This is the fifth book in the Kenni Lowry mystery series and just a lot of fun. There are a lot of laughs throughout this story. I love Kenni and Finn. It is also fun with the ghost. The mysteries are well done and the characters are all great. You just live the small town through these people. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I  received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a fast and entertaining read. There were lots of clues and red herrings.

The only downsides: I didnt end up caring for Kenni's mother any more than I did in the last book. (And I dont enjoy how Kenni gets bullied into doing things she doesn't want to.)

i loved the store, it is a fun read, i have read several of her books and they are fun to read. she works with herbs and grows them, she moves to a new town , she thinks, she was raised there but did not remember. if you like cozy mysteries you will like the book

This series just keeps getting better and better. I love Kenni and her entire surrounding cast of characters. I appreciate how her relationship has been allowed to progress with Finn and the cheerful appreciation they have for each other. The mystery totally had me fooled. I'd give 'Dead As A Doornail' more stars if I could and can't recommend the entire series enough!

I thoroughly enjoyed this visit to Cottonwood, Kentucky and it's quirky cast of characters. This is the third book that I've read in this series and they keep getting better. Kenni Lowry, the Sheriff of Cottonwood, has continued to grow as the books have progressed and I enjoy coming back to these stories and the characters in them. Poppa continues to be one of my favorite characters and I love the contributions that he makes to the story. Cottonwood is a small southern town and everyone knows everyone else's business practically as it happens. This makes things both easy and hard for Kenni because there is so much gossip. Is any of it true, if so how much? This story kept me guessing as to the motive and the identity of the killer. I have enjoyed each book that I have read in this series and look forward to the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Henery Press for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kenni Lowry is sheriff in the small Kentucky town of Cottonwood. She's taken over where her grandfather, Poppa, left off after he died. Except he's not really dead, not to her: whenever there's a murder, he shows up to help her out.

Right now, Kenni has problems. When she's given a gift certificate to a day spa from her boyfriend, Deputy Finn Vincent, she expects to have a relaxing afternoon getting a manicure and pedicure. While it starts out that way, it sure doesn't end the same. While there, local Lucy Ellen Lowell shows up demanding that Tina, owner of the spa, give her a color, manicure, and anything else her little heart desires. Tina refuses, and her employee Cheree adds that Lucy keeps cancelling appointments, so they can't make time for her, especially since Polly Parker and her entire wedding party have shown up to get their nails done for a 'pre-wedding preview' of color.

Lucy isn't happy, and when she leaves she tells Tina she's going to write a review of her shop. It seems Lucy is well known for writing her bad reviews, and has cost businesses customers by them. In fact, it seems the only person who even likes Lucy is her husband Darnell. So when Lucy is found murdered by Darnell, Kenni has a whole stack of suspects to sift through.

But it's not going to be easy, nor is it going to be comfortable. It seems Kenni has been volunteered by her mother Vivian and best friend Tibbie to be the maid of honor in Polly's wedding after the original one backed out. And Kenny - reluctant as she is - has pretty much figured out why. It appears that Polly wants a Gone with the Wind-themed wedding, and the dress Kenni has to wear looks like the famous dark green curtain dress, and it is Ug-ly with a capital U.

So now Kenni is juggling a murder investigation along with trying to avoid her mama at all costs. Then things get even more heated when Finn asks her to come home to Chicago for Christmas, and she sure doesn't want to face her mama over that; and just when she thinks she has the murder all sewn up she knows it can't be right because Poppa hasn't left. Yes, Kenni's in a whole heap of trouble, and she'll need all the help she can get to figure this one out...

Once again Tonya Kappes has written another delightful Kenni Lowry mystery. This one is packed with plenty of action and Kenni wrestling with problems - like those mentioned above and also the fact that she knows she's going to have to come clean with Finn about her Poppa's ghost eventually. It leaves her very little down time, and a multitude of suspects who may or may not be telling her the entire truth.

It's a magnificent romp of a mystery that shows us Kenni has what it takes to be sheriff in this town full of looney characters, and one of the best books I've read this year. I can't say enough about this series except that while this can be read as a stand alone, I hope that you'll start at the beginning to get the full effect of Kenni and the eccentric people of Cottonwood. I loved every minute of it and look forward to the next installment. Highly recommended.

This series is always a guaranteed delight to read.
The characters are entertaining along with the small town setting is a great combination.
The whodunit is well written with enough twists to keep you guessing!
I especially like the relationship between Kenni and her Poppa.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Dead as a Doornail is the fifth installment in the Kenni Lowry mystery series featuring Sheriff Kendrick "Kenni" Lowry set in the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. Kenni is not at all happy that her Mama is forcing her to be be the maid of honor in Polly Parker's wedding to Mayor Chance Ryland. Kenni isn't really a fan of Polly or the Mayor, and when she sees the Gone With The Wind dress and bonnet she's expected to wear, she completely understands why Polly's sorority sister backed out at the last minute.

The ladies in town are all visiting Tina Bower's Tiny Tina's salon and spa before the wedding to have their hair and nails done up with Tina's special nail polish. Tina makes her own special colors with a secret recipe, and her favorite color Perfectly Posh is in high demand by the ladies including Lucy Ellen Powell. When Tina tells Lucy Ellen that she doesn't have time in her schedule to fit her in for a beauty treatment, Lucy does what she's famous for - writing a negative review in the local paper.

When Lucy's found dead, and Kenni's ghostly sidekick Poppa appears, Kenni senses that Lucy's death isn't accidental. Knowing that half of the townsfolk including her friend Tina had a beef with Lucy Ellen over her nasty reviews and brash ways, Kenni sets out with the help of Poppa and her beau Deputy Vince Flynn to track down a killer.

Another fun and fast paced plot with the return of series main characters. There wasn't quite enough interaction with Poppa, but still plenty of quirky and laugh out loud moments to make this addition to the series another favorite.

I received an advanced copy of Death of a Doornail from NetGalley via Henery Press. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

OMG How have I missed these books??? My wishlist is expanding faster than I can keep up!

Kenni is dealing well with being Sheriff, dating Finn and dealing with the fact that she can see her dead Grandad! He always pops up when there is a new murder to solve, something you wouldn't think there would be much of in their little town!

Lucy Ellen Lowell is kinda nasty. She loves giving bad reviews to local businesses that don't snap to her bidding and has a long standing feud with some of the wives from the hunting club. But no one expected her to get killed, least of all by using tainted Nailpolish! But Kenni is now in a precarious position as Sheriff she wants the truth but as a coerced wedding party member, she has to try und keep the bridezillas feathers unruffled!

But it is soon apparent that although the local beauty shop owner is the main suspect, there are plenty more ready to come out the woodwork.

Little town, high drama, quirkiness throughout. Great characters and a dollop of slow romance. I loves the little flutter with PNR through visits from Grandad and as usual I was last to the party to guess how the bad guy was! I almost fell off my chair with the hideousness that Kenni and the other bridesmaids were made to wear, even more when I found out they had to pay for the privilege! Finn had great respect for Kenni as his boss but equally protective of her as his girlfriend - he even stands up to Kenni's mother, not for the fainthearted that!

Dead As A Doornail by Tonya Kappes was another adventure with Kenni and her Poppa in this fifth book in this series.

Ms. Kappes never fails to both intrigue and entertain me as I was caught up completely in her book from page one. I truly want to visit Cottonwood, KY and meet the lovely and often quirky residents that make up this small community. The plot flowed swiftly and I just kept turning the pages to find out how this mystery played out. The twists kept me guessing right up to the end as the victim had made plenty of residents of Cottonwood unhappy with her negative reviews. I confess that I never guessed who the killer was until the reveal. On a sweet side note, Kenni and Finn's romance seems to be heating up now. Humor, "southernisms", a well-crafted small town and characters, and a mysterious murder all made this a book I couldn't put down.

This is the 2nd book in this series that I've read & I enjoyed almost a good as the 1st one. The main character is a strong woman doing what is right for the community, and herself. I feel like I know the people she talks with especially her mama. I did find that the mystery part of the story was slower than the previous book. I had a hard time not peeking ahead to see who committed the murder. I was given the opportunity to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley and the publisher.

Sheriff Kenni has her hands full when one of Cottonwood's most 'hated' resident is found dead in her home. The strange thing is, there is nail polish on her nails that wasn't there before during the day when she demanded the owner of the salon 'fit her in' for getting her nails done. Things look like a possible heart attack, until Poppa, Kenni's dead grandfather shows up. Now things really get to moving! Not only does Kenni need to prove that Lucy Ellen was murdered, she also has to get ready to be matron of honor for the mayor's bride! Things are not going well at all. Can Kenni find the killer and why? I thought she had the murderer until that last twist I never had a clue was coming! Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book. The review is voluntarily done and my own opinion

Dead As a Doornail is the fifth Kenni Lowry series by Tonya Kappes, and this series just gets better. While taking a rare day off to get pampered at Tiny Tina's salon, she witnesses a meltdown from the town's chronic complainer, Lucy Ellen. Lucy Ellen expects an appointment for a manicure now, on her terms, and when she doesn't get it, fireworks erupt! After she stomps out, the neighborhood salon gossip starts and rumors swarm like bees. When Lucy Ellen is found dead , all of this comes back to Sheriff Kenni. When Poppa, her grandfather's ghost, shows up, Kenni knows it was murder.
Kenni is out to find out who did it in Cottonwood before the wedding of the century between the Mayor and Polly Parker (who there is tension between). Between getting named as the replacement maid of honor for the wedding, fittings, dinners, and dealing with the cast of characters in Cottonwood. Kenni has her hands full.
Kappes excels at developing the townspeople of rural Kentucky with mystery and humor. She keeps you guessing until the end. I did not want to put it down once I started.
You will want to read all of books in this series!
I was given an advanced copy from netgalley for my honest opinion.

This book had me laughing out loud. Fantastic story with all the southern sayings to make it gold.
Kenni is trying to solve Lucy's murder, and prepare for her role in the upcoming wedding Haha.
Poppa is helping Kenni, and she's worrying about how she'll tell Finn about Poppa's ghost.
The suspects are plenty, and the method used to kill Lucy is creative as all get out.
I love the characters in this series!

My favorite Kendrick book yet. From the first page, you are sucked into small town drama, and fun. With new guilty people around every turn, you just don't know who the real perp is.

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as others because Flynn was basically mute and ineffective throughout. Kenny is fun and can be smart

I've loved every single Kenni Lowry book and I believe this is my favorite to date! I love the worlds Tonya Kappes creates. They feel like slipping into a nice, warm bubble bath. Her cozies are filled with charming characters, Southern appeal, interesting mysteries and laughs. I love losing myself in Kenni's world. Small town living, female sheriff, a touch of supernatural and just plain fun.

Poor Kenni has gotten pulled into a true Southern belle nightmare of a wedding, all the while trying to solve a murder. As the bodies stack up, her Mama is up to her Southern Mama ways, Poppa is there to help guide her and her handsome deputy wanting to take her to "meet the parents", Kenni Is pulled in every which way. Loyal Duke is there with his trusty hound dog sniffer to help solve the crimes.

I totally recommend this book, and this whole SERIES to lovers of cozies. Tonya delivers every time. I find myself trying to figure out "whodunnit" while laughing at the hijinks.

*Thank you to the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a for and honest opinion*

3.5 STARS

Maybe Lucy Lowell isn't the nicest person in this small town. And maybe she's a bit pushy and loud, and rude. And maybe she writes all those awful negative reviews in the newspaper for anything that doesn't please her. But is that any reason someone would kill her?

Sheriff Kenni Lowry knows immediately that this was a case of murder ...because the ghost of her grand-daddy (the ex-Sheriff) is standing over her body. Seems to be the only time he turns up.

When she treats this as a homicide, she gets some mighty peculiar looks because everyone else is assuming a heart attack.

Her boyfriend, Deputy Finn Vincent, is starting to look at her a bit strangely. Will she be able to solve the case without trying to explain Grand-Daddy to him?

This one seems to be a bit of a cozy with a little paranormal thrown in. It's a fast, entertaining read. Although 5th in a series, this one can easily be read as a stand alone. I love the small town characters ... a lot of the action takes place in a beauty salon, reminding me of Steel Magnolias. Being from a small town in Mississippi myself, I especially appreciated the biscuits and gravy, substituting chocolate sauce for the gravy. Yum!

Many thanks to the author / Henery Press / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Kenni is called out in the early morning hour for what looks like a natural death but with the help of her ghostly sidekick, aka papa, she knows better. Who would want to kill Lucy Ellen and why? The evidence points to an obvious suspect but when that lead ends up having an alibi Kenni must dig deeper into who the killer could be and what exactly made them a killer. She quickly learns that there were quite a few people who didn't mind the the death of Lucy Ellen at all. The mayor seems to want the investigation to go away, his upcoming nuptials is what he wants everyone focused on. There are several people who ended up on the wrong end of her column, outing them for wrongs she perceived they committed against her. Lets not forget the ladies of the hunting club, always trying to one up each other especially Alma. Tag along and see how she deals with being the maid of honor at the mayors wedding, her budding relationship with her deputy Finn, and her ghostly helper. This is such a fun series that will have you laughing the whole way through and leave you wanting more.