Post Mortem by Tonya Kappes

 Post Mortem

Book Summary

Bernie Butler is on her mail route using her bicycle because her mail truck is out of commission.  She has her cat, Rowena tagging along in the basket.  Rowena jumps out and takes off into the woods.  Bernie takes off after Rowena and sees something shiny which turns out to be the cleats on a golf shoe.  Nearby is a man on the ground who is missing a shoe.  It appears that Bernie has found the missing Jeff Faulkner who disappeared the day before during the Sugar Creek High School Fundraiser at the country club.  The Front Porch Ladies share gossip that Jeff liked to gamble and owed money to a friend.  Bernie feels for Jeff’s widow and son who just won a prestigious college scholarship.  As soon as Bernie recovers from finding another body, she dives into the investigation.  Along her route, Bernie delivers the mail and collects the gossip.  Bernie believes she knows the identity of the killer, but first she needs to prove it. 

My Thoughts

Post Mortem by Tonya Kappes is the 6^th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you have missed a book.    Bernie Butler loves her job, her town, friends, boyfriend, son, and daughter-in-law, and most especially her granddaughter, Clara.  Bernie is a widow with a married son, and she works as a mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky.  She is dating Mac Tabor a local architect who lives near her.  Bernie has helped solve a few cases, but she is not used to finding dead bodies.  After discovering Jeff Faulkner dead in the woods, Bernie’s curiosity gets the best of her.  The Front Porch Ladies keep her up to date on the latest gossip and Bernie gets assistance from Vince, a retired FBI agent.  The mystery was straightforward and can be solved early in the story.  I wish the whodunit had been more challenging.  The killer might as well have been waving a red flag and yelling “you hoo, I did it!”  There are some great characters in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.  The Front Porch Ladies, Mac, Grady, Julia, Bernie’s parents, Vince, and Monica are just a few of them.  I like the setting of Sugar Creek Gap as well.  It is a cozy town with friendly (except for a few bad apples) residents.  I enjoy going with Bernie on her mail route.  It allows us to meet the residents and visit the shops.  There is humor scattered throughout the story that will have you giggling and sometimes laughing out loud.  I like the inclusion of Bernie’s animals in the story.  The ending will delight fans of the series and leave readers smiling.  Post Mortem is a lighthearted cozy mystery with a curious cat, gone golfer, rampant rumors, a cross sheriff, and an indomitable mail carrier.  

Post Mortem is available from Amazon*.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can find the other novels in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series here.  The next A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery is Deadly Delivery releasing August 26.  Tonya Kappes has Outdoors, Oars, and Oath publishing on June 24.  You can find Tonya Kappes' other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Death in Bloom by Jess Dylan.  It is the debut of A Flower House Mystery series.  I do hope that you have a day filled with joy.  We need more happiness in our lives (keeps us young).  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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First Class Killer by Tonya Kappes

Book Summary

First Class Killer by Tonya Kappes has Bernie Butler a happy grandma.  She loves spending time with her six-month old granddaughter, Clara.  Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky residents are excited when they hear the old mill has been turned into a bookstore, and Piddy Linn Satterly is the manager.  Bernie is delivering mail at Sugar Creek Gap Nursing Home when she hears that Stella Jane Clark has written a book titled “Beyond Boundaries” and she dedicated it to Bernie’s son, Grady who encouraged her.   The grand opening of the new bookstore is packed as people grab copies of Stella Jane’s book.  Iris Peabody, Bernie’s best friend, is stunned when she finds the affair between her husband and Piddy are in the book.  Grady encouraged Stella Jane to write what she knows which apparently is the secrets of the townspeople.   When Piddy ends up dead, Iris is at the type of the suspect list.  Bernie works with Iris and newly returned Revonda Gail to unravel the crime. 

My Thoughts

First Class Killer by Tonya Kappes is the 5^th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone as all the background information a new reader needs to know is included.  This lively tale has Tonya Kappes’ trademark writing style.  It reminds me of talking with an old friend.  I was quickly drawn into this engaging cozy mystery.  Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky is a cozy Southern town with friendly residents and charming shops.  Bernie Butler just loves her grandbaby.  She talks about her to anyone who will listen and shares pictures that she has taken with her 35 mm camera.  Gertrude, one of the Front Porch ladies, gets news that her daughter, Revonda Gail is coming to town.  She ends up renting Mac’s rental next door to Bernie and the pair become friends.  Revonda Gail has a colorful past much to Bernie’s surprise.  Stella Jane Clark has written “Beyond Boundaries” and thanks Grady Butler, her high school English teacher, for encouraging her to write.  His advice to Stella Jane was to write what she knew, and she certainly did much to many residents’ dismay.  The book has people up in arms including Bernie’s best friend, Iris Peabody.  

When a murder occurs, Iris is at the top of Angela Hafley’s suspect list.  Bernie, of course, must investigate.  They use the big write-on/wipe-off board at Iris’s bakery to keep track of clues and suspects.  Revonda Gail gets in on the act.  She is a great addition to the book and the investigation.  I hope the author continues to have her help Bernie.  The Front Porch ladies take a back seat in this book, but we do learn more about Gertrude.  First Class Killer is my favorite book in this series.  The time flew by as I read First Class Killer.  I just love the humor in the story that had me chuckling.  I like that Bernie is an older protagonist.  She is going through menopause and I agree with Bernie when she said that “menopause is awful on the body”.   First Class Killer is a delightful cozy mystery with bawdy book, a bounty of baked good, gossip galore, a grinning grandma, a busy bookstore, a profusion of photographs, and a mystifying murder.

First Class Killer releases on September 26.  It can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other four novels in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series here.  All the book in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited.  You can find Tonya Kappes' other novels here.  Tonya's next release is Gears, Grills, and Guns which releases October 27.  It is the 13th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Next time I am featuring Truth of the Matter by Jamie Beck.  It is the 2nd book in Potomac Point series.  I hope you have a magical day.  Take care, be king, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Return to Sender by Tonya Kappes

Welcome!  There are a number of new books releasing on June 30.  Here are a just a few of them:  Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross, The Last Curtain Call by Juliet Blackwell, Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day, Witch Hunt by Cate Conte, Still Knife Painting by Cheryl Hollon, and A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber.  

Return to Sender by Tonya Kappes has Bernadette Butler trying yoga on her doctor’s recommendation.  So far Bernadette has not found the exercise that requires her to twist her limbs like a pretzel to be helpful, but she does enjoy the corpse pose at the end.  Bernie has found that yoga has increased her stress instead of reducing it.   Bernadette arrives at work one morning to find the police at the post office.  Someone broke into the post office and ransacked Bernadette’s locker as well as her mail bag.  Bernadette then goes to deliver a certified letter to Simon Little and finds him dead.  Peaches Partin becomes a prime suspect and she requests that Bernie use her skills to clear her name.  Can Bernadette with the aid of the Front Porch Ladies find Simon’s killer or will Peaches be teaching yoga at the local correctional institute?  

Doll made to portray Mary Fields, First Black Female Mail Carrier  (she was one tough woman)

Return to Sender by Tonya Kappes is the 4^th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.  Each book can be read on its own, but they are an entertaining collection.  I laughed frequently while reading Return to Sender.  I enjoy Tonya Kappes’ engaging writing style which draws the reader right in and holds them until the very end.  Bernadette Butler is a fifty-year-old widow with a married grown son, a darling granddaughter, and two fur babies.  She is enjoying her smaller house in town and Bernie loves her job as a walking mail carrier.  Bernie is having relationship regrets especially when she sees Mac Tabor with morning talk show host, Lucy Drake.  Currently Bernie’s biggest issue is menopause symptoms.  The hot flashes are so intense Bernie expects fire to shoot out the top of her head.  I could certainly relate to what Bernadette was experiencing and the scenes were amusing.  The romance was a little more prevalent in this story that in the others in the series.  We get to see Bernadette struggling with her feelings regarding Mac.  She loves him, but, after her first marriage, Bernie feels the need to go slowly.  The mystery had some interesting and clever components.  I like how it all worked together.  The Front Porch Ladies are helpful in gathering intel to help Bernie.  While I was sure I knew the identity of the killer, I enjoyed following Bernie as she solved this whodunit.  The descriptions of Bernie in the yoga class were hilarious.   Her comments about yoga clothing were spot on (especially about the pants).   Return to Sender contains good writing with realistic, developed characters set in a charming, small Southern town.  There is friendship, community, and Southern charm.  Return to Sender is a witty tale with a delightful duck, horrible hot flashes, a glaring green-eyed monster, boundless baked goods, and a messed-up murder. 

You can read the first chapter by clicking here.  Join Tonya Kappes for a release day giveaway by joining her on Facebook.

Return to Sender is available from Amazon* and can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.  The other three novels in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series are Stamped Out, Address for Murder, and All She Wrote.  All of them can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.  Tonya Kappes' next book is A Charming Deception which will be out on July 30.  It is the 13th novel in A Magical Cures Mystery series.  Summer Snoops:  Down Under publishes on July 28.  It contains twelve novellas from twelve authors.  Tonya Kappes has written a story for this collection.   If you enjoy lighthearted, humorous stories, then you will enjoy Tonya Kappes' novels.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I will be back tomorrow with A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund.  It is the 3rd novel in The Bride Ships series.  May you have an amusing day.  Laughter is good for the soul.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

All She Wrote by Tonya Kappes

Good Day! I hope you are having an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend.  Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith as well as A Call for Kelp by Bree Baker, The Promise by Patricia Davids, and Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman release May 26.  Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner and What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles come out June 2.  Are any of these new books on your wish list?

All She Wrote by Tonya Kappes has Bernadette Butler taking a knitting class in anticipation of the birth of her first grandchild.  While at her class at Social Knitwork, Florence Gaines enters to introduce her niece, Courtney who has just moved to town.  In fact, Courtney is Bernadette’s new neighbor.  Florence also lets it slip that she has been seeing quite a bit of Zeke Grey which causes an uproar among the Front Porch Ladies.  Bernie is delivering the mail to the Front Porch Ladies when Florence and Zeke pull up in front of Courtney’s house all dolled up.  Florence announces loudly (so the Front Porch Ladies can hear) to Courtney that she just became Mrs. Zeke Grey.  The honeymoon is short because Florence ends up dead in a pile of mulch in Courtney’s yard.  Unfortunately, Julia, Bernie’s daughter-in-law, is on the suspect list.  Bernie gets to work digging for clues so she can unearth the guilty party.  

All She Wrote by Tonya Kappes is the 3^rd A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.  This fun tale can be read on its own if you are new to the series (but why would you want to).  It contains Tonya Kappes engaging writing style which draws a reader right in.  Bernadette Butler is a great protagonist.  I like that she is my age and starting over with her life.  The Front Porch Ladies, Vince, and Bernie’s family are other enjoyable characters.  They are likeable and realistic.  The southern setting of Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky is charming.  I enjoy the descriptions of this cozy southern town where everybody knows your name and your business.  The mystery suited the story.  It is straightforward with a couple of suspects and a red herring.  There are good clues to aid readers in solving the whodunit.  I enjoyed the humor that is scattered throughout this appealing tale.  All She Wrote is well-written with relatable characters in a welcoming southern town.  I would expect nothing less from this author.  I look forward to Bernadette’s next adventure in Return to Sender.  All She Wrote is a fetching cozy mystery with clan concerns, a plethora of packages, gossip galore, tasty treats, and murderous mulch.

All She Wrote publishes on May 26 and is available from Amazon*.  The other titles in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series are Stamped Out and Address for Murder.  Both books are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Return to Sender is the 4th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery and it will be out on June 27.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse by Kate Young tomorrow.  It is the 2nd book in A Marygene Brown Mystery series.  I hope that you have a capricious day.  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Address for Murder by Tonya Kappes

Good Day!  Tonya Kappes has written more than fifty southern cozy mysteries.  She is best known for stories with southern charm, humor, emotion, and flawed characters.  Tonya lives with her husband in Northern Kentucky. Her house is much quiet now that her four boys have flown the nest. Tonya writes A Killer Coffee Mystery series, A Magical Cures Mystery series, A Camper & Criminal Cozy Mystery series, and A Kenni Lowry Mystery series.  Readers can find Tonya and her books here on Amazon.  Tonya is on Facebook, and Twitter.  You can visit her website for more information about the author, her books and to sign up for her newsletter.

Address for Murder by Tonya Kappes returns readers to Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky.  Bernadette Butler is a mail carrier who cares about her customers.  She takes the time to chat with the residents on her route and help them out when they need a little something extra.  Bernadette heard that Lee Macum is not eating properly, so she picks up some food from her parents’ diner to deliver to him along with the mail.  She also makes sure to have some dog biscuits in her pocket for his fur baby, Buster.  Carla Ramey is the president of the Beautification Committee and she is working diligently to make sure the town will win the Make Kentucky Colorful award.  There will be not be messy yards or weeds on her watch if she has her way.  The only problem is Lee Macum and his yard of “treasures”.  One morning Bernadette notices Buster in the post office parking lot.  She takes him to Lee’s house to find the gate open as well as the front door (uh oh).  Bernadette finds Lee dead in an empty spot in his living room with a stamp in his hand.  She quickly calls 9-1-1 and Sheriff Angie is quick to arrive.  When Bernadette is told that Lee died from foul play, she rallies Vince and the Front Porch Ladies so they can expose the killer. 

Address for Murder by Tonya Kappes is the second A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.   It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Stamped Out first (it is such a charming book).  Tonya Kappes has given us another engaging cozy mystery.  Bernadette Butler is fifty years old and a widow who lives in a farmhouse outside town with her cat, Rowena.  Bernadette is a kind woman who cares about her friends, family and those on her postal route.  If someone is ill, she takes them chicken soup.  Bernadette especially makes sure that the older folks on her route are alright.  She inquires about their health, their families and their day (I wish she was my postal carrier).  When she discovers Buster, Lee Macum’s dog, behind the post office, she adjusts her mail route to return him.  Bernadette finds his gate open and the door open.  She is distressed to find Lee dead in his overcrowded living room.  Bernadette liked the cranky man and is determined to find who murdered him.  She gets assistance from Vince at the senior living facility and the Front Porch Ladies who live on the same street as Lee.  While I could easily identify the guilty party, there were some clever aspects to the crime (I just love a unique whodunit).  I was curious to see how this tale would play out and see Bernadette get justice for Lee.  The Front Porch Ladies are so cute, and they add levity to the story.  Vince uses his FBI contacts and database to help Bernadette get information on her suspects.  Tonya Kappes has an engaging writing style.  It reminds me of talking to an old friend.  I started reading and did not stop until I finished the story.  Romance is in the air for Bernadette with her old friend, Mac Tabor.  The trick is seeing if they can transition their friendship into a relationship.  I liked the scenes with Rowena and Buster.  The author captured how cats and dogs react when they first meet.  The dogs are excited while the cat hisses and raises its back with fur standing on end.  There are lovely heartwarming moments in Address for Murder along with a special surprise.  I look forward to reading the next installment in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.  Address for Murder is a delightful story with swift scuttlebutt, a cute canine, an astonishing announcement, unwanted weeds, and a compassionate mail carrier.  

Address for Murder can be purchased here* (Amazon UK).  It is on Kindle Unlimited for those who are members or thinking about joining.  Stamped Out is also available on Amazon (and through Kindle Unlimited).  Thank you for reading my review today.  Since tomorrow is Sunday (the day I share books that I was unable to when they were released), I am featuring The Liverpool Girls by Pam Howes.  I hope that you have an enchanting day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes

Happy Monday!  I hope that you had a lovely weekend.  Murder at the Courthouse by Meghan Carver*is out today.  It is a charming new Christian cozy mystery.  Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey releases tomorrow (October 29) along with Coached to Death by Victoria Laurie.  There are some delightful new cozy mysteries coming out over the next several months.  

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes has readers visiting Sugar Creek Gap.  Bernadette Butler is a widow of ten years with a married son who teaches at the local high school.  She returned to work as mail carrier after her husband’s death and enjoys the downtown mail route.  On her route that morning, Bernadette learns the town is up in arms because Chuck Shilling is selling his share of the Sugar Creek Gap Country Club to Bernadette’s friend, Mac Tabor.  Mac has plans to erect condos and the residents are against the development.  The next day, Bernadette stops to feed her duck friend at the bridge and discovers the body of Chuck Shilling.  Mac is taken to the station for questioning by Sheriff Angela Hafley when a neighbor reports that Mac had a public argument the night before with the victim.  After the murder weapon is found in Mac’s front flower bed, Sheriff Hafley arrests Mac.  Mac has been a good friend to Bernadette, and she know that he is innocent.  Bernadette’s job allows her to be privy to town gossip which will be helpful in proving Mac’s innocence.  Can Bernadette deliver the killer to Sheriff Hafley before Mac is railroaded for the crime?

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the debut novel in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.  Bernadette Butler is an older protagonist which I appreciate.  I like that we are seeing main characters that are in their 40s and 50s.  Bernadette is a widow who is a local mail carrier and lives with a cat.  Bernadette’s son, Grady is an English teacher at the local high school as well as the football coach.  His wife, Julia works as Mac Tabor’s secretary.  Bernadette’s parents own The Wallflower Diner in downtown Sugar Creek Gap. Sugar Creek Gap is a charming small town with quaint shops and variety of residents.  The Front Porch Ladies (Henriette, Ruby, Millie and Gertrude) are a group of older women on Bernadette’s route that are curious by nature bunch.  They see and hear everything that happens on the street where they live which comes in handy when Bernadette needs some helpful gossip.  The whodunit involves the death of Chuck Shilling after he agreed to sell his shares of the Sugar Creek Gab Country Club to Mac Tabor.  Mac mistakenly mentioned that he plans to erect condos.  Many people object to Mac’s development idea.  There are protests, signs, picketing and a murder.  Chuck is shot and the killer has framed Mac for the crime.  Bernadette intends to prove Mac is innocent and deliver the proof to the police chief.  Bernadette is good at picking up pieces of helpful information and searching for clues.   I did feel the story needed a little fine tuning.  There was a repetition of information and there is mild foul language.  There is a potential love interest for Bernadette.  Bernadette is not sure how she feels about these new feelings.  I enjoyed reading Stamped Out and I look forward to the next book in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.  Stamped Out is an engaging new cozy mystery with rioting residents, country club conundrum, spray paint scribbling, gleeful gossips, a framed friend and delayed deliveries.

Bernadette feeds a duck at a bridge each day.
  I could not resist this picture.

Stamped Out is available in paperback and ebook* (Amazon UK) (on 10/29).  Stamped Out will be available through Kindle Unlimited.  I hope you check out this new cozy mystery.  Tomorrow I am sharing my review of Shot through the Heart by Kate Carlisle.  It is the seventh A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  May you have a smashing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.