This latest cozy is set in 1980s Georgia, where Stella Reid is raising her seven grandchildren, one being Savannah, who is already a burgeoning sleuth. The story starts on a cute note, with Stella on a date with the small town’s sheriff, Manny. But the story goes from 0 to 60, and Manny runs to the site of an emergency with Stella in tow.
This mystery is a little bit darker than the usual cozies. It touches on more serious themes like vicious attacks on women, white supremacy, and Nazis. It’s funny really, to have such mature themes and then a hesitation to say swear words and the mundanity of giving sassy children a talking to.
I felt like it was a bit of a stretch for Stella to have the ability to run around town solving a mystery while raising seven kids. She always had supervision for them, but geez, for an older woman raising all those children she had quite the well of energy. I also have no idea how she was supporting them, because she was either home with the children or picking up the clue trail. I was so curious about the logistics…
But with that aside, I thought the mystery overall was compelling. The characters were fun, the romance was cute and kept the story on a lighter level, and I have to say, the mystery’s MO and murder were so unique. I’m not going to ruin it, but it’s definitely not the typical cloak and dagger. I could see myself reading another one of McKevett’s books, but only if I’m up for something a little darker than my usual cozy.

This was a fantastic book. I loved reading about Granny, and having a glimpse at Savannah as a teen. No surprise she grew up to be an incredible woman, after reading how she was raised with love and boundaries. Definitely a 5 star read.

This latest Granny Reid cozy leaves a warm glow.

As much as Stella May Reid loves Sheriff Manny Gilford, her focus on raising her grandchildren is her main concern.

When a local trio of Nazi supporters spew their hate and violence, Stella's ride-along with Manny enables her to help the young victim.

Humor sprinkled throughout the drama helps keep this cozy while exposing the horrors of the Holocaust.

Thank you GA McKevett for tackling a tough subject and making it a feel-good read.

I enjoyed this book. It's deals with serious issues including the Holocaust and Nazi including murder. I was surprised by the reveal of the killer and the the reasons why. I liked the characters and how they care for each other. #MurderatMabelsMotel #NetGalley

I loved this book from cover to cover. It’s spoke dearly to my poor little Northern heart. A crime solving granny, who’s raising seven grandkids, and a sheriff who has the Barniest of Fife’s for a deputy. It’s crime fiction writing with some humor injected in just the right ways, enough to make you smiggle a bit, but not enough to take you attention away from the task at hand.

The cover for the story is absolutely fabulous, it’s what drew me to the story anyway. I’m glad to see that sometimes judging a book by its cover does in fact work out.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, NetGalley, and G.A. McKevett for allowing me the opportunity to read “Murder at Mabel’s Motel” before its release in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at Mabel’s Motel is a timely well written piece.
novel is set in the 80s. Widow Stella Reid is not only attracted to Sheriff Manny Gilford, but she’s also giving him a hand in his current investigation. Senior citizen Stella is responsible for raising of her brood of grandchildren, due to the lack of interest from her son, and their mother’s incarceration, partly due to child neglect/abuse. Her good friend Elsie helps by baby sitting as they first try to solve an assault, then the murder of the assailant. There’s plenty of suspects to go around as the murder victim was a reprehensible neo-nazi, but most have alibis..or do they? Ms. MsKevett gives a wicked twist at the end, some may see the hints, but most probably won’t.
I requested and received an ARC from Netgalley and really enjoyed the tale.

cozy-mystery, murder, law-enforcement, whodunit, situational-humor, verbal-humor, discrimination

Such fun! I haven't read a Samantha Reid mystery in a while (can't think why) but I remember enough to know that I loved them. This is before the Samantha series and is every bit as much fun and with good sleuthing, too! Stella is raising her grandchildren while their parent is in prison and it's a real trial. She is seeing fellow widow Sheriff Manny whom she'd known since childhood and he doesn't get bent out of shape when she snoops along and gets quite bossy. Good plot, interesting characters, and a lot of laughs. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Having read all of the Savannah Reid stories (25!!!) to date, I find myself a little sad every time I read one of the Granny Reid books. I'm hoping the author writes something soon which alleviates that sadness yet meshes will with the other series. Once the mystery and the every day maelstrom of Reid life kicked in, the sadness, despite the darker story line for a cozy, was washed away.

Kudos to the author for maintaining suspense with only 3 real suspects. I'm not really going to say more than that. Any more details might give the story away. Good mystery, interesting setting with Granny's relationship with Manny, the kids and her friends.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Murder at Mabel's Motel is a southern cozy mystery. I really can't say too much about it without giving away some spoilers. The lead character is a Paula Deen type lady who has custody of her grandkids. I would classify her as a bit annoying and holier than thou. The other main character ( the likable one) is a Sheriff who is her boyfriend. They end up in the middle of a few different crimes one of which is murder. While I started to have suspicions about who was responsible, it was a good whodunit. The writing was well done with some modern issues addressed. I think anyone who likes a southern style cozy mystery will really enjoy this.

I love how this series mixes humour, family life, and mystery with some very serious issues like racism or, in this case, neo-nazi.
It's a fascinating, gripping and highly entertaining story that I read in one setting.
Grandma Reid is a great characters, fleshed out and realistic. A character you cannot help loving and hoping in HEA with Manny.
The plot is tightly knitted and gripping, the mystery is solid and the solution came as a surprise.
I laughed, felt for Stella and loved every moment of this story.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Book three
This is a cozy mystery that made laugh out loud. Some southern expressions spread through the story.
Stella, is taking care of her many grandchildren because her daughter in law is in prison.
The grandchildren have colorful personalities.
Stella, works her way into Sheriff Manny's cases.

Stella Reid is having dinner with the sheriff when one of the older women in town runs into the restaurant and tells the sheriff a young woman has been assaulted by the local skinheads. This puts Stella in the middle of the investigation with her gentleman friend and helping to provide comfort to the young woman. A threatening letter left in the older woman’s mailbox leads Manny and Stella to an old hotel where they find the body of the skinhead who attacked the well loved young woman.

While Stella has some guilt over spending less time with her level grandchildren, whom she is raising, she finds that she can’t stay away from the sheriff and counts her blessings for friends that love and support her and her grand babies. After getting some news of another grandchild on the way and almost losing one of her grand babies, Stella realizes the good Lord doesn’t give her more than she can handle along with her support network. This helps her balance her life and the needs of her family while also helping Manny figure out who the murderer is and restoring peace and tranquility to McGill.

This is a prequel series tot the Savannah Reid mystery series and you cannot help but love Granny Reid. She was a widow living her life when her grandchildren were taken from their parents and loves them with her whole heart and vows to raise them with the best life she can provide. Being raised by my own grandmother, I appreciate all that Stella does for her grandchildren and the sacrifices she makes. It makes me feel close to my own Granny, who has been gone for many years now, whenever I pick up one of the books in this series. Well written, you can hear the Georgian twang as you read the story and feel the love the Reids have for each other. A fabulous series!

This book has convinced to read more mystery novels. It is set in a small GA town, the LWPP is causing havoc, spewing hate and causing harm. Sheriff Manny has his hands full and asks Granny Reid to assist him with his cases. This book is so well written, you will not want it to end. It is a one sitting read that will have you laughing, crying and gasping aloud. I hope this is not the last we'll see these characters.

I am a huge fan of GA McKevett! This series is amazing and I love exploring with Granny Reid. Stella is the rock for her grandkids. When there is a murderer on the loose in her town she investigates. She is a strong, intelligent and witty character. It’s also fun to learn about Savannah when she was a kid. This one is another hit!
#MurderatMabelsMotel #NetGalley

With each book I read in this wonderful series by G. A. McKevett, I find myself wishing I had a granny like Stella Reid.
These books open us up to Stella's world, when her grandchildren were just little ones, and another one would be making his way into the world.
When a heinous crime takes place in their small town, it reveals secrets that Stella wished would have stayed untold.
This series is so well told and each character holds a special place in my heart.
I recommend this series to all cozy mystery readers who enjoy a well told story.