Dollycas's Thoughts
This story remind me a bit of J.J. Cook's Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries and Sharon Pape's Portrait of Crime Mysteries. Sheriff Kenni Lowry has been sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky since she was elected to fill her grandfather's seat after he passed away. She learned that since she took over his ghost has been scaring criminals away so there was virtually no crime in the town at all. When the doctor that has taken care of the town forever is murdered, the ghost makes himself known to help her solve the case and grow her confidence.
I hear you strict cozy fans saying a sheriff is not an amateur sleuth, but in this case, this is her first homicide and she is a bit out of her depth. Cottonwood is a small town with a super small police force, think, Andy Griffith in Mayberry. She does bring in some experience in Finn Vincent for the Kentucky Reserve. Many in the town and even Kenni's own mother think she is basically playing a game being sheriff. She needs to prove she is up to the job.
Kenni Lowry is smart and fun and knows how things work in her small town, like the gossip mill. She also know how to handle the varied personalities of the residents. I am sure she will be more confident in the next story. Poppa, her grandfather, must have been a wonderful man when he was alive and still is in his ghostly form. They relationship is so strong and loving. I really liked Finn. Together the 3 of them make a great Crime solving team. Kenni and Finn may make a great team in another way too.
Tonya Kappes have filled her story with the requisite quirky characters and wonderful Southern charm with plenty of humor. The mystery plot contains many twists and turns. I did have a theory of who was responsible for the recent crime wave and this time I was actually right.
This series is off to a wonderful start.
This story remind me a bit of J.J. Cook's Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries and Sharon Pape's Portrait of Crime Mysteries. Sheriff Kenni Lowry has been sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky since she was elected to fill her grandfather's seat after he passed away. She learned that since she took over his ghost has been scaring criminals away so there was virtually no crime in the town at all. When the doctor that has taken care of the town forever is murdered, the ghost makes himself known to help her solve the case and grow her confidence.
I hear you strict cozy fans saying a sheriff is not an amateur sleuth, but in this case, this is her first homicide and she is a bit out of her depth. Cottonwood is a small town with a super small police force, think, Andy Griffith in Mayberry. She does bring in some experience in Finn Vincent for the Kentucky Reserve. Many in the town and even Kenni's own mother think she is basically playing a game being sheriff. She needs to prove she is up to the job.
Kenni Lowry is smart and fun and knows how things work in her small town, like the gossip mill. She also know how to handle the varied personalities of the residents. I am sure she will be more confident in the next story. Poppa, her grandfather, must have been a wonderful man when he was alive and still is in his ghostly form. They relationship is so strong and loving. I really liked Finn. Together the 3 of them make a great Crime solving team. Kenni and Finn may make a great team in another way too.
Tonya Kappes have filled her story with the requisite quirky characters and wonderful Southern charm with plenty of humor. The mystery plot contains many twists and turns. I did have a theory of who was responsible for the recent crime wave and this time I was actually right.
This series is off to a wonderful start.
For the past two years, the town of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has been relatively crime-free, and Sheriff Kendrick "Kenni" Lowry would like to think that she is somewhat responsible. And, she is, but not for the reason she thinks. When the peaceful streak is broken by the murder of the beloved hometown doctor and the jewelry store is burglarized on the same day, she discovers that the ghost of the former sheriff, her own grandfather, has been scaring off any would-be criminals from his side of "the veil."
As Kenni, with the help of Kentucky Reserve Officer Finn Vincent, and local characters, jailer Wyatt Granger and Sterling Stinnett, investigates the two major crimes, she tries to come to terms with the ghostly presence of her "Poppa" as well as prove to herself, her doubting parents, and her town that she can handle the position to which she's been elected. Long-hidden secrets are uncovered and Kenni finds out that even in a town where everyone knows everyone else's business not everything is as it appears.
Fixin' to Die is the first book in Tonya Kappes' Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni is so very likeable and human - the girl next door - dealing with a job, family, friends, and a single life. I liked that she starts with some self-doubt and gains confidence as the investigation goes on. She follows her leads which send her in the wrong direction at times. This was a fun story and a good series debut. I recommend this book to cozy mystery readers that don't mind a touch of the paranormal in the story.
Fixin' to Die is the first in the Kenni Lowry mystery series. Kendrick "Kenni" Lowry is the Sheriff of Cottonwood, KY following in her Grandfather "Poppa" Elmer's footsteps and against the wishes of her parents. Not much has happened since she took over 2 years ago, so it's quite a shock when a murder and a break in occur within the same week.
Ronald "Doc" Walton is found dead in his office. It seems that someone definitely was angry with the doctor as he had mercury balls shoved down his throat and stuck in his beard, there were various stab wounds to his neck, and he had two bite marks. While Kenni is busy trying to process Doc's murder scene, she's called to a reported break in at White's Jewelry. At White's she discovers that Viola's most valuable diamond had been stolen.
The common denominator between the two crime scenes is the Chinese emblem that was tattooed on Doc and spray painted on the floor of the jewelry store. Kenni sets out to investigate what the relationship between the two crimes is, and is soon surprised when she is joined by the ghost of her Poppa.
Struggling to solve both crimes and prove to the town doubters including her parents that she is capable of being the Sheriff she is soon distracted by the arrival of Finn Vincent, the hunky officer from the Kentucky State Reserve. Since the town is short a deputy and Wyatt Granger, the coroner can not serve as a deputy by low, Finn is temporarily elected to the position.
Kenni, Finn and Poppa are quick to discover that there are a few skeletons in the closets of the locals. As the trio digs deeper they are soon faced with a long list of suspects.
An interesting plot with fun, quirky characters. As typical of most cozies Kenni is often accompanied by her dog Duke (Poppa's German Shepherd whom she has inherited), a hint of romance develops between her and Finn, and in what seems to be a new trend in the cozy genre the appearance and help of a ghost.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Henery Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Ronald "Doc" Walton is found dead in his office. It seems that someone definitely was angry with the doctor as he had mercury balls shoved down his throat and stuck in his beard, there were various stab wounds to his neck, and he had two bite marks. While Kenni is busy trying to process Doc's murder scene, she's called to a reported break in at White's Jewelry. At White's she discovers that Viola's most valuable diamond had been stolen.
The common denominator between the two crime scenes is the Chinese emblem that was tattooed on Doc and spray painted on the floor of the jewelry store. Kenni sets out to investigate what the relationship between the two crimes is, and is soon surprised when she is joined by the ghost of her Poppa.
Struggling to solve both crimes and prove to the town doubters including her parents that she is capable of being the Sheriff she is soon distracted by the arrival of Finn Vincent, the hunky officer from the Kentucky State Reserve. Since the town is short a deputy and Wyatt Granger, the coroner can not serve as a deputy by low, Finn is temporarily elected to the position.
Kenni, Finn and Poppa are quick to discover that there are a few skeletons in the closets of the locals. As the trio digs deeper they are soon faced with a long list of suspects.
An interesting plot with fun, quirky characters. As typical of most cozies Kenni is often accompanied by her dog Duke (Poppa's German Shepherd whom she has inherited), a hint of romance develops between her and Finn, and in what seems to be a new trend in the cozy genre the appearance and help of a ghost.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Henery Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappes is the first book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kendrick âKenniâ Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. Kenni was elected two years ago, after the passing of her Poppa, Elmer Sims, who was the previous sheriff. Kenni has been lucky that there has been no crime in Cottonwood since she took office (which is extremely odd even for a small town). But Kenni's luck has run out. She is called out early to Dr. Ronald Walton's house (where he also had his office). Dr. Walton was found dead in his home by his receptionist, Toots Buford (only in the South would you find someone with the name of Toots). There is a strange symbol on the doctor's wrist. Later that day White's Jewelry store is robbed and the same symbol is on the wall. The two crimes seem to be connected. Kenni goes the grave of her Poppa (her grandfather) and asks for his help since the townspeople are in an uproar. After that, Kenni starts hearing her Poppa's voice (she thinks it is in her head). Then she actually sees him. At first Kenni believes she is losing her mind, but Poppa soon convinces her that he is real. Poppa is there to help her. Kenni also gets help from the Kentucky State Reserve in the form of Finn Vincent. He is originally from Chicago (so he does not understand the ways of the South-yet). Finn is assigned to help her solve the two crimes. This is especially helpful since Kenni's deputy just retired, and her only other help is the county jailer, Wyatt Granger. Kenni, Finn, and Poppa set out to find the culprit behind the robbery and murder. Will they be able to find the culprit before he commits another crime?
Fixin' to Die is easy to read, has a good flow, and I like the paranormal element. Kenni Lowry is an acquired taste. Her behavior is a wee bit over-the-top (especially in the first half of the story). Kenni goes around town doing her investigation and accusing the wrong people (angering the citizens and losing their cooperation). Kenni does not read the reports provided to her, question witnesses, or follow-up on forensic evidence (to make sure it arrived and was processed). Kenni does not actually solve the crime as stumble upon the killer accidentally (technically, it is a win). Kenni is not used to crime, and this is an adjustment period for her (and the town's citizens). I enjoyed Poppa. I found him to be funny and entertaining. I hope the author will enhance his role in future novels in the series. I give Fixin' to Die 3.5 out of 5 stars. Ms. Kappes did include a romantic element in the story. There is an attraction between Kenni and Finn (she certainly likes to ogle his physique). It will be interesting to see how it progresses. The author did include some outlandish characters like the philandering town mayor and the spoiled, pampered daughter of well-to-do parents. The cozy element is very prevalent in Fixin' to Die. Kenni has a busy social life, likes to jog, has a dog, and enjoys a good card game. The mystery was good, but I found it easy to solve (I wish the crime had been more complicated). I could identify the killer before I reached a hundred pages. I appreciated the paranormal element in the form of Poppa's ghost. It greatly enhanced Fixin' to Die. Overall, Fixin' to Die is a good first start to a series. With a little tweaking this could be an entertaining paranormal mystery series. I will be reading Southern Fried the next book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series.
Fixin' to Die is easy to read, has a good flow, and I like the paranormal element. Kenni Lowry is an acquired taste. Her behavior is a wee bit over-the-top (especially in the first half of the story). Kenni goes around town doing her investigation and accusing the wrong people (angering the citizens and losing their cooperation). Kenni does not read the reports provided to her, question witnesses, or follow-up on forensic evidence (to make sure it arrived and was processed). Kenni does not actually solve the crime as stumble upon the killer accidentally (technically, it is a win). Kenni is not used to crime, and this is an adjustment period for her (and the town's citizens). I enjoyed Poppa. I found him to be funny and entertaining. I hope the author will enhance his role in future novels in the series. I give Fixin' to Die 3.5 out of 5 stars. Ms. Kappes did include a romantic element in the story. There is an attraction between Kenni and Finn (she certainly likes to ogle his physique). It will be interesting to see how it progresses. The author did include some outlandish characters like the philandering town mayor and the spoiled, pampered daughter of well-to-do parents. The cozy element is very prevalent in Fixin' to Die. Kenni has a busy social life, likes to jog, has a dog, and enjoys a good card game. The mystery was good, but I found it easy to solve (I wish the crime had been more complicated). I could identify the killer before I reached a hundred pages. I appreciated the paranormal element in the form of Poppa's ghost. It greatly enhanced Fixin' to Die. Overall, Fixin' to Die is a good first start to a series. With a little tweaking this could be an entertaining paranormal mystery series. I will be reading Southern Fried the next book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series.
