read these prequels first. However, they were written with the assumption that readers are already familiar with the adult Savannah, and the easter eggs and family lore are much more satisfying if you read them after dipping your toes into the main series. The four Granny Reid books are:
- Murder in Her Stocking (2018) – Granny Reid investigates a holiday murder in 1980s Georgia.
- Murder in the Corn Maze (2019) – A Halloween-themed mystery involving local town secrets.
- Murder at Mabel's Motel (2021) – Granny Reid gets mixed up in a case involving a run-down local motel.
- Murder Most Grave (2022) – Granny Reid uncovers secrets buried deep within a local cemetery.
What to Know Before You Start
The Savannah Reid mysteries are celebrated for their strong themes of body positivity and self-acceptance. Unlike many cozy mystery protagonists who are meek or accidental sleuths, Savannah is a trained former police officer with a black belt in karate, making her a highly capable and active investigator. The books are set in the fictional coastal town of San Carmelita, California, offering a sunny backdrop that contrasts beautifully with Savannah's down-home Southern charm and culinary cravings. While lighthearted and humorous, the series does occasionally tackle serious themes such as corruption, domestic abuse, and social prejudices, balancing cozy comfort with engaging detective work.