This as my first of the series and I enjoyed meeting the protagonist and her friends/family. Ms. Kappes knows how to keep a reader engaged, and I would recommend this to friends.

Each book in this series pulls me in more. I marvel at how this author is able to write so many different series and keep everything straight. The main character in this series, Kenni, just gets better and more confident with each book. The ghost of her father is present also, but she has to start trusting herself and her instincts more. Of course Deputy Finn is always there to lend a hand. If you haven't checked out this author's books, you need to.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

As I was reading this book it occurred to me that I get excited by Tonya Kappes coming out with a new book because the characters really feel like old friends or family. The Kenni Lowry Mysteries are no different. Ax to Grind is the third book in the series.

Kenni Lowry is sheriff of Cottonwood. Her grandfather, "Poppa," is her helper from the other side and Finn Vincent is the hunky deputy from Chicago, (who is also the love interest). The budding romance works so well because Momma trying to marry Kenni off and have her be a proper Southern wife is funny, (and truly kind of real -I'm constantly hearing about that. There is a lot I relate to in Tonya's books.). In book three we have a murder mystery that revolves around an author and her final tell all manuscript. There are enough potential suspects and curves to keep you guessing until the end.

The book does close with a final ending making it easy to read as a stand alone or out of order, (though for the flow of the romance, I would suggest reading them in order). The book is clean making it fine for listening on audio. I received an arc from Net Galley for review purposes but have also purchased the book. I highly recommend this book, (and series). Tonya Kappes books are addictive and best enjoyed with coffee and a brownie.

Cottonwood, Kentucky's resident star Beryle Stone has written a tell all exposing all the dirty laundry in Cottonwood. But when she turns up dead the real gossip begins. Kenni Lowry and her cast of characters are back on the case.
Great characters, great story, fun for all!

What a treat! I am late to this series, having missed the previous two books. Can't wait to go back and catch up with the inhabitants of Cottonwood, Kentucky. Kenni Lowry is the sheriff with a whole lot on her plate. A death leads to a murder and the hunt for a manuscript certain people don't want to see the light of day. There are lots of secrets being kept in this small town. Kenni, with the help of her ghostly grandfather, are on the case with some romantic distractions for her along the way. Add a Macaw - hard to interrogate a squawking bird - and various colorful townsfolk, well, pull up a comfy chair, pour your beverage of choice (sweet tea for me, please) and settle down to enjoy a wonderful mystery. The voice, the setting, the locals....it's put together very well. Now that I have found this series I will be looking forward to further installments.

In this third book of the series a local best selling author has died and her belongings are being sold of at auction. The only problem with this is a tell-all book that someone doesn't want to see the light of day. When author Beryle's assistant is murdered Kenni must figure out who killed her and why. With the only witness to the crime in a coma Kenni has to decide whether it was the manuscript or something more nefarious that brought the assistant to her end. The only problem is that the woman in the coma happens to married to her ex-deputy who is now running against her in the race for sheriff. If he solves the case before Kenni will the town not vote her back in? Follow along as Kenni and her deputy Finn figure out this whodunit before someone else ends up on the chopping block. Will her ghost grandfather be able to help her out this time? I love this series and it's small town sayings. It's a fun read that has a touch of the paranormal, a little bit of small town crazy, and ton of laughs. I always look forward to each new book and how much they remind me of my own small town living.

"A Murder She Wrote" tale in the town of Cottonwood where gossip travels faster than lightning. Kappes' third in the Kenni Lowry mystery series. Did not feel lost even though this was my first to read although the town folk uniqueness and history was somewhat diminished. Kenni Lowry is a female sheriff with a ghost consultant who also happens to be her grandfather. Jessica Fletcher is absent as the detective but Berlye Stone a recently deceased author makes up the plot with the sale of her estate and her unpublished TELL ALL manuscript. When Stone's assistant is murdered the sheriff with the help of here charismatic deputy Finn must race for answers. "A copy of this book was provided by Henery Press via Netgally with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read and the comments here are my honest opinion."

Oh my gosh that was amazing! I did not see that coming at all. I really enjoyed seeing some of Kenni's day to day sheriff duties, including keeping her mother's campaigning under control. The mystery was awesome, and I loved how Poppa had a personal connection to the case.

Crime is much more fun in small town Kentucky. Sheriff Kenni Lowry has a murder to solve and a town full of suspects including her Poppa except he is already dead and so has an alibi. In Ax To Grind we have murder, mystery, small town gossip and a bit of romance. This is the perfect book for a cool autumn afternoon’s escape.

This is the third book about a small town female sheriff who has guidance from her grandfather who was formerly sheriff of the town. No big deal there, except Sheriff Kenni's "Poppa" is dead and buried. It is his ghost who comes to assist.

In this book a local best selling author has returned to town, but dies before most people even know she is back. Within a week there is an Estate Sale planned to sell her household contents for charities per instructions of her will. When a rumor leaks out that there is a tell-all manuscript amongst the belongings, attention escalates. Before long, Kenni and Deputy Finn come across the body of the author's assistant, and the injured wife of a former Deputy. Amid rumors that swirl in a small town and are fed on by visitors who have come for the sale, everyone knows about the tell-all manuscript and a missing painting. But Kenni and Finn know even more...

Although I enjoyed the book, I didn't think it was quite as funny as the previous books in this series. They mystery was good with a shocking ending, but a lot of the details about townspeople, traditions, etc. just weren't there, or if they were, there wasn't much detail. It felt like the author was so focused on the murder that she left out the more personable side of the community and supporting characters. If I hadn't read the previous two books in this series, I would have had a lot of questions. Not being a fan of an author giving a multi-paragraph review of the previous book, a little information to nudge your memory or fill in a gap if you are new to the series would be helpful however. For example, instead of just talking about the Sweet Adelines, maybe add a line about it being a women's organization always dressing in matching pink suits for meetings as they discussed business and of course gossiped. When I read that name, the first thing that comes to my mind is a woman's vocal group-and nothing could be further from being correct.

Ax To Grind is the third installment in the Kenni Lowry mystery series set in Cottonwood, Kemtucky featuring Sheriff Kenni Lowry. Kenni is running for re-election against her former Deputy Lonnie Lemar and much to her chagrin her Mama has taken over the position of campaign manager.

Things have been quiet in Cottonwood lately with no sign of Kenni's Poppa, her ghostly grandfather and the town's former Sheriff. When Poppa suddenly appears in her truck's backseat Kenni has a sinking feeling that another murder is on the horizon. It's only a matter of hours before Kenni is called to the Stone estate, home of the town's reclusive and well known romance author Beryle Stone.

Beryle had recently passed away and her assistant Cecily Hoover is in charge of hosting an auction of the author's worldly possessions drawing many fans to Cottonwood. Rumor has it that Beryle has written a tell-tale manuscript detailing many deep dark secrets the townsfolk have worked hard to keep under wraps. The manuscript is missing, Cecily is found dead bludgeoned by an ax and Lonnie's wife Paige is unconscious have also been brutally attacked.

Lonnie vows to solve the murder before Kenni thus capturing the election, but Kenni and her clan is having none of it. With the aid of Poppa, current Deputy Finn Vincent and her trusty sidekick and darling bloodhound Duke, Kenni begins her investigation aided in part by an offhand comment made by Kiwi the green macaw owned by Innkeeper Darby Gray.

A fast paced storyline filled with laugh out loud moments and a delightful cast of characters. Just the right touch of romance, furry and feathered friends, and a feel good look into small town living. A good stand alone mystery but don't miss the chance to catch up on the other two books in the series.

I received an advanced copy of Ax To Grind from NetGalley via Henery Press and while not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Ax To Grind by Tonya Kappes is the third book in her Kenni Lowry series and was the best one yet!

Kenni is back and so is her Poppa. Kenni has learned that when Poppa shows up it's a harbringer of something bad happening; and, of course, it did. Kenni has a new murder to solve of a famous author who was a resident of Cottonwood that has come home to retire. Apparently, she has written a "tell all" book that reveals secrets but no one is sure exactly what secrets. One of them does turn out to be about Kenni's Poppa and that had to be one of the funniest scenes that I have ever read.

A fast paced plot with so many twists that I never guessed until the reveal who was behind the murder and mayhem. There is also a touch of romance still brewing between Kenni and Finn Vincent and I'm cheering them on as they seem to be perfectly matched. With election campaigns, a southern mama who is determined to make sure her daughter is re-elected as sheriff, a green macaw that repeats everything it hears, and a question of loyalty that pops up during the investigation I had to keep turning the pages until the end. I'm already impatiently waiting for the next book in the series.

This is the first book I've read in this series and won't be the last. I loved it! It is the third one in the series and I didn't have any trouble following small details that were talked about in the previous ones so it can definitely be read as a stand alone. I just loved Sheriff Kenni and Finn. He is so dreamy. Even if you don't care for romance in your mysteries, this never distracted from the main story line. Tonya Kappes is one gifted author! I have yet to read anything of hers I didn't like. She is one of my favorites. You will just love this small cozy town this is set in. I want to live there now because I feel like I know the people lol.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review

Ax to Grind
#3 Kenni Lowry Mystery series
Tonya Kappes

Tonya Kappes has once again allowed readers into the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky and the life of their Sheriff Kenni Lowry. Beryl Stone, well known author of books using the people who reside in Cottonwood, with their names changed, dies. Her estate is left to be auctioned off with the proceeds to be donated to charities Beryl has specified in her will. It is Kenni and her Deputy Finn Vincent’s job to find a rumored manuscript Beryl has written before the wrong people get their hands on it. The tensions Kenni is facing, from running to retain her position of Sheriff of Cottonwood and controlling her over-zealous mother who has appointed herself Kenni’s campaign manager to keeping her feelings for her deputy undercover and now solving the death of Beryl’s assistant. This is another book I found hard to put down until I had read the last page.

I think the Kenni Lowry mystery series get better with each installment. AX TO GRIND, the third book in the series, does not disappoint, and I cannot wait to spend more time with Sheriff Kenni. Kappes achieves a great balance of mystery, humor, romance, the paranormal, and small town charm.

When Cottonwood’s most famous, and most private, resident, romance author Beryle Stone, dies, fans and citizens alike converge on the small southern town to buy a piece of Beryle at her estate sale. Rumor has it that she wrote one last book, a tell-all about the people in Cottonwood, and someone is willing to kill to keep those secrets hidden. When Beryle’s assistant is murdered and Kenni’s election rival’s wife Paige is found unconscious, Kenni, her deputy Finn, and her grandfather’s ghost all must work together to get to the bottom of everything.

AX TO GRIND is delightfully entertaining, and I adore the snap shot of small town Kentucky life that Kappes presents. I grew up in a small town and think I know some of these characters’ doppelgangers in real life. I like Kenni a great deal, her love of a good puzzle and her grandfather and her tenacious desire to do her job. It is difficult to be “the law” when most everyone in town has known you since you were in diapers, and I think she handles her challenges with grace and mettle. Her sidekick Finn is more than just eye candy, and I like the direction their relationship is heading. My favorite character has got to be Poppa. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to hang out with my grandfather again. Kenni and Poppa feed off each others’ strengths and make quite the investigative team. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention Kenni’s dog Duke. I appreciate that he is in almost every scene.

The mystery within these pages is solidly constructed with an even pace leading up to the climactic reveal of the villain. I admit that I did not guess whodunit or their motive. I love it when I cannot figure it all out early in the story – to me, that’s great storytelling. It is terrific fun to go along beside Kenni as she investigates and solves mysteries.

I highly recommend AX TO GRIND to any cozy mystery fan. Well developed characters and a flushed out mystery make for hours of enjoyment.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my opinions here.

Female sheriff, hot deputy and a murder all with a Southern flair. What fun! Well, the hot deputy is not a southerner, but he is learning. A serious murder mystery to solve with humor along the way. Small town living at its best and worst. Delightful series. I eagerly await the next one.

Tonya Kappes has the right combination of mystery, intrigue, with just a touch of romance and a ghostly sidekick in her Kenni Lowery Mystery series and the newest in the series Ax to Grind.
I was delighted to be approved to read book three in this series which is out September 19th and you can pre order now. Tonya writes with southern humor, hospitality and flair. I really loved the idea of a small town sheriff, her overzealous southern mother, a grandfather ghost and a partner who she would not kick out of bed for eating crackers....
Then there is the mystery and it is a good one, small town secrets keep and fester as the years go on and when a world renowned and reclusive romance author dies, leaving a huge estate sale open to the public that opens the small town up to the possibility of a murder living among them and scrutiny and leaves a mess of trouble for Kenni to unravel. Loved this one and think you will too!

Kappas' characters always stay true to the narrative and plots always interesting. Cozy for everyone who enjoys a light mystery

This is a great story full of suspense, drama, a ghost and a little romance. The small town of Cottonwood has very little crime, but now someone has been murdered. Sheriff Kenni Lowry has her hands full with all the gossip chain and her mother in the middle of it all. In addition, the ghost of her grandfather keeps appearing to her in an effort to help her solve the murder.

The characters and plot are well developed and you will be busy trying to solve the murder yourself. The story is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

This is a great book to read on the beach, by the pool, or anywhere else.

Ax To Grind
A Kenni Lowry Mystery, Book #3
Tonya Kappes
5+ Stars

Synopsis:

Southerners keep their secrets swept under the rug, but what happens when that rug goes up for sale?

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 that’s got more gossip than a ladies’ luncheon.

When Beryle’s assistant turns up with an ax in her back and the only witness is in a coma, Sheriff Kenni Lowry reckons someone in town will do anything to keep the manuscript from seeing the light of day. Her poppa’s ghost returns to help piece together the life of the Beryle he once knew, but his memory’s a little foggy, and any misstep could cause them a world of trouble. With the help of Deputy Finn Vincent, can Kenni sort through the secrets buried in Beryle’s books, or will this be her final chapter?

Books in the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series:

FIXIN’ TO DIE (#1)
SOUTHERN FRIED (#2)
AX TO GRIND (#3)
SIX FEET UNDER (#4) Spring 2018 (Goodreads)


Review:

I really enjoy this series a lot. The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I really like the relationship between Kenni and her Poppa (or at least his ghost). You can tell how close the two of them were when he was alive and even death cannot keep them apart. He helps Kenni solve whatever mystery there is to solve and their time together is special. Kenni’s mother drives me nuts but she brings humor to the story, so I guess I can forgive her for being so prim and proper. And Finn, her deputy, makes a good partner for Kenni and may be a future love interest. I am looking forward to finding out.

The mystery was carried on well throughout the entire book and it was not easily solved. There are enough suspects to consider, clues to sift through and red herrings to toss out that even the most talented armchair detective will have a hard time solving this one. I definitely did not have the culprit figured out and it surprised me, which is a great thing.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place and eavesdropping in on conversations. She is also very talented in creating small town settings, with the gossip mill at full speed and people knowing everyone else’s business. I would love to visit Cottonwood, Kentucky, and sit a spell.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like paranormal thrown in with your cozy, this is a must read book. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series, whenever it is published. Do yourself a favor and check out this book (and series), you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this awesome book.