The Kingdoms of Savannah is the 2022 answer to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The author is a master artist mixing Savannah mystique with murder, mystery, as well as a colorful cast of characters. He even manages to weave in the ongoing struggle of development with the history that abounds everywhere in the low country. My compliments. You won't be disappointed!

This book wasn’t on my radar at all until I was provided a review copy by Celadon Books last Friday but the synopsis sounded too good not to drop everything and read and so I did. A man is found murdered in an abanonded building. The perpetrator, a wealthy developer, calls in a prominent socialite who inherited her deceased husband’s investigation business to play detective. One-by-one she enlists members of her family to investigate including grandchild Jaq, one of the last people to see the deceased, and estranged son. What comes next is a story of corruption, greed, power, all set amongst the different realms of Savannah.

This book is a lesson in Savannah history and culture to the uninitiated.

It is gritty, it is dark and it is a perfect put together.

This book seamlessly integrated so many different elements through so many different character perspectives without ever losing my interest. Each POV served a purpose in the storytelling without it feeling cluttered.

This book will leave you wondering just how much of history have we lost because it was inconvenient or expensive?

My only complaint was that this book was divided into five chapters and sometimes I felt like there was no real good place to stop reading. When I did pause, I found that the story had lost some momentum because I hadn’t read it through as it was intended.

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The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green is one excellent story. For years, there have been two cities that I consider separate from the United States, although physically attached. I believe that New Orleans and Savannah both have a vibe uniquely their own in the South, and a visit to either great City will back up my opinion. They are somewhat the “heart” of the South, and Savannah specifically is known as “America's first planned city.” The city is laid out in a series of grids that allow for wide open streets intertwined with shady public squares and parks that serve as town meeting places and centers of business. Savannah had 24 original squares; 22 squares are still in existence today.  But if you have ever been to Savannah, you will know that it is a City of shady streets and shady business. Wealthy people, old storied names, homeless camps, tourists, and ghosts. The ghosts fill a large part of The Kingdoms of Savannah, and a first-rate story is told here. No City is a study in perfection, but Savannah has so many levels that it’s hard to believe anyone can indeed survive the dark side. The characters of Stony, Jaq, Billy, Luke, Ransom, Hatchet Head, and the society maven, Morgana, make this story spicey as hell. Old mixing with new, money mixing with absolute poverty, history mixing with the present…it’s a fictional tale with a foundation of historical truth. Well done, Mr. Green, you have captured the essence of a great city, and you have also captured “some” of its secrets. @oakmist10 #KingdomsOfSavannah #money #hate #georgedawesgreen @netgalley #slavery #ghosts #society #secrets #themusician #evil @celadonbooks
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: July 19, 2022. Look for free copies in your local @littlefreelibraries. #celadonbooks
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Thanks to Google for clarification on the Savannah squares. #littlefreelibrary

I really wanted to like this book because I had read and enjoyed Green’s previous two novels. Unfortunately this one just didn’t do it for me. I just do not enjoy books that are disjointed, that shift perspectives too often and that though crime novels have too much seem supernatural stuff going on. There is no doubt that Green is intelligent and an excellent storyteller and I will try his next book.

This book is a Southern literary thriller set, of course, in Savannah, Georgia. One night at a bar named Bo Peeps, a man is murdered and his friend disappears. Morganna Musgrove of high society is tasked with finding out what happened and brings her reluctance family into the fold to help her. They discover the dark truth related to corruption in the city and the ties to a Kingdom from the past.

I enjoyed this one but found the ending frustrating. Rich and powerful people doing what they do. I liked how the author used true stories from the history of Savannah as parts of this fictional book. While Savannah is a beautiful place that draws tourists, it has a dark past that I didn’t even know about.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc for review.

George Dawes Green weaves a unique and atmospheric mystery with his latest book “The Kingdoms of Savannah.” Dripping in southern (specifically Savannah) history and exploiting the horrors of the city’s past and present social structure, Green dismantles the romantic perception of one of America’s most popular southern towns. A true southern gothic with slow pacing, angsty characters, dark tone and high tension between perception and reality, this is about much more than solving a mystery.

I really enjoyed Green’s style of writing. For this particular book, it had an almost dark fairytale feel to it that blurred my perception of reality. While there isn’t a paranormal or fantasy element, readers are left wondering early on if it is heading in that direction. I liked that because it kept me on my toes and in a constant state of suspense for most of the book. As with most books in any form of the gothic genre, it’s an intentionally slow read. You won’t fly through this and need to be patient with it as the mystery unfolds and tensions rise.

The characters are unforgettable. Morgana and most other characters are unexpected and unique. Her family is wildly dysfunctional and she is quirky, strong, sharp and obstinate. I liked her, what can I say. I enjoyed most of the main characters and appreciated how different these “detectives” were from so many others we come across in books. The broken and yet not broken family dynamic is relatable and while they may be the extremes, most people will likely relate to the family dynamics and drama.

While the driving force behind this is a dark mystery, the book is so much more than that—it’s a commentary on social class. It rips apart the veil of our perceptions vs. the reality of the city’s history. It tackles racism, classism, sexism, corruption and more. I know this isn’t slated to be a series but with the open(ish) ending, the complex characters and the picturesque setting I’m already wishing for another installment.

Right from the start, we have a murder on our hands. Set in the Deep South, The Kingdom of Savannah is not just a murder mystery, we also have some historical fiction and a good bit of facts about Savannah that I honestly had no clue about. I did feel as though the book strayed a bit from the main plot, but overall I liked it. I think the fact that it was so atmospheric and dark is what kept me going. I do love Southern Gothic after all.

If you enjoy history and historical fiction, as well as a slow burn thriller, you’ll probably enjoy this one. The Kingdom of Savannah is out now, thanks to Celadon Publishing for my advanced review copy. 🖤

This book begins with the story of Jaq and her family with deep roots in Savannah, an historical city with beauty, ghost tours, and mysteries long buried that slowly unfold. Jaq works in a bar and videos her friends Stony and Luke. Not long after this, they leave the bar and Luke ends up dead and Stony has disappeared. It is long convoluted tale unburying this story and getting the mysteries solved. But the real eye-opener is the Author's Note at the end and how much actual history he based his book on. Quite interesting!

I read about 65 pages of this book but found it dull. I've lived in Savannah for 20 years, and I love the Moth, so I was excited to read it. But it was clunky and all of the references felt very shoehorned in. I respect Mr Dawes and do not wish to embarrass him so I won't post a negative review -- I simply won't post anything. Thank you.

I could not get into this book. Sorry I tried a few times. I cannot leave a review for a book I cannot finish. Thanks for your consideration.

Thank you to Celadon Books for asking me if I wanted to read this book! Otherwise, I probably would have skipped over it and missed out on an amazing read. As the summary says, many people see Savannah as "some town out of a fable." This book negates that delusion with a reminder of the largest slave auction, the huge homeless camps, and the almost secret history of the Soldiers of the King and the Kingdoms. This history is counterbalanced by the dysfunctional Musgrove family, who could probably have held up a book all on their own! But combined, this book is as heavy with story and character development as the humidity in a southern town. I am impressed that so much was held within 304 pages!

A mystery set in Savannah. Morgana Musgrove is the detective that must get to the bottom of a murder and a disappearance. It started a tad slow then things really picked up. There was some really good twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Such an amazing book. I love books that are from the south. I have been to Savannah somit was exactly howmi remembered this city..this was an intense, thrilling,captivating book and one icompletely recommend..

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

ALL thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and are not influenced by anyone else

The Kingdoms of Savannah is the first book I've read by George Dawes Green and I found myself very intrigued by the fact that this was based on a true story and by the dark, gothic vibe of the book. At first I didn't know if I was reading fantasy due to the way the opening scene in Peeps unfolded and had to double check.

Once I gave up trying to slot this book into a traditional category and just fell into the story, I really enjoyed it. Never having been to Savannah, I liked the setting and appreciated the author's use of description.

If you like books based on real life events, or those that are atmospheric, descriptive, and hard and soft at the same time, you will enjoy this. There is so very much going on that I think I could reread it in future and get a deeper understanding or more details that I missed the first time. Sit back, allow the book to envelop you, and enjoy.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

A fantastic novel filled with historical references, murder, and family drama.
Set in Savannah, we follow a cast of characters as they try to solve a local murder and disappearance. From the wealthy woman trying to manage an extended family and household by herself to her son who chooses to live a life of simplicity amongst the poor, each character is well-developed and enjoyable to read about, and every single one is important to the plot. The author did an excellent job creating an atmospheric novel full of history. But I would have to say that Savannah took center stage in this one.

I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction and detective novels. I wasn’t so sure I would like it at first, as the genre wouldn’t usually be my first pick, but from the first page to the last, I was utterly mesmerized.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. I will admit it took a little bit for me to really get into it, but once I did I was hooked and the story breezed by. The writing was good, and I loved the history being tied into the modern day mystery. I also really liked the characters, I feel like I’ve been on a run of stories with unlikeable characters, but this book broke that streak. Even characters that seemed capable of bad like Morgana also carried a lot of redeemable qualities and interest. I especially loved Jaq and her fierce desire for justice. The city of Savannah has a lot of secrets, but some more are discovered when a man is burnt alive in a building and the rich man who owned that building is charged with the murder. Every player has their own reason for getting involved. Morgana and the detective agency she owns (inherited, she is not a detective) needs the money. Jaq is determined for justice for the murdered as he was her friend and their friend Stony is missing and Jaq is also determined to find her. But there are mysterious players working against them and it is a race against time.

I enjoyed how this book made Savannah one of the characters. You can see how much time and effort the author put into researching the area so they could tell the good parts and some of the deeper issues that not everyone wants to discuss. Having the mystery be around historical events also shows the author's care in this book. I liked how you could see the family unwrap the mystery and how it all came together. I struggled with the writing style at some points, but it was still an interesting read.

Thank you to Celadon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This one was great! It's dark and twisted, with a setting that will make any reader feel like they are right there. The mystery was fantastic, and I highly recommend this one!

This is a book I will be insisting that everyone read, and it would make for an excellent book club discussion.

Southern Gothic Noir is the perfect label for this dark mystery. It perfectly captures the juxtaposition of Savannah’s high society with its seedier elements of crime and corruption. Throughout the book, George Dawes Green gives the reader glimpses of the popular tourist trade - ghost tours, horse drawn carriages, and bus guides. But the businesses that rely on tourist income tend to romanticize Savannah’s history. Tours share only the highlights and achievements of the city’s founders, glossing over their horrendous crimes and abuses.

At the heart of this story is the matriarch of the Musgrove family, Morgana, and her granddaughter Jaq. Their family is a fractured one with alienated siblings Willou and David on one side and Ransom and Bebe on the other. And all four have learned to be wary of their powerful mother and her machinations.

When Jaq’s friend, Luke Kitchens, is killed, she is desperate for justice. She makes it her mission to ensure that reviled businessman Archie Guzman does not escape prison. Meanwhile, Morgana agrees to assist Guzman in investigating his innocence. This throws grandmother and granddaughter into conflict, but they quickly discover a common purpose - locating Stony, who has been missing since the night of Luke’s death. Uncle Ransom, who has been unhoused since his release from jail, joins the investigation. Sisters Willou and Bebe (Jaq’s mother) also get drawn in by Morgana, but to a much lesser extent.

This story may not be quite intense enough for devoted readers of suspense, but I audibly gasped twice as the plot made its twists and turns through Savannah society. For me, this was a page-turner. I would not at all describe it as slow-paced, although some of the dialogue - Morgana’s especially - does suggest the more languorous atmosphere of the South. I loved how Morgana takes her own sweet time getting the point.

As an Atlanta resident, I’ve visited Savannah on several occasions with much time spent in the touristy historic district. I’ve walked down those infamous stone steps to River Street - site of Ransom and David’s famed conflict. I’ve taken the trolley bus tour, strolled from square to square, and watched my kids play on the playground at Forsyth Park. And yes, homeless individuals are present everywhere.

The author depicts Savannah’s unhoused residents with respect. He avoids blanket stereotypes and instead develops distinct supporting characters, which play key roles in the story. Their day-to-day lives are far from glamorous, but they aren’t written to invoke your pity, either.

George Dawes Green also shows a great talent for balancing entertainment with heavy topics and themes. The Musgroves are an old-money family with generational ties to some of the most ruthless and despicable business leaders in Savannah’s history. Through Morgana and her family, Green examines the different approaches southern white families take toward their history. Some sweep the atrocities of their ancestors under the rug - that’s how things were back then, everyone owned slaves - while others make attempts to attone. Morgana uses the tainted family fortune to fund numerous charities. Bebe chose a life of service as a nurse. Ransom attempts to deny his family legacy by dropping out of society entirely.

The author also manages to provide one of the most fascinating history lessons I’ve ever read. Every student should be taught about “the soldiers of the King.” This is history that reads as legend, so naturally, The Kingdoms of Savannah is sprinkled throughout with legendary references.

Morgana, I assume, is named for Morgana Le Fay of Arthurian fame - known for her manipulative ways of achieving power. The relationship (or estrangement) of brothers David and Ransom echo the story of Cain and Abel. And Morgana accuses Ransom of likening himself to Timon of Athens, a legendary misanthrope cast out of society.

The legends, the history, the characters, and the social criticism all work together to make The Kings of Savannah a beautifully crafted tale that deserves to take its place along the classic works of Southern fiction.

Many thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for providing this eGalley.

This story was full of rich, southern history. What I love the most was that Green wrote his story around actual historic events. Full of mystery, murder, and family drama, The Kingdoms of Savannah will hook you with its prologue alone! You meet several different members of the Musgrove family, and how each had a part of unraveling a mystery. A mystery so big, that its full of corruption, deceit, and power. You will take a journey through the slums of Savannah to the lush, historical homes full of powerful people. I highly recommend you grab a copy, and step into a world that will take you for a trip of a lifetime.