by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Four-Leaf Felony, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

“Southern Hospitality with a Smidgen of Homicide”
Tonya Kappes Mission

Kenni Lowry is very good at her job as Cottonwood’s sheriff investigating a variety of crimes and misdemeanors, but no wonder, it’s in her blood. Her grandfather, Poppa, had been the sheriff for a long time until his unexpected passing, and his unexpected reappearance when murders occur is just a fascinating, if not awkward, perk to the job. She has a more corporeal deputy in Scott Lee along with her boyfriend Finn Vincent and a plethora of older ladies to offer support, but it’s her Poppa, only seen by her and her bloodhound Duke, who is extremely helpful in solving crimes and making perps nervous with some of his antics. If he would just be more careful about striking up conversations when people are around, “Kenni bug” wouldn’t be worried.

Blowin’ Up a Murder Earns 5/5 Lightning Strikes…Entertaining Fun!
It’s a lovely wedding and what better time for Kenni’s mother Vivian and her Henny Hens’ troop to discuss weddings. It didn’t matter that Finn, sitting within earshot, had not popped the question or he and Kenni had even discussed it as a future possibility, but that didn’t stop Kenni’s mama from touting the benefits of a spring wedding. Kenni is embarrassed about all the wedding talk, and decides to adjust her focus to this wedding her best friend Tibbie Bell had planned. The atmosphere is magical, the food is delectable, the bride’s mother is very happy, and the exposure in Barnwood Brides Magazine could be a great advertising boost for Tibbie’s wedding planner business. But, things change when the gray clouds float in, thunder and lightning make an entrance, and a dead waiter is found on the patio skewered with an umbrella.

Glad Kenni’s Back! It’s been three years since last Kenni Lowry and the residents of Cottonwood, Kentucky, had some mischief to manage, so us fans are thrilled to finally get our hands on this eighth book. Kenni and Finn are still doing the dating dance, Mama is her pushy self reminding Kenni she’s not getting any younger, and Poppa is back in rare form as Kenni’s unofficial sidekick. Southernisms are a key feature in Tonya’s work highlighting idioms and phrases along with illustrating mores and manners. The murder mystery is quite engaging with plenty of disparaging comments overheard, an AWOL best man, and a bride going full Zilla with her bouquet when the wedding reception is halted. The autopsy and the background check on the victim brought out some surprising details turning the crime into something more sinister, and key figures are secretive and uncooperative when several interesting connections point to motive. But, it gets intense when along with lawsuits threatened and another victim is found, Kenni’s mama is implicated as an alibi, a witness, or maybe a suspect. At the least, she’s a thorn in Kenni’s side when she and her friend Viola go beyond community involvement. The paranormal element with Poppa’s ghost has a delightful dynamic, no juvenile hocus-pocus, which provides an entertaining technique to uncover clues and trip up suspects, but causes some serious soul-searching. Wow conclusion! Engaging fun! Big favorite!

Next Book! It’s great to see fans won’t have to wait long for book nine. Heavens to Bribery is set to release on 9/29/22, and is currently on Preorder HERE.

Be a Big Tanya Kappes Fan! ?Tonya Kappes is one of my Top Ten favorite authors of some exciting ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series. I’m an eager fan! For ghosts, she has the popular Ghostly Southern Mystery and Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with the Magical Cures Mystery, and Spies and Spells series. Get a little caffeinated with her Killer Coffee Mystery. She also highlights her southern heritage in A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery and the spin-off Holiday Mystery series. She also has captured fans for her delightful long-running Mail Carrier Mystery. Something for every cozy fan!

Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes
Join the “Cozy Krew”
Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes
YouTube — Tonya Kappes

To enter to win an ebook copy of Blowin’ Up a Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “blowin’ up,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 18, 2022. US only, and must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.