This was my first Tonya Kappes book, although I have seen her name around for a long time, but the fourth installment in her Kenni Lowry series. I was initially a bit confused (I'm always assuming the book I read are the first in series - I should know better by now), but managed to figure everyone out quickly enough.

In this installment, a famous chef who's come to judge the local cook-off is found murdered, Kenni's Mama's chicken pot pie beside him, along with a not very complimentary review. Of course, this puts Mama in first place on the suspect list and eventually, Kenni has to remove herself from the investigation to prevent any conflict of interest. Fortunately, her boyfriend/deputy, Finn, is able to take over and she has some other-worldly help from her Poppa, who was the sheriff before her.

This was fun, although I found Mama to be a bit OTT (but I don't know anything about southern mamas, so perhaps she's just par for the course) and was frustrated that she refused for so long to provide an alibi. Outside of that, I queried the legitimacy of a sheriff/deputy romance, but the story was good, the mystery well done and it's a series I'd like to read from the beginning, to be able to get the character build-up from the get-go.

Great mystery! I really enjoyed this mystery with Kenni, Finn and all the characters of Cottonwood, KY. Good twists and turns in the story. Kept my interest throughout and can’t wait to visit again!

There is something satisfying about sitting down with a Tonya Kappes book. She writes a charming, witty Southern mystery. The characters are quirky and delightful. When I can sit and laugh out loud at a book you've won me over.

Quite engaging.
Interesting characters (and some of them are real "characters"!).
A good mystery, the solution to which is not apparent for quite some time.
A very satisfying read.

Six Feet Under is the 4th Kenni Lowry mystery by Tonya Kappes. There are returning characters galore (including Kenni's grandfather, Poppa, who hasn't let being in the afterlife stop him from showing up and helping her solve crime in her constabulary).

For fans of light cozies, this one is cute and full of quirky characters. They're full of southern charm and witticisms. The author is astoundingly prolific and if cozies are your cup of tea, you could spend a long while reading her 83 books in 14+ series.

Definitely a cute, light, and undemanding read. I read it as a standalone and had no trouble following the narrative or keeping track of the characters.

Three and a half stars.

The book looks generally good. I got access to excerpt of this book. I wished to have access to the full book to provide a more deep review.

A small town sheriff solves a murder mystery. But there are complications. First of all, her own mother is the prime suspect; then her deputy is making her heart do strange things; and someone is printing fake pink handicap tags and doing other nefarious deeds. But the real kicker is her other deputy, her grandfather. The ghost. This last one you simply have to take on faith, but following the clues to the murderer involves investigation and police procedure and forensics and a little gray matter. This story stands alone although it is the fourth in the series. But I get the impression I missed some good stuff in earlier episodes which might cover how gramps got to remain a police detective. Whodunnit is hiding in plain sight but not that easy to find regardless. Very enjoyable!

This is the 4th book in the Kenni Lawrey series. I love this series. Tonya keeps you on the edge of your seat!

In this one, Kenni's mom and her friends are very excited that a famous chef is coming to town. Things get complicated when there is a murder and her mom is one of the suspects. She also uncovers a botox ring.

Kendrick Lowry is sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. She fights against crime. Her mother doesn’t make easier for her because she doesn’t approve Kenni’s job. Kenni has a gift to see ghosts. She sees her grandfather ghost, and when Poppa ghost shows up, the trouble comes. Mama takes part in a cooking contest, and she is determined to win because the prize is an episode in the culinary channel with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee who is coming in the town. Her competition is in the next town; Frank should make a decision who to feature on his culinary TV show. Unfortunately, his visit ends with tragedy, and on the first day, he drops dead in his hotel room even vicarious doctor Camille can’t save him. And the first suspect is – guess who?

Six Feet Under is the fourth book in the Kenni Lowey series, but it could be read alone. Tonya writes realistic and dramatic stories and has the power to suck the reader into the story. She created the well-plotted cozy mystery with sharp dialogues and compelling main character.

“She‘s been driving herself nuts since got word he was coming. I’ve been with her. She’s not slept. She did that thing to her face.”

The story is vivid and realistic I felt like I knew all those fascinating characters starting with Kenni, Mama, Lulu, Myrna, Finn even Poppa’s ghost. The narration is well-passed and it flows with exciting suspense and puzzle, a little dose of fear. I asked myself what will happen next, who is the murderer, what if… and all that passes engaging me till the end.

Kenni attracts my attention from the first page. Tonya offered crucial insight into Kenni, as the main character, into her personality and background, giving me a detailed clear picture. Kenni impresses me like a person she is an active listener and is aware of others’ reactions and understands why the others react as they do.

“There is something going on with you.” I pointed my finger in a circle around her head. “There’s something wrong with her face.” I turned to Finn. Finn looked at me with a very amused expression. It was one of those curious looks that made my heart flip-flop every time he wore it.

Mama or Vivian Lowry is a stubborn proud woman too sure of herself.

“I’m fine. I wanted to see my competition. And now I know it’s the lack thereof competition. I’m going to win, hands down.” You see! I told you she is self-centered! Mama Lowry wants to talk “her lips never stop moving once.” And that is the reason that her daughter distances from her. But, this isn’t a reason to hate her she is very interesting and entertaining character who is pushing the story straight.

“I was trying to tell you before you rudely interrupted.” Mama pushed back over to me. “I’m sorry,” she said to Finn. “I raised her better than that.”

I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and to everyone who likes good book packed with suspense and puzzling tickle.

Tonya Kappes has done it again! Poppa's back and Kenni is on the case. Murder by Chicken Pot Pie, and her poor mama is the prime suspect. Not only is there murder afoot, but love as well. As the story weaves its way through clues, suspects, and eye twitching gossip..Kenni and Finn sift through them all, until by working together, they wrap up the case. The writing is fluid and entertaining. The characters are like many members of my own family. And Kenni is just my kind of girl.

Loved this book. Light hearted, fun entertaining. I love this author, and think her series is terrific

Sheriff Kenni Lowry knows trouble cannot be far behind when the ghost of her grandfather Poppa, a former sheriff, appears at her side. She just does not know what kind of trouble will arrive this time. In this story, her mother, who delights in any kind of recognition, is into a baking contest with a well-known chef, Frank Von Lee, who, working with a celebrity food magazine, is coming to town to test out Kenni’s mother’s well-known chicken pot pie. The contest will take place at their old friend and restaurant owner, Ben’s diner. After arriving with much fanfare, chef Frank Von Lee, retreats to his room at the local inn, where he dies, after frantically calling 911 for help. When she arrives at his room, Kenni discovers a scathing review of her mother’s pot pie, which he was ready to submit. Kenni knows her mother will be devastated by this review, though it looks like someone has given the chef a pot pie not using her mother’s recipe (doctored to make the experience look and taste like the pie is just terrible), laced with fast-acting, lethal poison. As the town sheriff, it is now up to Kenni to figure out exactly what happened. The one big glitch is the fact that all signs point to her mother as the guilty party, and some, including the mayor, doubt that Kenni can remain unbiased throughout the investigation. Thus, her deputy and current boyfriend, Finn, takes over the investigation. Still, Kenni does not completely bow out, managing to keep herself involved behind the scenes. Together, Kenni and Finn must ferret out clues and answers about that happened to the chef, while keeping their own relationship going as well as pacifying the local population who are understandably frightened by it all.

This is a well written, interesting book. At first, I thought it would just be another quick, cozy, like all the others, which I read half-heartedly, but it turned out to be a book that held my attention from start to finish. I loved the level-headed sheriff Kenni. Her mother, the town drama queen, added a bit of humor and drama to the tale. In addition, her ghost grandfather, Poppa, and deputy Finn were well done and lent a whole lot to the story. The small town and it residents were normal for small towns, depicted as you might expect. All in all, this was a very pleasant read and one that moved along quickly, carrying me right along. I am now going to look for the other books in the series, as I enjoyed reading about Kenni and Poppa’s exploits. The addition of Kenni’s ghost grandfather, a one-time sheriff who helped things along when Kenni or Finn got stuck in a rut during the investigation only added to the tale, and the paranormal aspect made it all more interesting. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys a good, somewhat humorous but still serious, cozy or novel, with a good plot. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Cottonwood, Kentucky residents are excited that the Culinary Channel is coming to town to film an episode with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee. Viv Lowry's award-winning chicken pot pie is what brought Frank to town and Sheriff Kenni Lowry watches her mother's excitement with bemusement. But when Frank is found dead in his hotel room from food poisoning, the most likely culprit is Viv's chicken pot pie, Kenni finds herself having to consider her mother as the prime suspect. Soon the mayor appoints deputy Finn as the lead investigator which leaves Kenni free to do her own unofficial snooping to clear her mother. A tie-in with an illegal Botox party and fake handicap car tags is linked to the murder.

This was a quick fun read in the 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.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Kenni Lowry may be top cop in her town but it is anything but easy. She is trying to juggle a new romance with her deputy while she tries to clear her mother from the murder of a celebrity chef who apparently succumbed by eating her mother’s chicken pie. It is all rather discombobulated. Kenni does not help her own cause one bit by bringing new meaning to conflicts of interest and the ghost of her grandfather, the former top cop, does not make things easier. He shows up when there is a murder to help her solve the crime. It does not help that many people hear her conversing with him, thinking she is talking to herself.
Naturally the deceased chef was a piece of work so there are plenty of suspects and the villain turns out to be someone for whom the reader can feel some sympathy.
It was an enjoyable read but I confess Kenni is not a strong and independent heroine and even with spectral help, she does not fill me with confidence in her abilities. For that reason, I cannot give the book a stronger rating. I give it three and a half purrs and one paw up.

Six Feet Under is a delightful cozy murder mystery. This book is well written and has a great cast of quirky characters. The author was new to me and I certainly enjoyed her writing. I definitely will be reading more books in this series. I recommend to readers who enjoy a good mystery.

Six Feet Under is the fourth book in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series, and the first book of the series that I've read. What a delightful introduction to Cottonwood and the folks who live there!

The Culinary Channel is coming to town, and Kenni's mother, Vivian, hopes to make the big time with her chicken pot pie. But before the big event, the celebrity judge is found dead, poisoned, and Vivian is the prime suspect.

As the sheriff, Kenni has her work cut out for her, trying to handle an investigation objectively when her mother tops the list of people she's investigating. We see her relationship with Finn developing, and there are a couple of twists along the way that you've just got to read for yourself.

I enjoy Tonya Kappes' work, and this book is no exception. I'm from a small town, so I relate to the characters and the way news travels fast. This was a fun read, and it's gotten me interested in the series so that I'm going to go back and read the first three.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This series is a delight. its pure cozy mystery perfection.
This is the Fourth Kenni Lowry Mystery paranormal series. I love the aspect of the paranormal in the form of the former Sheriff who comes back to assist the current sheriff in solving a murder. Add in Southern charm, fun quirky characters and a dose of Southern cooking and this next in series is a hit ! . There are laugh out loud moments, a well crafted sleuth and clues abound throughout this fun book. I loved it and highly recommend this series. This book can be read as a stand alone as the author does a great introduction to the characters and basis of the series.
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review. I look forward to the next in series !

Henery's Ghost Stories - Two Reviews

Killing in C#
by
Alexia Gordon

Six Feet Under
by
Tonya Kappes

A Review

The ghosts are back.

Having read previous books by these authors in these series, I was looking forward to again seeing familiar characters and their spirited friends. These friends are more like Casper the friendly ghost than Scrooge’s Jacob Marley. In each, the protagonist is assisted in solving a series of murders by their unexpected friendly spirits.

But there are other elements in common – the primary victim of both stories is a vindictive reviewer – of music (from Gordon’s novel) and restaurants (from Kappes’ novel). Each reviewer has a history of destroying careers and reputations. And they have ruined so many people’s lives, the number of suspects grows the further into the book the reader goes.

As expected, these two Henery Press books were fun to read and demanded to be finished as quickly as possible. It was disappointing to see Eamon’s ghostly wife be left to some unexplained nether world – perhaps she can return in a later book. One can hope.

For those who like cozy mysteries, for those who like ghost stores (especially, friendly ghost stories), for those who like music or food – these two books may just feel the bill.
______________
This review is based on free electronic copies provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Kenni must solve the mystery of who killed the food critic before her Mama is railroaded into jail for the crime. With her two partners, Finn who doesn't know about her other partner, her dead Grandfather the former sheriff they are off to find the real killer. This victim didn't have any friends, everyone hated him so the suspect pool is quite large. A very good book in this wonderful series full of quirky characters and hometown charm as only the southerners can pull off.