Savannah Reid finds herself in the middle of the extremes life has to offer - the joy at being a new foster parent (along with her husband Dirk) to lovable 6 year old Brody, being the maid of honor at her beloved sister's wedding - and investigating the murder of the husband of a kind veteranarian's philandering & abusive husband.

Wow! What a mystery "ride" this book was for this reader. Once I started reading, I didn't want the book to end. Savannah and Dirk reveal another side of themselves as parents to Brody. It is such a treat for fans of the couple. I enjoyed the background the author included about Alma, Savannah's sister who was getting married. The mystery and wedding didn't compete and flowed well. The author gives clues but I still couldn't figure out "whodunit" until the end. Humor, family, friendship, love and delicious food all played parts in the book. It was so much fun to visit with "old book friends". I can't wait for the next case!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Because I have read every book in this series and am fond of the characters, I enjoyed this book. I did, however, know how the murder was committed as soon as one event was mentioned and who the murder was, but not 100% of the reason until the end. I also found bits here and there implausable and not well explained, such as, Brody volunteering at a vet's office at the age of 6 and no one on the groom's side at the wedding at all, has he no friends??? (can't give other examples due to spoilers). While I know some children can be precocious, I also found Brody to be a bit too advanced. Still, he remained likeable.

So, I think longtime fans will enjoy, but those new to the series may be a bit disappointed on the mystery front.

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

A Few Drops of Bitters is everything we've come to expect from G.A. McKevett - lots of laughter, family, tasty food, and of course, a mystery for the Moonlight Magnolia agency. With the wonderful addition of Mr. Brody Greyson, the team is thrust into solving the murder of the husband of Brody's special veterinarian friend... all whilst trying to help plan Alma's wedding. There's a more family focus on this book - and that's so fantastic - as the colorful Reid/Coulter family is one of the best around. I look forward to each and every story! Definitely add this to you reading list!

Alma is getting married and Savannah is the Maid of Honor. As she struggles to family and wedding responsibilities, she attends a birthday party for the husband of her friend and local veterinarian. When the husband drops dead at his birthday party, Dirk and Savannah take the good doctor home with them as the home is now a crime scene.

As one marriage ends and another is set to begin, Savannah is hired to find the killer and clear her friend’s name. The clock is ticking and it’s time to git’er done and focus on Alma’s happily ever after.

This is a great series. It is a follow on to the story of Savannah’s childhood with her Granny and siblings and lets us see the adult woman she has become. I think the thing I love the most is the addition of Brody to their family. Seeing Dirk and Savannah becoming parents is a whole new facet to their relationship and it brings out the best in them. Don’t miss these two series, you’ll have tissues out at times and be laughing at others. It’s down home fun!

Another one of my favorite authors and series. Hopefully you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you are new to this author. I suggest reading the books in order

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. While the latest book in a series, it is easily read as a standalone. Savannah Reid, former police officer and current PI, is juggling lots of life issues. She and her husband, police detective, Dirk, are fostering a wonderful little boy, Brody, whom they’d previously rescued from an abusive mother. Brody Greyson has a big heart and an occasional mouthiness to match. Savannah and Dirk, as first-time parents, are navigating how to deal with all kinds of issues in helping Brody heal emotionally from the abuse. One area that really helps Brody is his volunteering at a local animal hospital, owned by the amazing Dr. Carolyn. Receiving, via Brody, an unexpected invitation to Dr. Carolyn’s husband’s birthday party, Savannah and Dirk are unpleasantly surprised by Dr. Stephen’s behavior and attitudes. When he turns up dead, was it deliberate or divine justice? Savannah is hired by Dr. Carolyn to find the truth, regardless of where it leads, even as Dirk is officially investigating all the many suspects.
This was my first time reading this series and there is much to enjoy. The author writes with a deft touch about the impacts of childhood poverty and abuse on Savannah, Dirk, Brody and Savannah’s family. That they found each other and are able to be loving and supportive is really good reading. The mystery is well-crafted, and the logic of the many suspects is well-reasoned. A solid cozy.

This series has changed a lot along the way. In the beginning it was more hard-edged, there was more gore and violence, but as Savannah's gotten older and her life has changed the stories have gotten more gentle and the focus has gradually shifted from the crimes to her home life. In this book we see her become, in every sense of the word, a mom. A role she has been filling since she was a child that she now accepts officially.

The mystery is interesting, there are several different threads coming together and no end of suspects since the victim is one of the most repulsive people you can imagine. One thing that disappointed me a little is that when the confession takes place, the mystery drops off entirely. There's no follow up, there's an involved party who doesn't get officially questioned, and there are a few threads that are left dangling (one being that there was another person involved who's identity is never revealed). We also see Savannah behaving somewhat strangely throughout and we see a whispered conversation between Alma and Ethan that seems to have some significance, but we don't find out what's happening there. I have my suspicions that those things could be brought up again in the next book, I hope so!

While I do love seeing Savannah embracing her life as a wife and mother, not to mention super aunt, best friend, and savvy detective, I would like to see a bit less dwelling on the sad parts of the characters lives. Though the things they experienced of course play a pivotal role in who they've become, there were times I felt the mystery was taking a back seat. Cozy mysteries aren't supposed to make you cry!

That being said, I did tear up at the end of this book and I think the ending couldn't have been more perfect. Not only is sweet Alma getting to be a fairy tale princess, but the rest of their awful siblings are blessedly absent from this entire book!

This series is one of my favorites, one that I can read back to back to back and never get bored with it. To get a full appreciation for the series and the characters I think it's important to read them in order but I think they can be enjoyed in any order.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

This has to be my favorite book in the series. I couldn't put it down. There was so much going on, so many moments to make me laugh and cry, so many moments that I just wanted to give all the characters a hug.
Savannah and her husband Dirk are excited to be foster parents, and when their precocious son somehow gets them invited to a birthday party, Savannah doesn't expect to witness a murder.
Savannah doesn't have time to be involved in the investigation, since she's busy being a mom, as well as helping her baby sister plan her wedding.
It doesn't take Savannah long to become embroiled in the investigation, and the suspect list is a long one.

This story touched on so many emotions and I really hope that Savannah and Dirk get to keep their spunky boy.

#AFewDropsofBitters #NetGalley

Loved this book! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, at times laughing,and, at times, bringing a tear to my eye. This begins with a murder that Savannah witnessed. The victim was an unliked and the list of possible murderers is long and almost everyone he's ever met. The Moonlight Magnolia agency gals jump into help solve the mystery, as Savannah works alongside her detective husband.

While this is an entertaining mystery, the real story is the relationships between the characters, from the abused foster child taken in by Savannah and Dirk, to their former FBI friends and their future brother in law, one of Hollywood's leading men. I loved how the author wove the relationships together and crafted a story that I couldn't put down. Put this one at the top of your TBR list. The author is on my must read authors' list.

Set in San Carmelita, California Savannah Reid and her foster son Brody have been invited to a birthday party at Dr. Carolyn’s house. Dr. Carolyn’s husband Stephen is the birthday boy. At the party, Dr. Stephen drops dead. Apparently someone poisoned his drink. Savannah has to help Dr. Carolyn find the killer.

Overall an interesting read. Would recommend
Thank you to G.A. McKevett, NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC of this book.