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When her old partner Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter calls in Savannah Reid, now a PI, to the scene of a murder, she is quick to show up. Kim Dylan, the assistant to the Hollywood star Dona Papalardo, has been killed on the star's lawn. Kim had been dressed in Dona's clothing and shot at a distance, so it's thought that the big star had been the real target. Papalardo had been a popular star a few years ago, but when she started to gain a bit of weight the press and her fans became rabidly nasty, calling her every insulting name in the book. Dona became morose and unhappy. Though she had not been heavy enough to warrant it, she went to a disreputable doctor and had her stomach stapled. She lost all her excess weight – and much more in addition to that. Now she is frail, always sick, in pain, and is unhappy all the time. Her home, a place that used to be happy, is now dour and angry, filled with discontented guests and workers. Dirk talks Dona into hiring Savannah as a bodyguard, because he wants her help in solving the case, so Savannah moves in to the mansion with her helpers from her Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency. That list includes Tammy Hart and classy gay FBI agents and friends Ryan Stone and John Gilbert. As Savannah investigates Kim's death, she meets Dona's oldest friend, Mary Jo. Mary Jo resents Dona because they had started out together, but Dona became the star. Mary Jo lives off Dona in her mansion but doesn't bother to hide her hatred of her once friend. A very good-looking gardener works in the mansion too and acts as eye candy for the women. In a secondary story, Jesup, Savannah's Goth sister shows up with Bleak, a man she just met – and married. Her new husband is a fan of the more gruesome things in life and wants to own a body farm to study how dead bodies decomposes. He thinks that Savannah's career as a PI involves a lot of gunplay and blood and thinks it is very cool. Jesup insists that she wants to spend her honeymoon with Savannah so the couple could get to see violence first hand. Needless to say Savannah isn't thrilled. As the investigation continues, there's yet another sniper's shot and another person dies, and Savannah is now not only looking to keep her client safe, she's also worried that one of her friends might be a target of danger from the sniper killer. No matter what else might happen Savannah won't permit her co-workers and friends to be in harm's way. A fast, breezy cozy, FAT FREE AND FATAL has a strong lead character and a wonderful cast of helpers. The book also states the opinion that the way society and Hollywood looks at women and weight is dangerous and ridiculously negative. Savannah's opinion of the world makes a point of saying that the enjoyment of food, friends and life is more important than a low body weight. The relationship and love that is shared by Savannah's co-workers and friends in FAT FREE AND FATAL is the best part of this book. But don't misunderstand me, the murder and its solution is satisfying and there is a wonderful last-minute twist to the case that the readers will really enjoy. This is the 12th in the Savannah Reid mystery series, but it stands well on its own and it is a fine read.
Reviewed by A. L. Katz, February 2007
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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