by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either an ebook or print copy of All She Wrote, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Mystery in the Mailbox!
Bernadette Butler, aka Bernie, is the mail carrier for residents of the tiny mountain town of Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. She has been a widow for a decade, and after returning to her mail carrier position, the upkeep of the family farm on which she lived became too much to handle. So, Bernie’s new life includes downsizing in town, living close to the post office, and giving the farm to her son Grady and wife Julia, for whom the soon-to-be a family of three can build their forever home. The result is she has a few extra hours free to sit on the porch, enjoy gossiping with the “Front Porch Ladies,” keep company with new boyfriend Mac Tabor, and explore some hobbies…knitting? gardening? Well, anything, of course, that doesn’t include a dead body.

Iris Peabody is Bernadette’s long-time best friend and described as “something different.” It isn’t a sixth sense or psychic talent, just these special feelings whose merit is more miss than hit. She didn’t have the right feeling about the boy in grade school who was set to kiss Bernadette [Insert skinned knee] or the boy set to ask Bernadette to the prom [Insert boy going with Iris]. However she did call Bernadette that day she had a feeling about Bernadette’s husband Richard [Insert the sheriff arriving to report a tragic accident]. Needless to say, Bernadette is not very eager to encourage Iris’s thoughts, but somehow she ends up listening. Today…“High school. Teacher. Grady. I don’t know what, but something is off.”

All She Wrote earns 5/5 Packages & Gossip…Entertaining Fun!
Some may not be what they seem. Harriette Pearl, one of the Front Porch Ladies, has had her sights on the very eligible Zeke Grey, letting everyone know about the “lovely scented” thank you note he sent her. However, Florence Gaines is keen on Zeke, too. Florence is the wealthiest woman in Sugar Creek Gap and doesn’t let an opportunity go by to flaunt it, her philanthropy, and with the Front Porch Ladies in attendance, makes sure they hear about the lunch date she is set to have with Zeke. Harriette’s reaction…bright green! But it seems a mail carrier is much like a bartender or therapist, Bernie is privy to so much information…the packages they receive, the relationships they have, all the gossip, a shocking marriage…and murder in the mulch! It seems Florence has an enemy, but which one—New husband? Niece? Neighbor? Green-eyed Nemesis? It is a delightful puzzle perfect for a bit of “snooping.”

Well, I’ll Be…! Tonya Kappes has definitely penned another delightful murder mystery on which Bernadette Butler and the Front Porch Ladies can focus in this third book in her Mail Carrier Cozy. I so enjoy that the lead characters are of a mature age, and the running around questioning, gathering clues, and predicaments are developed with good sense and realism. The mystery, Kappes-style, always occurs a little later in the story providing plenty of time to build up the suspense around the victim, then cleverly exposing the suspects to mull over when the body is finally uncovered…in the mulch! Greed? Secrets? Along with the engaging murder mystery, Bernie is the consummate mother, in a positive way; when it comes to her son Grady, she wants him happy, but adult children can often be a challenge to manage. All is delightful fun! I also enjoy the clever names given to titles, series, towns, and businesses, and Tonya is one to always provide a nice giggle with the names she creates: the Social Knitwork Shop for a knitting class, Leaf and Petal for wheelbarrows full of mulch, and the Pie in the Face Bakery for a sweet treat. Lots of fun.

Bonus! Recipes, of course, are my favorite treat…literally and figuratively. In this book, I can’t wait to enjoy Southern Strawberry and Cream Cupcakes, Hummingbird Cake, and Turtle Bars.

Alert! The next book in the series Return to Sender will be released on June 27.

Be a Big Tonya Kappes Fan!
USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes is also one of my Top Ten favorite authors. With this, three-book Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, she has a nine-book Camper & Criminals Cozy series along with exciting ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series. For ghosts, she has the popular eight-book Ghostly Southern Mystery and seven-book Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with the twelve-book Magical Cures Mystery and three-book Spies and Spells series. And finally, get a little caffeinated with her eight-book Killer Coffee Mystery. She also has an enjoyable online presence and various EVENTS enticing fans to gather to talk, share, and partake in the fun!

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

To enter to win either an ebook or print copy of All She Wrote, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “wrote,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 4, 2020. US only, and must be 18 or older to enter. AND BE SURE TO STATE IF YOU WANT PRINT OR EBOOK. If entering via email and requesting a print copy be sure to include your mailing address in case you win-emails will be deleted when the contest is over. 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.