Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews

"...James thought of an old joke. It was about how Savannahians are just like the Chinese---they both worship their ancestors and eat a lot of rice." 
                 -from the novel

This book was the first in a queue of books set in Savannah I planned to read in connection with our trip there. I started it while we were in the city the last of March but just finished because there wasn't much time to read while on our tour. I had read Savannah Blues previously, probably before our last visit there some 9 years ago. Some aspects I remembered, but not all. It was an enjoyable read though less so than the Savannah from Savannah series by Denise Hildreth that I read recently. The latter series was gentler (less strong language, for one thing) and funnier, in my opinion. I'm giving Savannah Blues a 3.5.

Eloise "Weezie" Foley is an antique picker on the rebound from a failed marriage. Early on she gets in big trouble while attending an estate sale. The plot involves a murder mystery, the attempt to save an antebellum rice plantation home, a crooked antique dealer selling knock-off antiques and a budding love affair---the perfect ingredients for what my husband would call "chick lit" but then I am a chick!

Some of the humor came from quaint Southern sayings, a few I had never heard before, like "gripes my grits" and "give a pee-diddly." "I swanneee" was an exclamation I fondly remembered my mother and aunt using. I had never heard the phrase "making mattress music" but I bet you can figure that out!

I noticed the change of perspective from time to time, most of the story in first person from Weezie's point of view. Occasionally, the author would switch to third person. I haven't seen that element in a while.

It was fun reading fiction centered around places and things we had seen and learned about on our Road Scholar Savannah program, which was sponsored by Armstrong State College, Weezie's alma mater. On both our Charleston and Savannah tours we heard a lot about the culture of rice production and preservation of historic sites and buildings so I could easily relate to those references in this novel.

It was not surprising that the author was a former antique picker; she shows her knowledge of that world through Weezie's exploits. Apparently she also was a journalist who reported on the trial of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a novel you cannot help hearing about frequently while visiting Savannah.

I recommend this novel to any "chicks" who want some light reading and especially those planning a trip to Savannah!

Would love to read your comments!