I actually read the first book in this series before I read any of the Savannah Reid series. While waiting for the second book I dug into the Savannah Reid series and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. I think if it weren’t for good old series/character nostalgia, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this book as much as I did. While I do love Stella (how could you not?) I get frustrated sometimes with how badly she allows the children to behave, both her own son (who she does sort of stand up to in this book) and the 8 grandchildren she raises. The underlying theme in this book was battling hatred in the many forms it takes, and yet the most hateful person in McGill, Georgia, seems to be Stella’s own 11 year old granddaughter Marietta and Stella lets her get away with it. Unfortunately the juxtaposition of investigating a hate crime out in public while enabling hateful behavior to go on in her own house made Stella seem like kind of a hypocrite and took away from the importance of the message. Meanwhile the mystery became secondary to everything else that was going on.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

I shared my review in an email and posted my review to Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads and I posted my review to my library site.

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.

A solid addition to the newest series by G.A. McKevett. Grandma Reid helps the local sheriff solve a mystery and although I was able to figure out “whodunnit “ fairly early on, there was a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.

This was a fun and intriguing book! I haven't read the series this prequel was based on but still really enjoyed it. It made me want to read that next to understand more about the characters we see here and what becomes of them.

Love this series. Cant wait for the 4th series in the book. The author is wonderful also if you haven't read the book. I suggest you do so.

This is the Third book in the enjoyable "Granny Reid Mystery Series". I have read the series from the beginning and enjoy the charcters and the sleuth . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. I like Stella as a smart savvy Grandmothers raising her Grandchildren on her own and living life on her terms.

In this next in series our protagnist Stella is solving a murder of a gang member. A local gang is in town causing trouble and a assault has occurred. The townspeople are vocally upset about this turn of events in their small town . When the leader of the gang is found murdered Stella is on the case with a long list of suspects and red herrings abound.

This is a fun series with likable charcters and always a enjoyable sleuth. its a picture of small town life of a Grandma that is also a good investigator.

Murder at Mabel's Motel takes us back in time to Savannah's childhood. Granny Reid is busy raising her grandchildren and getting a bit of lip and a lot of teasing about her dinner out with Sheriff Gilford. The dinner is interrupted by news of the attack of a young woman.

Racism and Nazis are a topic that the book deals with and those are topics that are just as relevant now as they were in the past. Granny Reid is able to continue taking care of and raising her grandchildren right while finding a way to help the young woman who was attacked.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of Murder at Mabel's Motel.

While Granny Stella Reid's main focus is raising her seven grandchildren, she still finds time to help Sheriff Manny Gilford investigate.
After a man is arrested for an assault of a female, he manages to escape from a deputy and is on the run. When he is found dead, the questions are what killed him and who is responsible. Facts previously unknown about some of the suspects are revealed. The identity of the murderer was a complete surprise.
Looking forward to the next Granny Reid mystery.

This is my favorite Granny Reid book, yet!! But I probably say it about every one. I love hearing about Savannah’s childhood and the trouble that they get in to. The mystery this time was really good and I never had a clue about who the murderer was! Don’t hesitate to buy this book, or any of G.A. McKevett’s books!

This is my first encounter with this author. The dialogue was very entertaining with all the witty jargon. The author does not skimp on details. This is a cozy mystery but does not follow the usual cozy mystery format and it works very well. I must admit, I never would have predicted the ending. Took me totally by surprise. This is #3 in the series. Now I want to read the first two.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I love that the two series are connected in a way. I’ve been a fan of this author for awhile and I enjoy this series. This is a great installment and I look forward to the next one!

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.

I love this series that features Granny Reid as it provides a lot of insights into Savannah's personality. I also am enjoying the budding romance between Stella and the sheriff. This is a series I read for the characters and their relationships as well as the mystery.

This was a well-written mystery that kept my attention from the first few pages. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end.

I'm ready for the next one in the series.

The Granny Reid books are simply amazing, and this one did not disappoint. As someone that grew up in Georgia I can relate to so many things in this book.
It kept me on my toes, guessing right up to the end. I laughed, shed a tear or two and cheered on Granny Reid and Savannah. I even learned a few new things in this new book.
I love learning how Savannah's childhood helped to shape her into the Savannah we all love.
G. A. McKevett is the #1 writer in my opinion and she always delivers. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

This is a deep Southern mystery from an author who has plenty of skill with Southern mysteries. Stella "Granny" Reid has a houseful of grandchildren to care for, thanks to her wayward daughter. Her life is hard, but she's surrounded by a supportive community.

So when a shocking crime of violence takes place, it's natural for Stella to jump in and help. She may be in over her head, though. It looks like a Neo-Nazi group is involved, and someone may be taking the law into their own hands. Who in the little Georgia town of McGill could have the kind of secrets that seem to be popping up in the investigation?

This is a cozy story in spite of the level of violence and the startling historical connections. A lot of the charm of the novel centers around the children and their issues. The cast of characters is diverse and the plot is well constructed.

I love the writing style of this author and this book was no different. Charming characters, enjoyable story, fun mystery, and a setting that evoked happy, fond memories.

This book was awesome as all of the Granny Reid novels are. I loved it and cant wait for a new one!!

I was given a free ARC from NetGalley for providing this review. As a disclaimer, I have been a G.A. McKevett fan for 25 years. Over that time I have enjoyed immensely following the adventures and life events of Savannah Reid and the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency. "Murder at Mabel's Motel" is the third in McKevett's new "Granny Reid" series which is centered on Stella Reid, Savannah's beloved grandmother, in 1980s McGill,,GA, when she is raising Savannah and her six (soon to be seven) siblings. It is an easy read, and it is always comforting to view the world through Stella's wise and loving eyes. Each new book in the series adds dimension to the reader''s view of Stella and Savannah, as well as their other family members. As we follow Stella and Sheriff Manny Gilford through solving another murder in their small town, we also watch Stella and Manny struggle with determining the nature of their developing relationship. This book is definitely a must-read for any reader who has enjoyed previous books in the series. I can't wait to see what is next store for Stella and Manny!

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.