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I received this book for free from NetGalley. This review is voluntary. My opinion is not influenced in any way.
Source: NetGalley
Murder in Her Stocking by G.A. McKevett
A Granny Reid Mystery #1
Kensington • October 30, 2018
As the Moonlight Magnolia Agency revisits old memories on Christmas Eve, Granny Reid takes the reins back thirty years to the 1980s—back when she went by Stella, everyone’s hair was bigger, and sweaters were colorful disasters. But murder never went out of style…
Christmas has arrived in sleepy McGill, Georgia, but holiday cheer can’t keep temperamental Stella Reid from swinging a rolling pin at anyone who crosses her bad side—and this season, there are plenty. First an anonymous grinch vandalizes a celebrated nativity display. Far worse, the scandalous Prissy Carr is found dead in an alley behind a tavern. With police puzzled over the murder, Stella decides to stir the local gossip pot for clues on the culprit’s identity…
Turns out Prissy held a prominent spot on the naughty list, and suspects pile up like presents on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, the more progress Stella makes, the more fears she must confront. With a neighbor in peril and the futures of her beloved grandchildren at risk, Stella must somehow set everything straight and bring a cunning criminal to justice before December 25th…
Bein’ a Grandma Ain’t Bad Atall
By Granny Reid (G. A. McKevett)
Hello. My name’s Stella Reid, but around town I’m known as Granny Reid, mostly ‘cause I’ve got seven grandangels and as the Good Lord and the State of Georgia would have it, I got custody of ‘em all. Their mama’s in a family way again, and if her and my son does as good a job of takin’ care of that new one as they did the others, I’ll probably be raisin’ it, too.
Mind you, I ain’t complainin’. I’d rather be a grandma than anything. It’s the best job there is, but that fact is the best kept secret in town!
Last Sunday, a friend of mine told me she’s gonna be a grandma for the first time. From the look on her face, you’d think somebody had just taken a big lick off her butter pecan ice cream cone. I told her, “It ain’t nothin’ to be down in the mouth about. Your life just changed for the better, and you don’t even know it yet!”
And what’s all this hooey about what the youngun’s gonna call you? Some folks get in a dither just thinking about bein’ called “granny” or “grandpa” or “grandma.” But there’s worse words to be called. Little un’s name you whatever they want, and when it comes out of those sweet little mouths, and those big eyes are lookin’ up at you in love, it don’t matter one iota what it is.
Ever’body assumes us grandparents are cranky, weak, wrinkly, and dress old-fashioned. But grandfolks come in all ages, shapes, clothes, and mindsets, just like kids and their parents. We ain’t dumb, neither. We might not know much about computers,like the young set, but some of us know how to raise a garden, feed a passel o’ children on next to no money, do without and not fret about it, and how to solve squabbles in the family that shouldn’t’ve got started in the first place.
So, for those of you who think you don’t wanna be a grandparent, ‘cause that’d mean your life’s about over…let me tell you…. When you first take that new grandbaby in your arms and look down into their eyes, you’ll wanna be their grandma, grandpa, granny, nana, papa, or whatever they wanna call you. Your life ain’t even close to over. It’s just beginnin’!
My Thoughts
Murder in Her Stocking is the first Granny Reid mystery, and it’s the first book I’ve read by G.A. McKevett. I loved the uniqueness of this cozy mystery. This story is set in the 80s and visits Stella Reid and her grandchildren during the Christmas season. There’s been a murder and Stella is trying to help the sheriff solve it. In addition to that, she is dealing with her daughter-in-law Shirley mistreating her seven children. There was a great deal of character and story development taking place outside of the mystery. This read a lot like an inspirational/women’s fiction featuring a mystery. Murder in Her Stocking dealt with heavier issues than you would typically find in a cozy and made for a solid story.
The story is tender and full of Christmas magic. Being set in Georgia, there was plenty of Southern sayings and some had me laughing out loud. I am looking forward to visiting with Granny Reid and her grand-angels again.
About the Author
G.A. McKevett is the author of the acclaimed Savannah Reid mystery series. Also writing under the name Sonja Massie, she has authored over 60 books ranging from cozy mysteries to historical romances, to nonfiction works on the history of Ireland. 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, she has lived in Toronto, Ireland, and Los Angeles, but now resides in New York.
Author Links
Website: http://www.SonjaMassie.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GAMcKevett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwendolynnarden.mckevett
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DuUguc
Thank you, Brooke, for that thoughtful review. Kind words are always welcome! 🙂 And thank you for participating in my online tour. Good luck with your great blog! Sonja Massie (G.A. McKevett)