Kenni has her hands full in this, the 5th mystery in the Kenni Lowry series. First off her Mama has volunteered Kenni to be the maid of honor to the Mayor's bride aka Bridezilla, Polly. Wanting to keep her job as sheriff, Kenni dons the horrible green dress and does her duty. Of course that's not all that is keeping her busy. Lucy Lowell, the local busybody and all around pain in just about everyone's backside, is found dead as a doornail by her husband. On the surface it looks like a run of the mill death from a heart attack but Kenni knows instantly that her was murdered. What gives her that idea? Her ghostly grandfather is standing next to her corpse and he only makes an appearance when it's a murder. Will Kenni be able to investigate this case without having to explain to her deputy/boyfriend that she hasn't lost her marbles and she's not talking to herself but to a ghost? What a predicament.
The mystery was complex and had me guessing - wrong - to the final reveal. Along the way were twists, turns and a few red herrings plus lots of laughter. All of the things I expect from the pen of Tonya Kappes.

The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

Sheriff Kenni Lowry is good at her job and when local reporter Lucy Lowell is found dead, Lowry knows that with the number of enemies Lowell has racked up she will have no end of suspects.

Make sure you are wide awake when you read this one as Dead as a Doornail will keep your eyes glued to the pages. Tonya Kappes does a fabulous job of combining quirky small-town characters, romance, and a good mystery with a surprise ending.

In this fifth installment of the Kenni Lowry series, Kenni is juggling plans to visit her boyfriend’s family at Christmas, an unexpected role as maid of honor in a wedding, and working to solve a murder. That’s enough to make anyone’s head spin! Those who enjoy a touch of paranormal added to their books will love the spirit of Kenni’s father.

The characters were believable, the story fast-paced and engaging, and the romance sweet.

With the town in a tizzy for the mayor's wedding next week, Kenni Lowry, sheriff knows the death of Lucy is a murder, not a heart attack. She's sure because her dead grandfather is back as a ghost when there is a crime. Her boyfriend, deputy Finn isn't sure why she's so convinced it's murder but figures Kinni knows best. With her duties as maid of honor and investigating the murders, now 3 locals dead, she is up to her eye balls in small town gossip and advise. Easy to read as a stand alone, I seemed to have missed Tonya Kappes' previous books this is a great cozy with just a hint of the paranormal with Grandpa leading the investigation. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Can't believe I forgot to review this!

This is one of my favorite series and this one is just as good as the others.

Lucy loves to complain about all the business in town and writes negative reviews. Then she ends up dead and it appears that she had a heart attack. Kenni knows different though because the ghost of her grandfather has shown up and that means only one thing, murder.

He use to be the sheriff so when a murder happens he shows up to help her solve it. Now that Kenni and Finn are dating and pretty seriously it's getting harder and harder to hid the fact that she talks to her grandpa. It's even harder to explain why she thinks it could be murder when Finn just sees heart attack. She has the ME look into it and he finds that she was actually poison and through her nail polish.

There are several contenders for being the one who killed her because of all the negative reviews, the fact that she and her friend are not longer friends because of their competition with each other which put a dapper on their husbands being friends. There is also talk of affairs but then another death happens and Kenni must hurry to figure it out before anything else happens.

I love Kenni and all of her family and friends. I really love her ghostly grandfather.

It has a great mystery and I didn't figure it out till the last minute which is good!

5th in the Kenni Lowry series, it can be read as a standalone, but you should pick up the others just so you know the background.

Engaging as ever, I still have a few concerns. I'm over her not telling Finn about her grandfather and I think it's starting to wear on me that an extremely small town has so much murder and she feels no one should be concerned. I know, I know, it's a cozy mystery so logic be damned; I just think it's going to need to be addressed at some point.

That being said, I enjoy the cast of characters, the plot, and how the author makes you feel as though you're right there in Cottonwood.

Thank you Netgalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2431191252

Tonya Kappes has a knack for knowing what her fans like—a small-town atmosphere, quirky characters, and light mystery that will keep them guessing until the end. The bottom line is she’s delivered again with this Kenni Lowry mystery.

Kenni is back with Poppa at her side to help her work her way through a most perplexing crime. And when Kenni is drafted to be the maid of honor for a woman she barely knows, life becomes much more complex for this small-town sheriff with a big heart. Add in a little romance between the sheriff and her favorite deputy and Dead as a Doornail comes through with another solid fan favorite in this series.

Laugh out loud funny. Tonya Kappes delivers again in this fantastic southern cozy mystery! Don't miss this one.

The newest release by Tonya Kappes, Dead as a Doornail, is an entertaining cozy mystery full of southern charm, humor, and a few quirky characters along the way. Law enforcement in the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky consists of three sheriff’s department employees, two of whom are Sheriff Kenni and Deputy Finn. And then there’s the ghost of Kenni’s dad, who appears whenever there’s a murder to solve …

Dead as a Doornail has all the elements of a cozy mystery, but with a protagonist who has a logical reason for questioning suspects because she is the Sheriff. Good tension comes when Kenni often has to question personal friends. The story stands alone, but I would have probably gotten to know Kenni and the other characters better if I had read the four previous books.

I don’t usually enjoy supernatural elements, but Kenni’s dad adds a nice touch, reminding me of a TV show I once saw where the murder victim conversed with the detective. There’s some great secondary characters, including a “bridezilla” that Kenni is roped into being a bridesmaid for, Kenni’s mom, and a mayor who doesn’t want the investigation to overshadow his wedding. The murder plot is well crafted and the romance between Finn and Kenni continues to develop.

Dead as a Doornail is a fun, entertaining read and I look forward to more stories to come. Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

“Dead as a Doornail” earns 5/5 ‘Perfectly Posh’ed Nails…Murderously Fun!

When you're the only salon in town, you are everyone’s destination for all things mani/pedi and gossip. But, Lucy Ellen’s tantrum over not getting preferential treatment on a day when there are no available appointments can only lead to trouble…another negative review? bad mouthing around town? boycotting? There seems to be no easier solution. Lucy Ellen is found dead, and despite plenty with motives, her death appears to be from natural causes. However, Kenni knows when the ghost of her grandfather and former sheriff shows up, it's a sign of murder. Forestalling a quickie funeral, Kenni, with Poppa in tow, needs to first find evidence of murder, then…a killer!

Cool! I am an eager cozy mystery fan, and Tonya Kappes is one of my ‘Top Ten’ favorite authors. Her signature steady pace and clever mystery is always entertaining, and the references to Southern culture, mores, and libation and culinary delights always make the work unique. She has created a plethora of well-developed characters with Kenni showing a positive profession and personal growth, but with a quirky mother/daughter dynamic and continued “goo-goo” eyes for her subordinate, the side stories enhance the entertainment. And a ghost? Tonya is the best making the paranormal aspect fit well into reality…no hocus-pocus or juvenile Casper the Friendly Ghost here. She almost makes the “beyond the veil” character as a delightful literary technique akin to that inner voice we all engage with when reviewing events or emotional dilemmas. I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire series!

4+ stars
5th in the Sheriff Kenni Lowry mystery series set in Cottonwood, Kentucky, this one doesn’t disappoint. Kenni is at the local salon on her day off, using a gift from her boyfriend and Deputy sheriff, Finn Vincent when the local trouble maker, Lucy Ellen comes in demanding an appointment. The salon is all full, so they try to turn Lucy away, but not without some heated words.
Lucy Ellen isn’t generally liked because she writes nasty articles about local establishments when she doesn’t get what she wants. Unfortunately for Tina, the nail salon owner, Lucy is found dead in her home by her husband after returning early from a hunting trip and Tina is the prime suspect when the coroner finds poison in Lucy’s body.
On top of having to investigate the murder of Lucy, Kenni has to contend with being asked by Polly Parker, the fiancée of Cottonwood’s Mayor Chance Ryland to be her maid of honor after her first choice has to decline because she is pregnant. This makes for some good laughs as Kenni has to fit into a dress that is 2 sizes too small and just all-around unflattering. Making matters worse is Kenni’s mother who sees this as an opportunity for Kenni to realize she wants to get married.
A lot of plot twists with the mystery kept me guessing up until the very end. Very well done and a lot of fun!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Henery Press, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Dead As A Doornail
Kenni Lowry, Book #5
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone. And doesn’t our Sheriff Kenni Lowry know that? Well, she knows a lot of things.

Lucy Lowell takes great pride in writing negative reviews in the local newspaper for anything that does not go her way. When Lucy is found dead, it appears to be from natural causes.

But Sheriff Kenni Lowry knows there is more to it because the ghost of her grandfather, the ex-sheriff, is standing over the body.

His presence can only mean one thing: Murder!

Since Kenni’s relationship with Deputy Finn Vincent has heated up, Kenni is having trouble conducting the investigation without Finn questioning her every move.

Can Kenni unravel the mystery on her own or will she have to tell Finn the real reason she knows it was murder—the ghost of her poppa?

It’s blowin’ up a storm and only Kenni knows how it’ll end. (Goodreads)


Review:

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and whenever I read one of her books I am transplanted to the setting that she creates. Cottonwood, Kentucky, seems as real a place as any other small town in the United States. I always enjoy my visits.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The characters are defined very clearly by their actions and words. The characters are well rounded and three dimensional. I so enjoy spending time with Kenni and her grandfather. Their love for each other crosses the border between the living and the dead.

The mystery was well paced and well plotted. There were enough twists and turns to almost give me whiplash enough red herrings thrown in that I thought cats might start following me! It was not an easy mystery to solve and that is fine with me.

I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy paranormal. This series is one of my favorite ghostly cozies and I cannot wait to read the next one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Henery Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

There are only a few mystery series that I return to time and time again. The Kenni Lowry mysteries by Tonya Kappes is one of those. The author has a knack of taking a slightly ridiculous plot line and not only making it realistic but also making it fun and funny at the same time.

I’m generally not a fan of paranormal stories; however, Kenni’s Poppa is not only the ghost of her grandfather but is also the old and long-standing Sheriff who prefaced Kenni in her job in Cottonwood Kentucky.

Poppa shows up whenever there is a murder in Kenni’s jurisdiction and stays until the mystery is solved. So, when a citizen passes away from what looks like natural causes, Kenni is surprised when Poppa pops up.


Poppa gives some reminders of how they worked cases together when Kenni was a child and sometimes helps provide a few clues as well. They work to solve the murder mystery and, each time that Poppa vanishes, Kenni is not sure she will ever see him again.

Kenni’s relationship with her Deputy, Finn Vincent, continues to grow deeper and stronger. His invitation for Kenni to spend some time meeting his parents gets Kenni’s mother on her high horse. Kenni will have to choose which love she wants to follow. I’m definitely hoping for a Christmas story that deals with this issue!

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Her grandfather’s ghost only shows up when a murder has been committed, so when Sheriff Kenni Lowry arrives on the scene of Lucy Ellen Lowell’s death she knows it is murder even though it appears she has passed from natural causes. With Finn nearby, all the time know because they are actually dating, it is hard for Kenni to discuss the case with her grandfather. Finn is suspicious about her behavior, “talking to herself” and why she is putting so much effort into this case. She needs some proof to back up what she already knows, that Lucy being Dead as a Doornail was at the hands of a killer.

We return to Cottonwood just in time for the mayor’s wedding. His bride is having trouble keeping the maid of honor spot filled so Kenni’s mother volunteers her for the spot and all the duties the job entails. Kenni really doesn’t have time for this especially now that she is investigating a murder. If my mother would have done something like this I would have lost my mind, but this story takes place in the south and Kenni knows she just needs to roll with punches, no matter how ugly the dress is.

The story starts out at Tiny Tina’s Salon and Spa where we catch up with Bridezilla Polly and her bridal party. It is also the place to hear all the latest gossip. A very important place in any small town. The way the owner is implicated in Lucy’s murder was very interesting. The author takes us down quite a path to find who did in poor lucy. Twists and turns that lead to a super surprising ending.

Small town politics play a role in the story. Kenni has to watch her P’s and Q’s if she expects to be reelected. The mayor was his bride to be happy so he would like the wedding to be Kenni’s top priority and solve the murder after his bride walks down the aisle. I admire the way Kenni juggles everything going on in her life. She is one busy lady. I absolutely love that her “Poppa” is still watching over her and is there when she needs him. I wish it were possible to continue relationships like that with loved ones we have lost.

I have enjoyed every book in this series. Tonya Kappes is an excellent storyteller. She makes Cottonwood and its residents jump right off the page. Each visit to this place seems to end way too soon.

This was another fun fantastic mystery from this author filled with Southern charm and engaging characters. Well plotted and written and checks all my boxes for a Perfect Escape.

Dead as a Doornail by Tonya Kappes is the fifth novel in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. She is enjoying a spa day at Tiny Tina’s courtesy of her boyfriend, Finn Vincent with her best friend, Jolee. Then Lucy Ellen Lowell barges in demanding an appointment so her nails and hair will be beautiful for upcoming nuptials of Polly Parker and Mayor Chance Ryaland. After a lively disagreement, an unhappy Lucy Ellen leaves and comments that Tina will regret not accomodating her. Lucy Ellen is well-known for her disparaging articles on businesses posted in the Cottonwood Chronicle when she is unable to bully the owner to get her way. Kenni is looking forward to a quiet evening after the gossip of the salon when her mother barges in with Polly Parker and her mother, Paula. It seems that Kenni is Polly’s new maid-of-honor and gets the privledge to wear a large hunter green dress that is reminiscent of Scarlet’s curtain dress in Gone with the Wind (good grief). Kenni is awakened at 4 a.m. with a phone call from Darnell Lowell. He has arrived home and found his wife, Lucy Ellen dead. When Kenni arrives at the crime scene and sees Poppa, she knows that Lucy Ellen was murdered. Chance Ryland and Polly would prefer Kenni to put off her investigation until after their wedding (it is taking attention away from Polly). Kenni will need to work quickly to find Lucy Ellen’s killer before the wedding while handling her maid of honor duties. It is going to be a long week for Kenni Lowry.

Dead as a Doornail is the fifth book in the series, and I suggest reading the books in order. That way you will understand the background on Kenni, her family history, her romance with Finn, and Poppa. Dead as a Doornail contains good writing and has a nice quick pace which makes for an enjoyable read. I appreciate Tonya Kappes conversational writing style. Cottonwood is the quintessential small town where gossip runs rampant, doors are not locked, favors are a way of life and everyone has advice to give on your love life. As sheriff, Kenni finds herself in an unusual position. It will soon be time for re-election and she cannot alienate the voters which is how Kenni finds herself in awkward (and unwelcome) position of being Polly’s maid of honor. Kenni’s mother will having you laughing with her antics and how she manipulates Kenni. Cottonwood has several quirky characters that use charming Southern colloquialisms. The mystery is a nail biter. Dead as a Doornail is a lighthearted cozy mystery that will have readers chuckling frequently and puzzled by the killer’s identity.

Being maid of honor in a wedding isn’t in Sheriff Kenni Lowry’s job description. Neither is wearing a hideous green dress. But, it’s quite the big deal, being the Mayor’s wedding and all, so she will suck it up and do her part. Or maybe not. Called to the scene of a dead body, Kenni runs into her grandfather. He’s long shed his mortal coil but returns to help Kenni when its a case of murder. Which she now knows this to be.

I’m enjoying seeing how Kenni grows in her role as Sheriff. It seemed to me she used to think of her job as not a permanent thing, and second guessed herself often. Now, she’s strong, confident and darn good at her job.

And the relationship between Kenni and Deputy Finn is steaming right along. They’re getting very close and I enjoy their encounters throughout the book. While Finn has no idea that the ghost of Kenni’s grandpa is helping her with the case, he is suspicious when she appears to have conversations with herself and acts on clues that seem to come out of thin air.

With plenty of suspects to choose from, the mystery wasn’t easy to solve. When the culprit is revealed its like that box of chocolates, you never who you’re gonna get. I sure had fun following along as Kenni, her grandpa and Finn got to work.

The quirky and endearing character’s, funny encounters and situations and convoluted mystery are something I’ve come to expect and look forward to in this series and Tonya delivers again.

4.5 stars

Kenni Lowry’s adventures as sheriff in a small Kentucky town continue to be entertaining and hilariously endearing. Solving crimes is one thing, but dodging an overzealous Mama and the town’s gossip mill is where all the delightful sass comes to the surface. Making it even better in my book is the delicious romance between Kenni and her swoony deputy Finn Vincent – a northerner who fits in pretty darn well despite his Yankee roots.

I love everything about this series – from the sweetly-snarky-Southern asides to the familiar-to-me setting to the quirky characters that sum up life in a small Kentucky town to a T. The mystery is very well-plotted and layered, and the sassy humor is delightful. Kenni’s ghostly assistant (her late Poppa, formerly the sheriff of Cottonwood) is a wonderfully creative technique that allows us (and Kenni) to see behind closed doors and investigate two places at once. And, of course, who doesn’t love Duke the dog!

In Dead as a Doornail, the quirky characters are out in full force – and it kicks off in a beauty shop where of course all kinds of trouble is just waiting to happen. On top of trying to solve a murder, Kenni is wrangled into being the maid of honor for a bride she barely tolerates, thanks to her Mama’s scheming. Between the two incidents – the murder and the wedding – is a whole passel of both hilarious and touching moments as well as the kind of moments that make you grit your teeth in one of those painfully awkward grins on Kenni’s behalf. Kappes’ writing voice is stellar, as always, with just the right amount of sweetened-up snark and wry observations.

Bottom Line: Small town Southern sass meets a feisty sheriff determined to prove herself to her hometown, even if that means secretly accepting help from her deceased Poppa who used to hold the job. The continued subplot with her Poppa adds affection, humor, and clever case-solving to the mix – and now that it’s beginning to intersect with Kenni’s romance subplot with Finn it adds even more layers to the story’s flavor. Cottonwood KY comes brilliantly to life with Kappes’ talented pen, and I can’t wait for more adventures with Kenni, Finn, Poppa, Duke, Betty, Mama and the whole gang!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Nice cozy mystery. The author did a great job of really creating the small-town feel. Even the food was well described. I thought the main character's mother was more likeable in this book than in the previous one. I also liked that Kenny is able to speak up for herself from time to time, she's not a constant pushover.

The mystery was fine. There might have been a few details that could have been a little clearer
The boyfriend was okay. He's likeable, but not much else. In addition, I don't really like that Kenny feels like she has to talk him into doing certain things in connection with their work. She is the boss, after all. I get the feeling there will be more background on him coming up soon.

Well Fiddle Dee Dee! Polly and the mayor are finally getting hitched! Unfortunately, Sheriff Kenni Lowry gets stuck being the maid of honor! With the atrocious dress she has to wear, she’s hoping she doesn’t end up looking like Little Bunny Foo Foo hopping down the aisle and getting hit in the head with the flower bouquet! And, if you think that’s the worst thing going on in town, you just wait a cotton pickin minute because Kenni also has to solve another murder!!
There are plenty of suspects romping around Cottonwood including Tina from Tiny Tina’s salon, the murder victim’s frenemy who seems to have competed with her in everything, and even Kenni’s best friend!! Can Kenni and Finn, with the super secret help of Poppa, find out who’s poisoning people with cyanide? Will Mama end up enrolling Kenni in Weight Watchers to get rid of her Happy Fat? Will this wedding of the century actually go off without a hitch? You must read this 5th Kenni Lowry book to find out!!
I always enjoy the Kenni Lowry books with the colorful and charming southern characters and well-planned mysteries but this one just takes the cake! It’s not only full of twists and turns but it’s also slap ya mama funny to boot! So, if you know anyone who’s full off piss and vinegar who needs a good laugh and enjoys a good mystery, then point them in the direction of Tonya Kappes! You won’t be sorry!