Six Feet Under

by Tonya Kappes

Six Feet Under is a cozy mystery by Tonya Kappes. I had read the first one in the series and then didn’t follow up with books two and three. Forgetting that there is a paranormal aspect to this series, I requested an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I do not normally enjoy or choose to read anything with paranormal elements.

I have mixed feelings about the book. The paranormal comes in the form of the main character’s ghost sidekick, Poppa. Kenni is the elected sheriff in a small Kentucky town and her grandfather Poppa was previously a sheriff in Cottonwood as well. Kenni grew up discussing crimes with Poppa. In these books, his ghost provides her with clues and a sounding board for her theories. Poppa supplies humor and complexity as Kenni has to guard her conversations with him so people won’t think she is crazy.

Six Feet Under is well-crafted, interesting, and humorous. I admit I enjoyed the tale including all the “Southernisms” of the characters. The romantic interest with her deputy sheriff is good, and the side threads help keep the story going. I was surprised by the the ending. In conclusion, if lighthearted paranormal doesn’t bother you, then you will enjoy this fun cozy mystery.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #4 in the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series

Publication: March 13, 2018—Henery Press

Memorable Lines:

It wasn’t until I’d accepted the fact that Poppa was my guardian angel deputy from the great beyond that I realized he’d been scaring away any would-be criminals during those first two years of my term. Since then, whenever Poppa showed up, I knew there was some sort of crime about to happen. Though I loved seeing him, it made me feel sick to know the reason he was here.

…being on the front of the Chronicle was better than butter on a biscuit for Mama.

For years they’d bragged on Mama’s cooking, but I just figured they were nice compliments with underlying meanings, like our famous saying, bless your heart. It sounded good, but when you shaved back the layers, it was a dagger in the heart and you didn’t even know it.

A new Kenni Lowry mystery is something I can’t pass up.

I love the idea of a female sheriff and Kenni takes the cake. She’s tough yet vulnerable, especially when her mother butts into her business, and smart too. And she’s falling in love! The new romance is going to be put to the test though. A new murder case puts her mother at the top of the list of suspects and she’s tempted to go outside her legal boundaries to clear her mother’s name. She could use a little help from the other side of the grave and her poppa is happy to oblige.

This series never gets old. There’s a bit of romance, a juicy murder, a sprinkling of the paranormal, and a whole lot of southern flavor and shenanigans. All the fixins you need for a fun cozy mystery.

The Kenni Lowry series just keeps getting better! Six Feet Under
is only the 4th book in the series. Don't worry if you start with this one. You'll catch on real quick but be warned you'll really
want to pick up the rest.
I actually wasn't really sure how I would feel about the whole
paranormal spin.
Kenni's father is the previous town sheriff. But well he's actually dead. And so Kenni became the new sheriff. But well daddy isn't leaving things alone. He shows up and talks to Kenni and gives her suggestions and lets her know what's going on.
In book 4 Kenni daddy shows up more and more. Well of course he would his wife is the prime suspect. And since he's showing up more poor Kenni gets caught 'talking to herself' but she's not really she is talking to daddy.
The cast the residents of Cottonwood are a fun and comical group.
You might snicker. You might giggle. And there are a couple of scenes you might just have a good 'ole laugh.
The plot is fast paced and you'll be turning the pages trying to figure out who did it. It might slow you down though as the suspects start piling up!
If you love a good cozy mystery Six Feet Under is for you!
Oh and there is some romance too!
You'll enjoy it so much you'll want to pick up the other 3.
I received a complimentary copy

I love Tanya Kappes Sheriff Kenni Lowry series. Kenni's Mama is excited because her chicken pot pie recipe could be featured on one of those TV cooking shows. When Chef Frank Von Lee comes to town Kenni's Mama gets recognition but it's not because of her cooking. From remodeling buildings to a little nip and tuck on the face this is a crazy murder mystery. All of Kenni's deputies try to help her solve the murder, Grandpa, Duke and of course Deputy Finn. They find out there are more suspects than they originally thought.

The weakest of the series, exposing all the problems with Kenni that I've had since book 1 and been hoping that she would get over. I like my heroines to be competent - and Kenni seems to be getting worse. In this she's investigating her own mother and although she eventually sees the problem, she's still doing slightly dubious investigating when she's off the case. Add to the fact that her mother is one of the more annoying characters in the series and I found this maddening. Definitely time for me to give this series a rest for a bit.

(Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.) Six Feet Under A Kenni Lowery Mystery by Tonya Kappes was southern whodunit with all the bells and whistles. This is my first time reading one of the Kenni Lowry Mystery books and was not disappointed at all. The author demonstrated very clearly her ability at world building. As a reader you could picture every street driven on, sidewalk walked on, or stoplight that a car passed through. The detail had a nice balance between providing the coloring book without too many crayons. Character building is always the most difficult because the plots and overall storyline come along for the ride. In this case, the overall storyline was well thought out and crisp. The main and secondary characters are well defined. Then as must happen sub-plots must be added to provide depth and growth to the storyline. In order for this to work your characters need to grow and stretch with their added responsibilities and/or roles. Tertiary characters may have to be added to fill in holes. However, this is where caution is always the best road to follow otherwise if too many subplots are added or just diversions it can get confusing. It happened to me. Somewhere in the middle, I got lost with who was who and what was what. I had to go back and re-read a chapter or two to get back on track. Overall, I truly did enjoy all that Six Feet Under offered. I had a good many laughs as I read which, is always a good sign that the author accomplished their goal. I RECOMMEND reading Six Feet Under A Kenni Lowry Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes.

Another great read by Tonya Kappes!!
Six Feet Under is where Keni’s Mom (Vivian) is being visited by a renowned Chef to try her chicken pot pie. Only a few hours after arriving into town Frank Vin Lee is found dead in his hotel room. At first a heart attack is suspected but with Grandpa’s ghost arriving Kenni knows it’s murder. With a chicken pot pie and a bad review on the desk all fingers point to Vivian as the murderer. It’s up to Kenni, Finn, and Grandpa to find the real killer.
This story will keep you guessing as you read along as to who the real killer is.

Tonya has done it again by writing a truly incredible cozy mystery book that really captures the Southern spirit while giving us an incredible mystery to solve. Since this is book four the characters are all nicely established by this point which is quite nice. Kenni's momma is gearing up to compete to be featured on an upcoming cooking show going to extremes to win. That looks bad enough but when the famous man that is supposed to be hosting the show is found dead in his room with the remnants of what looks like momma's food nearby things go all to hell evening getting Kenni pulled off the case for a while due to conflict of interest. That does not stop her though as she investigate to clear her momma's name with the help of Duke and Poppa. The writing is amazing peppered with lots of little clues and details to really draw the reader in and I admit that the end still surprised me a little bit. If you enjoy cozy mysteries then you really have to give this series a chance. I loved every single page so it gets 5/5 stars.

What a delicious delight when the Culinary Channel comes to Cottonwood, Kentucky to film an episode of Southern Homecookin' with celebrity chef Frank Von Lee, featuring Sheriff Kenni Lowry's mama's award winning chicken pot pie. Unfortunately the chef is found dead from food poisoning and Mama's chicken pot pie is the likely culprit so Kenni has to find the killer and clear her mother's name.

I highly recommend Six Feet Under that kept me entertained and intrigued from the first page all the way to the end and just couldn't put the book down as I turned the pages faster than ever to see what would happen. Ms. Kappes knocked my socks off with great characters you feel like you know, southern charm, twists, turns, and a touch of paranormal with Kenni's poppa coming back from the great beyond to assist in the investigation.

I received a free advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I loved the book so much I purchased a copy.

Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes is the fourth book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. 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.

Trouble is brewing for the Sherriff when she has to investigate her own mother for murder! The mayor is already angling to have her removed from office and this may just be his chance. Can she and Finn solve the crime or will Finn be happy to take over her job since he is settling into town quite nicely! Great character development and intriguing plot with a few twists to keep you intrigued. The humor keeps rolling as Poppa's ghost keeps dropping in and out of the scenes as well! This series just keeps getting better and better.

Kenni's mom is super excited, her award winning Chicken Pot Pie is going to be tasted by an important food critic. If all goes well she'll be featured on a national level and on television to boot. When said food critic ends up dead in his room, a Pot Pie close by, Kenni's mom is the main suspect. It looks as if he tasted the pie and was writing a scathing review when he died, which would mean the end of her moms growing food aspirations. Kenni knows her mom is innocent but who else would have something to gain from his death. When the town decides she might be biased she hands over the investigation to Finn and figures she will look into things on the sly. While looking into suspects she comes across an illegal handicap parking ring and a shady cheap Botox pop up. With these new crimes coming out of the woodwork can Kenni find the time to clear her mothers name? It also looks like things are heating up between her and Finn although her ghostly grandfather would be okay if they weren't. This is truly a fun read filled with a terrific cast of characters and that is what keeps me coming back for more.

My first Kenni Lowry book, and I loved it! The town of Cottonwood, Kentucky pulls you in with its Southern charm. This is a character-driven book. Kenni is so great as the sheriff, with her I don't care what others think attitude. She is just awesome! You'll have to read this series for yourself if you love cozy mysteries.

One of my favorites is Poppa, who's always there to help Kenni solve her investigations. In this case, Kenni sets out to help clear her mom of murder when celebrity Chef Frank Von Lee is taken down by some pot pie. There's so much fun to be had among these pages. I'm ready for more, please.

This is the 4th in the series centering around Cottonwood Kentucky’s sheriff Kenni Lowry and her friends and family. The story starts out with Kenni’s mama, Viv, preparing for the arrival of the Culinary Channel’s celebrity chef Frank Von Lee to determine the winner of a cooking contest. By preparing, I mean she is getting botox injections and tricking Kenni into going to the neighboring town to check out (aka taste) the competition’s BBQ.
The story keeps zipping along at a rapid and hilarious pace. Shortly after arriving in Cottonwood, the tv chef has an attack in his hotel room and ends up dead from poisoning. Unfortunately, in the room is chicken pot pie which is supposedly Mama’s dish. Kenni, with the help of her deceased Poppa, the former sheriff, she works out who did it and why.
The mystery is solid and the characters in this story are absolutely, perfectly Southern. Thoroughly adored this book. This was the first in the series I had read and you can certainly read as a stand-alone.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Henery Press, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I like these Southern women! Before “meeting” Kenni Lowry in this series, I didn’t realize that Kentucky is the South. I am enjoying this experience not taught in any school in the (*gasp*) North! Tonya Kappes has a gift for a telling smooth-flowing Southern stories that are humorous, sometimes scary, and completely absorbing. From Deputy Duke to Poppa, Sheriff Kenni to Chef Mundy to Viv aka Mama, the characters are fresh and exciting throughout.

In her third year of being the sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky, Kenni is faced with her hardest case yet. Her mama, Viv Lowry, is the only suspect in a murder. Mama, on the team for Ben’s Diner, has won a Southern cooking contest. There is only one other team still in the running, The Little Shack in Clay’s Ferry. Chef Frank Von Lee, most recently a food critic for the Culinary Channel’s Southern Home Cookin’ show, is in town to make his final decision. Will it be Mama’s pot pie or the Shack’s barbecue?

Poppa – Kennis’s grandfather and secret weapon – comes to visit Kenni. He had been the sheriff when he was alive, and in recent months has appeared to Kenni to be her sounding board to talk though murders and robberies. There is only one little problem, other than that he’s dead. She is the only one who can see and hear him, other than her dog, Duke. She can’t tell anyone about his help, even Deputy Finn Vincent, who she recently began dating. Or her mother. Even when people hear her side of their conversations and don’t understand.

Ben hired Chef Mundy, a classmate from culinary school, to help in his Diner’s kitchen until Frank has come and gone. It was a great plan until Mundy hollered about the noise of the renovation work, packed up his knives, and left. On the day Chef Frank was due to arrive. Ben closed the diner so he, Viv, and Frank could meet. Later, Kenni gets a call from dispatch and hurries to the inn near the diner. Frank is dead, and the symptoms Dr. Camille Shively saw appeared to be from a heart attack. As Kenni and Poppa look around Von Lee’s room, they see a partially-eaten pot pie with the start of a terrible review of her mama’s cookin. A day earlier than the official taste testing? Leaving Viv as the main suspect.

Kenni is a modern Southern woman, both a lady and a sheriff, and doing a great job. I like her creativity, courage, and ability to stay reasonably calm in any situation. Even when it is hard, like knowing your Mama looks guilty but isn’t. She is very well defined as are the other characters, mostly through their dialog and actions.

The plot twists make the mystery intriguing. Poppa is invaluable as a sounding board and a secret weapon. I enjoyed their interaction, their love for her mother and for their town. Did I mention that there are a lot of funny scenes throughout? It was a challenging mystery to solve, and there was a point where I just felt who the bad guy/gal was even without knowing the motive. The LOL humor, the intrigue, even the sad or scary moments all mix together into something better than – well, better than Kenni’s cooking. The end is so good and came way too soon. I highly recommend it, either as a standalone or in the order of the series. This is way better than sweet tea, too good to be missed!

From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the author and NetGalley, and here is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this Cozy Mystery. You can read this book as a stand alone. It was fun following Sheriff Kenni around as she solve this murder. I also like that she does talk to her grandpa and gets help from him. So who was the killer, that I had figured out really early, the why I didn't realize until the end. I like the relationship between Kenni and Finn. I can't wait to read the next book.

A fast paced, enjoyable read. Kenni is a character you will fall in love with, much like her small town full of food and hospitality. Kenni's Momma is something else! What a lovable character.

When the news hits town that a famous tv chef is coming, Kenni's momma is out to prove she makes the best chicken pot pie. And then, well, the famous chef is dead and it's not looking good for Momma!  With a little heavenly help, can Kenni remain true to her police oath? With suspects just popping up all over the place, it may be difficult.

Great plot, fast paced action and lovable characters. Ingredients for a good story!

NetGalley/Henery Press

Not only is there always something exciting happening in Cottonwood, Kentucky but there is always the best gossip. It might be about someone's romantic relationship (or is it just for status and money?) or when the town women have had "a little work done." Sheriff Kenni Lowrey's Mama won the food truck contest in the previous book of this fun series and to celebrate a TV cooking show is coming to town with a celebrity chef. So the local diner wants " a little work done" too.
Add to that some mysterious PINK handicap parking placards making the rounds and Kenni and Deputy Finn have plenty to investigate. With the reappearance of Sheriff Kenni's deceased Poppa, the former sheriff, she knows something bigger will be coming into play.
I enjoy the characters and settings of this series. The nosy neighbors as well as how, no matter what their differences, the townsfolk have each others' backs.
The mysterious death and entangled investigations hit too close to home for Sheriff Kenni. She still has time to take a baking class! Murder shouldn't be this much fun!

Six Feet Under by Tonya Kappes is the 4th book in the Kenni Lowry mystery series, and another fun book. Sheriff Kendrick (Kenni) Lowry is the granddaughter of the late Sheriff Elmer Sims. Celebrity chef Frank Von Lee from the Culinary Channel is coming to town since Kenni's mom is having her chicken pot pie judged by the chef. Unfortunately when the chef is found dead Kenni, Deputy Finn Vincent, and the ghost of poppa must find the real killer before Kenni's mom is arrested.
Not only is this book really funny, it has a great mystery, with an element of the after life. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. Kenni is strong and independent women. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love humorous cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this book/series, with it's southern charm.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

I love Tonya Kappes books, I've only read the Ghostly Southern series though so finding another series by her was great. I really like the main character Kanni. She's very different than the main character of the Ghostly Southern books. She is a very strong, laid-back person with a strong sense of moral values, Even when it would have been easy to get rid of the evidence against her mama for murder she didn't & was able to clear her using approved police procedure. This is a very enjoyable book with a easy reading style with enjoyable people, & Duke too!. I was given the opportunity to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley and the publisher.