Every Body on Deck: A Savannah Reid Mystery
By G.A. McKevett
Kensington
May 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

After her Granny Reid once again gets hauled into San Carmelita’s jail for disputing with her trailer park meth-lab neighbors, it seems like the perfect time for Savannah Reid to get her family out town on a working vacation. One of Savannah’s favorite mystery authors has been receiving threatening letters, so Natasha Van Cleef is hiring the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency to protect her while she embarks on an all-expense-paid mystery-themed cruise to Alaska. Along with her best friends John Gibson and Ryan Stone, Savannah is joined by her police Sergeant husband Dirk Coulter, his recently discovered biological parents, Savannah’s brother Waycross, and the extremely pregnant-about-to-pop Tammy Hart. While they initially luxuriate in the unlimited buffets and amenities, another written threat to Natasha signals that they have been accompanied by her stalker. When Natasha and her husband secretly disembark from the ship in Alaska only to perish in a fiery crash, Savannah blames herself and is determined to prove that the couple was murdered.

Savannah may be a born-and-bred Southern belle, but that won’t stop her from butting heads with ship security or investigating the lives of those closest to the author. While Natasha was a successful and admired writer, rumors swirled that her husband was a cheating embezzler and her inept assistant the suspected co-cheater. The presence of a Los Angeles leg-breaker throws in yet another possible culprit, but when the Moonlight Magnolia team becomes a little too efficient and aggressive with their tactics, the publicity-shy cruise line offers them a long-term stay in beautiful, sparsely populated rural Alaska.

Following the lives of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agents is always a delight, now more than ever since it has incorporated more of the Reid family. Sharp-as-a-whip Granny and Waycross represent the sanest representatives of her numerous relatives, and they provide Savannah with the most emotional support and downhome wisdom. Savannah and Dirk may be adjusting well to their new married life, but Waycross and Tammy seem to be facing their own star-crossed troubles. One of the strongest elements of the novel is how it succeeds in throwing in a twist that should completely surprise those readers who thought that they had the plot figured out. The characters of this 22nd in the series remain as fresh and entertaining as when they first appeared in 1995, and the love they share for one another is obvious through their teasing, sharp banter, and good-intentioned meddling.

Savannah Reid and her wacky family/detective agency is at it again in this latest in the series from G.A. McKevett. The ultimate unveiling of the murder mastermind was satisfying (though a long time coming), as the author did a good job of sprinkling clues and red herrings throughout the latter half of the book. I also enjoyed following along with the different experiences that Savannah and co. had on the cruise ship (between trying to protect the author and enjoying the perks of cruising), especially the mid-book sequence of events that led to their sudden change in accommodations. In general, readers could easily pick this up and read it as a stand-alone. However, I recommend going back and reading some earlier titles in the series to get a fuller sense of the characters and their idiosyncrasies.

Every Body on Deck featuring plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid is an exciting addition to this series by G.A. McKevett.

Being hired by her favorite mystery author is like a dream come true to Savannah. When famous mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef hires the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency to embark on an Alaskan cruise, Savannah has no idea just what she is in for.
Keeping the author alive is her job, even if she has to risk her own life in order to do it.

I enjoyed the cruise setting and the actual story itself. This book was filled with wild adventures and I loved hanging out with Dirk's family, I loved Dora in this story.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I love this series. G.A. continually delivers an engaging and entertaining drama that I devour from the moment I turn the first page. True to form, Savannah is on a hunt for the murderer of her favorite author and Alaska won’t know what hit them until the killer is apprehended.

The comfortable tone and writing style made it easy to follow the drama unfolding as each chapter took me deeper into the story with earned insights and the added bonus of comedic verbiage. The suspect list was small, but what the author did was create a plethora of scenarios that kept me wanting to know what happened next and boy was I rewarded with each turn of the page, especially that twist that enhanced the telling of this tale. The visually appealing narrative put me in the middle of all the action with the team and I enjoyed watching it all played out as each character’s role was pivotal in the outcome of this brilliantly executed whodunit. This is by far, the best and my favorite story in this most endearing series and I look forward to more adventures with Savannah, Dirk and the gang.

I've read a good many of this series starring Savanah Reid. This book has the crew from the Magnolia Detective agency on an Alaskan cruise guarding an author getting death threats. This funny cozy is a great addition to an already well written set of books. I love Granny and the entire cast.

This cosy type mystery, Every Body on Deck by G. A. McKevett, had a good story line with some unexpected twists to the mystery. I really didn't love the characters, maybe it was just their southern accents that bothered me. I am not sure. Moonlight Magnolia Detectives are from Georgia, but living in California and in this book working during an Alaska trip. It was very funny in places, but slapstick in other spots, I couldn't help but think of the Beverly Hillbillies. If you like that this may just be your cup of tea. I read this book in exchange for a review.

This series just keeps getting better and better as the characters grow. This one has a change of pace as the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency (plus Granny and Dirk's parents) take a case on a cruise ship to Alaska. But when their client ends up dead in a seeming accident, it takes every last one of them to piece together what happened and bring a killer to justice. Throw in some family drama and you get a quick, entertaining read.

This was my first Samantha Reid Mystery and I know I've been missing out. Samantha is charming, in a way truly southern ladies are, with a delightful cast of surrounding characters. Each one offers something unique to the team, mostly an engaging humor. The mystery pulled me in and I enjoyed the way Samantha worked tirelessly to solve and resolve it. I'll be getting the rest of the series!

G.A. McKevett has another winner... in this developed series, the characters keep you so thoroughly entertained whilst working at Moonlight Magnolia. Savannah, Dirk, Tammy, and the rest of the gang realistically interact and have so much fun together. And to add Gran to the mix in this one was delightful... you can really feel her excitement for the cruise. For me, this series never gets old and is one I look so forward to. Please keep these coming!

Although this was not my cup of tea, I'm sure fans of this series will enjoy this latest offering.

I really enjoyed the characters in Every Body on Deck. It is an enjoyable, light mystery.
The main characters are well drawn and likeable. It was refreshing not to have a will they/won't they romance plot running alongside the main story and jnstead have an established couple working together.
I will definitely read other books by G.A. McKevett.

I always love to read books set on cruises since I love to cruise. Unfortunately, I usually find out the author doesn't do a great job of using the setting or are accurate with details. I realize this author is not writing a guide book, but there's no disclaimer that she's played with the facts to suit the story. She did accurately describe a bathroom scene that I had to laugh at.

I also had some other issues that bothered me and really weren't necessary to the story. Savannah and crew aren't the most professional (despite what they think), but Savannah taking time out to have a personal talk with someone given the client's situation and the limited time in port was off to me. Another issue was Savannah and Dirk sharing a rollaway bed. I worked in hotels for over 10 years, they are twin sized at most, some are even narrower than a standard twin bed. Savannah and Dirk are not svelte people, no way do they share a twin even fairly newly married. Alaska may be wilder than the lower 48, but you wouldn't find a bear in the same situation in a town in 2017. Only in a few places can a notary do what the one does in this book and it wouldn't happen on a ship which would undoubtedly be registered in a foreign country.

I don't know why I notice so many things to pick about in one book and not another. I was really looking forward to reading this book and I do like the series. So what did I like enough to give the book a like rating? The story really clipped along. I liked that the whole group of usual characters were in the story even though John and Ryan got little page time (yet more than usual lately). Granny was also a part of the group and the author has changed her situation so it's more realistic for her to be around so often. I do find it interesting that at least the last 3 stories have taken place outside of town.

I was trying to figure out what happened and I have to say while I got the main element right, I did not put all the pieces together. Partially because we, and Savannah, aren't given the clue(s) until quite late. It is quite a convoluted and twisted tale until the end.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

If you don't know Savannah Reid and the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency you've missed out on approximately 19 good southern charmed mysteries.

In this episode, the entire team find themselves on an Alaskan Cruise after Savannah accepts the challenge to keep mystery author Natasha Van Cleef safe from a person making death threats. This oddball cast of characters includes Granny Reid, the very pregnant Tammy Hart,and Dirk's birth parents Dora & Richard Jones.

The wilds of Alaska, the luxury cruise ship and not so luxurious cruise accommodations provide exciting backgrounds as Savannah & Dirk find themselves trying to adjust to their newlywed situation in crowded sleeping quarters.

Great fun and an easy read.

In this addition to the Savannah Reid series, we are taken on an Alaskan cruise. The entire P.I. Team makes the trip to guard an author. Granny and Dirk's parents also make the trip, adding a few extra eyes they hadn't planned on.
Dirk and Savannah both feel that something is hinky almost as soon as they board, but have no idea what. Good people and poor excuses for people pepper the book creating empathy and anger, along with a little bit of romance between the different couples. Multiple suspects are investigated and each one is hard to rule out. The ending is the one I hoped for, but wasn't sure if it would happen.

We are treated to such vivid descriptions of people and places, that the story is over before you know it. The author is truly a gifted tale weaver.
I asked for and received an ARC of this humorous cozy from Netgalley. I highly recommend it.

Every Body on Deck is the 22nd book in G. A. McKevett’s Savannah Reid Mystery series. This is the second book I’ve read in this series author and I enjoyed Ms. McKevett’s writing style. The author provided enough character background that this book can be read as a standalone without the reader feeling lost. The storyline is well thought out, the characters well developed, and is full of compassion and caring. There are lots of laughs and no adult language, graphic violence, or sexually explicit situations. This engaging mystery kept me guessing until the reveal. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading light, cozy mysteries.

Savannah Reid, a former detective turned private investigator, her husband, Dirk, a detective, and Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency, are mixing business and pleasure because they’ve been hired to protect Savannah’s favorite author, Natasha Van Cleef, while she is on an Alaskan cruise. Even though Natasha hired the agency for protection, she and her husband leave the ship without telling Savannah their plans. Savannah and Dirk trace their movements and discover they rented a car and discover it’s been involved in a fiery crash and both passengers perish. Savannah is devastated her clients lost their lives on her watch and is determined to find out what happened. At first, it’s thought the crash was just an unfortunate accident but Savannah doesn’t agree. The local authorities are competent but have little experience investigating murders and welcome Savannah and Dirk’s help.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Loved! This is another winner in the Savannah Reid Mystery series. In it, a popular author approaches Savannah and her team about providing protection for her after she receives threats. As the author is scheduled to leave on a cruise, the entire Moonlight Magnolia team travels with her on an Alaskan dream cruise. Sometimes, though, dreams turn into nightmares and, almost before they know it, the team is investigating a series of frightening events.

This is an engaging mystery with lots of humor that will make you smile even while keeping you guessing as to what's actually happened. It had me turning pages just as quickly as possible.

Fans of the genre will love this book. While this is part of a series, it is a stand alone novel. However, you will enjoy it so much more if you've read the prior books in the series and they're so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. The author is on my must read authors' list.