Mabel Gets The Ax

Mysteries of Medicine Spring #1

by Susan Kimmel Wright

Mabel plans to bring the thrills of volunteering to the masses--if she doesn't get the ax first.

After losing her job of twenty-three years, Mabel decides to launch what will surely be a glamorous new career as an author. Having recently inherited her late grandmother's house, she has the freedom to spend time volunteering and writing about her experiences.

Unfortunately, Mabel's plans soon go off the rails. Her inheritance comes with decades of clutter, an overgrown lot, a dog named Barnacle, and a neighbor with an ax to grind. And her first assignment as a Medicine Spring Historical Society volunteer is to lead a tour of the Sauer Mansion, locally known as the "Ax Murder House," site of a notorious 1930's double homicide.

As Mabel shepherds her tour group through the house, it appears history's repeating itself when she stumbles across a body in the parlor. Finding herself on the suspect list, Mabel scrambles to figure out who swung the fatal ax. In the process, she can't help being drawn into investigating the unsolved historic murders, teamed up with PI John Bigelow, a man she isn't sure she can trust. With an ax murderer on the loose, will Mabel be next?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2021

About the author

Susan Kimmel Wright began her life of mystery as a child, with reading. That led to writing kids’ mysteries and eventually to Medicine Spring with Mabel. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Susan’s also a prolific writer of personal experience stories, many for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She shares an 1875 farmhouse in southwestern PA with her husband, several dogs and cats, and an allegedly excessive stockpile of coffee and tea mugs.

MABEL GETS THE AX, book one of Susan’s latest cozy mystery series, Mysteries of Medicine Spring, is available in paperback and e-book online and wherever books are sold!

Reviews

[Marcia Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great cozy mystery, indeed. Susan Kimmel Wright has a real winning character in Mabel and the book is a joy. Easy to slip into the atmosphere Susan creates, the reader is treated to an intriguing mystery and enough tasty noshes to satisfy any foodie. I loved the animals, characters, and Mabel's determination. Plenty of amusing phrases and situations, too. For readers who loved the Agatha Raisin books (MC Beaton) and the Sally Goldenbaum cozy New England mysteries, the launch of Mabel's mysteries is very welcome. It's about time that we had a Western Pennsylvania writer take us along for the ride, and Susan Kimmel Wright, with her background and writing talent, is just the woman to do it.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started MABEL GETS THE AX I was prepared to dislike the book. Our career paths at a law firm may have differed (she a lawyer, me a legal assistant), but I remembered anew the pain of being let go, though I had only worked for my firm about one-tenth of the time Mabel did for her firm. But I had promised a friend I would read it. I'm glad I did.

Mabel is struggling to adjust to her new life. Blunt to a fault, she decides to become a volunteer and/or a writer. She decides to pick up where her grandma Mabel (and for whom she was named) left off and volunteer at the history society. She runs afoul of the group's president almost immediately and is asked to substitute as tour guide the next day when the president is nowhere to be found.

Nowhere to be found? Let's not be too hasty! This is a mystery after all.

Mabel soon is channeling her inner Nancy Drew to solve a couple eighty-year-old murders as well as a couple new ones. Working with PI John Bigelow adds a bit of romance to Mabel's life as well as giving her someone to work with as they try to solve a murder or two.

I only wish I could give MABEL GETS THE AX a higher rating. Highly recommended!!

My thanks to the author for supplying an eARC to read. All opinions are my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book in a brand new series! When Mabel, a mature woman approaching middle age, loses her long time job as a lawyer she decides to retire to the old house inherited from her grandmother and pursue another career. Perhaps as an author? Yes! She can see herself as an author. But maybe she needs to volunteer somewhere first for experience? Who would think that volunteering at the local historical society would end up as exciting as it turned out? Who'd think she'd be tripping over bodies and nearly end up one herself? A dead one, that is.

This book is carefully crafted, and I'd think that most of us can identify with Mabel in some way. I loved the humor. The attention to details is outstanding. There's a touch of romance, although Mabel won't allow herself to be trusting of the man who obviously wants her in his life. And the cozy mystery is very well written.

Thanks for allowing me to preview this book. I am hoping that there will be many more books about Mabel's adventures!

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery and very atmospheric! It kept me guessing until the end and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Looking forward to seeing where Mable and John’s relationship goes.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers will be able to relate with Mabel who was recently relieved of her job after more than twenty years. Either we have experienced it personally or know someone who has. I have been there and done that several times. What do you do when you get the ax, or the proverbial pink slip? How interesting to be talking about her getting the ax when she had just moved into the home she inherited from her Grandma Mabel a few months earlier. The house is down the street from the mansion where the Sauer ax murders had occurred before she was born. Mabel lives with her dog Barnacle and cat Koi. The story begins with her wrapping up her final session with a career counselor. Faced with the reality that there are no positions available to her in her chosen profession, she needs to make some life-changing decisions. I would not recommend her approach; but when you have done the same job for years, reinventing yourself is not the easiest thing to do, especially as your fiftieth birthday looms ever nearer. The story seems to start slowly, but suddenly things begin to happen. I guess that is how life is at times for all of us. We feel we are in the doldrums and an unexpected gust of wind comes along. For Mabel, life came at her with almost hurricane force. With her faith and the help of a certain private investigator, she may have a chance of surviving. As the excitement and suspense mount, the reader feels an urge to read faster to see what will happen. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel Gets The Ax is a cozy mystery by author Susan Kimmel Wright.

Mable at nigh fifty years old has been a lawyer for over twenty years until Mable Gets The Ax. So, now what would she do with a dog, a cat, and a house she inherited from her grandmother?

Among her dream of becoming an author, she is also asked to lead a tour when the real tour guide can’t be found. During the tour, the true-crime group finds the real tour guide.

I loved Mable Gets The Ax for several reasons. Mable is a middle-aged woman, I couldn’t figure out the suspect(s), and I want more of Mable.

I highly recommend Mable Gets The Ax to fans of cozy mysteries. Also, if readers love Agatha Christie they’ll love Mable Gets The Ax.

God Bless and Thank You for reading. I give Mable Gets The Ax 5*/5*

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Miralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel Gets the Ax...what an appropriate and fun title! I love a book that makes me laugh as well as keeps me thinking and wondering who-done-it...and this is one of those books. I loved Mabel from the start. She's not your typical heroine...not svelte, slim, gorgeous, or super popular...she's a little overweight (at least in her own eyes), out of work, and unsure of what she's going to do with her life now that she's lost her job. But she has a sarcastic sense of humor that endeared me to her immediately--even if she didn't always make the wisest decisions. I'm not going to to a revamp of what the book is about--you can see that from the back cover copy/summary, but I will say I sailed through this book and loved every minute of it. I recommend it to anyone who loves cozy mysteries with a strong sense of humor--oh, and did I mention a dog and a cat who help make the book even better? Yeah, there's that too!

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, this was so much fun..the story was brilliant so well written and kept me so entertained. cannot wait to see how the characters develop


the narration so suited the story and brought a lovely touch. there were some genuine laugh out loud moments

[Candy Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book; from the beginning I wanted to know what was going to happen, clean, intriguing, finished it in 3 days; want to read the next one already. Thanks for the good read.

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

In all Mabel was unfortunately just too immature for me to enjoy the book. Mabel is almost fifty but acts twenty years younger and comes across as sloppy and lazy. The Sauer house was such a good idea if only Miss Birdie had been our lead or Cora or Nannette!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel Gets the Ax was such a fun read for me.  It has all of the elements that I like in a book--murder, mayhem, quirky characters, local color, and a good mystery.  Mabel, the lead character, reminds me of a friend who'd blithely drag me into her misadventures. She's a bundle of insecurities ironclad in over self-confidence and I can relate to that!  I appreciated the historical details in the book, which had me turning to Google to do some research.  I especially liked the slow build up of suspense as the place of Mabel's happiest childhood memories takes a sinister turn.  The author wraps up her story with a satisfying conclusion.  I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been great - woman let go as a lawyer after 20+ years smacks of ageism and sexism -but then she reveals it's because she's beyond blunt with clients. However, we never see that bluntness again. She is close to Grandma Mabel, but it doesn't show throughout. Did she visit a lot?
After all, she know Grandma Mabel stories, but none of the locals. She lives less than a block from the Sauer House, but drives there. Grandma Mabel left her a comfortable inheritance, but she can't afford a landscaper? Just too many "huh?" moments for my tastes.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers will be able to relate with Mabel who was recently relieved of her job after more than twenty years. Either we have experienced it personally or know someone who has. I have been there and done that several times. What do you do when you get the ax, or the proverbial pink slip? How interesting to be talking about her getting the ax when she had just moved into the home she inherited from her Grandma Mabel a few months earlier. The house is down the street from the mansion where the Sauer ax murders had occurred before she was born. Mabel lives with her dog Barnacle and cat Koi. The story begins with her wrapping up her final session with a career counselor. Faced with the reality that there are no positions available to her in her chosen profession, she needs to make some life-changing decisions. I would not recommend her approach; but when you have done the same job for years, reinventing yourself is not the easiest thing to do, especially as your fiftieth birthday looms ever nearer. The story seems to start slowly, but suddenly things begin to happen. I guess that is how life is at times for all of us. We feel we are in the doldrums and an unexpected gust of wind comes along. For Mabel, life came at her with almost hurricane force. With her faith and the help of a certain private investigator, she may have a chance of surviving. As the excitement and suspense mount, the reader feels an urge to read faster to see what will happen. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Julie Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I struggled to finish this book but can't really put my finger on why. I think it was the main character, I just couldn't get a picture of her. She seemed old but young at the same time? To old to find another job but her best friend needed to watch over her, she was a lawyer but had no drive to do anything and would put it off for the next day. She just seemed hopeless. The mystery also got bogged down with history and I know the two, well three murders were meant to be copycats but it got confusing with who was related to who and who married who and then she had to read all about as well to write the history. I had guessed who the killer was but couldn't tell you why. Don't get me wrong there was something about it that kept me reading, maybe to find out who the killer was but I don't think I normally take soo long to read a book. It started off good with a good idea for a plot line but lost it in the middle. I liked John as a character, even if Mabel did suspect him and of course the loveable pets.
After losing her job and her grandmother leaves her her house, Mabel decides to write a book about volunteering but first she had better get some experience. She decides to start close to home and work at the historical house where a father and son were axed to death and the killer was never found. The problem is her grandmother's neighbour and nemesis Helen is the chairwoman and things get off to a rocky start. Then when Helen doesn't turn up for her shift showing a true crime group around the the house , Mabel is dragged on where she promptly finds her dead. What are the kids that the great granddaughter should die the same way. Mabel becomes the prime suspect having argued with her and being on scene at the time. Can Mabel find Helen's killer? Maybe if she can solve the first murder that happened at the house and how the two cases seems connected.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is 3 1/2 stars

It was hard to decide on a number for the star rating for Mabel Gets the Ax. The story is well-written without any obvious plot holes. And there is some cute humor and clever lines. The author cleverly told the story only from Mabel's perspective which provided doubt over whether John, the PI who appears to like Mabel and is trying to solve the case, is just using her. And the mysteries are executed well (sorry for the gallows humor here!)

I wasn't a huge fan of Mabel, however. It could be that the author over-emphasized Mabel's insecurities and her ""humanness"". She was overweight and the house she lived in was a mess from her grandmother's hoarding. This gave an overall picture of someone who was a bit of a slob. Mabel's self-deprecation was strong enough that I had a hard time picturing why John would have been attracted to her. I would have loved to have had his take on what she was like…

Overall, Mabel Gets the Ax is a good story that I can recommend to those who enjoy cozy mysteries.


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Virginia Weida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel is a strong female character we can all identify with! After many years working with a law firm, she finds herself unemployed and moving into her deceased grandmother’s house. And the aging house comes with lots of grandma‘s belongings, an overgrown yard, and a dog, to boot. These all play big supporting roles in the story.
Trying to make sense of her new life and find her place in the small town, she decides that she would like to pursue a career as a writer, and decides to do some volunteer work for research. The volunteer work goes sideways when she discovers a body! She decides to start sleuthing with a new acquaintance, and there is comedy, action, drama, and a fun plot twist. I will never look at a historical society the same way again!
Recommended read!

[Andrea Kreinbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the English cozy mystery genre, "Mabel Gets the Ax" will be right up your alley. Mabel is the classic cozy heroine -- feisty, flawed, but with a dogged determination to get to the truth. Instead of a sleepy village in the English Cotswolds, the action takes place in the town of Medicine Spring in western Pennsylvania. The characters are well developed, and the plot moves along with a great blend of suspense and humor. I tend to judge a cozy if I can figure out the "whodunit" before the main character does. In this case, I was guessing until the very end. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading book one of the Mysteries of Medicine Springs series. Mabel is a hoot. She’s older, awkward, and self-deprecating. The woman tries so hard to do the right thing, and sometimes that gets her into deep trouble. John is the perfect balance for her, but in her heart she’s not sure she can trust him. She’s not sure she can trust anyone. Through all the escapades and efforts, Mabel plows forward to find the truth. If you enjoy cozies sprinkled with humor and quirky characters, you’ll enjoy Mabel Gets the Ax. I read this copy from Kindle Unlimited.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the narration of Lauren Pedersen, she brought out the humour, action, pace and the wonderful characters.


Mabel, is approaching middle age, after she lost her job as a lawyer she decides to move to the house, that inherited from her grandmother and pursue another career. Becoming an author. To get more experience, Mabel volunteers at the local historical society. That is when experience . She ends tripping over dead bodies and nearly end up one herself?
Great humour and the right amount of romance and pace.

[Uma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book with everything that is admirable! Murder mysteries with an element of horror, the challenges of changing jobs - new jobs, even volunteering ones are tough - , petty feelings and behavior of people, affection of true friends, scary situations, and a sweet whiff of romance go to make this book an enthralling one!

Characterization is exemplary! Each person stands out in the mind of the reader and Mabel along with Barnacle , Koi and John are truly endearing!

Thanks for this astounding book, Susan!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Story Makes the Cut

The Australian Cattle Dog on the cover made this book a must read. I found the mystery quite thrilling with a great surprise ending. Mabel is a likable character with determination and flaws. Mabel tries to adjust her new life while solving a murder. Koi the cat and Barnacle the cattle dog were great additions to the story. Definitely want to read the next in the series.

[John Oyler]

I have really enjoyed meeting Mabel Browne, a real to life person and an unwitting detective. The author's ability to weave an interesting tale about an ordinary person in contemporary western Pennsylvania makes this book lots of fun to read. It is easy for a mature adult living in this area to relate to many of the characters and all of the related references.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were good things about this book. But I just kept getting 'lost.' There were too many characters, and many of them came in and out of the story, so I couldn't remember who someone was when they showed up 100 pages later.

Anyway, it was just ok for me. But it looks like most everyone else on here liked it, so read it and decide for yourself.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mystery and a nice set of characters help make this a fun cozy. I enjoyed this start to a new cozy series. There were a few laugh out loud moments for me which I loved and the premise for the series is a likable one. Good read.

[Lois Hinderliter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

The characters are an interesting mixed group of personalities. It's interesting how Mable searches and decides what she wants to do after losing her job. How with John's help to find the murderer and a !little romance. It keeps you guessing. Well worth reading.

[Christine Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! The mystery pulls you along. The writing style is enjoyable to read . It is cozy as advertised. Would be perfect for a rainy day. Get a pumpkin spice beverage and start reading!

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good who dunnit. Poor Mabel is in for trouble when she tries to join the historical society after losing her job and moving to her grandmas house. People hold grudges for decades. Lauren Pedersen was a terrific narrator. I was given this book free for an honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the prequel, Mabel and the Cat's Meow, and grew to like Mabel, so knew I wanted to read more of her adventures. This book has mystery, history, and romance, all with a believable heroine.

[Deon]

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[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Helen and Devereaux and why??? Deodorant isn't as effective as hairspray, is it??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.