Review published on NightsAndWeekends.com (http://www.nightsandweekends.com/articles/17/NW1700123.php) and also aired on Shelf Discovery (ShelfDiscovery.org).

Kenni Lowry, Sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has her hands full. On top of her attraction to her deputy, Finn Vincent, her ex-deputy Lonnie Lemar is running against her. Cottonwood's most famous citizen, Beryle Stone, has died and left her estate to various charities - with her cousin Ruby Smith as executor - which is causing an influx of tourists and problems among the locals.

Beryle had an assistant, Cecily, who's insisting there's a missing manuscript that needs to go to the publisher and not be part of the estate to be auctioned off. It seems the manuscript is possibly a 'tell all' about people in the town. Beryle, a famous writer, based her books on the people of Cottonwood; even though she changed names and altered details, someone doesn't want the truth known - enough to kill.

So late one night Beryle's assistant Cecily is found dead in an alley, and Lonnie's wife Paige injured inside Ruby's antique shop, sending Lonnie into a frenzy and Kenni up to her ears in suspects. What she discovers along the way is that Beryle's mentally disabled sister, thought long dead, is still alive and being cared for at a local inn - and Kenni (and the town) have known her for years under another name. Then there's also the little thing about an unpublished manuscript that Beryle left...the one everyone seems to be after, and Cecily was probably killed for. But no one knows where it is, and with the help of her Poppa's ghost, Kenni learns that nothing good can occur when buried secrets are unearthed, and she needs to find a killer before they have a chance to permanently write her off...

Cottonwood, Kentucky is a small town with an eccentric population. Kenni followed in her grandfather's footsteps to become sheriff and nearly sent her mother into an apoplectic fit. But since she's running for re-election, her mother is her staunchest supporter. Her mother is a hoot and the purest form of Southern lady I've ever known. The interaction between these two is alone worth reading the book.

But it's the ghost of her grandfather 'Poppa' that gives life to the story (see what I did there?) as he helps her solve the crimes. In this book, Kenni has figured out a key fact about her Poppa being there that neither of them knew, and her relationship with Finn is undergoing some major changes along the way.

This is the third book in the series, and it keeps getting better as it progresses. Kenni is capable, smart, stubborn and attractive to boot; and Finn seems to have settled into Cottonwood quite nicely after moving from Chicago. The mystery is written well and plenty of curve balls along the way to keep it going. Once we learn about Beryle's sister being alive, it's interesting to watch all the pieces come together slowly, until it's almost too late.

When the murderer is revealed, it comes as a complete surprise. While the clues were there (and I figured out those pretty quickly since I read a lot of mysteries) the identity of the killer was still a little staggering. What seems to be the truth isn't, and what seems hidden is sometimes right out in the open. The reason for the murder was a little sad; it all seemed so senseless in the end.

All in all, an excellent mystery with believable and convincing characters. Ms. Kappes has written another tale that is suspenseful and enjoyable. The books just keep getting better and I hope this series stays around for a long time. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended.

Kenni Lowry is a lady small town sheriff in the town of Cottonwood where she grew up. Her grandfather, known as Poppa was previously the sheriff. Everyone in Cottonwood seems to know everyone else’s business. When the asssistant of a famous hometown author ends up dead shortly after the author dies, and another person from town receives a serious head injury at the same location and time, Kenni must solve the crime. The death seems to be linked to a tell all book containing secrets about some townsfolk that was soon to be published. Certain citizens of the town didn’t want their secrets to come to light so many of the townsfolk were possible suspects. Throw in a sexy deputy named Finn whom Kenni is strongly attracted to and a crime-solving ghost (Kenni’s Poppa) and all sorts of fun ensues. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would love to read others in the series.

Tourists and fans are flocking to the town of Cottonwood, Kentucky for the estate sale of best-selling author Berlye Stone. Sheriff Kenni Lowry is reluctant to help when Berlye's assistant Cecily demands higher security measures at Berlye's house until the most recent manuscript can be found. Rumours abound that the newest book is tell-all memoir about the real residents of Cottonwood. When Cecily is found bludgeoned to death with an ax and another woman is injured inside the nearby antiques store, Kenni has to find a ruthless killer. With the help of her new deputy Finn Vincent and the ghost of her grandfather Poppy, who was Cottonwood's last Sheriff, Kenni searches for the manuscript and the killer.

This was an enjoyable read. It is the first book I have read by Tonya Kappes and the third book in the Sheriff Kenni Lowry mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Henery Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

A cozy mystery at its finest. I've been in something of a reading funk, reading books that I really enjoyed and thought were great, they just didn't make me want to sit there and finish it in one sitting. This one didn't either, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Something about a cozy mystery, just makes me happy. The plot a was engaging and the characters improved SO much over the previous novel in this series (let me add here, that you don't need to have read the prior books in this series in order to follow along with this installment)

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2165125895

I started to read Ax to Grind but since it was the third book in the series I figured I better read the previous books. What a good idea on my part. Each book in the series was better than the last. Culprits were harder to figure out in each book. I thoroughly enjoyed all three books and am looking forward to #4. I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. These opinions are solely mine and mine alone.

An excellent cozy mystery! Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down. And I didn’t figure it out!! That was a surprise because I often do, sometimes long before the end. Simply fun!!

You are missing out if you don't give Sheriff Kenni Lowery a try. There's a crime, a bit of southern charm and good quirky characters. The series is a lot of fun.

This was my first Tonya Kappes mystery and I loved it. Set in a small town, humorous characters, and a female sheriff. Truly loved this book and will be reading more from this author. The pace was fast and you never got bored a minute.

Loved this well written mystery. I have not read others in the series but will be checking them out. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good mystery.

This is book number three in the Sheriff Kenni Lowry Mystery series. This series is fun, light , and full of humorous Southern culture. Pour yourself a iced tea and get ready to be entertained.
In this next in series Kenni Lowry is investigating a death of a reclusive writer who left a tell all book telling everyone's secrets in town.. The word out is its a bodice ripper and everyone is upset. In their small town this can mean murder and Kenni has a long list of suspects. One of the suspects is her long dead Father who was a former Sheriff and comes back to earth to keep his daughter safe. His humor is part of the fun of the series.
I love this series. Its great fun to read and makes me laugh out loud . The author always had great Southern characters with unique personalities. The sleuth was great fun and well done. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review. I look forward to the next in series.

A tense, unpredictable drama featuring Sheriff Kenni Lowry and her ghostly grandfather. Ax to Grind by Tonya Kappes is one of her best. When famous writer Berlye Stone dies and her estate is to be auctioned, her assistant Cecily searches for a tell-all book supposedly written by Berlye. The residents of Cottonwood are worried it might reveal secrets and wonder who would be exposed. One Cecily dies and another person is injured, Kenni and her new deputy Finn Vincent try to discover who the killer is.

Ax To Grind is the third book in the Kenni Lowry series. I really enjoyed this book even though I hadn't read the previous books in the series. I like the small town setting, and the characters are quirky and fun.

Sheriff Kenni Lowry is running for re-election, and her mother is driving her crazy campaigning. She has to take care of all the crimes in Cottonwood, Kentucky, big and small. She has help from her very handsome deputy Finn Vincent, and her Poppa, the former sheriff who died some years ago but hangs around to help Kenni.

One of the town's celebrities, famous author Beryle Stone, has recently died and her estate is being auctioned off. Her assistant swears she wrote one last tell-all book starring the good citizens of Cottonwood, but the manuscript is hidden and no one can find it. Pretty soon, the people searching for it start getting hurt and one is killed. Kenni and her crew have to get to the bottom of this mystery before more people are hurt.

The plot is well done, and the culprit was a surprise until the very end. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Henery Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Another fun, entertaining, crazy, cozy from Tonya Kappes. If you are not smiling and laughing when you are reading this story there is something wrong.

Cottonwood, Kentucky is mourning the loss of bestselling author Berlye Stone, their most famous resident. Then Berlye’s assistant is found with an ax in her back. Seems there is a tell all manuscript somewhere and that may have lead to the assistant’s death. Sheriff Kenni Lowry with a little help from her Poppa and Deputy Finn Vincent, is determined to find both the book and killer before someone axes her into the great beyond right along with her Poppa.

There was so much I loved about this story.

The characters are so strong and cleverly written. Kenni is such a strong protagonist. She is a darn good sheriff handling verything from neighborly disputes to murder. Her mother is an absolute hoot and a half, she is always deeply involved in one cause or another and right now she is campaigning for her daughters reelection. Kenni’s Poppa’s ghost returns just when she needs him, sometimes even before she knows she needs him. They relationship is so strong and heartwarming. It is funny too because only Kenni and her dog Duke can see the ghost. She sometimes forgets that and needs to quickly explain who the heck she is talking to. Deputy Finn Vincent is starting to put down roots in Cottonwood and that bodes very well for a real relationship with Kenni. The tricky part is, she is his boss, so going forward this will be quite interesting.

I really enjoyed the storyline too. An author, who is a bit of a recluse dies and everyone in town seems to be anxious and even afraid of what could be in this tell all book. Kenni learns that the characters in most of the steamy romance books she has written in the past have been based on residents from Cottonwood. This opens wide the list of suspects. She has never read any of the stories but she knows someone who has and that gives her clues to move her investigation forward. Small towns, you have to love them and there is no small town better than Cottonwood for a fantastic cozy mystery.

Southern charm, small town gossip, unique characters and a quality mystery you can stick your teeth into, Ax to Grind is a must read. It can be read all on its own but you really should start at the beginning and get introduced to Cottonwood and the folks that live there properly. Have you ordered you copy yet? What are you waiting for? 🙂

Bestselling author Berlye Stone, the most famous citizen to ever come out of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has died and put all her worldly possessions up for auction, but not without leaving one more manuscript behind, a hidden tell-all about Cottonwood.
This is the second I have read in the Kenni Lowry series. It is number 3 in the series. For me the story started slowly but then quickly picked up. There are a few twists and turns in this book. There is humor, insight into small town living and the murder was done in an intriguing fashion. This is a standalone with enough information that a new reader will not feel left out. I was starting to tire of the Finn/Kenni interaction and then it took off. I enjoyed Kiwi the bird adding to the intrigue. What I did not miss was the nosiness of a small town. This is the first cozy that I was sick of all the gossiping and redirection. I did not see the ending coming and I APPLAUD THE AUTHOR ON THE STORY LAYOUT.

AX TO GRIND

by
Tonya Kappes

A Review

Kenni Lowey, the sheriff, Finn, her deputy, and Duke (her dog), were determined to find out who was killing the assistants to Beryle Stone, the most famous resident of Cottonwood, KY. The tell-all that Ms. Stone was rumored to have written was not supposed to be a mystery, but it became one for the people of Cottonwood, KY.

Kenni had one other “deputy”, one she could not openly discuss, one which only she and Duke could see - Poppa, the ghost of her granddad or father (the story never quite made that clear). He would occasionally gather clues or check out possible situations before Kenni could walk into a trap. Poppa also brought a bit of humor into the story.

Overall, the story was interesting and held this reader’s interest. It was only as the story came to an end that it became a bit difficult to separate the good guys and gals from the bad.
This was not the world’s best cozy mystery, but it played the part well, none-the-less. I was glad that I was able to read it and will look for more from the author in the series.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Sheriff Kenni Lowry has an election coming up so the last thing she needs on her hands is the murder of a local author's assistant right before the big estate sale at that author's house. With the ghost of her Poppa helping her as well as handsome deputy Finn, Kenni knows she had better crack this case soon! Other fun side stories include Finn buying a house on Kenni's street and the town being somewhat divided on the election which is between Kenni and her former deputy, Lonnie.

This was an awesome installment in this series! Tonya Kappes is one of my favorite authors and she always tells a great story with plenty of suspense and twists in it. I didn't guess the killer this time either. And...I absolutely loved the ending! You're just going to have to read it and see what happens!

Every time I hear that the author has a new book out, I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love her quirky characters and the humor she places throughout the story. She describes the town in Kentucky so perfect that I want to live there. I have heard that in small towns everyone knows your business.. Well almost true. Ok maybe there are secrets in the town and someone is scared those secrets will be found out.

Kenni is my kind of person.She takes her job as sheriff seriously and I love her poppy so much. It sure is good company to have poppy around even though he is a ghost. Kenni's mom is kinda uppity and I love the banter between them. I can see Kenni rolling her eyes as her mama tries to run her business.

A very famous person has died in the town, and my how the "henny hens" go to gossiping. I loved them so much and laughed every time they got together. Beryle was a very successful author , but there is a vicious rumor that she has a hidden manuscript that is a tell all. What townspeople will be in the book? Who is worried that their secret will come out? When someone is found dead and another severely injured, Kenni and her deputy Finn have their hands full. I have to say I really liked the murder weapon that was used. I love that the author doesn't use the cliche gun or poison. She goes for a more unusual weapon and describes it with intensity that made my skin crawl. It's one crime scene that Kenni and Finn won't forget.

As the investigation continues more names come up about who might have killed to find the manuscript. One of the rumors is that Beryle wrote books that had bits and pieces of people from the town in it. What a perfect way to get back at someone. The little town of Cottonwood, Kentucky is rich in beauty and a secret that could damage reputations. What secrets did Beryle know that made someone desperate enough to kill. The book is well written and keeps readers on their toes as suspects pop up.This is one book you don't want to miss.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

This is a slow burning detective novel that will appeal to Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie fans. It also has a touch of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Lassie about it, as the sheriff, Kenni Lowry, is greatly helped out by the ghost of her grandfather, Poppa, and her dog, Duke.
The small-town atmosphere of Cottonwood, with its gossiping “henny-hens”, rivalries and jealousies is well depicted, with everyone knowing (or thinking they know) everyone else’s business. Some people, though, are prepared to kill to keep their secrets hidden. Plenty of red herrings, and the murderer’s identity (and motives) come as a complete surprise.

Ax to Grind by Tonya Kappes is the third story in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. It is time to start her re-election campaign and her mother is pulling out all the stops (imagine giant sign and a bull horn—just for starters) since Kenni’s former deputy, Lonnie Lemar is running against her. Kenni is at an award ceremony honoring her dog, Duke when she is approached by Cecily Hoover, Beryle Stone’s assistant. Beryle, a famous author, passed away a week ago and her estate is to be auctioned off. Beryle had finished a tell-all book that will expose secrets and Cecily is afraid someone will try to steal it. The one problem is Beryle hid the manuscript and Cecily has been unable to locate it. Before the book can be found, Cecily turns up dead in the alley behind Ruby’s Antiques and Paige Lemar is unconscious inside. Poppa, Kenni’s grandfather, returns to help her with the case. The killer obviously does not wish the manuscript to see the light of day (much less be published). Kenni along with Deputy Finn Vincent (and let’s not forget Poppa) dig into Beryle’s past to find Cecily’s killer.

Ax to Grind may be the third installment in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The author provides the necessary background on Kenni as well as summaries of what occurred in the first two books in the series. I found the book to be a slow starter, but the pace picked up the further I got into the story. The zaniness factor was ramped up in Ax to Grind (much to my disappointment). Kenni’s mother needs to be reined in (my mother thought her antics were hysterical, and she told me I lack a sense of humor). If I was Kenni, I would change my house locks (using an out-of-town locksmith) and get an untraceable phone number (to thwart her mother). The mystery was cleverly set up, but I wish there had been a good twist to surprise me. I identified the killer before the third chapter in the book. There are a limited number of suspects and there are big clues that point to the killer. Most readers will be able to solve the crime before the reveal. I love the paranormal element (Poppa) and wish there was more of it in the story. I feel that Poppa would be a great resource to Kenni if used properly. A Kenni Lowry Mystery series portrays what life is like in small Southern towns. For those readers who enjoy light, comical cozy mysteries, pick up a copy of Ax to Grind.