A Cutthroat Business: A Savannah Martin Novel

Jenna Bennett

May 2011 · Savannah Martin Mysteries Book 1 · Magpie Ink

About this ebook

Savannah Martin has always been a good girl, doing what was expected and fully expecting life to fall into place in its turn. But when her perfect husband turns out to be a lying, cheating slimeball—and bad in bed to boot—Savannah kicks the jerk to the curb and embarks on life on her own terms. With a new apartment, a new career, and a brand new outlook on life, she’s all set to take the world by storm.

 

If only the world would stop throwing her curveballs...

 

Everyone has warned new-minted realtor Savannah Martin that real estate is a cutthroat business. But Savannah doesn’t think she’s supposed to take the warning literally ... until an early morning phone call sends her to an empty house on the ‘bad’ side of town, where she finds herself standing over the butchered body of a competitor, face to face with the boy her mother always warned her about.

Rafe Collier is six feet three inches of testosterone and trouble; tall, dark, and dangerous, with a murky past and no future—not the kind of guy a perfect Southern Belle should want to tangle with. In any way. But wherever Savannah turns, there he is, and making no bones about what he wants from her.

Now Savannah must figure out who killed real estate queen Brenda Puckett, make a success of her new career, and avoid getting killed—or kissed—by Rafe, all before the money in her savings account runs out and she has to go back to selling make-up at the mall.

Praise for the USA Today bestselling Savannah Martin mystery series:

“Move over Stephanie Plum, there is a sassy, sexy sleuth in town! If you enjoy your cozy mysteries with a good shot of romance, and a love triangle with a sexy bad boy and a Southern gentleman in the mix, then you will love this. Very reminiscent of the Stephanie Plum books, but the laughs are louder, the romance is sexier and there is a great murder mystery to top it off.”

—Bella McGuire, Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

 

“A frothy girl drink of houses, hunks and whodunit narrated in a breezy first person. ... If you love an umbrella in your drink, grab A Cutthroat Business for a quick beach read”

—Lyda Phillips, The Nashville Scene

 

“The hilarious dialog and the tension between Savannah and Rafe will delight fans of chick-lit mysteries and romantic suspense.”

—Jo Ann Vicarel, Library Journal

“Equal parts charming and sexy, with a side of suspense. Hero and heroine, Savannah Martin and Rafe Collier, are a pairing of perfection.”

—Paige Crutcher, examiner.com

“Hooks you in the first page and doesn’t let go until the last!”

—Lynda Coker, Between the Pages

Praise from readers:

“With a dose of Southern charm and a bad boy you won’t want to forget, A Cutthroat Business has enough wit and sexual chemistry to rival Janet Evanovich!” New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander

“A delicious and dazzling romantic thriller…equal parts wit and suspense, distilled with a Southern flavor as authentic as a mint julep.” Award-winning crime fiction author Kelli Stanley

“I have loved this series since book one and have enjoyed being along for the ride as Savannah has grown from the princess on the hill who tried to live up to her mother’s outdated expectations into a strong woman who stands up for her own beliefs and the man she loves. Jenna Bennett has tackled a sensitive subject with honesty, Southern charm, and laugh out loud humor. And the series keeps getting better. I can’t wait for the next one.” —Reader Karli 

Books in the Savannah Martin mystery series:

 

A Cutthroat Business

Hot Property

Contract Pending

Close to Home

A Done Deal

Contingent on Approval (novella)

Change of Heart

Kickout Clause

Past Due

Dirty Deeds

Unfinished Business

Busman’s Honeymoon (novella)

Adverse Possession

Uncertain Terms

Scared Money

Bad Debt

Home Stretch

Home Run (novella)

Wrongful Termination

Conflict of Interest

Right of Redemption

Collateral Damage (coming 2020)

Survival Clause (coming 2020)

 

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Fans of the following have been known to enjoy this romantic mystery series:

Jennie Bentley

Janet Evanovich

Jana DeLeon

J.D. Robb

Nora Roberts

Elizabeth Peters

Jennifer Crusie

Agatha Christie

Dorothy L. Sayers

Mary Kay Andrews

Delia Owens

Alexander McCall Smith

Cleo Coyle

Louise Penny

James Patterson

Richard Castle

Denise Grover Swank

Nancy Martin

Donna Andrews

Ratings and reviews

The story was very predictable and the main character only mildly annoying. It was a good, quick read. Punctuation issues bothered me, but most people probably won't mind it.

Savannah Martin, newby realtor & investigator, i loved this book, it's twists & turns kept me guessing. I also laughed so much, entertaining read, would recommend this book & I'm definitely going to purchase the next adventure of Savannah Martin,,

A thriller from the first page, that will keep you trying to solve the murders before the police. This story is full all kinds of twists that will have you pulling your hair out. Definitely a 5 Star Rating.

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jenna Bennett (Jennie Bentley) has written more than 40 books, most of them in the mystery and suspense genres. For more information, please visit her website, www.jennabennett.com