Review: The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green

The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to Celadon books for sending me a print ARC of this book.  Be on the look out for ARCs of this book in little free libraries all over the place on July 19th as bloggers will be dropping copies all over and posting photos with links to where you can find a copy.   This is a nation-wide event you can find a your closest drop here is http://bit.ly/kingdomslfl.  I dropped mine book off at Little Free Library #93070 if you are in the Gibsonia PA area. As always, all opinions expressed in my reviews are my own.

I've never been to Savannah, but I felt like I visited after reading this.  The author does a wonderful job describing the scenery and almost making Savannah a character in the story.  This book has a bit of everything, mystery, suspense, great atmosphere, and some historical elements woven in.  Be sure to read the notes to gain some insight into the actual fictional events and what was fictionalized.  I always find that information fascinating.  

This story mainly focuses on the Musgrove family who are fairly well to do in Savannah Society, but they are highly dysfunctional.  When the family is retained for their private investigator services in relation to a murder, the Musgroves find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and lies they weren't expecting.  The investigation takes them deep into the underbelly of Savannah's past and the Musgroves find that there is some dark history that the elite have been trying to hide for a very long time.

I enjoyed this gritty tale.  There are alot of characters and alot going on, so I did find myself losing track of things at times, but overall I recommend it.  It takes you from swanky southern parties to homeless encampments.  The characters are flawed, but they work together for a united cause to solve the murder of their friend and find their missing friend.  The plot was interesting and pulls you in with the Musgrove family dynamics and scheming and the various investigations happening surrounding the murder.  This is the kind of book you need to read a second time to get all of the details you missed the first time.

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