I was excited to get back to Cottonwood, KY. A quaint and quirky small community where everyone looks out for each other, except when they are looking out for themselves. At this time people are starting to talk about the upcoming elections, a contentious food competition, and Sheriff Kenni Lowrey is looking towards a new station for the sheriff department. She finally has a full time deputy (besides her Poppa's ghost) and they need more room. Being in too close quarters isn't helping her figure out if there are sparks flying between Sheriff Kenni and Deputy Finn.
With all this going on, she is called to investigate a body crushing the florist's prize tomatoes.
Gossip flies faster than horseflies around Cottonwood but the facts will take some digging.
It becomes personal when someone takes action against Kenni's property and kidnaps her dog!

Full of Tonya's sass and spirit, this series keeps up a strong pace and keeps Sheriff Kenni on her toes.
I recommend this series for fans of the Lavene's writing and the characters in Kathi Daley's series.

Last night I finished Tonya Kappes Southern Fried, the second book in her Kenni Lowery Mystery series. I loved book two, this was a great story and this wonderful cozy mystery is filled with Southern charm, manners and absolutely addicting Southern sayings. I really love the way Sheriff Kenni and the ghost of her grandfather work together in this one and I enjoy the new deputy as well.
Tonya does a great job of giving the readers what they need, a bit of what they want and enough to make you long for the release of book 3.

Kenni Lowry is the sheriff of Cottonwood, a small town where you know your neighbors and you can let your dog roam around and everyone takes care of him. She always knows that Duke is well taken care of when she is out on a call.

When Owen ends up dead in Myrna's greenhouse Kenni has to up her game along with her newly appointed deputy Finn. It seems like not all the dots are connecting until Kenni makes some important ones that changed everything they thought was going on.

The characters are great in this series and I really like Kenni, she is a sheriff in a town where not everyone is sure a female should be one but does a great job. She has her dead grandfather riding alongside her to help her out on her cases since he used to be sheriff, he is pretty funny. Finn is from Chicago and Kenni is really starting to like him but her Poppa keeps telling her that big city guys don't stick around so she is a little leery of getting close to him. Finn is really getting used to country life though and loves all the fun southern sayings. It has a great cast of secondary characters that really makes a cozy as well.

It was a good solid mystery, the author kept me guessing and I like that. It's a great series and you should get it! :)

This book is bonkers in a good way.its great fun and perfectly captures the feel of a small town and its wacky inhabitants I like the main character Kenni as well and there is some thing about the idea of Southern little towns and the characters and wonderful food you imagine you would find there that really appeals to me.The pace of this book and story is great as well.I thought it was a really good entertaining read I loved it.thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes is the second book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. Kenni is enjoying time with Finn Vincent, her new deputy and romantic interest, when she is called out to a scene. Kenni arrives at Myrna Savage’s greenhouse to find a person face down on her prize tomatoes. Myrna is not a happy camper since she needs those tomatoes for a food competition. When the body is turned over, they discover it is Owen Godbey, Myrna’s delivery driver. Myrna owns Petal Pusher Landscaping (she does flower arrangements as well). Owen was a contestant in the food competition along with Myrna. Is someone trying to wipe out the competition? Upon further investigation, Kenni discovers that there is a secret family cookbook in Owen’s family. Everyone wants the cookbook, but no one knows where Owen hid it. Kenni, with the help of her newly sworn in deputy, Finn along with Poppa, her ghostly grandfather, set out to get answers and round up the guilty party. When Kenni gets a little too close to the killer, they take something that Kenni loves dearly. Kenni will not stop until she catches the culprit and gets back what belongs to her.

I found Southern Fried to be easy to read and to have a fast pace. It is a humorous novel that is more cozy than mystery. The book is full of quirky characters who love to meddle and gossip (especially Kenni’s mother). My favorite character is Poppa, Kenni’s grandfather. He is a charming man who dearly loves Kenni and provides keen insight. I hope Poppa will be featured more prominently in future books. While Southern Fried is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides background information on the main characters and updates the reader on what occurred in Fixin’ to Die. I give Southern Fried 4 out of 5 stars. I thought the mystery was well crafted. It is complex and there are some twists involved. Those that enjoy figuring out whodunit will enjoy solving this one. I appreciate the entertaining Southern phrases in the book. It will be interesting to see how the re-election campaign plays out in future books. If you are looking for an amusing cozy mystery novel with a paranormal element, then check out Southern Fried.

Southern Fried
Kenni Lowry Mystery, Book #2
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars


Synopsis:

In the South, it’s better when the food is fried and the secrets kept buried…

After the dead body of a beloved Cottonwood resident is found tangled up in an electric fence, Sheriff Kenni Lowry has a hunch that somethin’ ain’t right. Her investigation heats up with a fierce cook-off competition, a euchre game where the intel is sweeter than the brownies, and a decades old family recipe that may just be the proof in the pudding.

The icing on the cake: Kenni is fighting an attraction to her recently sworn-in deputy sheriff, and election season is hot on her tail. When the killer comes after who she holds most dear, even her poppa’s ghostly guidance might not be enough to keep her and her own out of the frying pan. (Goodreads)


Review:


The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there watching all the action take place and eavesdropping in on many conversations. I was pulled into the story and the setting right from the first page and taken for a ride through the whole book.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Kenni is a tough woman who happens to be the sheriff of Cottonwood. Being a female sheriff is not always easy but if anyone can do it, Kenni can. And having the help of her grandfather’s ghost, Poppa, makes things a little easier. She also enjoys having her deputy sheriff, Finn, help, both as a coworker and perhaps as a love interest. All of the characters were down to earth and people that I would like to spend more time with.

The mysteries were carried on well throughout the entire book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through that it was difficult to figure out the killer on my own. I did not figure it out until it was revealed at the end.

This is the second book in the series and the second book that I have read and enjoyed. The characters, especially Poppa, the small town setting and the ease of the writing style make this book, and series, a must read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Entertaining, engaging, enjoyable, etc. Southern small town sheriff solves the crime. While not usually a fan of ghosts being involved, the grandfather adds heart and humor. The hunky deputy adds romance and charm. . I had read the first in this series and enjoyed it, so I was eager to read this one.

Great cozy mystery, which are my favorite kind. I want to read more from Kappes!

Southern Fried is the second book in the Kenni Lowry mystery series published by Henery Press. Kenni is a Sheriff in a small town. Her grandfather, and former Sheriff, has come back as a ghost to help her out in policing the town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. She has the help of her new deputy, Finn Vincent, as well.

When one of the local residents is found facedown in a greenhouse, Kenni and her deputy are called to the scene. The body has strange marks on its ankles that correspond to old electrical fencing. And he 's barefoot and his feet are clean. He didn't walk his ownself into that greenhouse. Someone deposited him there.

In spite of it being a small town, there are several suspects and motives to choose from. Finn seeks enlightenment at the local watering hole while Kenni attends a Euchre game where the gossip is hot. Small town investigating seems a little casual, but just right.

The characters in this mystery are interesting and quirky. There's the hard of hearing dispatcher, the feisty florist, and the devastatingly handsome new deputy from Chicago to name a few. Kenni's ghostly Poppa plays the role of a guide and co-investigator, but I think most of the investigation is done smartly by Kenni and Finn.

It has a good pace to it. And it has a good sense of humor. I love the attitude the town has about her dog. If people see him out and about, sometimes they just collect him in their car or truck and drop him back off at the sheriff's office. And there is an undercurrent of romance as Kenni fights her attraction to Finn.

It's a satisfying mystery. It has its twists. And there are surprises at the reveal.

Overall I give this mystery 4 out of 5 stars. If you like small town, southern mysteries, you will enjoy this one. And to paraphrase: if you have enjoyed one of the other mysteries put out by Henery Press, you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

Southern Fried is expected out April 4, 2017.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 2 in the series.

A fast, fun read featuring Sheriff Kenni Lowry, her dead granddad, Duke the dog and of course the hot deputy, Finn. It's a little bit silly, but an enjoyable romp through Southern small town life full of family secrets and kooky characters.

This is the second Kenni Lowry mystery and I liked it more than I did the first one. Quite a lot more in fact. Kenni seems a much more balanced competent character in this, which helps to distract from the fact that she's getting advice from a ghost. Having the detective be the sheriff deals with some of the issues you get in cozies with why the person is investigating and the access that they have, although it does make the lead character's job more difficult in some ways. Kenni is still a little bit spacey, and makes some odd decisions but it's fairly copeable with in the main - although if you think too hard about some of the decisions that she's making/stuff that she's doing as the sheriff you do wonder about police procedure!

The mystery is good, although some of the explanations/explications could do with being a little clearer - I was still getting some characters confused in my head right up until the end of the book. The focus on reelection seemed a little alien to me - but then I'm a Brit and elected sherrifs and tiny independent police departments are not something we have here. There were still a few hanging strands at the end of this book - which i wasn't entirely sure was deliberate, but may well have been. I'll keep an eye out for book three to see if the upward progression continues.

Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes is the second book in her Kenni Lowry series and was a delight to read from beginning to end.

Kenni is an awesome young woman who truly loves her hometown of Cottonwood, KY. She holds the office of Sheriff dear to her heart as her grandfather was the previous sheriff before he passed away. However, "Poppa" is her guardian angel and helps her with every one of her cases. The secondary characters are a quirky bunch who add so much to each one of these stories. As for her deputy, Finn, he's handsome, supportive and seems to be in Cottonwood to stay.

The book moved swiftly and there were so many twists that I never guessed who "done it" until the reveal. If you like your cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal, a little romance and plenty of sourthern charm, don't miss this one.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Henery Press via NetGalley.

Wow, what a twisty story. Many of the same characters are back. Kenni now has a deputy and she thinks he is pretty cute. I was irritated with some of the people of the town. They weren't forthcoming with information, sometimes not wanting others to know what they were doing or because they figured Kenni didn't need to know. However, the mystery was interesting. It was twisty, because when I thought I knew the bad guy, some other piece of information popped up and changed my mind. I didn't know who the bad guy was until it was revealed.

Southern Fried starts well; the dead body is discovered in the greenhouse of his occasional employer, splattering her ripe prize tomatoes that she was banking on to win her the cook-off competition. All the evidence suggests she did it. Fortunately Sheriff Kenni Lowry (Kenni is a woman) doesn't take anything at face value. Oh, except phone messages that she accidentally deletes from breathy women she overhears on her hot deputy's phone.

This is an engaging story full of misdirection and undercurrents--the misdirection being from the neighbours in neighbourly Kentucky, and not from the author! Undercurrents are both romantic and deadly--both inspire jealousy, I suppose. Why is the family of a deceased cook in such a turmoil over a secret okra recipe? The puzzle is nicely tangled and untangled, then retangled and unknotted. Duke the dog plays a vital part.

The atmosphere of 'Southern' comes across in the pages, oozing charm and back-biting in equal measure. People fall over themselves to help our poor sheriff, rather more than she needs at times. It creates a great sense of place.

I thoroughly enjoyed Southern Fried, so much that I may backtrack to the first Kenni Lowry mystery before the third comes out.

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series written by Tonya Kappes. Kenni Lowry is the Sheriff in the small town Cottonwood. When she is called to a crime scene with a dead body of a beloved resident she knows something isn’t right. Her investigation heats up with a fierce cook-off competition, a euchre game where the intel is sweeter than the brownies, and a decades old family recipe that may just be the proof in the pudding. With the help of her poppa's ghost, she is determined to find the killer before someone else is next. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

I received this ARC from netgalley and am voluntarily posting a review. This is the first I have read in the Kenni Lowry series. It is number 2 in the series. It is a rather fast read and doesn't drag. I did not anticipate the twist and turns this book would take on the crime but kind of guessed the situation between Finn & Kenni. I would read more in this series. There is humor, insight into small town living and the murder was done in an intriguing fashion.

Highly Recommended sequel for cozy mystery lovers.

In book two of the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series, Sheriff Kenni Lowry and the ghost of her Poppa and former Sheriff once again are investigating the murder of one of the residents of their small town of Cottonwood, KY. Sheriff Kenni and her newly sworn in Deputy Finn Vincent are called to the greenhouse for Petal Pusher’s Landscaping. The owner of Petal Pusher’s, Myrna, has found a body on top of her prize-winning tomatoes. The body belongs to Owen Godbey and shows no obvious signs of how he died. However, the appearance of his body strikes Sheriff Kenni as suspicious. The autopsy confirms Kenni’s suspicions that this was indeed a murder. While trying to solve the murder, Kenni also is having to deal with her feeling for Deputy Finn, her Poppa’s opinion about Big City Officers getting bored in a small town, the announcement of her former deputy running against her in the next election for Sheriff, and concern for her missing dog, Duke. Sheriff Kenni handles everything with true southern determination and wit.

I loved this book from start to finish. Being a southerner from a small town myself, I can relate to the southern slang, small town gossip and ideals, and the southern charm that Author Tonya Kappes includes in her books. You don’t have to be a southerner to fall in love with the characters of this series. Sheriff Kenni has a very special relationship with her mother. Even though her mother does not like Kenni being Sheriff because of the dangers the job brings, she immediately starts campaigning for Kenni’s reelection and is determined to see her daughter win. Also, the relationship with Poppa’s ghost shows just how special he is to Kenni and how much he influences her career. The budding feelings between Kenni and Deputy Finn adds just the right touch of romance and tension to make you want to see how things work out for them without overwhelming the rest of the story line. There are just enough twist and turns in the plot to keep you guessing and solve the mystery right along with Kenni. One other thing I loved about this book is how so many people show love for Duke by taking care of him when Kenni can’t.

I really liked this book. Kenni is a great character and I loved the small town feelings and the dynamics with everyone in the town.
When Kenni, the sheriff, is called to a crime scene, she spirals into a whirlwind of family secrets that will tear this case wide open.
Trying to ignore her feelings for her new deputy, Kenni leaves no stone unturned in this cozy mystery.
Having the ghost of her grandpa in the book makes it more fun to read.
I look forward to reading more in the series.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Fun, easy read with a smart heroine surrounddd by varied personalities adding to the interest. The plot is well drawn and sensible