Blowin' Up a Murder by Tonya Kappes

 Blowin' Up A Murder

Book Summary

There's a murder blowin' up and Sheriff Kenni Lowry is the only one who knows how this will end.

My Thoughts

Kenni Lowry is attending a wedding with her beau, Finn.  Her mother is in attendance as well with her gossip buddies.  Kenni’s mother is taking advantage of the circumstances to comment on what she plans for Kenni’s wedding ignoring the fact that Kenni is not engaged.  At the reception, the wedding party are giving their speeches to the happy couple.  When it comes time for the best man, he fails to appear.  A flash of lighting illuminates the patio and Kenni sees a man on the ground with one of the wedding umbrellas protruding from his body.  The only umbrella missing belongs to the best man.  Kenni doubts the case is as simple as it appears.   Much to the bride’s outrage, Kenni shuts down the reception so everyone can be questioned.  With help from Poppa, Kenni’s deceased grandfather, Kenni sets out to catch the killer.

Blowin’ Up a Murder by Tonya Kappes is the eighth A Kenni Lowry Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  If you read the whole series, it will allow you to get to know the characters and their storylines.  The story has quirky characters that suit the southern town of Cottonwood.    Humor abounds in this cozy mystery thanks to Kenni’s mother.  She is determined to push Kenni towards the altar as quickly as possible.  She is not going to let the matter of no fiancé stand in her way.  I love Poppa.  He is a delight and provides several laugh out loud moments.  He also gives some helpful advice to Kenni regarding the murder case and her life.  The whodunit is a fun one to solve.  The wedding party and their attorney were determined to give Kenni a challenging time.  The case was even more challenging thanks to Kenni’s mother and her friend.  They decided to do a little snooping on their own.  You just know that it is going to cause more problems for Kenni.  There is a large pool of suspects and good clues.  We are left with a cliffhanger at the end of the book. We will have to wait for Heavens to Bribery to find out it turns out.  Blowin’ Up A Murder is a lighthearted Southern cozy mystery that will have you laughing from beginning to end.  Blowin’ Up A Murder is a witty whodunit with a domineering mama, a bouquet bashing bridezilla, a spectral Poppa, a slew waiter, rampant rumors, a malicious lawyer, and a curious cliffhanger. 

Blowin' Up a Murder comes out on May 20 and it is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other seven A Kenni Lowry Mysteries here.  The next A Kenni Lowry Mystery is Heavens to Bribery which comes out September 29.  Rangers, RVs and Revenge comes out June 30.  It is 26th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  If you follow Tonya Kappes on Amazon, you will receive notifications when she has a new release.  Thank you for visiting today.  I will return on May 19 with Fatal Flowers by Jess Dylan.  It is the third A Flower House Mystery.   I hope that you have a glorious day.  I am enjoying a break in the heat while it lasts.  It is nice to be able to work outside in the garden.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Diggin' UpThe Dirt by Tonya Kappes

Welcome!  The Codebook Murders by Leslie Nagel releases on May 21.  The Amish Cookie Club by Sarah Price will be available on May 28 along with Crepe Expectations by Sarah Fox and Murder, She Uncovered by Peg Cochran.  There are so many new books coming out in the next few months.

Diggin’ Up The Dirt by Tonya Kappes has readers returning to Cottonwood, Kentucky.  Kenni Lowry is nervous about meeting Finn Vincent’s parents for the first time.  They will be arriving in town in their RV that afternoon.  In the meantime, Kenni is attending the funeral of Woody Moss who passed away at Cottonwood Acres Rehabilitation Center.  His grandson, Rich Moss was released from prison early on good behavior to attend the event, but Kenni catches him threatening a woman.  Kenni gets a call from her mama who is at the home of Lenora Moss for the visitation.  While at the funeral home, someone burgled the Moss home and stole Woody’s cufflinks.  That evening at the Lowry residence, the two families meet, and things are going well until Preacher Bing arrives to say a blessing.  Vivian Lowry is a Southern Baptist while the Vincent’s are Catholics.  Heated words are exchanged, and doors are slammed (oh dear).  The next morning, Kenni is awakened early when Vivian is out walking and comes across the body of Avon Myers.  When Poppa shows up in her vehicle on the way to the crime scene, Kenni knows she has a new murder case to solve.  As if Kenni does not have enough on her plate, she talks to Finn and learns that he has career goals that could take him away from Cottonwood.  Kenni is in for a busy week with her mother on the warpath, a string of burglaries, a murder, a missing ex-convict, Finn’s visiting parents, relationship trouble plus dealing with the city council on hiring a new deputy.  Thank goodness Kenni has her Poppa and her hound dog, Duke for comfort.

 

Diggin’ Up The Dirt is the seventh A Kenni Lowry Mystery and it can be read as a standalone.  I would recommend reading the series in order.  It will help you understand Kenni, her relationship with her mother, and why Poppa appears when a murder takes place.  Tonya Kappes has a light, breezy writing style that quickly draws readers into her stories.  Cottonwood is a small Southern town with quirky characters.  There are no secrets in this town where gossip runs faster than maple syrup on hot pancakes.  I was happy to see Poppa return because I enjoy his commentary and the humor he adds to the tale.  He also helps Kenni in solving the case and provides her insight into her relationship with Finn (plus how to deal with her interfering mother).  Duke is a lively addition.  Duke reminds me of my Doozy with his love of food.  Duke can see Poppa and the two of them pull some shenanigans that puzzle people (since they only see Duke).  I wonder if Kenni will ever tell Finn about seeing Poppa (should be an interesting conversation).  We get to see Finn and Kenni deal with deeper issues in Diggin’ Up Dirt.  They have a nice relationship, but they have yet to discuss serious matters.  The mystery was intriguing since it was more complex than previous whodunits.  There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crimes.  Avid mystery readers will find it a piece of cake to solve.  There is mild foul language in the book.  I am giving Diggin’ Up The Dirt 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). 

Diggin' Up Dirt will be out tomorrow. I will be back tomorrow with my review of A Welcome at Our Door by Amy Clipston. I am off to work in my front yard.  We have decided to put flower beds in the front yard and eliminate the pesky grass (which I have to pay to get mowed).  It is a long term project since I can only work out there for short amounts of time (I really should have thought of this idea when it was cooler).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Tangled Up in Tinsel: A Kenni Lowry Mystery

Welcome!  Glitter Bomb by Laura Childs will be published on October 2 along with The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander, Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber.  Be Our Ghost by Kate Kingsbury will be available on October 9.  There are many delightful new books coming out in the upcoming weeks.

Tangled up in Tinsel by Tonya Kappes is the sixth novel in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series.  Kenni Lowry is looking forward to spending Christmas with her deputy/boyfriend, Finn Vincent and his family in Chicago.  Kenni’s mother, Vivian is upset (putting it mildly) that Kenni will not be in Cottonwood for Christmas and has decided to run for Snow Queen (to keep herself occupied).  Kenni is enjoying the annual Hunt Club Christmas Cantata with Finn and notices that Leighann Graves and Manuel Liberty are together.  Leighann is now eighteen and her family can no longer can stand in the way of their relationship.  The next morning, Kenni hears that a blizzard is heading their way which could interfere with her Christmas plans.  Kenni refuses to believe the meteorologists and is sure that positive thinking will hold off the snowstorm.  Kenni is notified that Leighann Graves failed to come home last night and Manuel has not seen her since the dance ended.  When Poppa appears, Kenni knows that Leighann will not be returning home again.  If Kenni wishes to depart for Chicago on time, she needs to rely on Poppa to help her wrap up the case.  Which one of the suspects will be hanging their stocking in a jail cell?  Will Kenni and Finn make it to Chicago for Christmas?

Tangled up in Tinsel is set in the small Southern town of Cottonwood, Kentucky which is filled with quirky characters.  I believe Kenni’s mother outdoes all of them with her crazy antics.  The town has charming shops and gossipy citizens.  Kenni has spent every Christmas in Cottonwood until this year.  While she is eager to meet Finn’s family, she will also miss her family and the town festivities.  The threat of a big snowstorm along with a murder just might keep her in Cottonwood.  I always enjoy Poppa as he adds liveliness to the story plus I like the ghostly element. I enjoy Tonya Kappes writing style.  It draws in the reader and keeps them turning the page (or swiping if you use an e-reader).  There are a handful of suspects for Kenni to interview and figure out which one killed Leighann Graves.  There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crime before the solution is revealed.  I do wish it had been more of a challenge to solve this whodunit.  Tangled up in Tinsel can be read alone, but I recommend reading the series in order.  It helps you to understand Kenni, the town, her relationship with her mother, and why Poppa appears.  My rating for Tangled up in Tinsel is 4 out of 5 stars.  If you are looking for a humorous and entertaining cozy mystery, then Tangled up in Tinsel is the book for you.  Tangled up in Tinsel will be published on September 25.

The other novels in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series are Fixin' to Die, Southern Fried, Ax to Grind, Six Feet Under, and Dead as a Doornail.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be featuring Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower tomorrow.  The third book in An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Find out what Jethro the polka dotted pig is up to this time.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Dead as a Doornail: A Kenni Lowry Mystery

Welcome!  I am featuring Tonya Kappes today.  Ms. Kappes novels include A Killer Coffee Mystery series, A Magical Cures Mystery series, A Ghostly Southern Mystery series, and her latest A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series (first book out on May 25).  For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans (I am one of them).  Readers can follow Tonya Kappes on Facebook, her Facebook Cozy Krew, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. You can sign up for her newsletter here.

Dead as a Doornail by Tonya Kappes is the fifth novel in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series.  Kenni Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky.  She is enjoying a spa day at Tiny Tina’s courtesy of her boyfriend, Finn Vincent with her best friend, Jolee.  Then Lucy Ellen Lowell barges in demanding an appointment so her nails and hair will be beautiful for upcoming nuptials of  Polly Parker and Mayor Chance Ryaland.  After a lively disagreement, an unhappy Lucy Ellen leaves and comments that Tina will regret not accomodating her.  Lucy Ellen is well-known for her disparaging articles on businesses posted in the Cottonwood Chronicle when she is unable to bully the owner to get her way.   Kenni is looking forward to a quiet evening after the gossip of the salon when her mother barges in with Polly Parker and her mother, Paula.  It seems that Kenni is Polly’s new maid-of-honor  and gets the privledge to wear a large hunter green dress that is reminiscent of Scarlet’s curtain dress in Gone with the Wind (good grief).  Kenni is awakened at 4 a.m. with a phone call from Darnell Lowell.  He has arrived home and found his wife, Lucy Ellen dead.  When Kenni arrives at the crime scene and sees Poppa, she knows that Lucy Ellen was murdered.  Chance Ryland and Polly would prefer Kenni to put off her investigation until after their wedding (it is taking attention away from Polly).  Kenni will need to work quickly to find Lucy Ellen’s killer before the wedding while handling her maid of honor duties.  It is going to be a long week for Kenni Lowry. 

Dead as a Doornail is the fifth book in the series, and I suggest reading the books in order.  That way you will understand the background on Kenni, her family history, her romance with Finn, and Poppa.   Dead as a Doornail contains good writing and has a nice quick pace which makes for an enjoyable read.  I appreciate Tonya Kappes conversational writing style.  Cottonwood is the quintessential small town where gossip runs rampant, doors are not locked, favors are a way of life and everyone has advice to give on your love life.  As sheriff, Kenni finds herself in an unusual position.  It will soon be time for re-election and she cannot alienate the voters which is how Kenni finds herself in awkward (and unwelcome) position of being Polly’s maid of honor.  Kenni’s mother will having you laughing with her antics and how she manipulates Kenni.  Cottonwood has several quirky characters that use charming Southern colloquialisms.  The mystery is a nail biter. Dead as a Doornail is a lighthearted cozy mystery that will have readers chuckling frequently and puzzled by the killer’s identity.  You can purchase Dead as a Doornail on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Bookbub.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you will take the time to check out the other stops on the tour.  There are spotlights, author interviews, character interview, character guest posts, and book reviews.  I will be reviewing Better Off Read by Nora Page on May 17.  May you have a day filled with joy.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 9 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

May 10 – Mysteries with Character - REVIEW

May 10 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf - GUEST POST

May 11 – The Power of Words - REVIEW

May 12 – cherylbbookblog - SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 14 – Laura’s Interests - REVIEW

May 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - REVIEW

May 15 – Readeropolis - AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW

May 16 – The Avid Reader - REVIEW

May 17 – T's Stuff - SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Ruff Drafts - SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – FUONLYKNEW - REVIEW

May 19 – MJB Reviewers - REVIEW

May 20 – Brooke Blogs - CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 21 – My Reading Journeys - CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 21 – Varietats – REVIEW

May 22 – The Book Diva's Reads - SPOTLIGHT

Six Feet Under: A Kenni Lowry Mystery

Happy Monday!  The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton will be out tomorrow.  It is a new paranormal novel.   Leslye Walton is the author of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.  Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappes is the first book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series and is currently $.99 on Amazon (ends Thursday).

Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes is the fourth A Kenni Lowry Mystery.  Kendrick “Kenni” Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky.  Kenni’s mother, Vivian is in a tizzy because the host of the Culinary Channel’s Southern Home Cookin’, Frank Von Lee is coming to town.  Frank, a chef and food critic known for his critical food appraisals, is going to pick between Viv’s pot pie or the barbecue joint in nearby Clay’s Ferry. Only one of them will be featured on the show. Viv has beautified herself for her meeting with Frank and has now roped Kenni into checking out the competition.  The day after her meet and greet with Frank, he is found dead in his hotel room with a partially eaten poisoned pot pie on his desk.   A poor review of the pot pie is on the desk as well which puts Vivian at the top of the suspect list.  Mayor Chance Ryland has his doubts about Kenni’s impartiality (with good reason) and removes her from the case.  Deputy Finn Vincent (and Kenni’s boyfriend) is put in charge of the murder investigation.  That does not stop Kenni and the ghost of her grandfather, Poppa from nosing around.  Kenni is determined to clear her mother’s name off the suspect list. 

Six Feet Under may be the fourth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.  Six Feet Under is a light-hearted, humorous cozy mystery with emphasis on small town dynamics (gossip, greasy and deep-fried food, nosy neighbors, secrets).  I found the book nicely written with a good pace.  The mystery is simple, and the killer easily identified.  There is some misdirection, but the suspect list is limited.  Vivian Lowry is an over-the-top, zany character who does not nutty antic after another (Botox, illegal handicap placard, dragging Kenni into her schemes, etc.).  If I was Kenni and lived in this town, I would have an out-of-town locksmith change all the locks in my home, install a high-end security system with lights and cameras just to keep the mother out of my home.  Kenni does not follow proper police procedures (I believe the only reason she is sheriff is because of her Poppa’s history) or the law in some cases.  She lets her mother run roughshod over her (I hope Kenni starts developing a backbone soon).  Readers who enjoy humorous Southern cozy mysteries, will enjoy reading Six Feet Under. The next book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series is Dead as a Doornail which will be released on May 15.

Six Feet Under will be available on March 13.  Thank you for visiting today.  I will be featuring Lethal in Old Lace by Duffy Brown tomorrow.  I hope you have a day full of happiness and love.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

St. Patrick's Day will be here soon!