Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Celadon Books (2022), 304 pages
Description
"Savannah may appear to be "some town out of a fable," with its vine flowers, turreted mansions, and ghost tours that romanticize the city's history. But look deeper and you'll uncover secrets, past and present, that tell a more sinister tale. It's the story at the heart of George Dawes Green's chilling new novel, The Kingdoms of Savannah. It begins quietly on a balmy Southern night as some locals gather at Bo Peep's, one of the town's favorite watering holes. Within an hour, however, a man will be murdered and his companion will be "disappeared." An unlikely detective, Morgana Musgrove, doyenne of Savannah society, is called upon to unravel the mystery of these crimes. Morgana is an imperious, demanding, and conniving woman, whose four grown children are weary of her schemes. But one by one she inveigles them into helping with her investigation, and soon the family uncovers some terrifying truths--truths that will rock Savannah's power structure to its core. Moving from the homeless encampments that ring the city to the stately homes of Savannah's elite, Green's novel brilliantly depicts the underbelly of a city with a dark history and the strangely mesmerizing dysfunction of a complex family"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member fredreeca
Morgana, an elite socialite of Savannah society, has been called upon to solve a murder and a kidnapping. She owns a failing detective agency. So, she jumps at the chance to try and salvage her business and her reputation. But, as the truth starts to unfold, the city of Savannah may be under attack
I had such high hopes for this book and I realize I am in the minority with this review. The majority of the reviews are 5 stars. But, I never connected to the characters much and the story itself is a bit disjointed. But, the mystery and the intensity kept me reading. So, it could just be me!
But, I loved the setting of Savannah. It is one of my favorite places. The author did a fabulous job with the quirks and the historical lore surrounding this wonderful city.
Need a book with a fabulous setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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and Morgana can do nothing to save its hierarchy.I had such high hopes for this book and I realize I am in the minority with this review. The majority of the reviews are 5 stars. But, I never connected to the characters much and the story itself is a bit disjointed. But, the mystery and the intensity kept me reading. So, it could just be me!
But, I loved the setting of Savannah. It is one of my favorite places. The author did a fabulous job with the quirks and the historical lore surrounding this wonderful city.
Need a book with a fabulous setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member Maret-G
Savannah, Georgia
Morgana Musgrove runs a little detective agency. Unexpectedly, she is approached by a client from jail. Archie Guzman is convicted for arson and is facing a murder charge. He is hated by everyone and all evidence shows that he was the one who burned Luke Kitchens alive. He pays big
I loved the real historical events of Savannah which made this gripping mystery even more interesting. Reader can explore dark secrets of slavery and ghosts of Savannah while interacting with multiple fascinating characters. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Morgana Musgrove runs a little detective agency. Unexpectedly, she is approached by a client from jail. Archie Guzman is convicted for arson and is facing a murder charge. He is hated by everyone and all evidence shows that he was the one who burned Luke Kitchens alive. He pays big
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money to prove he is innocent. Morgana involves her family in this case. While investigating the crimes, Musgrove's are facing their own family problems and at the same time they uncover secrets and history of Savannah. đź‘»I loved the real historical events of Savannah which made this gripping mystery even more interesting. Reader can explore dark secrets of slavery and ghosts of Savannah while interacting with multiple fascinating characters. I really enjoyed reading this book.
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LibraryThing member Emily_Wai_Catan
When the investigation continues to unravel the murder of a young man and the disappearing of his companion, Morgana the owner of Musgrove Investigations, and her team members are closing in finding some hideous truth about Savannah’s dark history that hits close to home!
In THE KINGDOMS OF
George Dawes Green has deftly written this well-paced, smooth-flowing historical mystery that is mesmerizing and harrowing, yet with a pinch of humor!
THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH has given me an in-depth understanding of the past and present of Savannah, and I enjoyed it tremendously!
I would like to thank BookishFirst and Celadon Books for this delightful opportunity to read and review this novel.
#CeladonBooks
#KingdomsofSavannah
In THE KINGDOMS OF
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SAVANNAH, Luke and Stony, and Morgana and her investigative team are telling the ghosts and mystery of the south of U.S., specifically Savannah, where there is a Kingdom that not many souls know about it, including myself.George Dawes Green has deftly written this well-paced, smooth-flowing historical mystery that is mesmerizing and harrowing, yet with a pinch of humor!
THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH has given me an in-depth understanding of the past and present of Savannah, and I enjoyed it tremendously!
I would like to thank BookishFirst and Celadon Books for this delightful opportunity to read and review this novel.
#CeladonBooks
#KingdomsofSavannah
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LibraryThing member Simmmba
I have nothing but good things to say about this book! First, the characters were excellent. All the major ones were unique and well-developed as individuals. Despite the number of characters, I never had trouble keeping everyone straight. Morgana, in particular, was fascinating. There was so much
The story itself was excellent. There were plenty of mystery aspects as Morgana (and her reluctant family) try to solve the murder of one man and the disappearance of another, as well as try to unravel what the "Kingdoms" actually are, and if the treasure is real. I loved the way Morgana conducted her investigation, especially the way she elicited whatever help she needed along the way.
In addition, there was a lot of information about Savannah in this novel. The author does an excellent job of including plenty of history, as well as sharing lesser-known information about more modern times.
Definitely a 5-star read! Highly recommended!
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to discover about her, and the more I read, the more I learned. By the end, I felt like I truly knew and understood this multi-faceted woman, and both her public facade and private self. Other characters, especially Jaq, really came alive through the story.The story itself was excellent. There were plenty of mystery aspects as Morgana (and her reluctant family) try to solve the murder of one man and the disappearance of another, as well as try to unravel what the "Kingdoms" actually are, and if the treasure is real. I loved the way Morgana conducted her investigation, especially the way she elicited whatever help she needed along the way.
In addition, there was a lot of information about Savannah in this novel. The author does an excellent job of including plenty of history, as well as sharing lesser-known information about more modern times.
Definitely a 5-star read! Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member GrandmaCootie
At its core, The Kingdoms of Savannah is an outstanding, riveting, contemporary detective story. It’s got the shady characters, suspect motives, vague clues and unexpected connections. But it’s so much more. It’s an unpleasant history lesson about real events and real people that are
There’s an air or decadence, debauchery, danger, and deceit that permeates this story. Families and relationships are dysfunctional at best, scandalous and murderous at worst; everyone has an agenda, memories are long, grudges held to the extreme. Relationships from the past continuing to the present are snarled like a ball of string – or a ball of snakes. Locations are lushly described. Savannah feels like a fable or fairy tale. Beautiful landmarks, old mansions, riverside communities. We might think of it as a beautiful old large town, but in fact it’s tiny, full of little enclaves – kingdoms – side by side but not mixing. Except when something sinister overlaps and draws them all together.
And the fable or fairy tale past? Not so much. Many Savannahians honored with statues and buildings and stories of bravery or goodness are tarnished when the true history is revealed. Like the Black soldiers who founded their own hidden encampment on an island after the Revolutionary War rather than return to slavery, and how that tale isn’t allowed to be told as an acceptable part of Savannah’s glorious history. Or the story of Charles Lamar who helped engineer the Civil War with the hopes of building an Empire of Slavery, including transporting shiploads of Africans to the South to make them slaves, knowing this would enrage the North.
The Kingdoms of Savannah is captivating. The words are rich and the story flows smoothly. I was quickly caught up in the mystery and history and couldn’t stop turning pages. A story not to be missed. Thanks to Celadon Books for allowing me as a Celadon Reader to read and review an advance copy of The Kingdoms of Savannah. All opinions are my own.
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generally hidden. And it’s these sinister facts and actions that are at the heart of this mystery, and that make this book a gripping literary thriller.There’s an air or decadence, debauchery, danger, and deceit that permeates this story. Families and relationships are dysfunctional at best, scandalous and murderous at worst; everyone has an agenda, memories are long, grudges held to the extreme. Relationships from the past continuing to the present are snarled like a ball of string – or a ball of snakes. Locations are lushly described. Savannah feels like a fable or fairy tale. Beautiful landmarks, old mansions, riverside communities. We might think of it as a beautiful old large town, but in fact it’s tiny, full of little enclaves – kingdoms – side by side but not mixing. Except when something sinister overlaps and draws them all together.
And the fable or fairy tale past? Not so much. Many Savannahians honored with statues and buildings and stories of bravery or goodness are tarnished when the true history is revealed. Like the Black soldiers who founded their own hidden encampment on an island after the Revolutionary War rather than return to slavery, and how that tale isn’t allowed to be told as an acceptable part of Savannah’s glorious history. Or the story of Charles Lamar who helped engineer the Civil War with the hopes of building an Empire of Slavery, including transporting shiploads of Africans to the South to make them slaves, knowing this would enrage the North.
The Kingdoms of Savannah is captivating. The words are rich and the story flows smoothly. I was quickly caught up in the mystery and history and couldn’t stop turning pages. A story not to be missed. Thanks to Celadon Books for allowing me as a Celadon Reader to read and review an advance copy of The Kingdoms of Savannah. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member khenkins
This is a stunning tour de force by the author of The Caveman's Valentine. Like that book, which won the E.A. Poe Award for best first novel, The Kingdoms of Savannah uses a mysterious death and subsequent investigation by “ordinary” citizens to entice the reader into ugly lessons about class,
But that is not to deny the pleasure of the beautiful prose and of delving into the dysfunctional, sometimes comical, wealthy Musgrove family dynamic, along with their friends. So many characters are unforgettable: Jaq, Morgana, Ransom, Billy Sugar and his dog Gracie. I was immediately drawn to the personalities of two friends, Stony and Luke; Luke's death is the central mystery whose solution unfolds within atmospheric Savannah, a character in itself, a home for numerous homeless encampments and antebellum mansions. Guess which of those are not on the tourist tours? Guess which – real ones, with the significant addition of a very special island – are on Green's tour?
What a painful and yet always sweet reading this is. Please don't miss this one.
I received a copy of this book from Celadon Books via Bookish. This is an honest review.
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race and injustice. Here in the search for the Kingdom and its soldiers, George Dawes Green uses many true events and real people to, I believe, emphasize the repellent nature of bigotry and our often unknowing complicity in its consequences. But that is not to deny the pleasure of the beautiful prose and of delving into the dysfunctional, sometimes comical, wealthy Musgrove family dynamic, along with their friends. So many characters are unforgettable: Jaq, Morgana, Ransom, Billy Sugar and his dog Gracie. I was immediately drawn to the personalities of two friends, Stony and Luke; Luke's death is the central mystery whose solution unfolds within atmospheric Savannah, a character in itself, a home for numerous homeless encampments and antebellum mansions. Guess which of those are not on the tourist tours? Guess which – real ones, with the significant addition of a very special island – are on Green's tour?
What a painful and yet always sweet reading this is. Please don't miss this one.
I received a copy of this book from Celadon Books via Bookish. This is an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Mrsmommybooknerd
#FirstLine - A soft spring night in Savannah.
This book was s spectacular. It is one of those books that is so atmospheric! You can feel the setting in your bones and the story comes together beautifully. It has so many twists and turns, which kept me glued to the pages. Loved it!
This book was s spectacular. It is one of those books that is so atmospheric! You can feel the setting in your bones and the story comes together beautifully. It has so many twists and turns, which kept me glued to the pages. Loved it!
LibraryThing member Beamis12
4.5 This book contained so many of the things I look for in fiction. The setting, the sultry atmosphere of the historical city of Savannah, where the wealthy in their stately mansions live surrounded by the homeless in their various camps. A very unusual matriarch of a wealthy and prominent family
The audio book was fantastic and the story as a whole, thoroughly addictive. I think you'll be surprised by how much actual history was weaved throughout, as made evident by the authors concluding note.
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whose actions have divided her family. Cons, grifts, corruption and scandals that show the underbelly of a place known for its graciousness and charm. A young woman who has learned the secret of the Kingdom of Savannah a place where many years before escaped slaves had formed their own community and lived free. Unique characters from different walks of life greatly add to the story.The audio book was fantastic and the story as a whole, thoroughly addictive. I think you'll be surprised by how much actual history was weaved throughout, as made evident by the authors concluding note.
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LibraryThing member DrApple
The characters are completely engaging and range from the doyenne of one of Savannah's oldest families to homeless people. Someone has kidnapped part-time archaeologist Stony and killed the always kind and gentle Luke. The investigations of a variety of characters end in a satisfying and surprising
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ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member RTFlynn
Loved this one.
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
I've been to Savannah numerous times, and my son and his wife lived there for a number of years, plus I've taken student groups there as an 8th grade Georgia History teacher. The tone of the city as expressed in this book is about right; it is a humid, sultry, Southern town covered in Spanish moss
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and old beautiful homes. This novel involves some murders and some land speculation on a site that may be historic. The plot was interesting enough, but the awkward inclusion of political correctness made the reading a bit tedious. I also got the impression the author was trying to write in the same manner as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a far superior book. Overall an ok read but one I won't try again. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
Interesting premise, but it takes a while to get invested. This gothic tale definitely gives off The Garden of Good and Evil vibes but has more mystery and history thrown in. When a homeless man is found burned up in a sleazebag landlord's rundown holding - everyone is convinced that the landlord
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was just out to get the insurance money and knew but didn't care about the squatter. Jaq, a young socialite with old money family - happened to be good friends with that squatter. Jaq often worked as a bartender at Bo Peeps and she is enraged at his death. She is furious when her grandmother decides to take on the case - after the sleezy landlord reached out to their family and hired them to "solve the crime" - the only crime, Jaq thinks, it's believing that scumbag. But some things don't add up - while he still may be guilty there are other things that need looking into - things that old money Savannah wants to stay buried. Very interesting and filled with neat characters - just took to long for me to get invested in the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member MM_Jones
I love how the author sums up the book: A strange chimera, part history, part memory and part dream.
If you like hidden history with a tinge of gossip, this is the Savannah book for you. A death of a "nobody" reveals the hidden power of the city and what they will do to maintain that position. Not
If you like hidden history with a tinge of gossip, this is the Savannah book for you. A death of a "nobody" reveals the hidden power of the city and what they will do to maintain that position. Not
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your typical tourist fare. Show Less
LibraryThing member zmagic69
Wow! This is an excellent book by a fantastic author.
This needs to be up front because this is a tough book to review. It is kind of a murder mystery, a bit of a history lesson, an analysis of old money southern families and their many eccentricities, told at the pace most people do things in the
There will be times where you may ask who is this person or what are they talking about. Be patient and you will find out.
I loved this book.
This needs to be up front because this is a tough book to review. It is kind of a murder mystery, a bit of a history lesson, an analysis of old money southern families and their many eccentricities, told at the pace most people do things in the
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south. There will be times where you may ask who is this person or what are they talking about. Be patient and you will find out.
I loved this book.
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LibraryThing member Kiaya40
I could not get into this one at all. I was excited to get this one and thought it sounded good and that it would be a great story, but it wasn't, at least not for me.
I mean, it seemed like a long book to me of the same information and things being said, and come to find out, it only had 5
This was supposed to be a type of Southern mystery in Georgia about a dysfunctional family that gets together to solve a murder and a disappearance with buried secrets that have to be uncovered and such. I know other readers have liked this one, so it might be something you'd like, but it was a big miss for me.
Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I mean, it seemed like a long book to me of the same information and things being said, and come to find out, it only had 5
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chapters. Those were 5 very long chapters and I could not click or connect to this one. Plus, the language in this book was not my thing. I dislike books with an overabundance of profanity and foul language, and this had a lot. I don't remember the last time I read/tried to read a book that had so much profanity like every few words. I mean, I can understand some profanity once in a while and I prefer, or rather can tolerate, maybe a little, but this was too much.This was supposed to be a type of Southern mystery in Georgia about a dysfunctional family that gets together to solve a murder and a disappearance with buried secrets that have to be uncovered and such. I know other readers have liked this one, so it might be something you'd like, but it was a big miss for me.
Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2023)
CWA Duncan Lawrie Gold Dagger (Winner — Fiction — 2023)
Original language
English
Physical description
304 p.; 9.6 inches
ISBN
125076744X / 9781250767448