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Ax To Grind
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Ax To Grind
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Ax To Grind
Ebook263 pages3 hours

Ax To Grind

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this ebook

Ever daydream about taking a little revenge? Lifting a corner of that precious rug everyone's busy sweeping secrets under? Well, let me tell you about Beryle Stone.

She was a bestselling author and the most famous citizen to ever come out of Cottonwood, Kentucky. She knew everyone in town and they knew her. And when she died, she put all her worldly possessions up for auction. All but one.

She left behind a hidden tell-all about Cottonwood that's got more gossip than a ladies’ luncheon. Oh, Lordy, does that make the town folk hot. I’m not talking Deputy Finn Vincent hot, I’m talking hot under those Southern collars hot.

And since revenge is a dish best served cold, things turn ugly. Someone gets an ax to the back and the only witness gets put in a coma.

Enter Sheriff Kenni Lowry. She reckons someone in town will do anything to keep the manuscript from seeing the light of day. And it’s her job to find out who. She starts uncovering as many secrets as there are suspects.

Of course her poppa’s ghost returns to help. He pieces together the life of the Beryle he once knew, but his memory’s a little foggy, and any misstep could cause them a world of trouble.

Can Kenni sort through the secrets buried in Beryle’s books, or will this be her final chapter?

Pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea or a shot of Kentucky Bourbon (no judging in these parts), kick up your feet, and get lost in this delicious Southern mystery. Trust me, you’ll want to pick up this book because it’s just too good to put down.

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AX TO GRIND by Tonya Kappes - A Henery Press Mystery. If you love one, you’ll probably love them all.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHenery Press
Release dateSep 19, 2017
ISBN9781635112481
Author

Tonya Kappes

Tonya Kappes has written more than fifteen novels and four novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two very spoiled schnauzers, and one ex-stray cat in northern Kentucky. Now that her boys are teenagers, Tonya writes full-time but can be found at all of her guys' high-school games with a pencil and paper in hand. Come on over and FAN Tonya on Goodreads.

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When local author Beryle Stone dies, her home and all its contents are being put up for auction. When Beryle's assistant shows up in town, she demands that Sheriff Kenni Lowry put security around the house. Apparently, there is a tell all hidden somewhere and it needs to be found before it is stolen. With Poppa showing up, Kenny knows that there is going to be a murder, something she does not need with an election coming up in the next year. When the assistant is found dead in an alley with an axe in her back, and the wife of the man running against Kenni is wounded by the same axe and ends up in a coma, Kenni is at a loss as to what has happened. With the ghost of her Poppa helping her as well as handsome deputy Finn, Kenni knows she had better solve this case soon! While this is going on the election has divided the town between Kenni and her former deputy, Lonnie.

    I love the characters that inhabit this fictional town. Kenni Lowry is a strong female lead, who just happens to be the sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky. She has a sexy, new deputy who is driving her crazy in a good way and is talking about buying a house and putting down permanent roots in Cottonwood. I love her dog, Duke who loves nothing more than belly rubs and dog treats. Poppa is a great character, even though he is a ghost. He used to be the sheriff of Cottonwood while she was growing up and even though he's been dead for several years he’s still pretty much in the know about the citizens of Cottonwood and has helped her solve a few crimes in past books. Kenni is the only one who can see or communicate with him and as long as she remembers not to talk to him while others are watching, all is well. Her mother is the typical southern belle, who has no boundaries at all when it comes to Kenni and her job as sheriff. There are also the “Henny-Hens” and their rumor mill along with all the business owners that round out the town. Tonya Kappes is one of my favorite cozy authors and she always tells a great story with plenty of suspense and twists in it. The story moved quickly with a great plot, some humour and a touch of romance. I always love a mystery when I don't figure out the culprit, and this one was a nice surprise, yet the motive and clues all fit by the end. I definitely recommend this book to all cozy mystery lovers, especially if you like a Southern Mystery.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Kenni Lowry, Sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has her hands full. On top of her attraction to her deputy, Finn Vincent, her ex-deputy Lonnie Lemar is running against her. Cottonwood's most famous citizen, Beryle Stone, has died and left her estate to various charities - with her cousin Ruby Smith as executor - which is causing an influx of tourists and problems among the locals.Beryle had an assistant, Cecily, who's insisting there's a missing manuscript that needs to go to the publisher and not be part of the estate to be auctioned off. It seems the manuscript is possibly a 'tell all' about people in the town. Beryle, a famous writer, based her books on the people of Cottonwood; even though she changed names and altered details, someone doesn't want the truth known - enough to kill.So late one night Beryle's assistant Cecily is found dead in an alley, and Lonnie's wife Paige injured inside Ruby's antique shop, sending Lonnie into a frenzy and Kenni up to her ears in suspects. What she discovers along the way is that Beryle's mentally disabled sister, thought long dead, is still alive and being cared for at a local inn - and Kenni (and the town) have known her for years under another name. Then there's also the little thing about an unpublished manuscript that Beryle left...the one everyone seems to be after, and Cecily was probably killed for. But no one knows where it is, and with the help of her Poppa's ghost, Kenni learns that nothing good can occur when buried secrets are unearthed, and she needs to find a killer before they have a chance to permanently write her off...Cottonwood, Kentucky is a small town with an eccentric population. Kenni followed in her grandfather's footsteps to become sheriff and nearly sent her mother into an apoplectic fit. But since she's running for re-election, her mother is her staunchest supporter. Her mother is a hoot and the purest form of Southern lady I've ever known. The interaction between these two is alone worth reading the book.But it's the ghost of her grandfather 'Poppa' that gives life to the story (see what I did there?) as he helps her solve the crimes. In this book, Kenni has figured out a key fact about her Poppa being there that neither of them knew, and her relationship with Finn is undergoing some major changes along the way.This is the third book in the series, and it keeps getting better as it progresses. Kenni is capable, smart, stubborn and attractive to boot; and Finn seems to have settled into Cottonwood quite nicely after moving from Chicago. The mystery is written well and plenty of curve balls along the way to keep it going. Once we learn about Beryle's sister being alive, it's interesting to watch all the pieces come together slowly, until it's almost too late.When the murderer is revealed, it comes as a complete surprise. While the clues were there (and I figured out those pretty quickly since I read a lot of mysteries) the identity of the killer was still a little staggering. What seems to be the truth isn't, and what seems hidden is sometimes right out in the open. The reason for the murder was a little sad; it all seemed so senseless in the end.All in all, an excellent mystery with believable and convincing characters. Ms. Kappes has written another tale that is suspenseful and enjoyable. The books just keep getting better and I hope this series stays around for a long time. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Every time I hear that the author has a new book out, I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love her quirky characters and the humor she places throughout the story. She describes the town in Kentucky so perfect that I want to live there. I have heard that in small towns everyone knows your business.. Well almost true. Ok maybe there are secrets in the town and someone is scared those secrets will be found out. Kenni is my kind of person.She takes her job as sheriff seriously and I love her poppy so much. It sure is good company to have poppy around even though he is a ghost. Kenni's mom is kinda uppity and I love the banter between them. I can see Kenni rolling her eyes as her mama tries to run her business. A very famous person has died in the town, and my how the "henny hens" go to gossiping. I loved them so much and laughed every time they got together. Beryle was a very successful author , but there is a vicious rumor that she has a hidden manuscript that is a tell all. What townspeople will be in the book? Who is worried that their secret will come out? When someone is found dead and another severely injured, Kenni and her deputy Finn have their hands full. I have to say I really liked the murder weapon that was used. I love that the author doesn't use the cliche gun or poison. She goes for a more unusual weapon and describes it with intensity that made my skin crawl. It's one crime scene that Kenni and Finn won't forget. As the investigation continues more names come up about who might have killed to find the manuscript. One of the rumors is that Beryle wrote books that had bits and pieces of people from the town in it. What a perfect way to get back at someone. The little town of Cottonwood, Kentucky is rich in beauty and a secret that could damage reputations. What secrets did Beryle know that made someone desperate enough to kill. The book is well written and keeps readers on their toes as suspects pop up.This is one book you don't want to miss. I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    l really enjoyed this latest installment in the Kenni Lowry series. Kenni, the ghost of her Poppa, and the hunky deputy Finn have to figure out who killed a famous local author's assistant and left another woman in a coma. Rumor has it that the author wrote a tell-all manuscript about the people of Cottonwood, KY and hid it before she died. Did her assistant know where it was or what was in it? What's in it that the killer doesn't want people to know about? The author, one Beryle Stone, had quite a few secrets of her own, secrets that might affect the way her estate is settled. Is money the motive behind this crime? Kenni has to rely on all of her resources, including a lot of southern gossip, to get to the bottom of this and solve the case. Fun read with a lot of twists and surprises (and a little romance too).
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Ax To Grind A Kenni Lowry Mystery by Tonya Kappes is a top-notch, down-home, fun small town mystery that leaves you with a smile and wanting more.Sheriff Kenni Lowry has another murder on her hands when the assistant to the author Beryle Stone who has recently died is found dead. Beryle Stone left a tell all manuscript that has Cottonwood a buzz and gets Cecily her assistant murdered. With the ghost of Kenni' s Poppa and Deputy Finn Vincent helping her Kenni has to find the manuscript and the murderer before anyone else finds it or is hurt. Oh and if that isn't enough she has to deal with Momma who has taken it on herself to make sure Kenni is re-elected Sheriff.I love this book. I could see myself right in the middle of all the hubbub in Cottonwood. Kenni is smart, strong-willed and yet has a good heart for others too. I have to say I laughed at all the ways Momma gets under Kenni' s skin with all her shenanigans. She is the typical Mother who will harp, meddle and argue but turns into a Mother Bear when she thinks someone is wronging her daughter, oh boy watch out. Kenni's relationship with her Poppa touches my heart and is one of the things I like about this book and series. He, even as a ghost, is still ornery yet his mind for the investigation is as sharp as ever and I love when he does his ghosting places to see what is going on for Kenni. I laughed so hard when Kenni finds out that her Poppa is the inspiration for one of the people in Beryle's steamy books. I could just see Poppa's face and Kenni' s too when she found out.This book is just plain fun wrapped up in a good mystery with such a surprise ending. The town, the characters, the mystery with unique twists, and the paranormal aspect adds up to a must read don't want to miss book.The only ax I have to grind is that when I finished the book I wanted more and I have to wait for the next book to come out. I loved this book and I highly recommend it. is a top-notch, down-home, fun small town mystery that leaves you with a smile and wanting more.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ax to Grind by Tonya Kappes is the third story in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni Lowry is the sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky. It is time to start her re-election campaign and her mother is pulling out all the stops (imagine giant sign and a bull horn—just for starters) since Kenni’s former deputy, Lonnie Lemar is running against her. Kenni is at an award ceremony honoring her dog, Duke when she is approached by Cecily Hoover, Beryle Stone’s assistant. Beryle, a famous author, passed away a week ago and her estate is to be auctioned off. Beryle had finished a tell-all book that will expose secrets and Cecily is afraid someone will try to steal it. The one problem is Beryle hid the manuscript and Cecily has been unable to locate it. Before the book can be found, Cecily turns up dead in the alley behind Ruby’s Antiques and Paige Lemar is unconscious inside. Poppa, Kenni’s grandfather, returns to help her with the case. The killer obviously does not wish the manuscript to see the light of day (much less be published). Kenni along with Deputy Finn Vincent (and let’s not forget Poppa) dig into Beryle’s past to find Cecily’s killer. Ax to Grind may be the third installment in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The author provides the necessary background on Kenni as well as summaries of what occurred in the first two books in the series. I found the book to be a slow starter, but the pace picked up the further I got into the story. The zaniness factor was ramped up in Ax to Grind (much to my disappointment). Kenni’s mother needs to be reined in (my mother thought her antics were hysterical, and she told me I lack a sense of humor). If I was Kenni, I would change my house locks (using an out-of-town locksmith) and get an untraceable phone number (to thwart her mother). The mystery was cleverly set up, but I wish there had been a good twist to surprise me. I identified the killer before the third chapter in the book. There are a limited number of suspects and there are big clues that point to the killer. Most readers will be able to solve the crime before the reveal. I love the paranormal element (Poppa) and wish there was more of it in the story. I feel that Poppa would be a great resource to Kenni if used properly. A Kenni Lowry Mystery series portrays what life is like in small Southern towns. For those readers who enjoy light, comical cozy mysteries, pick up a copy of Ax to Grind.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is book three of the Kenni Lowery Mystery Series by Tonni Kappes and its another winner. What is not to love when you have a strong female lead, Kenni who just happens to be the sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky where her office with its single cell is located in the back room of a diner on Main Street right in the middle of downtown? Her new sexy deputy is driving her crazy in a good way, plus she has her faithful companion, Duke who loves nothing more than belly rubs and dog treats. She can also communicate with her Poppa who was sheriff of Cottonwood while she growing up and even though hes been dead for several years he’s still pretty much in the know about the fine citizens of Cottonwood. He has helped her solve a few crimes in the past, the hard part is remembering while they are chatting away that no one can see him and it makes her look rather odd talking to herself in public. Her mother is the typical southern belle, which has no boundaries at all when it comes to Kenni and her job as sheriff. I love the way the characters interact with each other, it is so funny between the “Henny-Hens” rumor mill and the weekly girl’s night card game. The one thing that did take Kenni by surprise was when the town’s famous resident, Beryl who happened to be a writer of the bodice ripping romance genre passes away and she finds out there will be a rather large estate sale. Not only that but, Beryl’s Assistant, Cecily is convinced that there is a tale all manuscript that is hidden among Beryl’s items and it needs to be returned to her publisher and fast before someone else gets their hands on it. Before things can get out of hand between her new deputy and herself, they find themselves interrupting a burglary and then stumble over a body behind one of Kenni’s good friend Ruby’s, Antique shop who is going also the executor of Beryl’s estate. I really had a good time reading the latest book in this series and I am looking forward to the next one. This series is laugh out loud funny and we all need a good laugh! I would like to think the publisher and NetGalley for the providing me with an e-galley of this book for my honest review.