Murder at Mabel’s Motel

Granny Reid #3

by G.A. McKevett

Stella “Granny” Reid’s youth wasn’t the only thing changed by time in tiny, nondescript McGill, Georgia. Except even back in the 1980s, the Southern town still had a way of attracting downright dubious characters—some with a talent for murder.

As quirky as McGill’s residents can be, they usually welcome society’s oddballs and outcasts into the community with open arms. But the three members of the Lone White Wolf Pack are a different story. Townsfolk aren’t feeling the least bit neighborly toward the ignorant gang widely believed to have orchestrated several hate crimes in the area . . .

When the small group’s irredeemable leader, Billy Ray Sonner, is found dead in an abandoned motel, most assume it was the result of an accidental overdose. An unfortunate yet predictable end for a man who lived the way Billy did. Only Stella and the sheriff have witnessed the crime scene in person, and the smell of cyanide means something more disturbing happened in that ramshackle room. Something like homicide . . .

While Stella wades through a flood of suspects, uncovered secrets link both Billy’s closest allies and respected locals to the incident. One thing is certain—this wasn’t an impulsive act of revenge. There’s a sophisticated killer on the loose, and Stella must expose deep-rooted fears and dark pasts if she wants to crack a carefully planned murder and stop McGill from descending into chaos.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2021

About the author

Since publication of her first novel in 1986, Sonja Massie has authored over sixty published works, including the highly popular and critically acclaimed SAVANNAH REID MYSTERIES under the pseudonym G. A. McKevett.

Sonja's novels range from Irish historicals to contemporary thrillers. Her earthy humor and fast-paced plots delight her fans, while critics applaud her offbeat characterizations and incisive observations on human nature.

Irish by ancestry, Sonja has authored two non-fiction books on the history of Ireland: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO IRISH HISTORY AND CULTURE and IRISH PRIDE: 101 REASONS TO BE PROUD YOU'RE IRISH. Both books impart detailed knowledge of the complex and controversial Irish story with a light hand and plenty of humor. Her Irish novels include: DREAM CARVER, CAROUSEL, DAUGHTER OF IRELAND and the bestselling FAR AND AWAY - the novelization of the Ron Howard movie starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

On nationwide tours, Sonja lectures to published and "pre-published" authors in her workshop, "The Novel Approach," a seminar which covers such topics as: story structure, characterization, plotting, pacing, and marketing manuscripts.

Sonja has taught numerous courses at university and adult continuing education facilities including: general fiction, historical research, and mystery writing. She was managing editor at "Single Living" magazine and has functioned as a manuscript doctor and storyline editor for major publishers. Earlier in her career, she was a prolific ghostwriter, authoring both fictional and non-fictional books for celebrities and professionals.

Having lived in Los Angeles, Toronto, and County Kerry, Ireland, she now resides in New York.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the third book in A Granny Ried Mystery series. I enjoyed cozy mystery with older main characters, and this one has a main character called Stella who is a older woman that is a Granny that is raising her Grand-children. I really loved all the characters in the series because they have a ton of personally and so much fun to follow. This series is really well -written. I loved the mystery in this series. Normally, I do not love cozy mystery series that has the police working with the main character to solve the mystery, but this one is done so well that I loved it a lot. I did not see the twist that happen at the end, and I so did not guess who did the murder. I also love that there was some facts about what happen during the Holocaust, and it is done so well that I do not think it will upset to many people. I feel it should teach people about what happen to people, and that we should not forget what happen, and that some people are still living with memories of the Holocaust. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (G.A. McKevett) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kellene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I liked the first two books in this series, but this one kind of blew me away. The mystery was a good one and the solution... just wow! I do hope there is more to come with Granny Reid, and I'm going to have to read the original series now.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm aware that this is the third book in a series and that I probably should have read the first two to get to know the characters better before diving into this book but I was looking for a cozy mystery to listen to and when I saw this one on Netgalley, I didn't hesitate.

Murder at Mabel's Motel was interesting and had its cute moments between the characters and I was curious about the mystery and how it would end. This book also dealt with racism among serious topics. Overall, I was interested and entertained but I didn't completely love it. The narrator wasn't my favorite but that's a personal preference.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

[Moondance · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Whoo hoo!"

The third book in the Granny Reid series does not disappoint. The book opens with Stella going on a "date" with Sheriff Manny. Of course their meal is interrupted by his job. Stella tags along to the scene and gets caught up in the investigation.

This installment focuses so much more on Stella and Manny than the previous two books. The grandchildren are still a part of the storyline but the two older characters are the stoplight. The quirky folks of McGill, Georgia present themselves in all their glorious colors. A rogue neo-Nazi group of three buffoons, a mysterious older woman with hundreds of cats, a big dog and possible dementia, and of course and inept deputy.

I love when Stella and Manny spout out Southern colloquialisms. Sometimes they are a bit much but being from the South it is a reminder of my older relatives from times gone by.

The mystery is multifaceted and intriguing. I followed all the red herrings and came up with wrong suspects several times. The revelation was quite sad and a little more involved than most cozies.

This series has quickly become a favorite. I look forward to my next visit with Stella Mae Reid and company.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. I really love the characters -- Stella and her grand kids and the sheriff and the subtle romance is so gentle and grounded. There are some plot details that make this different from the typical cozy -- thinking I'd categorize this series as a cozy/women's fiction/suspense hybrid. lol

The subject matter is much more serious than the usual cozy mystery for one thing. Stella is working to create a stable home for her abandoned and formerly abused and neglected grandchildren so there's all kinds of drama (and plenty of humour) there. She struggles to make ends meets and lives quite simply and frugally. And the mystery plot is very sobering and hardhitting. So, not a lighthearted read, though there are some funny moments.

There's a very 'olden days' ambiance to this sleepy little Georgia town. The story is set in the 1980s but if feels more like the 1950s somehow. That's how I pictured it in my mind as I listened to Mil Nicholson's excellent narration. She does sassy kids with such pizzazz!

Love that Stella is a woman of faith and lives out the simple words of wisdom she's constantly sharing with her grandkids. The only con for me is the uptick in coarse language in this third book. It's not enough to deter me from reading more, but I still prefer clean reads.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This was one of the most unusual cozies I have ever read. It had the common elements of humor wit/sarcasm, but also addressed a very serious subject matter. The murderer reveal was truly shocking! I did not see it coming. Loved the chemistry between Manny and Stella! Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I adore Granny Reid. I was lucky enough to have a grandmother like Granny Reid (Stella), and every time I read a book about her I am reminding of my grandmother. In this book, Granny is having dinner with Sheriff Gilford when a citizen, interrupts them to tell the sheriff about an attack that took place at the local gas station. A young girl is attacked and it comes as no surprise to the sheriff as to the culprit. The surprise is finding him dead the morning after the attack. Most people in town couldn't stand him and he and his two buddies who are known for hate crimes.

This book is on the heavier side of cozies. It deals with racism and the events of the Holocausts. I love how the author intertwines a good deal of humor in her books while tackling such a heavy topic. Granny Reid has to be one of my favorite characters in all the books I have read. She is smart, sassy, and a kind soul. She balances raising her seven (now eight) grandchildren and helping Sheriff Gilford wonderfully. I love the secondary characters. Especially Elise, who helps out by watching the kids when Stella needs her to. The sheriff is a wonderful character. I love the banter between him and Stella. The sheriff's deputy was annoying and I can't figure out how he even got the job seeing how bad he is at it. The interactions between him and the sheriff made for some hilarious scenes. I absolutely recommend this series as well as the author's Savannah Reid series for anyone who loves cozy mysteries. I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series that follows Stella Reid who is a grandmother to seven children. Stella lives in the southern town of McGill, Georgia and the townsfolk are generally a welcoming bunch. However, they are not too happy to see the arrival of three members of the Lone White Wolf Pack who are intent on causing trouble. When a local woman is attacked, Sheriff Manny Gilford knows exactly where to look - and he arrests the group's leader, Billy Ray Sonner. But Billy escapes and is then found dead in a run-down motel...

This was my first book in the series and enjoyed every aspect of G. A. McKevett's writing. Although not a 'traditional cozy' as many of the themes within are hard-hitting, it was an extremely compelling and intriguing mystery. There were some lighter touches with Stella and Manny's relationship and also a fair bit of humour and comedy. Granny Reid was a kind soul as well as being sassy and smart. With some good twists I was kept guessing and it made a superb standalone read which can't be said for every cozy series. I shall be picking up copies of the other instalments. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 volunteered to read an ARC from Kensington Press through Net Galley
Release date Jan 26, 2021.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the interaction between Granny Reid and the grandkids. I love how so many people in her life help her with the grandkids.
This book dealt with a lot of really tough issues of prejudice, violence, and past sins. There are no easy solutions, but it does feel like a little bit of good has come back into the world. I figured out about half of the mystery. I like there being a surprise when I get to the end.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Granny Reid. This was a very emotional book and some parts close to the end very hard to read. Other parts were just fun and easy to read. I love the budding relationship between Granny and Manny the sheriff. I hope she realizes she can deal with her grandchildren and be with him as well. I love seeing the kids from Savannah's series as children and hear their background. A really well written book and a series that I just love.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series with a serious overtone about the Holocaust in this book. Stella is raising her 7 grandchildren on her own and hearing about another one on the way is overwhelming. Her romance with the sheriff is going well.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a small town in Georgia. The characters were really cool, and there were so many suspects in the killing of Billy Ray that it was fun to dig through the clues and evidence with Stella "Granny" Reid. This was my first book from this series, but I still felt like I knew the characters as the story developed. I will definitely check out the other books in this series. The narrator for the story was also really good.

I received an ARC copy of the audible book from Netgalley, but it had no affect on my review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I read a book I read in this 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.

#MurderatMabelsMotel #NetGalley.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Granby Reid. This installment of the series was just a but "weightier", for lack of a better word, than the others.

[Barbara Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Mabel’s Motel, the third novel in G.A. McKevett’s Granny Reid mystery series, is charming and clever, with a nice side of mystery. It takes this series to a whole new level.

Granny Stella Reid and Sheriff Manny’s “date” is interrupted with news of a crime, and rather than send her home, Manny decides to bring Stella along. One thing leads to another, and in short order, the suspect in that crime – a hateful racist named Billy Ray Sonner – is found murdered in an abandoned motel. Not surprisingly, there are a wide variety of suspects, each with an obvious motive, and it is up to Stella – with more than a little help from Manny – to catch a killer.

I had read the previous two books in the series and found them entertaining, but somewhat meandering. In both books, it took over one third of the novel to dispense with the backstory and get on with the murder. In sharp contrast, in Murder at Mabel’s Motel, the initial crime happens immediately, and the subsequent murder follows soon thereafter, giving this novel much more urgency than the prior ones.

Additionally, the focus here is on Granny Stella, and (thankfully) not her grandchildren. I understand that this book is technically a spin-off from the author’s Savannah Reid series, but the prior two books were filled with scenes and references designed for one purpose – to show how “smart” Savannah was as a child. I found Savannah to be precocious, but not in a good way, and the handling of that has kept me from reading the Savannah Reid books. Here, however, the grandchildren, with the exception of Alma (who played a useful role in the story), stay blessedly in the background. In addition to the mystery, the story dealt with the ramifications of hatred and racism in a small town. It was interesting, and fairly unusual, to see the social issues woven into the plotline so deftly.

All-in-all, Murder at Mabel’s Motel is an improvement over the previous books in the series. Not only is Granny Stella Reid taking on a more expansive role, the mystery is strong and unique. I happened to note that this series is available (presently) on Kindle Unlimited. It might be worth checking out if you subscribe to that service.

Note: I received an ARC of Murder at Mabel’s Motel from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this one Murder at Mabel's Motel was a some what of a hard read in some places and in other you wanted to take a switch to one of the girls that is mouthy ( sorry I'm bad with names ), but in other places there was joy/sadness and the birth of the next generation of Reids and a little romance between the Sheriff and Grandma Reid all while trying to solve a brutal murder of one of the town bigots. And when they find the killer it was painful hateful pain brought on what they found in a WW2 book of the Holocaust that Savannah was reading which lead to the really killer.

[Christopher Hicks]

I enjoyed this book, this is the 3rd book in this series and the best so far. It had a great storyline with an interesting plot twist. I love when a series gets better instead of worse. Lol! 😂 I’m looking forward to the next book

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's just too, too much South'n cuteness in all the quaint expressions in the characters' speeches. Too, too much.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of G. A. McKevett's Savannah Reid series, so when I saw this book on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn't realize it was a series about Savannah's granny, Stella! I also didn't realize this was the third in that series. But my jumping in the middle didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying this book.

Stella Reid is raising seven of her precious grandchildren. It's a tough row to hoe sometimes, what with their father being out of the picture and their mother being in prison. But Stella loves those grandchildren something fierce, and with the help of friends, she finds a way to make everything work. (Savannah is one of those grandchildren - we meet her as a precocious 13-year-old with an interest in detective work, and I loved getting to learn her backstory.)

Most folks in McGill, Georgia, are good folks. Sure, there are a few characters around town, but people know them and generally accept them. But Billy Ray Sonner and his running buddies - the Lone White Wolf Pack, as they call themselves - have gone beyond the pale. They're responsible for heinous activities like burning a cross on the lawn of a Black family and assaulting a well-liked young Latina woman. So when Billy Ray is found dead at an abandoned motel on the outskirts of town, nobody really mourns his passing much. But when it turns out to be a homicide, Stella jumps in to offer Sheriff Manny her unique insights on the situation.

I love Stella! I'm getting to be a mature woman myself, so I do enjoy a book that has a protagonist closer to my age. And I love that she has a potential love interest in Sheriff Manny, if they can ever get a break from the crime-fighting and the grandkid-raising.

I appreciated that, even as the book dealt with the timely topic of racism, it also mixed in a good bit of humor with the seriousness of the criminal investigation. McKevett also did a good job of throwing out red herrings. I'd think one person must be the guilty party, and then bam! There's a twist, and we're off in a different direction.

In short, this was a well-thought-out book that was a delight to read.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella “Granny” Reid has got to be one of my all-time favorite characters in any series. I love her commitment to her grandkids, her friends, and her investigative skills. In the 3rd book, Murder at Mabel’s Motel, Stella finds a body, which was abandoned years ago is unexpected, but just one more in a line of victims Granny has found. This victim wasn’t well-liked, some even say he was downright hated, but no one deserves to die the way he did. This time Stella is helping track a killer who uses an unusual and evil method to destroy the victim.

Characters in this series, like all of those written by G.A. McKevett, are lifelike, lovable, and easy to understand. They make the story flow and bring joy to readers. Small towns are used in cozies all the time, but the town of McGill makes readers long for days when small-town life was easy and relaxed. The descriptions of the locations used throughout this book and series always make me smile. The motel where the victim is found is described so that most readers will know a place in their hometown, just like Mabel’s.

Suspects are never what they seem in this series, and this time is no exception. Motives run the gambit from easy to unexplainable. There are a few turns and twists to keep readers on their toes. Evidence is in the open, but not everyone will see every piece until the end. The setting of a motel for the scene of a murder isn’t unusual, but in general, they always bring with them the idea that crime is just par for the course. There is a surprise for Granny and her grandkids, one that will shock and confuse but ultimately bring joy.

Of course, Granny solves the murder, but this does not necessarily bring the reader any closure. It does, however, bring up a bunch of questions that only time and history can ever answer. Murder at Mabel’s Motel is a wonderfully entertaining book that fits in with a magnificent series. I recommend this book and series to all cozy readers past, present and future.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know that this has more serious themes than many cozy mysteries. Stella- aka Grammy Reid- is laser focused on raising her many grandchildren but she also helps Sheriff Manny Gilford solve crimes in McGill, Georgia. It's the 1980s and things are going a little sideways in town. There's a hateful gang known as the Lone White Wolf Pack. Its leader, Billy Ray assaults a young hispanic woman and then is found murdered at a run down motel. The investigation reveals that there's an undercurrent of hate- that there are those who support racist and neo-Nazi agendas. At the same time, however, McKevett keeps a light touch on the relationship between Stella and Manny. There's also humor with Elsie, who babysits, and the kids themselves (one of whom will grow up to have her very own cozy series). It's twisty, has good characters, and kept me guessing. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is the third in a series and while it might be best to read the first two, this will be thoroughly enjoyable as a standalone.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much happens in the small town of McGill, but one of the towns young girls is found roughed up, and all fingers point to the community hooligans, The Lone Wolfpack. It doesn’t stop there. The leader of the pack is found dead in an old abandoned hotel. With most of the community already in high dislike of the guy, trying to narrow down the suspect becomes quite the challenge.
Thank you Netgalley, G.A. McKevett and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is the third book in A Granny Reid Mystery series. This book was very entertaining to say the least! If I had my way, they would make this a mini series! I love the characters in this book, especially Stella, the main character. I would love to have her as my own grandmother. This was a quick and easy book to read. I will be going back and reading the first two books in this series. If you like entertaining southern cozy mysteries, then this will be right up your alley! I rate this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is a prequel to the long running Savannah Reid series, which I enjoy. It's always nice to see where your favorite characters come from and how they became the people they are. Granny Reid has always been Granny but now she's Stella, a younger but still awesome version of herself. The story itself is syrupy sweet at times but the mystery is well written albeit a little darker than I expect from cozies (racism). Also, I realize it's a small town and the Sheriff has a thing for Stella but bringing her to crime scenes is a little far-fetched and unprofessional.

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#DreamscapeMedia #NetGalley

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit darker than the first book in the series. I guess it was on par with book 2 which had a Halloween theme. I would hesitate to call this book cozy because the subject matter dealt with Nazis and the Holocaust.
There was some funny dialog with Granny and the children, which I think is what keeps me coming back to this series. I'm very interested to read the Savannah Reid mysteries and see Savannah all grown up.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery is as good as the author's Savannah Reid mysteries, even though they are set earlier in time and in Georgia rather than California. The story features Granny Reid, who has appeared as a quirky character in the other series, and Granny is at her best as she tries to raise her seven grandchildren and solve a murder at the same time. This is a good series that complements the other one.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granny definitely has her work cut out for her in this latest adventure. The town is being treated to the worst in human nature. A bunch of Nazi wannabe's who are pissing off the town, Manny, and Granny. We all know who's going to win in the end but the journey is long, twisted and devious.

Enjoy the ride, I sure did.

[Anna Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series by this author. Granny is interesting and like the backstory to the main character in another series by this author. I'm kept guessing on the mystery. I enjoy all of the characters and the small town.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.