Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 6/14/2016 + 687 more book reviews

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.

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